Boggabri is set to gain much-needed doctors’ housing after Narrabri Shire Council endorsed a proposal to relocate two homes from Narrabri to the town, paving the way for new accommodation aimed at supporting local medical services.
Councillors this week backed a request from Boggabri Coal Operations to shift two of its 20 required dwellings, allowing the construction of two single-storey houses in Boggabri where demand for doctors’ housing remains ongoing.
Director Development and Compliance Kate Alberry told the council there was still a clear need for dedicated housing to attract and retain medical professionals in the town.
Councillor Ryan Whillas said the issue had been recognised for several years, noting it had been listed on the council’s Resolution Register since 2021.
He said the additional housing would have a positive impact on the Boggabri community by helping address ongoing challenges in securing medical services.
The move forms part of broader activity linked to the Boggabri Coal Mine, which received approval late last year to extend its operations. The extension will see the life of the mine pushed out by four years to 2040, with increased depth of extraction and continued production from the site.
Located about 15 kilometres north-east of Boggabri in the Gunnedah Basin, the mine remains a major contributor to the local economy, supporting jobs and investment across the Narrabri Shire. The company has agreed to a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Narrabri Shire Council to commit up to $8.7 million over the life of the mine for community infrastructure.
And the company has been flexible with meeting the needs of the community in what that infrastructure is. Last year, at the request of Baggabri’s Glentarkie Home for the Aged, Boggabri Coal funded and constructed nine new units to expand local accommodation options for older residents. That project followed an approach from Glentarkie in 2023 seeking support to develop a long-term master plan, and agreement from council that the nine unots could be counted towards their commitment.
The latest decision to redirect housing toward doctors continues that trend, with Boggabri Coal stating it aims to leave a long-term legacy in the town by supporting a range of community needs.
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