Narrabri Shire Council has picked up two awards at this year’s Local Government Week Awards, including one for transforming a vandalism-prone underpass into a community mural.
Council received the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Project Award, for councils with a population under 30,000, for the Vandalised to Vibrant Community Mural Project. It is the first time Narrabri Shire has been recognised in this category.
The project turned the vandalism-prone Narrabri Creek Bridge underpass into a community mural, alongside youth-led concrete bollard murals. It was delivered through an artist-led co-design with students and community participants as part of council’s flagship event, NarraBRIGHT 2026. Since the murals were commissioned, no further vandalism has occurred.
Council also picked up the RH Dougherty Excellence in Communication Award, Reporting to Your Community category, for its handling of the PFAS response, recognised for using a range of communication platforms to keep residents informed and involved.
Mayor Darrell Tiemens said the ongoing recognition reflected the hard work of council staff.
“I’m very proud that Council continues to be recognised through these awards, which also reflect the hard work of our staff,” Mayor Tiemens said.
“In an environment where many residents are feeling the cost-of-living pressures and Council maintaining a conservative financial approach, these awards demonstrate the achievement of real results in a very cost-effective way.”
“It further demonstrates that it’s not about throwing money at a problem, but being strategic. For example, we love it when we can turn a problem like tagging and graffiti into a positive message to the community.”
“During the NarraBRIGHT festival, myself, Councillors and Council staff were so happy at the response that young families had towards the underpass. You could see the young kids thoroughly enjoying being part of the mural project.”
Narrabri Shire General Manager Mrs Eloise Chaplain said the communication award for Navigating PFAS and Water Restrictions reflected a cost-conscious approach to a complex issue.
“This particular campaign showed that through the effective use of resources and multiple communication platforms, Council was able to deliver timely and clear information around a complex issue,” Mrs Chaplain said.
“The campaign further enabled Council to respond directly to community concerns and questions in real time via social media, providing consistent information. This proactive approach saw a reduction in the amount of customer service enquiries regarding PFAS and water restrictions.”
This is the fourth consecutive year Narrabri Shire Council has been recognised at the Local Government NSW Awards, following the 2025 RH Dougherty Excellence in Communication award for its Olympic Activation Campaign, multiple 2024 awards for its flood management portal and the “Good Talk Great Mate” podcast, and the 2023 Exchange Business Activator Program award.
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