Narrabri Place Strategy
Client: NSW Government, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Service: Place Strategy
Murawin is proud to have collaborated with Narrabri’s Aboriginal community, The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and the Narrabri Shire Council on the recently approved Narrabri Place Strategy (the strategy). Located on Kamilaroi/Gamilaroi/Gomeroi Country, the strategy has been developed recognising the significance of Narrabri in the Northwest of New South Wales.
Local community including local Aboriginal people, business people and landowners have helped shape and improve the strategy which will transform the town over the next 20 years.
The Place
Strategically located between Brisbane and Melbourne, with direct access to the Port of Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne, Narrabri maintains a strong economy as a result of an abundance of rural and mining activity. Narrabri Shire’s annual economic output equates to $345,648 per person, showcasing a community that is critical to the supply of food and resources for Australia.
Narrabri Shire has a rich Aboriginal culture and heritage with a large First Nations community comprising of 15% of the population. Because of this, it was vital for Aboriginal perspectives and knowledge to be embedded into the strategy from inception.
Image source: Narrabri Place Strategy: https://www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/4.-planning-amp-development/planning-and-environment/narrabri-place-strategy-april-2025.pdf
Image source: Narrabri Place Strategy: https://www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/4.-planning-amp-development/planning-and-environment/narrabri-place-strategy-april-2025.pdf
The Vision
Strengthening the relationship with Country and water, Narrabri will retain the town centre as the heart of Narrabri, unlocking greater economic growth for the region and allowing
for the expansion of residential and employment land to support population and economic growth. Development in Narrabri will leverage off existing road and rail infrastructure and the Northern NSW Inland Port.
The strategy outlines how the town can sustainably grow to meet future housing and employment needs, while preserving the character and lifestyle the community values.
With an expected outcome of 600 new jobs, the Narrabri Place Strategy is a key step in ensuring Narrabri Shire remains a vibrant, connected and prosperous place to live and work.
A number of principles are embedded in the Narrabri Place Strategy that were identified during the development of the strategy which can be seen in the image opposite.
Designing with Country
Murawin’s work within the Narrabri Place Strategy focused on Aboriginal community engagement and cultural input to ensure the strategy aligns with the needs and aspirations of Narrabri’s Aboriginal community and Kamilaroi/Gamilaroi/Gomeroi Traditional Custodians, Elders and Knowledge Holders.
Through our works, we constructively challenged the consortiums thinking on how Country influences their work and developed the 6 Designing with Country Principles that will guide this strategy now it has been approved.
Image source: Narrabri Place Strategy: https://www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/4.-planning-amp-development/planning-and-environment/narrabri-place-strategy-april-2025.pdf
Image source: Narrabri Place Strategy: https://www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/4.-planning-amp-development/planning-and-environment/narrabri-place-strategy-april-2025.pdf
Complex issues and competing interests are prevalent throughout the Narrabri community due to surrounding projects and concerns about the cultural and natural environment. To navigate these complex issues, Murawin facilitated a community engagement program which involved consulting with Narrabri’s First Nations community and Gomeroi Traditional Custodians, Elders and Knowledge Holders through community events, an Aboriginal Enquiry by Design and participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) mapping.
Undertaking this process effectively, meant that Narrabri’s community members and stakeholders had the opportunity to contribute and provide feedback that will help shape the vision for this exciting project.