Warrumbungle Shire Council is looking at the possibility of partnering with private enterprise to push forward on residential land development in the shire.

The council has long planned to subdivide parcels of land in Reservoir Street Coonabarabran. The proposal was to create 30 residential allotments.

But newly released council documents state “Efforts had been made to work with Landcom to undertake thi,s however this does not now seem achievable” and that “Council may consider some private partnership arrangement to develop the land”.

The proposal comes after an evaluation of the council’s Long Term Financial Plan.

The ever-expanding demands on council's budget has created serious discussions within Warrumbungle Shire around the scope of council's responsibility to provide infrastructure and services normally in the realm of private enterprise.

The council notes it should be a provider of “last resort” and Council’s operating “‘commercial’ activities can be a vexed issue”.

“If there are local contractors who are able to construct private driveways, then Council should not be offering a competing service,” council documents show.

The documents note that “With the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone becoming a reality, consideration to reclassify this (council) land for subdivision may be appropriate” - with much of the council land held for ‘community’ purposes and are often classified as ‘community’ land.

“This is not to say that the classifications cannot be changed however a lengthy process needs to be followed and subject to community consultation. The best examples of such parcels are located in Coolah where there are properties in Goddard Street (Swanston Park), Yule St off Martin St adjacent to the hospital or Brownie Park”.

Warrambungle Shire's Community Care bus service. Image: facebook

The council is also considering what to do with “Warrumbungle Community Care” and “Long Day Pre School”, noting that “Councils need to strike a balance between the desire to successfully generate income through commercial activities and competing with local businesses.

"Often there are good commercial reasons why private enterprise is not operating an activity, at times this needs to be balanced with the desire to stimulate activity.”

Warrumbungle Shire Council currently operates Yuluwirri Kids Preschool and Long Day Care Centre. IMAGE: facebook

The 3rd Quarterly Budget Review Statement shows that Warrumbungle Council’s income budget for the 2023/24 financial year is $54,809,055. Expenses are projected to be $54,083,543 resulting in a $725,512 surplus.