The Shire of Moree Plains, is located in the fertile Gwydir Valley and McIntyre River Valley, in north western NSW. It is a progressive dynamic community, boasting strong agricultural industries in cotton, grain and oilseeds and, with its Mediterranean style climate, is highly adaptable to alternative farming enterprises, the largest pecan nut orchard in the Southern Hemisphere is located within the Shire.

There are extensive manufacturing and support industries, well-developed art, cultural, educational, sport, recreational and social opportunities. The major town, Moree is located at the junction of major highways and is serviced daily by air, rail and road transport.

The Shire covers an area of some 17,852 square kilometres, bounded by the villages of Boggabilla to the North, Mungindi to the west, Pallamallawa to the east and Gurley to the South. The Shire's population is based on the 2001 Census figures. There are currently 15,737 people residing within the Moree Plains Shire, however, close proximity to other townships of the north western region, such as Inverell, Narrabri, Walgett and Goondiwindi in Queensland, together with a high tourism component, swells these figures for a large proportion of the year.

Mungindi, means ‘water hole by the river' in the local Kamilaroi Aboriginal language. Mungindi was settled in the 1850's and straddles the New South Wales/Queensland border at the point where the Barwon River crosses the 29th parallel. Cameron's one ton survey post is also situated on the outskirts of town. Boggabilla a  Kamilaroi term meaning ‘Great Chief born here' is situated close to the Queensland border and the Boobera Lagoon, a nationally significant heritage site.

Modern History

Prior to the 1830's, the Kamilaroi people lived extensively across the Moree Plains region. The name Moree in Kamilaroi means "The Long Water Hole", although some historians have translated it to be "The Rising Sun". On January 9 1832, Major Thomas Mitchell arrived in the vicinity of Mungie Bundie having set out in November 1831 from the Hunter to investigate runaway convict, George Clarke's story of the Kindur, a great river, which flowed northwest to the sea. He reached the Barwon, near Mungindi.

James Brand opened the first store in Moree in 1852. He came to the Mehi with his wife Mary and operated the store until 1857 when it was sold to Donald Munro. In 1853 a Post Office was added to the store. The first land sales were held in June 1868 and a small school was established in July 1872 with 53 students. A Branch of the Bank of New South Wales was opened in Frome Street in September 1876 and the District Hospital in 1885. In 1890 Moree Council was incorporated with 9 elected representatives. Boomi and Boolooroo Shires were incorporated in 1906. All three Councils were amalgamated in 1981 to form the Moree Plains Shire Council with twelve (12) Councillors.

A crucial discovery for the development of the area was artesian water. The famous Moree Bore (Bore Baths) was completed in 1895 at a depth of 851 metres. People from all over the world have enjoyed the healing qualities of the natural hot mineral springs for over one hundred (100) years.

Aboriginal Culture

The Indigenous population is approximately, 17% of the Shire. The majority of the Aboriginal people live in Moree, Mungindi, Toomelah and Boggabilla.

The Aboriginal villages are at Mehi Crescent and Stanley Village in Moree, and at Toomelah ten (10) kilometers outside of Boggabilla.

The very significant cultural site of Boobera Lagoon is located in the northern part of the Shire near Boggabilla.