Media Releases

Policy Review - Draft Corporate Credit Card 

Draft Corporate Credit Card 

At its meeting of 15 May 2025, Council resolved to place the Draft Corporate Credit Card Policy on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.

A copy of this Policy can be viewed by clicking on the name of the policy listed above.

The objective of this policy is to outline the appropriate use of Corporate Credit Cards (CCC) by council officials of Moree Plains Shire Council. To provide guidance and regulation on CCC for establishing effective internal control mechanisms for financial management, expenditure, and accounting records (s. 23A, The Local Government Act 1993), while ensuring the best use of resources to further the objectives of Council’s operations.

A hard copy of the Policy is available from Council’s customer service centres, Level 2 Max Centre Moree and the Moree Community Library.

Your feedback and comments are welcomed and can be submitted to the General Manager, Moree Plains Shire Council, PO Box 420, Moree NSW 2400. Comments can also be submitted to Council by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5pm 16 June 2025.

Further enquiries in relation to this Policy should be directed to the Finance Team on (02) 6757 3222.

Have Your Say on Council’s 2025/26 Operational Plan and Budget

Council’s draft Operational Plan and Budget 2025-26 and Delivery Program Update 2025-29, and draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-35 are on public exhibition and are available for public comment until 5pm, Sunday 15 June 2025.

The 2025/2026 Operation Plan and Budget provides for an Operating Expenditure of $99,742,107 plus Capital Expenditure of $38,871,608, providing a Total Expenditure of $138,613,715.

Council is budgeting a $2,789,014 surplus in 2025-26, with a breakdown of the surplus in the following funds, General Fund $865,757, Water Fund $993,137 and Sewer Fund $930,168.

Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor, Cr Susannah Pearse, said, “The draft Operational Plan and Budget have been prepared following extensive community consultation undertaken following the election of our new council”.

“These documents set out what council proposes to deliver and what we propose to charge for our services.

“Once adopted, they essentially form our contract with the community, guiding our team’s work for the year. As such, we need to make sure that they meet the community’s expectations and priorities.

“I encourage everyone in the Moree Plains to have a read and let us know where we have it right and where we need some amendments.”

With roads identified as a key priority, Council is proposing to invest 55% of the entire annual capital works program on roads. Council is aiming to complete approximately $70million in long-awaited flood recovery works over the next two years and is making available $1.2million to support Council’s rural roads self-help program.

Some further highlights of the Budget are, $3million for the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre; $300K for the animal management facility, $2.3 million towards completing our parks and sports fields projects across the Shire; $248,800 towards business development and events; $407,477 towards the completion of the Moree Memorial Hall; $2,050,000 for airport upgrades; $630K towards the Burnt and Derelict Housing Enforcement Program; and $150K to complete playground upgrades at Gwydir Day Care, with the opening of the permanent Mungindi Childcare facility expected early in the 2025/26 financial year.

General Manager Natalia Cowley in supporting Mayor Pearse’ comments, said, "We're currently prioritising the financial stability of the organisation, ensuring that we're in a strong position moving forward. Additionally, we are focused on completing several long-standing projects and filling key vacancies that have been open for some time. It's all about setting a solid foundation for sustainable growth."

The suite of documents on public display also includes Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan 2025–35 -  a decade-long plan, which is reviewed and updated annually. The Plan aids Council in making financially sustainable decisions and how the commitments made in the Operational Plan are resourced.

Council’s rates and charges are also on public display, with increases for sewer, water and waste charges proposed. Furthermore, this year’s general rate peg increase (as set by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal – IPART) is 3.7% which is less than the current CPI of 7% and lower than surrounding councils.

Based on land valuation set by the Valuer General NSW, individual residents may

see a higher or lower increase than the 3.7% depending on whether their land valuation has increased more or less than the shire average.

Public submissions on the Draft Budget and Plans close at 5pm, Sunday 15 June 2025 and should be emailed to /Users/smacdonald/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/EC2KQGQI/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or posted to General Manager, PO BOX 420, Moree, NSW 2400.

If you would like assistance understanding what is proposed in the Plans for your part of the shire of key area of interest, please contact Council on 6757 3222.

Supporting Documents

Draft Delivery Program 2025-29 Draft Operational Plan and Budget 2025-26
Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Draft Statement of Revenue Policy 2025-26
Draft Fees and Charges 2025-26
Draft Workforce Management Strategy 
Draft Strategic Asset Management Plan 2025-2035
Asset Management Policy 

Council Calls for Community Representatives on Council Committees

Moree Plains Shire Council is calling for community members with relevant expertise to nominate for positions on four of Council’s Committees – the Big Sky Libraries Committee, Built Environment Advisory Committee, Moree Plains Flood Plain Risk Management Committee and the Road Network Advisory Committee.

Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse invites community members to submit their interest, saying “Council relies on the feedback and recommendations from experienced community members on its Advisory Committees to help inform strategic direction and policy setting at the council table. It is critical that the Council gets input from the community and our advisory committees are a great forum for this to occur.”

“These advisory committees are a great way for the community to get involved, to be part of the solution to local challenges, and also drive opportunities for better service provision.

Expressions of Interest are open and appointments to each of the Committees will be considered at the Ordinary Council Meeting to be held 12 June 2025.

Each Committee has a unique focus and will make recommendations to Council:

Big Sky Libraries Committee (State Library Collections) - The Big Sky Libraries Committee brings together members to collaborate on regional library initiatives, share resources, and address common challenges to improve library services at Moree, Brewarrina, Walgett and Lightning Ridge branches.
(Seeking two community representatives per branch)

Built Environment Advisory Committee - The Built Environment Advisory Committee provides strategic advice to Council on matters relating to urban design, heritage, environmental and enhancements across the Shire’s towns and villages. It also advises on improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disability by identifying barriers, recommending ways to enhance access to Council facilities and services, and sharing insights on disability service provision within the Local Government Area (LGA).
(Seeking up to four community representations)

Moree Plains Flood Plain Risk Management Committee - To advise Council on the development and implementation of floodplain risk management plans for the Shire.
(Seeking up to six community representations)

Road Network Advisory Committee - To advise Council on matters relating to the rural and urban road networks. To provide information and feedback to Council about the road hierarchy, levels of service in relation to roads, road standards, road grants, future road planning and alternate funding options.
(Rural Representation: A minimum of four community members from geographically diverse areas. Urban Representation: Two community members)

Nominations can be made online or by scanning the QR code.

All committee representatives are required to abide by Council’s Code of Conduct. 

Paper versions of the nomination form can be obtained by contacting Alisa Akins at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (02) 6757 3222.

Nominations close 5pm, 6 June 2025.

Apprenticeship Program with Essential Energy

Essential Energy is currently recruiting for its 2026 Apprenticeship Program which includes a Powerline Worker position in Moree.

Offering 95 apprenticeships in 2026 across 63 regional, rural and remote NSW locations. Apprenticeships include Powerline Workers, Cable Jointers and Zone Substation Electrical Technicians.

Further information is available at https://bit.ly/4mcFVor

Successful Public Donation Applicants – Next Round Due Friday 13 June 2025

At the Ordinary Council Meeting 17 April, Councillors considered the applications for financial assistance made by community groups up to $10,000 for the January to March financial quarter.

The following applications were approved:

The next round of applications for financial assistance is now open.

Applicants must complete and submit a Public Donations Application Form no later than 5 pm on Friday, 13 June 2025 for Public Donations for the period from April to June 2025.

In accordance with Council’s Public Donations Policy, applications received after the deadline will not be considered until Council’s first meeting in the next calendar quarter.

Applications will be presented to the Council at its Ordinary Council Meeting in the meeting in July 2025.

Public Donations Application Form and the Council’s Public Donations Policy