- Published: Wednesday, 24 December 2025 13:04
Christmas Message from Mayor Susannah Pearse
As we come to the close of 2025, it is a time to reflect on what has been a busy and productive year for Moree Plains.
The end of June marked what was the busiest financial year on record for Moree Plains Shire Council, delivering $34,275,000 in capital works – a record-breaking achievement of which the whole organisation can be proud. While our roads are a constant work in progress, over $15 million in works were delivered, making transport and travel across the 18,000 square kilometres of our Shire safer and more reliable. More work needs to be done – it always will – but I want to thank our road crews for their relentless sweat and toil in what is a vital yet often underappreciated role.
After far too long with the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre (MAAC) in varying states of disrepair, it has been immensely satisfying to see work at the centre really pick up pace, particularly towards the back end of the year. It was a source of great joy when the Program Pool reopened in November and I can’t wait to step into the Active and Passive Pools early in the new year, when they are reopened, filled with our Shire’s famous, healing artesian water.
Keeping the people of our Shire safe is a top priority, and Deputy Mayor Wayne Tighe and myself met with the new Commissioner of the NSW Police Force, Mal Lanyon in October. It was a highly productive and collaborative meeting, where we discussed a range of important issues for our community, including youth crime, as well as issues that contribute to unsafe home environments, such as drugs, and domestic and family violence. We will continue to advocate for the community in this space and look forward to continuing our strong relationship with NSW Police and seeing new initiatives implemented in our shire in the new year.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our team - led by General Manager Natalia Cowley - for their considerable efforts this year in what has been a period of significant change for our organisation, with a new council and new executive leadership.
Council will be closed from 1pm on Christmas Eve, with the majority of our staff taking a well-earned break, but we will be back serving the community from 9am, Monday 5 January.
From all of Moree Plains Shire Council, wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a safe and restful holiday season!
Last week, the NSW Government gave their tick of approval for the final leg of Inland Rail in NSW, upgrading 15 kilometres of track from Narrabri to North Star, known as Phase 2. This followed on from design and consultancy organisation Arcadis being awarded the Inland Rail Design Services package for both the Phase 2 and Section 2C works earlier this year.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service received a $1,300 contribution from Council’s Public Donations Fund in July 2025 to support the purchase of a new iPad, an essential tool that assists the service in its operational and administrative needs. 
