Council United in Appointing Natalia Cowley as General Manager

Following candidate interviews conducted at the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 1 May 2025, Moree Plains Shire Council has announced the appointment of Natalia Cowley as General Manager. The vote was conducted in open Council, showing that councillors voted unanimously to appoint Ms Cowley to the role.

Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse congratulated Ms Cowley on her appointment and thanked other applicants for their interest in the position. “Council agreed that what set Natalia apart from the rest of the field was her deep understanding of local government and proven ability as a General Manager who has holistically turned around council performance, delivering real outcomes for the community,” said Cr Pearse.

“Whilst there was a highly competitive field, Council was united in their selection of Ms Cowley as the preferred candidate.”

The process was independently facilitated by Local Government Management Solutions, the recruitment arm of industry peak body Local Government NSW, ensuring adherence to the NSW Office of Local Government’s Guidelines for the Appointment and Oversight of General Managers (The Guidelines). Under the Guidelines, Ms Cowley has been appointed for a five-year contract, commencing 2 May 2025.

Deputy Mayor Cr Wayne Tighe shared Cr Pearse’s sentiments, stating “We are excited to have someone of Natalia’s calibre coming on board to lead our organisation and give it the consistency and focus it needs. Her results at other, larger, councils speak for themselves.”

As former General Manager of City of Coffs Harbour, Ms Cowley is credited with taking the Council from six years of operating losses, turning it around in the first year from $9.5m in the red in 2021-22 to $15.7m in the black 2022-23. It has recently been listed in the Audit Office of NSW’s 31 March 2025 Local Government 2024 report in NSW’s most liquid councils.

She is also credited with delivering long awaited community infrastructure projects such as the Yarrila Place development, which was completed well under its $81.3m budget. She significantly reduced the council’s staff vacancy rate and improved community satisfaction in the council - as assessed by the community - to 83% overall satisfaction.

Ms Cowley is Moree Plains Shire Council’s first female General Manager.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the past three months as Interim General Manager, getting to know councillors, the team, the organisation and the community,” said Ms Cowley.

“My focus in the short term is to build on the momentum that we have gathered thus far, with a view to completing as many of the outstanding projects as possible.

“Thank you for the trust given to me by the council and the support provided to me by council staff.

“I love this big sky country and all that it offers, and am grateful for the warm welcome that I’ve received from the community.

“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and delivering for them.”

Image – Deputy Mayor Wayne Tighe, General Manager Natalia Cowley, with Mayor Susannah Pearse.