Council is Calling on the Community to Help Shape the Future of the Moree Plains

Moree Plains Shire Council invites the community to create a shared vision for the Shire to help develop the Community Strategic Plan (CSP).

The CSP, called Our Moree Plains – Our vision to 2032, is a plan that identifies the priorities and goals for our Shire. Council is required to review the plan with the community after each Local Government Election.

Moree Plains Shire Mayor Mark Johnson encourages the community to get involved in the consultation activities, which officially kicks-off today.

“We’ve launched an online survey and downloadable kitchen table kits—for families, friends and workplaces to host informal discussions about the Shire’s future—these are available on Council’s website. Registrations have also opened for a series of online community workshops”, said Mayor Johnson. 

Council will have a stall at the Moree Markets on Sunday 6 February and a series of outdoor pop-up stalls in the Moree town centre, and one in Boomi, over the following weeks, where the community can come say hi and talk about their priorities. Targeted workshops will also be run in Mungindi, Pallamallawa, Boggabilla and Toomelah with community representatives.

“The CSP is the most important document we prepare as a Council”, added Mayor Johnson.

“It guides all of Council’s activities for the Council term and outlines what our community wants for the next 10 years. So, if there’s something you would like for the Moree Plains, now is the time to tell us!

“It also details how we will measure success in delivering the plan and lists the other agencies and organisations in our community that we will partner with to achieve the community’s shared vision.”

Mayor Johnson noted COVID-19 had affected the way Council will deliver the engagement to ensure the health and safety of Council staff and the community.

“We had planned to hold more face-to-face activities with the community including drop-in sessions and town and village workshops but, due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we made the responsible decision to shift most of our activities online”, said Mayor Johnson.

“We understand that not everyone has access to the internet and we have briefed our Moree Library staff to assist those who wish to use the local community facilities to participate.”

“We also have printed copies of the survey and kitchen table kits, with reply-paid envelopes, available at Council’s Moree Customer Service Centre, the Moree, Mungindi and Mobile Libraries and the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre. Everyone who completes a printed or online survey will go in the draw to win one of five $50 Love Local Gift Cards.

“Additionally, every household across the Shire will shortly receive a flyer in their letterbox with a reply-paid feedback form about the CSP. I encourage all residents to complete the form and send it back to Council free of charge.”

Young people aged 16 and under also have the chance to win a $150 Love Local Gift Card by entering our art competition. Entries must represent

the entrant’s ideas and vision for Moree Plains and what they hope to see for the Shire in the next 10 years. Entries will be judged in age categories by Mayor Johnson.

The community will have a second opportunity to have their say when the draft CSP document is placed on public exhibition later this year.

All activities will conclude on 7 March 2022. For more information about the CSP or to participate in this important project or call Council on 02 6757 3222.

Photograph: Mayor Mark Johnson and Council’s General Manager Lester Rodgers with a kitchen table kit.