Local Industry and Events Boosted With Over $47,000 in Council Support

Council is excited to announce the recipients of this year's ‘Small Business Fund' and the newly implemented ‘Event Partnership Fund’ for 2024. A total of $47,601.80 has been awarded across 12 recipients.  Small Business Fund A panel of four met to review the applications with the successful projects being considered that would support the growth of businesses and industry whilst boosting the amenity of the shire’s towns and villages. 

Mayor Mark Johnson congratulated the successful applicants for the Small Business and Event Partnership Funds, noting that “Council looks forward to seeing these local initiatives up and running in the coming months”.

“Council recognises the importance of small businesses to the vitality of our communities and main streets, enabling local employment and delivering a broad array of products and services. We hope that with Council’s support, budding businesses can continue to grow and succeed,” expressed Deputy Mayor, Cr Susannah Pearse.

Congratulations to the successful applicants for the Small Business Fund Program. 

Applicant

Project 

Funding received 

Pringy’s Farm 

Website design, logo development and signage 

$5,000

Brooker Trading Co.

Polished concreted in hallway and rear courtyard to support nighttime dining 

$5,000

Tir Na Nog Beauty 

Awning signage, window frosting and signage  

$5,000

Yulugi Marumali Dance Studio

Portable dance mirrors to support expansion 

$3,101.80 

Total funding awarded 

$18,101.80 

“We are excited to see the positive impact that this support will have on these businesses”, said Cr Pearse.

Event Partnership Fund

The all new Event Partnership Fund was devised to foster, support and expand local events in the Shire, giving visitors more reasons to stop and stay in the Moree Plains and enriching the lives of our local residents.

Cr Pearse, mentioned “Creating impactful and memorable events/experiences for all to be involved in, aligns perfectly with our goals for the Shire. There were many great ideas and initiatives brought to the table, and all worthy of financial support.”

Congratulations to the successful applicants for the following events:

Applicant 

Project 

Funding received 

Boggabilla Central School

Industry Immersion & Agriculture Program

$4,000

JuleJarner

Moree Muso’s Night

$2,000

Northern Slopes Landcare Association

Harvesting Health:  A sustainable Soil Workshop

$2,500

Oz Fish Unlimited

Recreational Fishing Educational Forum

$1,000

Pally Bush Mega Markets

Singers and Jump’n Slide

$4,000

Talmoi Amateur Picnic Races

Annual Picnic Race Day

$4,000

Tourism Moree & Little Athletics

Run Moree Regional Running Festival

$10,000

Young Aggies

Future Focus Forum

$2,000

$40,000 allocated

Total funding awarded 

$29,500

“Thank you to all applicants for their interest and participation in these programs. We are excited to see your plans and events come to fruition!”.

Following the strong interest, Council has once again budgeted for both programs in the draft Operational Plan and Budget 2024-25.

Council’s draft Operational Plan and Budget 2024-25 and Delivery Program Update 2024-26, and draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-34 have been on public exhibition and were tabled at Council’s Ordinary Meeting, Thursday 20 June 2024 for consideration. The documents are yet to be adopted.

Photo top (L-R) Small Business Fund Program – Mayor Mark Johnson, Cr Pearse, Belinda Pring, Col Pring, (Pringy’s Farm) Shae Duncan,  (Yulugi Marumali) Cr Orchin, Cr Cochrane, Cr Montgomery, Claire Walsh (Tir Na Nog Beauty). 

Photo bottom (L-R) Event Partnership Recipients – Julie Rushby (Tourism Moree – Run Moree Regional Running Festival), Cr Hartin, Cr Johnson, Cr Pearse, Sophie Venz (Young Aggies), Kiara Temperly (Northern Slopes Landcare), Cr Orchin, Cr Montgomery, Cr Cochrane.