A Message from the General Manager
It has been a privilege to join Moree Plains Shire Council, first as Interim General Manager in January 2025, and now as the permanent General Manager since May. I want to thank the Mayor and Councillors for the trust and opportunity to serve this community, and to acknowledge the dedication of our Council team, who have delivered a commendable result in a challenging year.
This year has been one of refocus, reset, and renewal. Together with Councillors, the organisation undertook a detailed review of our forward plan, aligning ambition with reality. Council re-baselined the 2024/25 capital expenditure program from a previously budgeted $99 million to a more achievable $38 million, ensuring that every project we commit to is deliverable and well-governed.
To strengthen oversight and momentum, monthly capital review workshops are now held with the Executive Team and key staff to track progress, remove bottlenecks, and maintain accountability. Operationally, we also reviewed year-to-date expenditure to bring costs under control, approving only emergency overtime to restore financial discipline.
Council adopted a strengthened Procurement Policy, embedding stronger accountability and consistency across all purchasing and contracting activities. This has improved transparency and sharpened project delivery efficiency. Council also took decisive action to reset the financial sustainability of its Water business unit by implementing strategic water fee adjustments and reducing costs by $1.5 million. These steps have eliminated annual Water Fund losses and placed the business on a pathway to repay its loans and operate sustainably into the future.
Through collective focus and empowerment, Council averted a potential $1.7 million in grant revenue losses by enabling our Committees to take greater ownership of key project deliverables and thus accelerating execution and building confidence in our delivery capability.
This year, we also refreshed our organisational values – SHARP for the FY25/26, which define how we show up every day: Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Respectful (respect goes both ways), and Productive. These values anchor our culture and guide how we serve our community.
We know there is still much to do. We’re tackling unfinished projects, ungraded roads, ageing infrastructure, facilities at capacity, staff vacancies and compliance matters that need attention. However, we also see progress everywhere - clean, well-presented towns and villages, community pride, and a workforce that shows up with resilience, rain, hail, shine, or flood.
To all our staff - thank you for caring deeply for your communities and for the pride you bring to your work. To our contractors and community partners - thank you for standing beside us and helping us deliver for the region. To our Councillors - thank you for your vision, commitment, and drive. To our Community - thank you for your patience, support and understanding.
We might not get everything right the first time, but together, we will get it right in the end.
Image - Natalia Cowley, General Manager, Moree Plains Shire Council.