Please read the following information carefully as each service and facility has different hours of operation: Unless otherwise set out below, Council’s services and facilities (including our Customer Service Centre in Moree) will operate as usual until 5.00 pm Tuesday 24 December 2019. You can continue to contact Council 24 hours a day on (02) 6757 3222 for our after-hours telephone service, including on public holidays; we will continue to respond to emergency matters during our shut down period. WASTE SERVICES Kerbside Garbage, Recycling and Organics Collection Residents with a WEDNESDAY collection day will have their bins collected up to two hours earlier on both Wednesday 25 December 2019 and Wednesday 1 January 2020, therefore residents are advised to put their bins out the night before.

Children and their parents or guardians are invited to the following locations to collect a book: MOREE Wednesday 11 December 2019 Cooee Park 3:30pm – 4:00pm Sullivan Place Park 4:00pm – 4:30pm Stanley Village Park 4:30pm – 5:00pm Friday 13 December 2019 At the Christmas at Twilight Event. “In addition to this initiative, the Education Forum is currently developing a strategy to improve education outcomes for all children in Moree Plains Shire with the initial focus being on improving early literacy in 0-5 year olds by ensuring they have access to books. “While education is not the space Council usually operates in (with the State Government charged with responsibility in this area), as Council, we know that education plays an integral role in the future of our community.

Moree Set to Become Economic Powerhouse of Northern NSW State’s third activation precinct announced, bringing new jobs MOREE will become the economic powerhouse of northern NSW with an innovative new business hub, specialising in agribusiness, logistics and food processing industries and creating almost 2,000 jobs, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall proclaimed yesterday. “Moree is a regional centre which relies on the agriculture sector for survival and while the local economy has taken a hit because of the prolonged drought, this announcement should give struggling local businesses confidence they have future when the rains and harvests return. “Today we are meeting on Kamilaroi land, and our ambition is to work alongside this community to deliver critical social outcomes, as well as important economic benefits like sustainable jobs for local people into the future.” The NSW Government will consult with the entire community and commence a range of technical studies to ensure future development meets the needs of the town and businesses across the region.

Community, sporting and educational groups wishing to apply for financial assistance from Council for events, functions and sponsorship during January, February and March 2020 must submit a Public Donations Application Form by no later than 5 pm Friday, 20 December 2019. In accordance with Council’s Public Donations Policy, applications received after the deadline will not be considered until Council’s first meeting in the next calendar quarter. A copy of the Public Donations Application Form and the Council’s Public Donations Policy are available on Council’s website www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au  or can be obtained from the Executive Department at Moree Plains Shire Council, Max Centre, Balo Street Moree during normal office hours or by telephone on 6757 3236.

Water Woes to be Washed Away with Free Bulk Water for Ratepayers At its Council meeting of 28 November 2019, Councillors unanimously approved a Christmas bonus for ratepayers facing a diminishing domestic water supply heading into the festive season. “For many households across the Shire, Christmas may be a little less festive than usual so this is something Council can give back to our ratepayers and for those that need it, we trust it eases some of their burdens at this time of the year. (This cost is exclusive of any cartage costs which might be incurred in transporting the bulk water.) For more information, contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 6757 3222.

Nominations Open for Moree Australia Day Awards Celebrate your local hero this year by nominating a community member of Moree Plains Shire for Moree’s 2020 Australia Day Awards. This year the prestigious award includes seven categories, all which are currently open for nominations, being: Citizen of the Year Young Citizen of the Year (20 years old or younger) Community Event/Group of the year Sports Person of the Year Volunteer of the Year Volunteer Group/Sport Group of the Year Environmental Citizen of the Year Mayor Cr Katrina Humphries is encouraging all residents to support the awards this year by nominating individuals and groups that they believe have made a significant difference in the Shire. “We need to acknowledge and celebrate the individuals and community groups who worked tirelessly to build our community and deliver activities and events for us to enjoy with our children and friends.

Calling all Stall Holders for Christmas at Twilight event Local businesses, community groups and general stall holders are invited to participate at the annual Christmas at Twilight event being held on Friday 13 December at Ron Harborne Oval. It has been a very tough 2019 for many in our community so this free event is just what we all need to lift our spirits. “Christmas at Twilight is a much loved event on the community calendar and the Christmas stalls and activities will add to the charm of this festive occasion!” To confirm your participation and reserve a spot for your stall, complete the confirmation form and submit this along with a copy of your public liability insurance to Council’s Community Services Officer Jacqui Moore by email [email protected] or via fax on 02 6752 3934.

The Committee will convene two face-to-face meetings on Wednesday 27 November 2019 at Moree Service Club: Meeting at 9.00 am to 10.30 am Meeting at 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm Register to attend either of these sessions at: https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/future-drought-fund?tool=news_feed#tool_tab Beginning in July 2020, the Federal Government will provide $100 million each year to support projects and activities to enhance drought resilience of Australian farmers and communities; these projects will be designed to make agriculture more productive and profitable and enhance the wellbeing of our farming communities and sustainability of our farming sector. Mayor Katrina Humphries encourages all community members to attend the consultation to ensure their input is received and forms part of the Committee’s funding initiatives.  “Drought is a common part of the harsh Australian landscape and an issue Moree Plains Shire is no stranger to; it is a challenge we are facing now and will face again in the future. The plan will be reviewed every 4 years to ensure it includes relevant priorities that are future focused and will be assessed by the Productivity Commission prior to its expiry assessing the plan’s economic, social and environmental outcomes.   Council’s Acting General Manager Mitchell Johnson said, “We welcome the invitation to participate in formulating the plan.

I believe that our Association serves as one of the NSW Government's best contacts with the bush, coastal and regional areas and I am incredibly proud of my role in this.” At last week’s meeting, members of the CMA were joined by the following speakers: Rob Rogers, Deputy Commissioner of NSW Rural Fire Service and Corey Shackleton, Director of Community Resilence of NSW Rural Fire Service; Matt Fuller, Acting Deputy Secretary, Regional and Outer Metropolitan, Transport for NSW and Peter Ryan, Senior Manager, Major Property Development and Corporate Real Estate, Corporate Services, Transport for NSW; Gary White, Chief Planner, Planning, Industry and Environment. Moree Plains is in fact amidst its consultation process for our Local Strategic Planning Statement this week so it was a great reminder of why it is essential to plan what we want for our futures.” At the Annual General Meeting, the Executive of the CMA was confirmed as follows: John Seymour, Coolamon Shire Council Liz Campbell, Kempsey Shire Council Cathy Redding, Narrabri Shire Council Kathy Sajowitz, Oberon Council Ken Keith OAM, Parkes Shire Council Peter Petty, Tenterfield Shire Council “I am proud to be working with other driven country Mayors and to be a part of a group that supports each other and our communities”, Mayor Humphries commented. “Over the years we have stood-up for our communities and citizens - earlier this year, we fought alongside our local State Member Adam Marshall for rural workers in the energy sector and helped to save 182 jobs.