NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig is considering suspending the Mayor and councillors of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months. The proposed move follows concerns about meeting conduct, repeated police involvement and strained relationships between councillors. No suspension has been ordered. The council and individual councillors have until Friday 6 November to respond. Mayor Susannah Pearse says the council will consider its response at an extraordinary meeting on Monday 2 November. An interim administrator would be paid by the council, and the cost has not yet been established.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has threatened to suspend all of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months and appoint an interim administrator. The Minister's letter cites conduct at council meetings, repeated police involvement and strained relations between councillors. Mayor Susannah Pearse said the council would respond by 6 November and that an extraordinary meeting will be held on 2 November. The council is expected to argue strongly against suspension. Neither the Minister's office nor the Office of Local Government has explained why they did not act earlier to keep councillors and staff safe.
The New South Wales Minister for Local Government is considering suspending the elected governing body of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months. An interim administrator would take over the council's governing responsibilities during that time. A spokesperson for the Office of Local Government said no final decision has been made. The council and its councillors have until close of business on Friday 6 November 2026 to respond, and the Minister will consider any submissions received. The proposal followed reports that the council had been issued a show-cause notice.
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Aboriginal residents of Moree have tabled an e-petition with the NSW Parliament. They want the old Courallie High School converted into an Aboriginal Learning and Cultural Centre. The centre would offer courses tailored to community needs. Polly Cutmore of the Mehi Centre says a targeted youth program would be better than the NSW Police drone program aimed at youth crime. She says partnerships with agencies, including the NSW Department of Education, which owns the grounds, will be essential, and funding will be sought from public and private sources.
Moree pharmacy assistant Vicki Marsh will have her hair clipped to a number two on Friday, 30 October, outside Priceline Pharmacy Moree. The buzz cut is part of a fundraiser for her 33-year-old niece Laura, who is undergoing breast cancer treatment and has three young children. Money raised will help the family with medical costs, a wig, groceries and rent. A raffle and afternoon tea are also part of the event, with raffle tickets available at the pharmacy.
Moree Plains Shire Council has replaced its waste and recycling app and is asking residents to download the free replacement, LoopedIn Councils. Users should select Moree Plains Shire Council during setup and delete the old Moree Council waste app. The app sends reminders about which bins to put out and when, along with alerts about service changes. Residents can also report missed collections or damaged bins and check transfer station and landfill updates. Council Waste Manager James Maxwell said the reminders are useful for busy households. The app is available for iPhone and Android devices.
Moree Plains Shire councillor Kelly James livestreamed her removal by police from a council meeting in northern NSW. Police were called after she refused to stop filming or leave the chamber, and the meeting was adjourned for about 40 minutes. James said she filmed to protect herself from changes to the minutes and claimed her removal had been anticipated. The council said she refused to make an unreserved apology for comments about staff and that she had been fifth expelled this year. The Office of Local Government said councillors must uphold high standards of conduct.
Moree Plains Shire Council is accepting applications for its last Small Business Fund round of 2026, which offers up to $5,000 each to four successful applicants. Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 25 October 2026. The fund targets businesses in the shire with up to 20 staff that have traded for at least six months, and applicants need an Australian Business Number or Australian Company Number. Eligible spending includes signage, painting, websites, advertising, staff training and trialling new concepts, while wages, stock and ordinary operating costs are excluded.
Moree Plains Shire has 184 poker machines across six clubs and hotels, but official figures do not show how much money is lost locally. Government figures group Moree Plains with neighbouring shires. GambleAware Hunter and New England team leader Thomas O'Donnell said warning signs include falling behind on bills and selling personal items. He urged families to start open conversations and said free, confidential counselling is available, including over the phone or online.
Students from Moree Secondary College and Narrabri High School took part in a podcasting workshop at Social Co House in Moree on Friday, October 16. Guided by journalist and educator Stephanie Aceglav, they chose their own subjects, from fashion and football to American history. They planned episodes, wrote scripts, recorded and edited their work. The workshop was organised through the NSW Department of Education's Educational Pathways Program. Organisers say it aims to introduce regional students to careers they might not otherwise consider.
More than 3,000 clothing and accessory items have been delivered to women in Tamworth, Narrabri, Moree and Gunnedah. The Iris Foundation's Frockin' The Outback initiative also delivered 750 packets of sanitary products. Volunteers travelled 1,750 kilometres and partnered with six service providers to reach 385 women across five towns, with Coonamble also on the route. In Gunnedah, a local provider ran an outreach event where women could access donated items and connect with services. Iris Foundation CEO Sue Liptrott thanked volunteers, sponsors and donors for making the project possible.
Business owners in Moree spoke about the personal pressures of running local firms at a Chamber of Commerce evening held during Small Business Month. Helena Doran, who runs Bella Santé Skin & Body Centre, described exhaustion and pain before learning to set limits. Georgie King, who runs Print Anything and Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety North West, said finding staff had forced her to look beyond Moree. She urged residents to give local businesses a chance. Toby Osmond, who runs Yaama Ganu Gallery, said local shops were where people checked in on each other.
A memorial to Aunty Heather Boney has been unveiled at Wales Park in Moree, 25 years after her death. Family members marked the 25th anniversary of her death on Saturday 17 October 2026. Those who spoke remembered her generosity, her Christian faith and her fundraising for families in need. Blossom Pitt, who campaigned for the memorial, said Aunty Heather gave her guidance during a difficult childhood. The plaque carries Aunty Heather's portrait, her dates and a verse from the kids of South Side Moree.
Moree Plains Shire Council is advising residents with severe asthma or breathing difficulties to avoid the Moree Waste Facility. Green waste mulching at the site from Thursday 15 October is expected to run for seven to ten days and is generating significant dust. Anyone with breathing difficulties who must visit should wear a suitable P2 or P3 face mask. The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Sydney investor Kaisser Khater, 38, has bought three houses in regional New South Wales for $340,000 over the past six months. He paid cash for homes in Moree, Cobar and Bourke, which were found off-market through buyers agency Charlies Properties. Local tradespeople are renovating the properties before they are rented out long term. Khater said Sydney no longer made sense for investors because of high interest rates, negative gearing and changes to capital gains tax. He also raised concerns that recent tax changes could make it harder for ordinary Australians to build retirement investment portfolios.
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Moree Arts Community Centre will celebrate its third birthday with an exhibition of member pottery and other work, opening Friday 13 November from 6pm to 8pm. Pieces are for sale, with proceeds returning to the volunteer-run centre. Entry is a gold coin donation, and workshops and an open studio are planned over the weekend. Member Jenny Elsley, who joined hoping to paint, now makes pottery and says her work is becoming reasonable. The centre, established in November 2023, has about 25 active members and operates from a shed at 397 Gosport Street.
Severe thunderstorms are moving east from Central Australia towards NSW and Queensland, bringing heavy rain, large hail and strong winds. Flash flooding has already hit northern NSW, and the State Emergency Service received more than 220 call-outs in 24 hours, mostly for fallen trees and damaged roofs. Several people were rescued from floodwaters in Greater Sydney. In Alice Springs, storms left about 3000 homes without power on Wednesday, and Power and Water NT says restoration in some areas could take several days. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast damaging wind gusts for central Queensland.
Moree Plains Shire Council has awarded $20,000 to Moree Caledonian Pipes and Drums to replace ageing drums and upgrade uniforms. Boomi Community Co-Operative will receive the remaining $10,379 for a mural on the Birds of Boomi amenities block. The awards, announced on 13 October 2026, are funded by a donation from Moree Solar Farm. Mayor Susannah Pearse said the fund helps strengthen the community. The pipe band teaches children and adults for free each week and will perform at The Great Sydney Highland Fair and the NSW State Pipe Band Championships.
Moree businesswoman Helena Doran will lead the Business Beyond Burnout panel, hosted by the Moree Chamber of Commerce during Small Business Month. Doran, owner of Bella Santé, has experienced burnout herself and says she has found a way to manage it. She plans to share her story at the event, which brings local business owners together to discuss the pressures of starting, running and growing a business. The evening will be held at the Bank Art Museum Moree on Friday, October 16, from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets cost $50 per person.
Optus has switched on 5G at Moree's two main mobile towers, which went live in September 2026. The company says the upgrade improves speed, capacity and reliability, and should ease congestion during busy periods. Optus Local General Manager Glenn Hamilton said the work reflects Moree's role as a regional centre for farming, business, schools and essential services. Seven more towers are on the company's roadmap for the next financial year, covering the Moree Plains up to Mungindi and Garah. Moree's 5G service is already live, and further district works are still to come.
