Name: Debbie Williams.

Age: 61.

Status: Married to Richard. We have three children, Kahla, Matthew and Jake.

Current or past employment, retired or otherwise:

Self-employed at our stock and station agency, Williams Stock & Property Moree.

How long have you lived in the Moree shire?

All my life. I was born here.

What part of the shire do you live?

We live on 314 acres south of Moree.

“I am very passionate about my town and I am very excited about our future with the inland rail being here and the SAP underway.”

Have you had any previous roles, either as an employee or volunteer in local, state or federal government?

No.

What are the main reasons you are standing for council?

I have thought about standing for council a few times over the years and this year I got a gentle nudge from a friend and decided to have a go. I am very passionate about my town and I am very excited about our future with the inland rail being here and the SAP underway. I think our future is looking good.

Is this the first time you have stood for council?

Yes.

Are you standing alone or with a running mate(s)?

I am standing alone.

What do you love most about Moree Plains Shire?

I have always loved our town and I really believe it is the people that make it. It is disappointing to hear people bag our town that have never lived here. I know of people that moved to Moree for a year and are still here 30 years later.

What do you think the main issues are in Moree that need addressing? Crime is a major concern. What are your views on this?

I know there is a major concern over the crime in Moree but I don’t feel there is just a one-tiered solution to solving it. We really need all organisations working on the same page to even begin to

work out a solution.

Do you think the current council is aiming in the right direction on various projects and/or issues?

Any dealings I have had personally or professionally with the current council has always been positive. I feel collectively they have all tried to make our town a better place to live.

How can the current council improve on what it is doing at the moment? Is money being spent on the right projects?

Without knowing extensively what projects they have completed or are in the pipeline, I really can’t comment. I think at times we all feel our council doesn’t spend the money the right way and get frustrated with the process. I know personally, we need more housing in Moree and the current council has been proactive in trying to entice development in certain areas. This is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed quickly to grow our town.

Has the current council disappointed the people of Moree? If so, how?

Not really. I understand the position isn’t an easy one. It’s easy to complain about what isn’t being done while perhaps not knowing what has been achieved. The pool seems to be one of the biggest problems they have at the moment, but that is proving not to be an easy fix. Not everyone has the same opinion on what needs to be done for our town, so it is hard to make everyone happy.

What local organisations are you involved with at the moment?

None at the moment.

What are you pastimes, hobbies or passions?

My family and my grandchildren.

Footnote: Questions to candidates differ slightly, given the mix is made up of current councillors seeking re-election, past councillors seeking re-election and first-timers seeking election.

More on this candidate here: https://moreeonlinenews.com.au/2024/08/23/debbie-williams-mpsc-candidate