Name: Susannah Pearse.

Age: 41.

Status: Married to Oscar. We have three children, Gregory, Eleanor and Josephine.

Current or past employment, retired or otherwise: Together with my husband Oscar, we run a sixth generation farming business between Moree and Pallamallawa. I have also held roles managing economic development and communications for Moree Plains Shire Council, consulted to other local government and been National Marketing Manager for a division of Coles Group.

What part of the shire do you live?

I live on farm near Pallamallawa and have also lived in the township of Moree.

How long have you sat as a councillor on MPSC?

Two years and eight months.

What are the main reasons you are standing for re-election?

I am standing for re-election as I love the Moree Plains and am keen to see the region flourish.

I believe the future is really bright for our region and we have potential to be the true hub of the north-west. We have sustainable industries, thanks to our land, water and innovation, and will attract new industries and jobs through the Special Activation Precinct (SAP).

There are many exciting projects underway, including some exciting housing prospects. But we need a strong council that delivers for community and industry if we are to see the opportunities realised.

Whilst there has been a lot of headway made in the past two-and-a-half years, there is still more to be done.

I’m keen to continue our strong relationship with the NSW Government to ensure the SAP gets off the ground and brings the jobs it promises, the hospital development is completed in full, and the over $13m in targeted initiatives for crime and youth support deliver the right results.

I also want to see our 22km missing link of Inland Rail completed. I think Council has done well with setting the right strategic path.

Where I believe there is more work to be done is in how council serves the community. I’d like to see a strong focus on customer service instilled in every facet of what Council does.

We need to get the basics right.

I’d also like to see improved transparency and communication around projects, where they are at, and when the community can expect them to be completed.

We also have to urgently address roads. I’ve had a few cracks at trying to get Council to increase rural roads funding and will certainly do so again.

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

Yes, Brooke Sauer. They say you should surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you are – that is Brooke! She is smart, well considered and cares greatly about the region.

What do you love most about Moree Plains Shire?

The people. It is their deep passion for the place, their sense of fun, their grit, their determination, and their willingness to help one another out which inspires me to fight for the betterment of our region.

Also, as a former city girl, I will also never tire of the wide open spaces and gazing at the night sky!

What do you think the main issues are in Moree at the moment that need addressing?

Crime is a major concern. What are you views on this?

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their own homes and we cannot build our communities and attract new people to the region unless this very simple need is met.

Council needs to continue to work closely with the NSW Government and police to ensure their initiatives deliver real and tangible outcomes on the ground.

Similarly, many of the children perpetrating these crimes need to be safe and supported. If home is not safe then that needs to be addressed. The 50-plus community service organisations in our community need to play their part in supporting these at-risk youth.

Unless we improve outcomes for these kids and their families, the problems will persist.

That’s going to take more than local government. We are fortunate right now to have the State government in the trenches with us. We need to make the most of that.

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

I think strategically, the current council did well. We had a genuine camaraderie around the table, with councillors keen to progress change and united in wanting the best for the community and the organisation.

Change takes time though, and also some bold decisions. There will need to be a few of those in the next term of Council.

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

The budget is the biggest tool councillors have to effect real change. If the community wants to see real action on rural roads for instance, that money will have to come from elsewhere in the budget. Some current expenditure or service will have to be reduced. I am not one for a Special Rate Variation. We need to work within our means and find savings where we can, and focus on core business.

Projects are another area that needs improvement.

The 2021-2024 council did not take on new projects, we have just sought to fund and finish the ones committed under prior councils.

We have $150m in capital works projects for 2024-25 and a historical run-rate of delivering $20- $40m max. It has improved, but there’ll need to be some innovative solutions.

How do you think MPSC performed in the last term? What projects have been delivered and is it meeting targets?

A challenge is that MPSC constantly overpromises and under-delivers, meeting just over 50 per cent of targets each year. This has been a big bugbear of mine. Delivery and accountability has to improve, or we have to commit to less and focus on the ‘must-dos’ rather than the ‘nice-to-dos’.

What do you think have been MPSC’s biggest achievements in recent years?

Getting a cohesive executive leadership team in place; securing over $20m for the MAAC, fixed the failing program pool, slide, wellness pool (which had to be done first) and started work on the 50m and hot pools; securing an additional $30m for the SAP (total $224) when other SAPs were dropped;

securing an additional $20m for our hospital (total $105m) when other hospital developments were scaled back; a new enforcement program which has seen 20 burnt out houses cleaned up since February, 2024; and park improvements at Jacaranda Park, Mungindi and Pallamallawa.

Has there been any disappointments?

Of course. You come in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, hoping to deliver the world but learn you are one of nine councillors – nothing happens without a majority, and nothing happens without a well-functioning organisation.

What will be you main goals and targets if re-elected?

Finishing and reopening things, soon!

The Town Hall, the MAAC, Ron Harborne Sporting Precinct for a start. These projects are critical to the vibrancy of our community.

Getting more money onto rural roads each year and improving the reputation of our Shire and communities. There’s a lot of good happening here, but media only picks up on the negative. We need to share the good stories.

What local organisations are you involved with at the moment?

Committee member of Moree Arts Community Centre and Regional Development Australia Northern Inland.

What are you pastimes, hobbies or passions?

Supporting my kids in their hobbies! I’m also studying at the moment so free time is limited, but if I get ‘me’ time, then I like to garden, go to the races, and also sometimes play guitar (horrendously).

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/susannah-pearse-mpsc-candidate