RATEPAYERS and residents of Moree Plains Shire are encouraged to complete a survey – online or on-paper – to give councillors guidance and direction for the future of the shire.

The Moree Plains Community Strategic Plan 2036 was launched two weeks ago, and Moree Plains Shire Council mayor Susannah Pearse is asking community members to get involved.

The mayor, Cr Dominique Hodgkinson, community recovery officer, Sandy McNaughton and integrated planning and reporting co-ordinator, Rey Vila were at the Jellicoe Park Christmas Markets on Sunday talking to residents.

“At the start of any new term of council, every council across New South Wales implements a community strategic plan,” Cr Pearse said.

“It’s not a council plan, it’s the community’s plan and vision for our shire, and also vision for our council and what the community wants the council to achieve.

“We’re asking people to think about what they want for their shire over the next 10 years – what they want Moree and all the villages to look like, and what’s important to them in terms of the services council delivers.

“There’s an online survey we’re encouraging everyone to complete, and that survey will also help inform our budget.

“The strategic plan is the overarching document, and from that we form our annual operational plan, and also our budget,” she said.

Mayor Susannah Pearse at the Moree Christmas Markets on Sunday.

“It’s really important people have their say, and they can either do that online or when we’re out and about in the community over the next couple of months at different events like market days.”

Letter-box drops across the shire will also be completed before Christmas.

Strategic plan team-members will be at Mungindi tomorrow, Tuesday, December 17, as part of a Christmas morning tea at Flock Café.

“It’s really important we get as many people as possible in the community to get involved, and let us know their views on what they want for Moree Plains Shire,” Cr Pearse said.