MOREE Plains Shire residents are invited to review and comment on a revised Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan aimed at reducing crime, improving safety and addressing underlying social issues affecting the district.
Moree Plains Shire Council voted at its April 16 Ordinary Meeting to place the revised plan on public exhibition for 28 days.
The document identifies domestic violence, youth offending, child neglect, lack of recreation opportunities, property crime and social disadvantage as key issues impacting community safety.
It also outlines proposed responses including improved lighting and CCTV, stronger support services for vulnerable families, expanded youth activities and advocacy for a dedicated safe place where children and young people can access food, support and somewhere safe to sleep.
Moree Plains Shire mayor, Susannah Pearse, said Council understands crime and community safety are issues of great concern.
“While the responsibility for law and order and the delivery of services largely sits with state government, council needs to do its part in terms of advocating for the needs of the people of our shire, who demand better,” Cr Pearse said.
“We welcome community input into the plan.”
Last month, at community meetings organised by the NSW Premier’s Department at Social Co House in Moree, Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research executive director Jackie Fitzgerald presented crime statistics for the Moree region.
“Crime in Moree has traditionally been high, and it is still high,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“But we are seeing some improvement. Crimes certainly haven’t gone away, but they have improved.”
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research executive director Jackie Fitzgerald presented crime statistics for the Moree region at a public meeting in Moree last month.
The report confirms Moree Plains continues to record some of the highest crime rates in New South Wales across several categories, including malicious damage, break-and-enter offences and retail theft.
Domestic violence-related assault ranked second-highest in the state.
However, the plan argues that long-term improvements in community safety require more than policing alone; consultation participants repeatedly highlighted trauma, family instability, substance abuse and lack of opportunity as major factors behind offending.
The document also raises concerns about the impact of negative publicity surrounding crime in Moree, arguing that fear-based narratives and misinformation on social media can damage community morale, tourism and local business confidence.
Importantly, the report does not support reinstating operational powers under the Children’s (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act 1997, arguing that previous use of the legislation in Moree did not reduce youth offending and may have worsened community division.
Council says the plan was developed using crime data analysis, previous reports and consultation with residents, service providers, Police, Elders and community groups across Moree, Toomelah and Boggabilla.
The revised Moree Plains Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan is on public exhibition for 28 days, with submissions open until 5pm on June 3, 2026.
Community members can review the plan on the Moree Plains Shire Council website HERE.
Feedback can be submitted via email to [email protected] or in writing to the General Manager, PO Box 420, Moree NSW 2400.
Hard copies are also available from Council customer service centres and the Moree Community Library.
Does the issues of the stray, neglected, dumped and unwanted dogs/cats come into this..visiters to town are rescuing and trying to rehome them (not a good advertisement for Moree) the pounds are full and fostering at an all time high…residents are unable to walk themselves or their dogs for fear of attacks..(this makes it a social problem). Councils have changed the laws pertaining to dog ownership and breeding practices, but fail to enforce these laws..Moree is currently experiencing the highest rates of Animal abuse that lve seen in 30 years