Moree Plains Shire Council held discussions around its draft 2019-2020 operational plan and budget at its Ordinary Council Meeting last night.
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Council moved to adopt the operational plan and budget with a number of amendments based off proposals sent in by the community.
The draft budget as been on public exhibition for the last month, and at last night's meeting council discussed a number of proposals that were sent in by the community.
Firstly, Gwydir Day Care submitted a petition signed by its parents opposing the proposed increase in daily fees.
The draft budget proposed a $6 increase for babies, a $5 increase for toddlers and preschool juniors and a $3 increase for preschool.
Council moved to not increase the rates at all to remain the same as the 2018-2019 costs amidst these times of drought.
"We're in hard times in the community and that's why I think the parents committee have asked for consideration today with the proposed fee increase," Moree Plains Shire Council director of corporate services Mitchell Johnson said.
"I'd also just like to remind council of the hard work that the parents committee does do and will continue to do with their own fundraising.
"The parents committee are an active committee and they do put their hands into their pockets when they can."
Council moved for the MAAC budget to remain as the current proposed as placed on public display, with quarterly reviews to be conducted in regards to the MAAC's additional costs pertaining to excess water and chemical and energy costs.
Moree Water Ski Club requested that council consider applying a 50 percent rebate to the water rates of the club, which the club estimate to be around $12,000 to $14,000.
"They're primarily, according to the club, attributable to the irrigation system with the landscaping, so the trees that have been planted there," Moree Plains Shire Council general manager Lester Rodgers said.
There were concerns raised by council about setting precedents when it comes to water rebates, with council moving to review the request at a later date.
Council also discussed the funds currently associated with Tourism Moree, after they requested an additional $50,000 out of the Tourism and Economic Development (TED) fund.
Council supported $5,000 of that funding to go towards the development of a tourism image gallery, but believed the other $45,000 might be better utilised elsewhere.
Councillor Mike Montgomery suggested further talks need to be had with Tourism Moree.
Council moved that the $45,000 from the TED funding be held in reserve pending further request from Tourism Moree as well as potential requests from the community for other tourism and economic development related projects.
Additionally, there was also a request from the community for $50,000 in funding to go towards a Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event that was declined by council as Miyay Birray Youth Service have been successful in gaining funding to hold a similar event in Mungindi and Moree.
Council also approved its rates and charges for 2019-2020 at its meeting last night.
Their land rates will follow the Consumer Price Index (CPI) but council moved that their would be no increase to the water, sewage and waste rates.
