There will be plenty of positive development happening in the district over the next financial year, with Moree Plains Shire Council approving the 2020-2021 operational plan and budget on Thursday.
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The draft budget had been on public exhibition since the end of June, with members of the public given 28 days to submit feedback before councillors moved to adopt this year's plan at Thursday's council meeting.
Council only received two public submissions in relation to the 2020-2021 draft operational plan and budget.
The first was from the Urban Advisory Committee, requesting that council allocate more funding to Christmas decorations for the main street.
Council had originally allocated $15,000 to purchase Christmas decorations for this year, however the UAC requested that the budget be increased to $50,000 in an effort to make the festive season a little bit more special this year.
Councillors took on board this request and decided to increase the budget to $70,000 for Christmas decorations, with $50,000 for Moree and an additional $20,000 to decorate the shire's villages.
"This will be a first, giving them more money than they asked for," mayor Katrina Humphries said.
"I think we need some delight in our community this year."
Council also received a submission from Moree Suns AFL Club, requesting that council make the project to develop the western oval at Ron Harborne Oval a priority in the 2020-2021 operational plan.
Council received state government funding for the capital project in 2018, and the Suns AFL Club is concerned of a potential loss of that funding if the project is not completed within specific timeframes.
Councillors heard that there are currently Native Title constraints around developing on the land, which is why the project has not progressed. Council staff are currently looking into it.
Council will be writing to both the Moree Suns and UAC to thank them for their contributions.
In addition to adopting the draft operational plan and budget, council also approved its rates and charges for 2020-2021.
Water consumption charges for potable water have been reduced, while all other fees and charges remain at 2019-2020 levels.