Moree Plains Shire Council has farewelled general manager Natalia Cowley at its council meeting this week, where she presented a new Financial Sustainability Policy as a parting contribution to the organisation.
The general manager position will be filled on an interim basis by director corporate services Ian Stoneman while recruitment is undertaken for the five-year contract.
Cowley joined the council as interim general manager in January 2025 and was unanimously appointed to the permanent role in May 2025.
During her tenure, Cowley oversaw measures aimed at improving the council’s financial position, including restoring unrestricted cash reserves and strengthening the water fund. She also introduced organisational standards focused on customer service and value for ratepayers, while leading improvements in project delivery.
Projects completed during her time as general manager included the Moree Memorial Hall and the hot pools at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.
Moree Plains Shire Mayor Susannah Pearse said Cowley had made a significant contribution to the council.
“We are fortunate to have had Natalia at the helm for the past 17 months.” Pearse said.
“As a guru of local government finance who has recently been recognised as a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, we wanted to ensure that Natalia’s expertise were not lost with her departure.
“Balancing the books in Local Government is becoming more and more challenging, with increasing costs of doing business and Local Government funding from the Australian Government effectively halving in the past few decades.
“Many councils are having to increase rates through Special Rate Variations (SRV) to improve financial sustainability, with many of our regional counterparts – Gunnedah, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Uralla, Tenterfield, Liverpool Plains and Armidale increasing rates from between 30% to 58.8 per cent.
“We are doing all we can to avoid that path.”
Pearse said the council had adopted its first Financial Sustainability Policy at the June meeting.
“To this extent, at the June Ordinary Council Meeting, Council adopted its first Financial Sustainability Policy – a parting gift from Cowley.
“This policy – written by both Cowley and our CFO Andrew Probert – takes Natalia’s nous and puts it into a living framework which will guide day-to-day management.”
Council has wished Cowley well in her new role as general manager of Cessnock City Council.
At its May ordinary meeting, the council unanimously resolved to appoint Stoneman as acting general manager while recruitment for the five-year contract is undertaken.
Pearse.
Pearse said Stoneman’s experience would provide continuity during the transition.
“Mr Stoneman is our longest-serving director and provides a safe pair of hands during this transition period. We are grateful to him for stepping up into the Acting GM role and providing stability to our team and community.”
The council’s Financial Sustainability Policy is available on the Moree Plains Shire Council website.
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