Moree Plains Shire Council has adopted its 2026–2036 Long Term Financial Plan, projecting a continued reduction in borrowings to $36 million in 2026–27. If achieved, the council says this would be its lowest loan balance in 14 years.
The plan was adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 18 June 2026 and outlines the council’s long-term financial strategy, including a commitment to reducing debt and not taking on new borrowings.
“Council is finally getting out finances back in order,” said Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Susannah Pearse.
“Council understands that our community expects us to treat public money with the utmost care and do all that we can to ensure the long term financial sustainability of our council. We understand that public funds are not something to be gambled away.”
“If we are to avoid a significant rate rise, council simply cannot spend more than we earn, so our focus is on finances that are prudently managed, ensuring value for ratepayer money and not passing the buck onto future ratepayers or councils,” said Pearse.
“There is great interest in council’s finances and we are keen to help the community access and understand where we are at – warts and all.”
Pearse said council borrowings had fallen from a peak of $53.7 million in 2014–15 to a projected $36 million, with no new loans forecast.
“I am pleased to inform the community that council has got our loan balances down from the 2014-2015 peak of $53.7m, to $36m, with no new loans projected.”
“This has been the work of successive councils and a really good result for our community,” said Pearse.
Council said the accompanying graph shows borrowings over the past 20 years, based on audited financial statements from 2005 to 2025.
“I am especially pleased to inform the community that despite prior plans for a $6m loan for the 50m pool, council is now proposing no new loan for the pool – Council’s contribution is coming from cash,” said Pearse.
Acting General Manager Ian Stoneman said the council had focused on reducing debt following a period of significant investment in infrastructure.
“After a period of sustained loan increases for infrastructure including the Moree Gateway, redeveloping the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, acquiring the Max Centre, developing the Moree Water Park, constructing a new waste management facility, and some major water projects, council has sought to proactively pay down loans, refinance and not enter into new loans”.
Chief Financial Officer Andrew Probert said the council had not taken out a new loan since 2022.
“In the last 2025-26 financial year, Council started with 31 loans and paid down 8 during the year, leaving 23.”
Under NSW legislation, all councils are required to prepare a Long Term Financial Plan each year to support long-term financial sustainability and inform future budget decisions.
“Council’s Long Term Financial Plan reflects council’s intentions to continue to pay down loans and avoid taking out new loans”
Council also released an extract from its Long Term Financial Plan showing projected borrowings over the next decade.
“Council has also been working hard to restore its cash in its various funds to be in a better position to fund necessary maintenance and repairs of our vital infrastructure, with the health of each fund improving in the past 12 months,” said Probert.
Council’s draft 2026–27 financial statements are expected to be presented for consideration at the September 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
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