Community Strategic Plan Review

Information Pack

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What is a Community Strategic Plan? A Community Strategic Plan is a high-level document that guides a council’s strategic and operational decision making.

Councils facilitate the development of Community Strategic Plans but the plans themselves are based on extensive community consultation and are an expression of each community’s main priorities and hopes for the future of their shire.

Each Community Strategic Plan outlines strategies and actions for achieving a community’s priorities/goals, taking into account the resources realistically available to achieve them. Responsibility for undertaking specific strategies and actions is also identified.

Councils oversee the implementation of Community Strategic Plans on behalf of their communities but other partners, such as government agencies and community groups, are also responsible for carrying out specific strategies and actions.

Our Community Strategic Plan: Moree Plains 2030 Moree Plains 2030 is divided into four key directions, or themes, with each theme dealing with specific issues: social issues, economic issues, environmental issues and community leadership issues.

Within each theme there are: Outcomes (broad statements of what the community seeks to achieve) Objectives (more specific aims/goals) Actions (specific actions undertaken to achieve an aim/goal)

This document lists only basic Community Strategic Plan information: the community’s vision, the key themes, and the outcomes and objectives in each. If you would like a full copy of Moree Plains 2030, please call Moree Plains Shire Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 6757 3222 to request a copy or go to: http://www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au/index.php/about-us/planning-for-our-future/community-strategic-plan Why Are We Reviewing the Community Strategic Plan? The Community Strategic Plan is a ‘living document’ and as such should be revised regularly to ensure that the plan continues to be relevant in terms of:

the community’s hopes and aspirations for the future emerging issues and trends changes in legislation and areas of responsibility.

Now that the local government elections have been conducted and the new Council has settled in, it is an excellent time to revise the existing plan (Moree Plains 2030) and develop an updated Community Strategic Plan (Moree Plains 2035).

1Throughout this paper the words ‘we’ and’ our’ are used to refer to Council and the community collectively.

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THE MOREE PLAINS 2030 VISION Community participants in the 2009/10 workshops hosted in the process of developing Moree Plains 2030 outlined their aspirations for the next 20 years.

Participants were also asked to nominate the “great” features of living in Moree Plains Shire.

Their responses resulted in the formulation of the Moree Plains 2030 vision statement and community values. The vision statement is outlined below.

Vision Statement:

Blessed by the Plains’ rich black soils and artesian waters, Shire residents enjoy a vibrant rural economy, have a deep cultural connection to Country, and harbour a deep respect for their place and each other in such a way as to impress newcomers.

A number of key aspects were encapsulated in the vision statement:

A vibrant rural economy – we seek a diverse and resilient economy built on our locational advantage and the strength, resilience and creativity of our people.

A deep cultural connection to country –our Indigenous heritage, in particular, but also the heritage of our pioneering forefathers will be retained, celebrated and enhanced.

Respecting our place and each other – our people help each other and the points of differences between us – different cultures and languages – contribute to making Moree Plains a diverse and enjoyable place to live.

Impress newcomers – our community pride will be readily seen by visitors or new residents or businesses, reinforcing the image we convey outside of the Shire as “the place to be”.

Question: Do you believe this vision for our Shire still describes the essential elements that make our Shire what it is?

What is a ‘vision statement’?

A vision statement is a formal statement of what a group or organisation hopes to achieve in the future.

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THE FOUR THEMES The suggestions and recommendations from community consultation conducted in 2009/10 were converted into outcomes, objectives and actions under four main themes and included in the Moree Plains 2030 Community Strategic Plan.

The four themes are:

Theme 1 – Social issues related to sustaining…a sense of place where people are proud of who they are and where they live

Theme 2 – Economic issues related to achieving…a vibrant economy built on a strong agricultural base

Theme 3 – Environmental issues related to becoming…an environmental role model for the region

Theme 4 – Community leadership focussed on…coordinated and committed leadership

Question: Do you believe these themes still adequately capture the essence of the most important issues confronting the Shire?

Question: Are these themes still key to ensuring the Moree Plains Shire remains a strong vibrant community?

Community engagement: as part of the community engagement process, Councillors and staff operated a stall at the Jellicoe Park Markets to encourage input into Moree Plains 2030.

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THEME 1: A SENSE OF PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY LIVE

Community/Social Challenges and Issues Our community is not as connected and united as it could be. We are facing challenges associated with a shrinking population as a result of long-term drought, improvements in technology replacing jobs, and family farms giving way to larger agricultural operations. We need to ensure that the Shire has adequate services, facilities, a flourishing economy and sufficient infrastructure to ensure the wellbeing of our community.

Social Outcomes and Objectives Outcome S1. A sustainable and inclusive community where all people feel they

belong

Objective 1. Show that we value all within our community Objective 2. Help those in need within our community Objective 3. Be inclusive Objective 4. Develop a sense of community and the benefits of diversity in our

younger people Objective 5. Continually improve community engagement

Outcome S2. Our Indigenous cultural identity and values associated with Country maintained

Objective 1. Look after the long-term needs of our Aboriginal communities Objective 2. Maintain a focus point for the keeping of our Murri culture

Outcome S3. Sustainable services and facilities provided to residents, businesses, community groups and visitors

Objective 1. To improve connection between people Objective 2. To maintain access to all important service providers Objective 3. To attract, develop and retain health care providers Objective 4. To improve local decision making in our health services Objective 5. To create a long-term strategic direction for the management of health

care services Objective 6. To make medical and healthcare services readily accessible

Question: Are the listed social challenges and issues still as relevant as they were when they were first identified in 2009/10 or are there other more important issues?

PTO

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Outcome S3. Sustainable services and facilities provided to residents,

businesses, community groups and visitors (continued) Objective 7. To improve the safety of people on our roads Objective 8. To maintain the safety of Shire residents and visitors through the

provision of regulatory services Objective 9. To improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal residents Objective 10. To improve access to services and facilities Objective 11. To improve our health and wellbeing and access to sites Objective 12. To ensure that all residents can have access to housing without

creating adverse impacts Objective 13. To provide access to childcare and support services for parents

Outcome S4. Moree Plains as a centre for learning and research Objective 1. To improve the quality of post-school education Objective 2. To improve access to the internet for all residents Objective 3. To improve the school experience and quality of education for younger

people Objective 4.To position the Shire, externally, as a centre of learning Objective 5. To develop a sense of community and life skills in younger people

Outcome S5. Diverse sports, recreation, activities, entertainment and events instilling excitement and pride in the lives of our community

Objective 1. To develop a strategic direction for the management of our sports and recreation facilities

Objective 2. To develop a strategic direction for the management of our cultural and art facilities

Objective 3. To ensure that our facilities remain in a high quality condition and remain current

Objective 4. To offer alternative activities

Outcome S6. Community resilience in the face of a sustained drought Objective 1.To provide adequate mental health support services and facilities for our

people (in accordance with the Moree Plains Shire Council Drought Relief Policy) Objective 2. To provide educational support for the unemployed

Question: Do the social outcomes adequately address the identified ‘sense of place’ challenges and issues? That is, if the outcomes are achieved, will they fix the perceived social problems? Question: If achieved, will the objectives listed under each outcome help achieve the desired outcome or are there others that might be more relevant?

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THEME 2: A VIBRANT REGIONAL ECONOMY BUILT ON A STRONG AGRICULTURAL BASE

Economic Challenges and Issues If we do not adapt, our economy – including our farming, may decline as a result of changes taking place at the national and global level. To stop the decline we must attract new businesses, tourists and new residents. This is being impeded by identity problems for our Shire, which is largely unknown outside the Shire or is known for all the wrong reasons.

To improve our economy we must leverage our strategic location near Narrabri and Goondiwindi as well as our resources such as a good water supply. To attract new businesses, freight our own produce, or position ourselves, for example, as a regional transport hub, we need to upgrade and maintain our infrastructure, particularly roads.

Economic Outcomes and Objectives

Outcome VE1. A resilient and diverse economy, with job availability for all resident requirements

Objective 1. To understand our situation and then set and manage a strategic economic direction

Objective 2. To develop business opportunities and create diverse jobs Objective 3 To support our local economy as a community

Outcome VE2. An improved image visitors have of our Shire Objective 1. To change external perceptions of our Shire’s appeal Objective 2. To support the image we are trying to convey with attractions, events

and a great experience

Outcome VE3. Adequate infrastructure provided to support our economy Objective 1. To ensure that Council assets are well maintained for their current

purpose and for future generations

Question: Are the listed economic challenges and issues still as relevant as they were when they were first identified in 2009/10 or are there are other more important issues?

Question: Do the economic outcomes adequately address the identified economic challenges and issues? That is, if the outcomes are achieved, will they fix the perceived economic problems?

Question: If achieved, will the objectives listed under each outcome help achieve the desired outcome or are there others that might be more relevant?

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Question: Are the listed environmental challenges and issues still as relevant as they were when they were first identified in 2009/10 or are there other more important issues?

THEME 3: AN ENVIRONMENTAL ROLE MODEL FOR THE REGION

Environmental Challenges and Issues We have a historically damaged environment. The damage, if left unchecked, will become a significant economic issue for the Shire. With this comes the risk of drought from a changing global climate, an associated reduction in water security and the introduction of a carbon market that may affect us in many ways.

Environmental Outcomes and Objectives

Outcome E1. A well secured water supply Objective 1. To reduce consumption and increase water supply sources

Outcome E2. Improved and sustainable environmental management practices within the Shire

Objective 1. To minimise landuse impacts on the natural environment Objective 2. To grow the population without impacting on the environment Objective 3. To engage the community in proactive environmental rehabilitation

initiatives

Outcome: E3. Our towns and villages are adapted to sustained drought Objective 1. To adapt to sustained drought and maintain viability of our farming

industry

What do we mean when we use the word ‘environment’?

In this context, the word encompasses both the natural and the ‘built’ environment. The built environment refers to the buildings and structures made by people.

Question: Do the environmental outcomes adequately address the identified environmental challenges and issues? That is, if the outcomes are achieved, will they fix the perceived environmental problems?

Question: If achieved, will the strategies listed under each outcome help achieve the desired outcome or are there others that might be more relevant?

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THEME 4: COORDINATED AND COMMITTED LEADERSHIP Leadership Challenges and Issues: We need to work together as our towns and villages require sustained commitment to coordinated collaboration and action. It is important to ensure our outlying villages and town fringes aren’t left behind and that they undergo real improvements. If we improve the liveability of our towns and villages, we have the potential to improve and sustain our quality of life through reducing the social problems we face. The question is: who will lead locally? We need to be more involved as a community by being more proactive and visible in obtaining the improvements we are seeking from governments.

Leadership Outcomes and Objectives

Outcome L1. Increased respect and pride we have in our town and villages Objective 1. To increase community pride and reduce anti-social behavior Objective 2. To improve the visual appeal of our Shire Objective 3. To improve the experience we have within our communities

Outcome L2. A more collaborative, decisive and empowered approach to resolving our complex challenges

Objective 1. To ensure the Plan is adhered to and reviewed through time Objective 2. To coordinate leadership within different groups in our communities Objective 3. To attract, develop and retain leaders within our communities

Outcome L3. Improved lifestyle for our outlying villages and suburbs Objective 1. To develop a strategic direction for management of infrastructure and

access to services and facilities in our outlying towns and villages Objective 2.To renew Moree East and Moree South

Outcome L4. Provision of efficient and cost-effective services by Council to the Moree Plains Shire community

Objective 1.To provide excellent leadership and governance within Council Objective 2. To provide responsible management of resources – financial, system

and technology

Question: Are the listed leadership challenges and issues still as relevant as they were when they were first identified in 2009/10 or are there other more important issues?

Question: Do the leadership outcomes adequately address the identified leadership challenges and issues? That is, if the outcomes are achieved, will they fix the perceived leadership problems? Question: If achieved, will the objectives listed under each outcome help achieve the desired outcome or are there others that might be more relevant?

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COMMUNITY FEEDBACK A customer satisfaction survey conducted by the Council in April 2012 found that the following services/facilities were of most importance to the community.

Theme 1: A Sense of Place Parks and playgrounds

Swimming pools

Support for volunteer programs

Theme 2: A Vibrant Economy Overall condition of the local road network

Maintaining local roads

Financial management

Supporting local jobs and businesses

Theme 3: A Sustainable Environment Waste management/minimisation/recycling

Theme 4: Community Leadership Provision of Council information to the community

Advocacy on behalf of the community

Long term planning for the Shire

Flood protection and preparedness

Community input to Council decision-making

Questions: Are these services and facilities of the greatest importance to you? Are they the services/facilities Council should focus on to ensure the Shire’s future and our community wellbeing?

Questions: Are there other priorities you wish to add?

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NOTES

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Telephone: (02) 6757 3222 Fax: (02) 6752 3934 Email: council@mpsc.nsw.gov.au Web: www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/MoreePlainsShireCouncil Twitter: https://twitter.com/moreeshire

Moree Plains Shire Council Level 2 Max Centre Arcade 30 Heber Street Moree NSW 2400 Postal Address: PO Box 420 Moree NSW 2400