SELF-employed Moree resident Debbie Williams is confident her hometown is on the cusp of economic growth and development, and she wants a seat at Moree council chambers to help foster what lies ahead for the shire.
The State Government recently committed $225 million funding to the Moree Special Activation Precinct. Over the next 15 to 20 years, the huge development south of Moree is projected to create 4000 jobs in the district.
“I am very passionate about my town, and I’m very excited about our future with the inland rail being here and the SAP underway. I think our future is looking very good,” Mrs Williams said.
Mrs Williams and her husband, Richard, own and manage a local stock and station agency as well as a sheep feedlot on the edge of town.
She knows the lay of the land and will stand for council after considering running several time in the past.
“I have thought about standing for council a few times over the years, and this year I got a gentle nudge from a friend and decided to nominate as a candidate,” she said.
“I have always loved our town and I really believe, it is the people that make Moree what it is.
“I get really disappointed when I hear people who have never lived here, run Moree down. I know of people who moved to Moree for a year and are still here 30 years later.”
Mrs Williams, a former Moree Chamber of Commerce president, believes the current council is doing a good job, despite hurdles and tough times in recent years.
“Any dealings I have had personally or professionally with the current council have always been positive. I feel, collectively, they have all tried to make our town a better place to live,” she said.
“I think, at times, we all feel our council doesn’t spend the money the right way and we get frustrated with the process.
“I know personally, we need more housing in Moree and the current council has been proactive in trying to entice development in certain areas.
“Housing is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed quickly to grow our town, especially with the development of the SAP in the coming years. Moree’s population will grow dramatically and all those people will need somewhere to live,” Mrs Williams said.
Mrs Williams said crime issues in Moree need to be addressed but fully acknowledges there is no easy fix.
“There is a major concern with the crime problem in Moree, but I don’t feel there is just a one-tiered solution to solving it,” she said.
“We really need all organisations working on the same page to even begin to work out a solution.”
Words: Bill Poulos
