Name: Mekayla Cochrane.
Age: 28.
Current or past employment, retired or otherwise:
Currently employed with Just Reinvest NSW.
What part of the shire do you live?
I live in the Moree township.
How long have you sat as a councillor on MPSC?
One term, being two years and nine months.
What are the main reasons you are standing for re-election?
I want to continue to make long-term contributions towards a community which has given so much to me and my family.
Are you standing alone or with a running mate(s)?
Currently standing alone, but happily supporting the rest of the candidates!
What do you love most about Moree Plains Shire?
I love that its home. I am invested in the community and its growth.
What do you think the main issues are in Moree at the moment that need addressing?
Crime is a major concern. What are you views on this?
Crime is major concern for all. My views are that addressing crime needs to have a long-term impact, and not short-term (like the current initiatives). I am fortunate enough to work for an organisation that deals specifically with the justice system, and all that comes with it, to find better long-term outcomes for the community.
Do you think the current council is aiming in the right direction on various projects and/or issues?
As a current, sitting councillor, I believe 100 per cent this Council is going in the right direction. As mentioned in my previous campaign, I was an employee of Council in a past life. My time at Council was such an experience of growth, not only for the organisation but also for the community. There is now a stable foundation of leadership within the organisation and we have created pathways for more transparency, especially on public funding.
How can the current council improve on what it is doing at the moment? Is money being spent on the right projects and in the right areas?
Current Council really fleshed out the priorities, with so many projects on the books there had to be some hard conversations about what we had the capacity to deliver. So many projects were not started, done wrong or not have enough funding around it to be completed. Unfortunately, we had to put projects on hold and put bigger resources in delivering more important projects, like our Memorial Hall and MAAC, which have made significant progress over the last two-and-a-half years.
How do you think MPSC performed in the last term? What projects have been delivered and is it meeting targets?
I think we built a solid foundation. As said before, a stable leadership team, leading departments and the organisation.
We have been able to get real and genuine movement from the Premier’s department in regard to crime. We have been able to secure the Special Activation Project, funding for the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, Jacaranda Park is almost finished as well as BAMM and have finally progressed on the Reconciliation Action Plan, just to name a few. My honest (and maybe biased!) opinion is we’ve done more for the organisation, and the community within our Council term, then previous ones.
Little wins for me also include the Aboriginal flag being flown in the Council chambers and on Council buildings, and also to have an Acknowledgement to Country being done at every Council and Committee meeting as well as on Council staff email signatures.
What do you think have been MPSC’s biggest achievements in the past five years?
I think I have answered this in the previous question. I will add having a Council meeting in Boggabilla was a step in being more inclusive with our communities outside of Moree. My last campaign also talked about accessibility – I was lucky enough to push for a reduced price for residents into the MAAC. The number of burnt-out houses are also reducing significantly, making our communities welcome and safe.
Has there been any disappointments?
One major one for me is not being told the Cooee Park funding was past its completion date and left us with no choice but to move the funds into another park. While it’s a win for Jacaranda Park, I am keen to see further movement for Cooee Park.
What will be you main goals and targets with council if re-elected?
I would like to see the Mungindi daycare centre eventuate. I would like to see some more support be given to the Boggabilla and Toomelah communities. I would like to see how our Council can be better educated and deliver on the National Agreement of Closing The Gap Targets and Priorities. I would like to continue to reduce Council’s debt, make savings where we can, but also not try to set high expectations on projects we aren’t able to deliver. Endorse a Reconciliation Action Plan, Community Safety Plan and Youth Strategy.
What local organisations are you involved with at the moment?
I have relationships with many community service providers, recently supporting the Country Women’s Association with their Domestic Violence Forum, support to the Gwydir Wetlands Committee. Outside of my councillor role I am a member of the Local Crime Governance Committee, just to name a few.
What are you pastimes, hobbies or passions?
I have a son who loves soccer, which currently takes up a lot of my time right now! But I also enjoy the gym, camping and spending a lot of time with my family and friends.
Footnote: Questions to candidates differ slightly, given the mix is made up of current councillors seeking re-election, past councillors seeking re-election and first-timers seeking election.
More on this candidate here: https://moreeonlinenews.com.au/2024/08/23/mekayla-cochrane-mpsc-candidate
