Plans & Actions · Regional Drought Resilience Planning

Region · Published November 2024

Moree Plains and Narrabri Regional Drought Resilience Plan

New South Wales

Our vision

“We are joined by a common love of the land, and we nurture it as the basis of our prosperity and well-being. We see immense value in the small things that link and fuse our farms, towns, business and landscape; our people, friends, family and networks. We understand drought will come again. We prepare for this by choosing new pathways as needed and acting on our significant regional strengths in landscape, skills and community spirit.”

The Moree Plains and Narrabri region's Regional Drought Resilience Plan under the Future Drought Fund — community-owned, evidence-based, identifying actions to prepare for future droughts. Extracted from the published plan.

Led by

NSW Government and partner councils

Read the full plan (PDF)

Where things stand

Every one of the 64 action ideas from this plan, in one place

64 Identified

0 Scoping

0 In progress

📚 Knowledge, Policy & Planning

Pathway 5 — Shared commitment to regional drought impacts

Communication and commitment Improve communications and information access Maintain collaborative and reciprocal networks Undertake ongoing collaboration with the Kamilaroi People Communication and commitment to regional drought impacts

13 of 13 action ideas — tap to view

SC1.1

Engage regional drought resilience officer (s) to drive and embed resilience knowledge, socialise drought resilience concepts

Communication and commitment Incremental Identified

SC1

continue the engagement program with stakeholders, agencies and First Nations

Communication and commitment Incremental Identified

SC1

commence scoping actions over medium term

Communication and commitment Incremental Identified

SC1

proactively seek opportunities to strengthen resilience across

Maintain collaborative and reciprocal networks Incremental Identified

SC1.2

Participate in the Rural Service Support Network (RSSN) of all agencies and service providers to strengthen ties and understanding of challenges and opportunities

Maintain collaborative and reciprocal networks Incremental Identified

SC1.3

Regenerate regional collaborative opportunities at local and regional governance levels in all directions

Maintain collaborative and reciprocal networks Incremental Identified

SC2.1

Maintain personal contact between communities and local government elected members and representatives

Improve communications and information access Incremental Identified

SC2.2

Reinvigorate council committees under s335 of the Local Government Act for communication and transparency purposes

Improve communications and information access Incremental Identified

SC2.3

Simplify the process of accessing assistance during drought - open a ‘drought hub’ that is manned with staff to assist with forms and program availability

Improve communications and information access Incremental Identified

SC2.4

Advocate for programs to support rural and remote communities to maintain BAU to ensure assistance is not delivered too late

Improve communications and information access Incremental Identified

SC2.5

Facilitate opportunities for 3, 6, and 12 month on-farm seasonal conditions and forecasts to be conveyed to local government, business, and other stakeholders to understand business outlooks.

Facilitate opportunities for 3, 6, and 12 month on-farm seasonal conditions and forecasts to be conveyed to local government, business, and other stakeholders to understand business outlooks. This may occur through the RSSN, Chambers of Commerce and Business eNewsletters

Improve communications and information access Incremental Identified

SC3.1

Undertake detailed and comprehensive consultation through the existing reconciliation networks and Local Land Councils to embed First Nations voice in drought actions future iterations of the Regional Drought Resilience Plan.

Undertake ongoing collaboration with the Kamilaroi People Incremental Identified

SC1.1

Engage regional drought resilience officer (s) to

Engage regional drought resilience officer (s) to → drive and embed resilience knowledge, socialise drought resilience concepts → continue the engagement program with stakeholders, agencies and First Nations → understand funding opportunities

Communication and commitment to regional drought impacts Incremental Identified

📈 Economy & Business

Pathway 1 – Economic opportunity

Advancing the region as an education hub Diversifying the regional economy Supporting local business for local prosperity

12 of 12 action ideas — tap to view

E3.1

Explore opportunities for stabilised income through renewable energy projects and carbon farming

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified

E3.2

Continue to maintain relationships with resource industry companies operating or investing in the region

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified

E3.3

Develop an investment prospectus for the Moree Plains SAP and Narrabri Place Strategy to attract new middle sized employers, including exploring preliminary feasibility or benefits of new industries to value add existing or generate new industries and identifies their operational needs.

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified

E3.4

Continue to work with stakeholders for delivery of the Moree Special Activation Precinct and the Narrabri Place Strategy

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified

E4.1

(see also priority E2) Assemble stakeholders from educational facilities and research facilities and develop some local strategic actions to:

(see also priority E2) Assemble stakeholders from educational facilities and research facilities and develop some local strategic actions to: → pinpoint regional education opportunities → expand offerings by existing facilities → identify upskilling and partnership arrangements during drought (e.g. JobKeeper) → attract and maintain skilled researchers, complementary research avenues, workers and associated professionals

Advancing the region as an education hub Incremental Identified

E4.2

Promote employment of local apprenticeships (including advocating to the resources industry to continue their existing programs) to implement and continue school based traineeships and programs

Advancing the region as an education hub Incremental Identified

E4.3

Support and promote training opportunities with the University of New England ‘bite courses’ in agribusiness and agricultural science.

Support and promote training opportunities with the University of New England ‘bite courses’ in agribusiness and agricultural science. These offer practical accreditations for the field

Advancing the region as an education hub Incremental Identified

E4.4

Support and promote opportunities at local TAFE centres within the Region

Advancing the region as an education hub Incremental Identified

E5.1

Maintain successful buy local programs and initiatives such as:

Maintain successful buy local programs and initiatives such as: → ‘Why leave town’ → Promotional programs such as extra-long lunches for stably employed staff upon receipt of a local purchase >$50 → ‘Go without for the drought’ program where non-drought affected cities donate a coffee ($5) which is spent in local outlets; and → Vouchers useable only at local outlets.

Supporting local business for local prosperity Incremental Identified

E5.2

Maintain or extend the shop front improvement programs such as the ‘Renew Moree’ and the Narrabri Street Frontage Activation Program and extend to other townships

Supporting local business for local prosperity Incremental Identified

E5.3

Explore opportunities for public art or other point of interest projects in town centres

Supporting local business for local prosperity Incremental Identified

E5.4

Explore opportunities to support businesses through third party business resilience and continuity planning training

Supporting local business for local prosperity Incremental Identified

🌿 Landscape & Environment

Pathway 3 – Environmental health

Increasing water security Maintaining and enhancing biosecurity Supporting land management

9 of 9 action ideas — tap to view

EH1.1

Maintain and continue the Rural Service Support Network (RSSN) of all agencies and service providers to strengthen ties and understanding of challenges and opportunities

Supporting land management Incremental Identified

EH1.2

Explore regenerative agriculture in land management education programs and pilot studies

Supporting land management Incremental Identified

EH1.3

Explore opportunities for programs to sustain flood corridors, and combat soil erosion

Supporting land management Incremental Identified

EH2.1

Explore opportunities for collaborative groups of farmers to engage in pest control and environmental programs during drought

Maintaining and enhancing biosecurity Incremental Identified

EH2.2

Ensure funding is available or programs during the slow times

Maintaining and enhancing biosecurity Incremental Identified

EH2.3

Ensure rodent control is part of the recovery solution

Maintaining and enhancing biosecurity Incremental Identified

EH3.1

Consider a local rainwater tank program to promote better quality residential water supply

Increasing water security Incremental Identified

EH3.2

Ensure funding opportunities for continued improvement in town water quality and quantity and urban supply are taken up

Increasing water security Incremental Identified

EH3.3

Support and partner with entities responsible for the , Murray Darling Basin, the Lower Gwydir Groundwater Sources and the Namoi Alluvial Groundwater Sources

Increasing water security Incremental Identified

🤝 Community & Wellbeing

Pathway 2 – Community strength

Attracting and retaining skills and people Maintaining pride in our communities Maintaining services and retail options locally Supporting strong social cohesion

15 of 15 action ideas — tap to view

C1.1

Maintain a schedule of free community events bringing light relief and cultural activities to small and remote locations during drought times

Supporting strong social cohesion Incremental Identified

C1.2

Support to upgrade community-owned centres and audit government owned facilities to identify upgrades to continue delivering local events such as disability access, air-conditioning, landscaping and the like.

Supporting strong social cohesion Incremental Identified

C1.3

Empower community groups for continuous improvement of equipment, internal fit out, building painting or similar through ensuring all groups

Empower community groups for continuous improvement of equipment, internal fit out, building painting or similar through ensuring all groups → understand and can access the Community Consultation Committee (CCC) funding; and → understand or have access to grant writing and preparation assistance

Supporting strong social cohesion Incremental Identified

C1.4

Continue seeding celebrity and star power during drought times for emotional and stress relief for locals

Supporting strong social cohesion Incremental Identified

C1.5

Consider smaller scale township-based plans (where townships are proactive) to pinpoint hyper-local needs such as particular facilities upgrades or economic opportunities or complementary infrastructure priorities

Supporting strong social cohesion Incremental Identified

C2.1

Promote the ‘Welcome to town” programs with a one on one tour by a volunteer, (for example The Australian Greeters Association and Welcoming Cities Network) to provide ongoing personal support, and multicultural activities

Attracting and retaining skills and people Incremental Identified

C2.2

Proactively work with and leverage the needs of the research facilities and local employers to target and attract people and services to the region

Attracting and retaining skills and people Incremental Identified

C2.3

Consider development of a welcome and information brochure such as ‘Knowing the Namoi’ or ‘Paradise on the Plains’ that provides newcomers with friendly advice and information about living in the region.

Attracting and retaining skills and people Incremental Identified

C3.1

Support local venues and opportunities for a chat and a cuppa through maintaining physical services in very small locations such as post offices and cafes

Maintaining services and retail options locally Incremental Identified

C3.2

Pilot a community facility design for multi-purpose, flexible building to be used as a hall, retail, business link services, childcare or as the community may require in townships in need of local infrastructure

Maintaining services and retail options locally Incremental Identified

C3.3

Advocate for consistent funding and certainty for baseline services provided by others to the region especially health

Maintaining services and retail options locally Incremental Identified

C4.2

Engage with community to assist with beautification programs in slow times.

Engage with community to assist with beautification programs in slow times. For example, local councils provide specifications and funding opportunities, and community provides labour for tree planting or landscape rehabilitation works.

Maintaining pride in our communities Incremental Identified

C4.3

Develop a program of community lead project options as CCC candidates

Maintaining pride in our communities Incremental Identified

C4.4

Bolster confidence through programs such as messages from the city “Thank a farmer” programs during drought

Maintaining pride in our communities Incremental Identified

C4.5

Explore opportunities for communities that would like a community garden

Maintaining pride in our communities Incremental Identified

📈 Economy & Business

Pathway 4 – Supply chain

Promoting roads as an economic enabler

4 of 4 action ideas — tap to view

SCC1.1

Promote existing road private-public-partnership program and policies for road reconstruction and maintenance

Promoting roads as an economic enabler Incremental Identified

SCC1.2

Ensure continuous funding is sought to maintain local roads for expected supply chain activity

Promoting roads as an economic enabler Incremental Identified

SCC1.3

Explore extension of policy for joint venture road upgrades across the region

Promoting roads as an economic enabler Incremental Identified

SCC1.4

Identify pinch points in the road network for condition and resilience and advocate for road upgrades which are integral to supply chain security

Promoting roads as an economic enabler Incremental Identified

📈 Economy & Business

Economic Opportunity

Building financial strength Building financial strength of all businesses regardless of sector or scale Diversify the regional economy Diversifying the regional economy Establishing the region as an education hub Leverage existing tourism assets as a major economic pillar

11 of 11 action ideas — tap to view

E1.1

Develop a calendar of events from existing iconic experiences and extended itineraries that allow travellers to stay in the region for longer.

Develop a calendar of events from existing iconic experiences and extended itineraries that allow travellers to stay in the region for longer. Consider connecting the itinerary, to events just outside the region.

Leveraging existing tourism assets as a major economic pillar Incremental Identified

E1.2

Develop a joint tourism strategy and involve local business, attractions and events.

Develop a joint tourism strategy and involve local business, attractions and events. Identify facilities for upgrade and renewal and opportunities for ongoing improvement.

Leveraging existing tourism assets as a major economic pillar Incremental Identified

E1.3

Maintain the core local services to townships: parks and gardens, services and ensure stability and welcoming feel for visitors and locals

Leveraging existing tourism assets as a major economic pillar Incremental Identified

E1.4

Investment in local retail and product or services gaps to cater for and capture incoming tourism and promote longer stays

Leveraging existing tourism assets as a major economic pillar Incremental Identified

E2.1

Encourage retailers to expand their range to provide complementary goods lines that community is travelling away for or obtaining online such as basic apparel and children’s wear.

Building financial strength of all businesses regardless of sector or scale Incremental Identified

E2.2

Promote financial planning for local small business through funding for a third party delivered program

Building financial strength of all businesses regardless of sector or scale Incremental Identified

E2.3.1

(Consider with Priority E4) Advocate for the design a ‘JobKeeper’ style program to retain skilled workers in the region through:

(Consider with Priority E4) Advocate for the design a ‘JobKeeper’ style program to retain skilled workers in the region through: → wages subsidies for businesses with direct impact who are not landowners → programs that enable staff to stay and supports continued study for topics such as: welding, hazardous chemicals, forklifts, etc. delivered by local educators → programs that enable staff to be remunerated for assisting at a research facility program; or → programs that enable staff to stay and supports tertiary upskilling through UNE or Country University Centres for local business, industry or emerging industry related course such as Agri-business, project management or business management

Building financial strength of all businesses regardless of sector or scale Incremental Identified

E2.4

Advocate for support mechanisms for businesses directly impacted by agricultural downturn (who are not landowners) through drought such as contractors and farm staff.

Building financial strength of all businesses regardless of sector or scale Incremental Identified

E3.1

Explore opportunities for stabilised income through renewable energy projects and carbon farming

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified

E3.2

Continue to maintain relationships with resource industry companies operating or investing in the region

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified

E3.3

Develop an investment prospectus for the Moree Plains SAP and Narrabri Place Strategy to attract new middle sized employers, including exploring preliminary feasibility or benefits of new industries to value add existing or generate new industries and identifies their operational needs.

Diversifying the regional economy Incremental Identified