Exciting times for the Moree Plains Shire with $194 million to kick-off constriction of the Moree Special Activation Precinct today, Councillor Mekayla Cochrane, left, Councillor Greg Smith, Deputy Mayor Susannah Pearce, Mayor Mark Johnson, Federal Member for Parker’s Mark Coulton, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Inland Rail CEO Rebecca Pickering.
Wednesday, 16 March 2022
The largest single State Government infrastructure investments in Moree’s history has set the region on track to becoming the economic powerhouse of Northern NSW, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Deputy Premier Paul Toole today announcing a $194 million investment to deliver the first stage of the Moree Special Activation Precinct (SAP).
Mr Marshall said the funding commitment would build the SAP, helping diversify the local economy in a region renowned for innovative farming and large-scale prime food and fibre production.
“The Special Activation Precinct is a golden opportunity to build on Moree’s high-value agricultural produce, water endowments and global connections by road, rail and air,” Mr Marshall said.
“It’s a red-letter day for the region, heralding the official start of an economic renaissance in the Moree district, akin to the seismic shift experienced in the 1970s when the construction of Copeton Dam paved the way for irrigated agriculture.
“The first stage of delivery will open around 950 hectares of land in the central part of the precinct and support the development of land with new and upgraded roads, gas, telecommunications, electricity and water, storm water and wastewater infrastructure.
“The Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation will lead the precinct’s delivery by managing the construction of enabling infrastructure, preparing a delivery plan to support streamlined approvals and providing a business concierge service to help investors set up or expand in the region.
“Today’s announcement is a blazing signal to industry, investors and local community that the Moree SAP is happening, and is ready to create new jobs and value-adding opportunities for our region’s $1 billion per year agricultural sector.
“The Moree Plains is the largest and richest agricultural producing shire in Australia and the SAP will allow us to attract processing and value-adding business to capitalise on the efficiencies of inland rail.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the funding for construction of the precinct’s stage 1 infrastructure was the next step in driving economic growth and delivering up to 4,000 jobs for the people of the Moree Plains by 2060.
“The master plan is now finalised and I am really excited to be here with the Moree community today as we move into the all-important delivery phase, that will see the vision for the Moree Special Activation Precinct come to life,” Mr Toole said.
“We have committed $194 million towards infrastructure that will leverage the benefits of the Inland Rail and bring investment into Moree and the precinct, building on the region’s already thriving agricultural industry.”
Special Activation Precincts are part of the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, dedicated to major and transformative infrastructure projects that will benefit regional NSW. Visit www.rgdc.nsw.gov.au for more information.