Frequently asked questions

What is a SAP?

A Special Activation Precinct is a dedicated area in a regional location identified by the NSW Government to become a thriving business hub. SAPs are unique to regional NSW, and bring together planning and investment to focus on growing jobs and economic activity in an area. Precincts will support industries in line with competitive advantages and economic strengths of each area.

For more information on SAPs click here.

What is a SAP Master Plan?

The framework for developing the Master Plan and implementing a Special Activation Precinct has both strategic and statutory requirements that come under the existing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). The strategic component of the framework is the Structure Plan whereby the NSW Government undertakes environmental and technical studies to inform the Master Plan. The Master Plan is developed from the detail contained in the Structure Plan and is the statutory document that brings together the sub-precincts, vision, the objectives and development constraints. Moree Plains Shire Council, in collaboration with the NSW Government, will be undertaking significant community consultation for the development of the Moree SAP Master Plan. 

The draft Master Plan is available on the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment site , including the technical studies that informed the plan.

What are the main advantages of a SAP location?

  1. Fast track planning

  1. Tailored infrastructure investment to support local needs

  2. Government-led studies to confirm the types of governance and private investment needed to create a thriving SAP.

  3. Government-led development, tailored to local needs, by activating land to ensure positive social and economic outcomes within the SAP. (For example, some types of agribusiness need to be a minimum distance from each other to ensure safety and high-quality standards. The Government will identify and invest in these developments as needed).

  4. Business concierge service to help businesses set-up and thrive in SAPs by assisting business owners and investors through the following:

a.       Providing advice and support in navigating approvals, grants and support

b.       Liaising with NSW Government departments and agencies

c.       Responding to general enquiries

d.       Providing updates to tenants with SAPs.

What is the Moree SAP?

The Moree SAP will be investigated to create a thriving business hub that will take advantage of its location in the middle of the most productive grain region in Australia, leveraging the Inland Rail route and Newell Highway.  Given its location, the Moree SAP will become central to North Western NSW’s regional economic, agricultural and population development.

The Precinct will create a new business hub that specialises in agribusiness, logistics and food processing industries. Ensuring a sustainable future, Renewable Energy production will support the Precinct via innovative energy solutions. The new Precinct will create long-term job opportunities and attract investors, making it easier for both new and existing businesses to thrive, and strengthening the region’s economy.

With a strong connection to Country, the Moree SAP will open up economic opportunities through land based activities for Aboriginal owned land.  Respect for the Gamilaroi people’s cultural rights as Traditional Custodians of the land will be embedded throughout the project delivery.

Why Moree?

The decision to declare Moree as a SAP was supported by a number of reasons, some of these include the following:

  • Ideal location – Gateway of north western NSW

  • Centre of Australia’s most productive grain region

  • Optimise opportunities in the agricultural industry

  • Sustainable water endowments

  • Direct links by road, rail and air to major ports

  • Capitalise on Inland Rail

  • Opportunity to create more local jobs for local people

Image credit Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation

Image credit Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation

What is the Moree SAP vision?

With national and global connections, the Moree Special Activation Precinct enables diversification of Moree’s proud agricultural economy by building on its strong connection to Country and sustainable water endowments and energy infrastructure. The Special Activation precinct fosters world class opportunities to value-add, embrace new technologies and develop innovative energy solutions.

How will a SAP benefit the economic development of Moree?

The SAP will create long term job opportunities and attract investors, making it easier for both new and existing businesses to thrive, strengthening the region’s economy. Pending the adoption of the Master Plan, businesses that set up in the SAP will have access to the necessary common-user infrastructure such as heavy duty road and digital connectivity. Support from a business concierge service will fast track planning processes, ensuring they are established quickly and successfully.

The Moree SAP will take advantage of our location as the most productive agricultural region in Australia. It will specialise in agribusiness, logistics and food processing industries through the development of common user infrastructure that will support the bulk handling and containerised commodities.

Fundamental to the Moree SAP proposition is our ability to diversify and grow.  New industries are being encouraged to Moree to take advantage of existing infrastructure (extensive road connectivity and proximity to the Moree Regional Airport emerging infrastructure (the Inland Rail Moree Intermodal infrastructure suite) as well as our natural resources (sustainable water endowments and ample fertile land).

Moree SAP Economic Drivers 

  • Opportunities for early stage processing and value adding agriculture

  • Locational advantage for freight and logistics activities

  • Freight improvements to unlock opportunities for the horticulture industry

  • Locational advantage for renewable energy and circular economy activities

Moree SAP Strategic Focus 

  • Remove barriers to business investment and expansion

  • Strategically co-locate business to create circular economies

  • Enable sustainable water use, resuse and renewable energy production

  • Create education and training opportunities to increase local job prospects

  • Foster strong partnerships with the local Aboriginal community

  • Further apply advanced technologies to agricultural production and value-adding

  • Attract new industries to diversify the regional economy based on endowments and improved market access.

How does the SAP relate to the Inland Rail that is traversing Moree Plains Shire?

Centred at the junction of major national, state, and regional freight routes via rail, road and air, Moree is a key location in North Western NSW. The Moree SAP will leverage its location along the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project through key infrastructure projects in addition to maximising freight efficiencies for last mile logistics.

What other locations have been declared a SAP by the NSW Government?

The NSW Government have declared Moree, Parkes and Wagga Wagga as Special Activation Precincts in addition to investigating the Snowy Mountains, Williamtown and Narrabri as investigation zones.

For more information view the NSW Government website.

How can I contact the Regional Activation Unit or the NSW Government SAP team?

Please click here to contact the Moree Plains Regional Activation Unit regarding the Moree SAP. Alternatively, contact the NSW Government Special Activation Precinct team by emailing activationprecincts@regional.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 1300 REGION (734466).

Is there an office location for the Moree Plains Regional Activation Unit for Moree SAP and Inland Rail enquiries?

For enquiries regarding the Moree SAP, Inland Rail or associated upcoming Intermodal infrastructure works visit the Moree Plains Regional Activation Unit team at:

Shop 6, Ground Floor, Max Centre, 30 Heber Street, Moree NSW 2400

Should you wish to make an appointment, please phone (02) 6757 3440.

 

If I am an interested supplier or business who do I contact?

Council, together with the NSW Government and Federal Government, are dedicated to ensuring the benefits of major projects such as the Moree SAP, the Inland Rail and other major infrastructure works are realised throughout the local community.

If you are an interested supplier or business who would like to investigate the local opportunities available to you contact council@mpsc.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 6757 3440 to register and find out more.

Please note that there is no guarantee that by providing your contact details you will become a preferred contractor and that normal procurement procedures would apply. 

 

I want to be kept up to date on the latest news for the Moree SAP- what should I do?

If you want to be kept up to date on the latest news and engagement opportunities for the Moree SAP, let our team know you would like to be added to the monthly Business Burst mailing list. Contact business@mpsc.nsw.gov.au

What community consultation will be undertaken as part of the SAP?

An ‘Enquiry by Design’ workshop held at Moree Plains Shire Council from 17-20 November 2020 helped shape the draft master plan.

Following the development of a draft master plan, Council, together with the NSW Government, undertook community, stakeholder and industry consultation as part of the SAP Master Planning phase for a period of 28 days from 18 May to 15 June 2021. Several public pop-up session, community workshops, drop-in sessions and briefings took place as part of this consultation process.

This was an opportunity for the community and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft Master Plan during the formal exhibition period.

Will be there employment opportunities associated with the upcoming infrastructure works?

Council, together with the Federal and State Government, are collaborating to maximise the employment opportunities associated with the Moree SAP, the Inland Rail and major infrastructure works.

Initiatives for the delivery of training to ensure our locals are appropriately skilled for the upcoming works are being undertaken including collaboration with ARTC Inland Rail for the Skills Academy.

Should you wish to find out more about training and employment opportunities please contact the Regional Activation Unit.