Flags are flying at half mast in Moree until Friday to pay tribute to former mayor Norman Lyle Houlahan OAM

The Moree council and residents are paying their respects as the community learns of the passing of Norman Lyle Houlahan OAM.

Mr Houlahan served as a councillor from 1981 and was Mayor of Moree Plains from 1984 to 1989, spanning a long-served career of 27 years with Moree Plains Shire Council.

In 1990, he was recognised and honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to Local Government.

Mr Houlahan did not stand for re-election in 1999 due to ill health which saw him and his wife Fan, move to Kingscliff to enjoy retirement. This is where he passed away on Monday at the age of 89.

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Current Mayor, Mark Johnson, said the community had lost a respected leader.

"Lyle committed many years of his life for the betterment of our shire. He always contributed with dignity and intellect. The Council Chamber was a better place for his presence. Our thoughts go out to Lyle's family," councillor Johnson said.

Former Mayor Katrina Humphries stated, "Lyle was a dignified, gracious and generous man, whose passion for the Plains continued well into his retirement years".

Former Mayor and current Councillor Mike Montgomery shared his time with Mr Houlahan.

"Lyle Houlahan was one of those community leaders who, after the 1981 amalgamation, helped establish the Moree Plains Shire, and forged the position that this council accepts regional responsibilities well beyond our local boundaries," Cr Montgomery said.

"Lyle's leadership helped smooth the transition from small rural shires to a Local Government that could imagine the enormous changes that came with the Copeton Dam Irrigation Schemes and can now adapt further with the massive development coming in the Special Activation Precinct.

"Lyle mentored many councillors here and away, and his legacy of leadership, vision and moral strength still has a presence in those who knew, admired, and aspired to be a little like him, as he was large.

"He was a great man and we should be proud to have had the likes of him to give service to us".

The naming of a public asset was also established in his honour, Lyle Houlahan Park located beside the Moree Visitor Information Centre. The two artillery pieces located in Moree's Lyle Houlahan Park commemorate Australians who have served in all wars.

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