June Mayor Message

Published on 28 June 2023

With great rainfall across the region many on the Winter crops are off to a great start. Winter has finally arrived and let’s hope the rain continues to fall when needed.

Council had the opportunity to meet with the Moira Shire Administrator and the Shire Executive recently. We discussed many of our shared interests and our willingness to continue to work together where opportunities arise.

Late last month we had an information night that was held at the Finley RSC about the opportunity to continue to advocate for a Country Universities Centre (CUC). There were over 50 people in attendance. The discussion was centred around what the model looks like and the benefits to all those looking to further their education whilst being able to stay in their community. For further information and how you can support the concept please Contact Nola Pinnuck at Finley TAFE or Karina Ewer at Berrigan Shire Council.

I attended the Country Mayors’ meeting in Sydney. The forum gives us the opportunity to lobby both sides of government for a fair share across rural and regional NSW. Many Councils are experiencing the same issues as we are: lack of key workers and housing; cost of living pressures; along with the challenges of remaining financially sound. Right across the region many Councils are having conversations with their constituents around Special Rate Variations. This is when Council applies to lift the rate above the rate cap.

We are lobbying to the NSW Health Minister and Ambulance NSW about the need for an Ambulance station in Tocumwal. Tocumwal continues to grow and with the number of visitors that migrate to the community during the holiday periods, it time for the NSW Government to have a serious conversation around future needs for Tocumwal and its residents.

Council recently engaged consultant to undertake a Risk and WHS Audit of the Finley Saleyards. It identified issues within the cattle yards; therefore Council is working with the agents to overcome these issues so that sales can resume in the not-too-distant future.

I’ve just spent the last week at the National General Assembly in Canberra. This brings more than 500 Councils together from across the country. Over 140 motions were debated on the floor over two days. Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) play an important role in advocating for all Councils to get a fair share of funding from the Federal Government to continue to deliver services to their communities. During the Assembly, I met with The Honourable Catherin King MP to discuss the Regional Freight Strategy prepared by RAMJO and the need for more funding to improve the roads in our area.

Many ministers from the Labour Government attended the conference through panel sessions and took questions from the forum. Opposition leader Peter Dutton also addressed the conference but the address from the Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko was the highlight. His passionate speech explaining how Australia is helping Ukraine’s war effort along with the resilience of his native country is inspiring across the world.

Whilst in Canberra I met with The Honourable Susan Ley MP and The Honourable Michael McCormack MP with several other Mayors from our region. I had the opportunity to again represent the community regarding the Tocumwal Ambulance Station, CUC project, the housing crisis and several other matters concerning both our Shire and the region.

I also squeezed attendance at the Australian Council of Local Governments on Friday, which met for the first time in 10 years. It was continually highlighted to the Albanese government that Councils need Federal Assistance Grants (FAGS) to be raised to 1% of taxation revenue. Over time FAGs have been reduced to its present rate of 0.5%. Because FAGs are untied, they allow Council to deliver necessary infrastructure, maintain already built assets and everything else that Councils deliver on. Tied grants normally require Council co-contribution of 50% and are only provided for specific projects.  FAGs are important because they allow Councils like ours to direct money where the community needs it, unlike tied grants which require us to spend in the areas State of Federal Government deem to be important.

Cr Matthew Hannan