City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, has been elected as Treasurer of Local Government NSW.
the peak industry association that represents the interests of NSW councils.
Delegates from member councils voted for the position of Treasurer and the other board members during the Local Government NSW annual conference this week.
Clr Laxale said it was an honour and privilege to be elec ted t o the position of Treasurer.
"Local Government NSW has proven to be a very powerful voice in advocating on behalf of Local Governmen t NSW members and I look forward to continuing that work in a leadership role," Clr Laxale said.
"Recently, Local Government NSW has achieved positive results lobbying all tiers of government on a range of crucial issues within our community. This includ es increasing funding for our local libraries.
ensuring council amalgamations are not re -introduced and calling for greater investment in waste and recycling services by the NSW Government.
"For the City of Ryde I think it is extremely beneficial that the community now has a presence on the Local Government NSW Board as the interests of both bodies align very closely. I look forward to working with President Clr Linda Scott on achieving real outcomes for all member councils."
The election of Clr Laxale as Local Government NSW Treasurer came as a motion put forward by the City of Ryde calling on the NSW Government to declare a climate emergency was carried by member councils during the annual conference.
"The City of Ryde was one of the first in Australia to declare a climate emergency and it is extremely encouraging that the majority of delegates supported our motion and showed leadership in tackling climate change. It is clear the NSW Government urgently needs to lead a bi -partisan, clear, effective and unambiguous state wide approach to avert a climate crisis in NSW," Clr Laxale added.
The City of Ryde put forward three additional motions, all of which were carried. They were.
Including a 10 day domestic violence leave provision in relevant Local Government Awards as soon as possible.
Seeking an amendment to the Companion Animals Act 1998 so that it is not an offence under the legislation if a dog rushes at or harasses a person or animal while behind a physical barrier.
Seeking an amend ment to the Smoke -free Environment Act 2000 that would enable councils to issue fines in amounts equivalent to NSW Health for smoking in a smoke -free are a.
