Bega Valley Shire Mayor and Councillors today agreed to submit five motions to the 2025 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Annual Conference, to be held in Sydney in November.
Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the annual conference is the pre-eminent policy making event for the NSW local government sector.
"The conference is a key event for local government where councillors come together to share ideas and debate issues that shape the way the sector functions and is governed," Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
"This year Councillors Simon Daly, Peter Haggar, David Porter and I will be attending the conference.
"Council's motions relate to strategic local government issues that not only affect us, but LGNSW members state-wide."
Two motions call on the NSW Government to better support councils to respond to the housing crisis.
"We need clarity on the status of tiny homes and other portable dwellings," Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
"The state government makes the rules that councils must follow and enforce yet they won't step up now to amend legislation to make it clear.
"The confusion and friction in communities across the state is escalating. We know many other Councils are facing the same challenge and are watching to see what plays out the in Bega Valley."
Council is also asking the state government to expand current rules around temporary housing flexibility.
"If you have been impacted by a natural disaster, you can place a caravan or manufactured home on your land or someone else's land for up to two years without Council approval," Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
"We want this exemption to be extended to people who are displaced or at risk of homelessness in this escalating housing crisis."
Another motion seeks equitable arts and culture funding for regional galleries.
"In the most recent Create NSW multi-year funding round, less than half the state's council-run galleries received funding, including SECCA (South East Centre for Contemporary Art) which relies heavily on multi-year grants to sustain its artistic and cultural programs," Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
Mayor Fitzpatrick said of particular relevance to Council's workforce is the Fresh Start for Local Government Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Program.
"We'd like to see this program maintained and increased," he said.
"Further to this, we are seeking support and investment in a funded school engagement program to bolster student interest in a local government sector career.
"We are fortunate to have cadets working across town planning, business administration and engineering, and trainees and apprentices building a career in horticulture, infrastructure, customer service, communication and more.
"Finally, we have a motion requesting the reinstatement of the Business Connect program provided by the Service NSW Business Bureau.
"A substantial number of start-ups and existing small businesses in our shire are where they are today because of Business Connect support. It created innovation, jobs and confidence."
Mayor Fitzpatrick said for many years Council has been submitting motions at the annual LGNSW conference.
"Advocacy is a key role of Council and a strategic, collaborative approach to advocacy is essential for ensuring our shire receives proper recognition in policy and funding decisions made by other levels of government.
"All motions submitted by NSW councils will be debated and resolved by conference delegates and the successful resolutions will guide LGNSW's advocacy priorities for the year ahead."
Further information on the motions is in the 11.2 report of the 17 September Council meeting.
