The Port Macquarie-Hastings community was strongly represented in Sydney last week, with Mayor Adam Roberts and General Manager Robert Fish participating in a series of high-level meetings and regional advocacy forums alongside leaders from across the Mid North Coast.
As part of the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation, Mayor Roberts and Mr Fish joined Mayors and General Managers in discussions at NSW Parliament with senior Ministers and State Government representatives including NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Recovery & North Coast Janelle Saffin, Minister for Regional NSW & Agriculture Tara Moriarty, as well as representatives from the offices of NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe.
Premier Minns also addressed the Country Mayors Association quarterly meeting which was held in NSW Parliament. Mayor Roberts said the Premier's attendance was a valuable opportunity for regional and rural councils to present a united voice on the key challenges facing Regional NSW.
"It was a productive and positive week of advocacy for the Port Macquarie-Hastings and the broader Mid North Coast region," Mayor Roberts said.
"I appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with the NSW Premier and Ministers about the challenges our communities are facing, but importantly, also the opportunities that exist when regional councils and the NSW Government work together."
"Key issues discussed throughout the meetings included enabling infrastructure to support regional growth and housing, state road upgrades, disaster recovery funding, housing pressures, waste services, environmental sustainability and long-term resilience planning."
Mayor Roberts said the delegation reinforced the importance of regional collaboration and ensuring the Mid North Coast remains strongly represented in statewide decision making.
"The Mid North Coast Joint Organisation continues to play an important role in bringing councils together to advocate on shared priorities and deliver better outcomes for our communities," he said.
During the visit, Mayor Roberts also attended the Rural and Regional Summit hosted by Local Government NSW.
The summit brought together local government leaders from across regional NSW to discuss the future of rural and regional communities, with topics including infrastructure investment, workforce challenges, housing, health, economic development and disaster resilience.
