Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OMA (of Temora Shire) has welcomed the announcement of NSW Local Government Minister the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP's Local Government Expert Advisory Panel. "It is particularly pleasing that our CMA is well represented in this new advisory panel," he said.
The panel is part of the Government's response to NSW Parliament's inquiry into the Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services.
"This shows our Local Government Minister's commendable humility and willingness to listen and learn. Minister Hoenig has decades of experience in Local Government, albeit in Sydney and, together with his senior staff, like Office of Local Government Deputy Secretary Mr Brett Whitmworth PSM, has been genuinely consultative, which is appreciated. Despite this, a panel that can convey insights of current and emerging issues, especially financial sustainability, and policy experiences on the ground in Local Government is a very encouraging development," Mayor Firman said.
Representing rural, remote and regional councils and their communities on the Local Government Expert Advisory Panel members are: CMA Board Member and former LGNSW President, Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM (Forbes Shire Council), CMA Secretary and Temora Shire General Manager, Ms Melissa Boxall; and CMA Member Eurobodalla Shire General Manager Mr Mark Ferguson. The Expert Panel also includes Mr. Whitworth PSM (Chairman), General Manager of Randwick City Council Mr Ray Brownlee PSM (and former General Manager Northern Beaches and Auburn City Councils); General Manager of Blacktown City Council Mr Kerry Robinson OAM; and Manager of Industrial, Rules, Governance, and Compliance, United Services Union Mr Daniel Papps.
These Panel members were appointed by Minister Hoenig for a three-year term. Their role is to provide technical and practical advice on the implementation of reforms aimed at maintaining councils' independence while ensuring their long-term financial sustainability.
According to the NSW Office of Local Government, the Panel will also focus on developing a framework for councils wanting to permanently increase their rates; simplifying the Special Variation process to focus only on specific council projects; and providing advice on streamlining financial reporting to increase transparency.
"The CMA Board and our Members are committed giving the Minister's recent milestone policies, such as the new Code of Meeting Practice a fair go but we're confident that the Expert Panel will help to channel constructive feedback more efficiently and effectively than ever before," Mayor Firman said.
"Informing Local Government policies in the development phase, rather than lobbying for changes to legislation after it is in effect should prove to be a victory for common sense. We encourage the Panel members to immerse themselves into the critical financial sustainability of our sector. We can't underestimate the vital importance of this piece of work," Mayor Firman concluded.
