The NSW Premier’s Rural Remote and Regional Advisory Council will work with the NSW Government to better address the unique challenges faced by those living and working in regional areas.
Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie said the advisory group would be an asset to regional communities.
“Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty are to be congratulated for agreeing to this initiative of the Country Mayors Association,” he said.
“Regional communities can only benefit from having regular dialogue and input to policy at this level of government.”
The advisory panel was created following advocacy from Country Mayors Association chair Rick Firman to Mr Minns.
Representatives from across the regions will come together to provide advice and insights on issues impacting their communities, from essential services and key infrastructure to biosecurity.
Invitations have also been extended to the chair of the NSW Regional Cities and representatives from the Local Land Services, Country Women’s Association, regional health and education sectors, Indigenous councils and business communities.
Mr Firman has also been invited to take on the role of secretariat for the panel.
The advisory group will meet twice annually with Mr Minns and Ms Moriarty, with the first council meeting set to take place this year.
Mr Firman said the CMA NSW was overjoyed with the news of the panel’s formation.
“The CMA NSW board, together with our 92 members, are tickled pink at the news our NSW premier has signed off on his Rural, Remote and Regional Advisory Council,” he said.
“We will share the challenges with suggested solutions, we will have government policy proposals bounced off us and give genuine feedback, and we will also share the countless inspiring initiatives that occur in our cherished rural, remote and regional communities which may be replicated across our great state.”
Mr Minns added that the panel would help create meaningful change for regional communities.
“We want to work with regional communities to find solutions that really meet their needs and will make a difference,” he said.
“We are committed to delivering regional communities their fair share and this group means we can ensure our responses are targeted, effective and inline with the realities of regional life.”
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