The Country Mayors Association of NSW Inc (CMA) has welcomed the NSW Liberal and National coalition government commitiment a further $280 million dollars to country councils throughout NSW.
These funds in addition to the $50 million emergency pothole repair funding announced in late 2022, now means $330 million worth of road repair and restoration works will be completed as quickly as councils’ people, plant and equipment will allow.
Local and regional road networks, both sealed and unsealed, are under enormous pressure throughout country NSW. Councils are the owners and operators of these road networks and their dedicated and hardworking people are 100 per cent committed to restore these roads back to good condition as quickly as humanly possible.
The 2022 natural disaster flooding events impacted every council area in country NSW, with many experiencing catastrophic outcomes to homes and properties, pets and possessions, with livelihoods also threatened.
In December, CMA launched their “State Election 2023” Priority document. The paper listed eight key areas of united concern across the membership of Councils.
These priority areas are:
* Skills and Training.
* Health Services.
* Roads and Transport.
* Water Security.
* Housing.
* Crime, Law and Order.
* Telecommunications Blackspot Coverage.
* Disaster Preparedness and Funding.
The Roads and Transport section of the document listed many suggested ways a future State Government could make positive change to support Country NSW.
CMA chairman, Mayor Jamie Chaffey welcomed the announcement.
“The announcement of another $280 million to support Country Councils across NSW shows the Coalition government have heard the calls from our members and that when two tiers of government work together, with the focus on improving the lives of Country people, great things will happen,” he said.
“Our members are encouraged that the funding announcement is consistent with one of our requests clearly outlined in our “ State Election 2023“ document, and we are hopeful of future announcements from all political parties contesting the upcoming election that policy positions will match the context in our priority document,” Mayor Chaffey said.
CMA is an incorporated body with a rich history of standing up for the needs of all residents that choose to live, work and play within a rural local government area covered by our membership. CMA was established prior to 1980 with a handful of members, and has proudly grown to 76 member councils, representing more than three million residents across 99 per cent of the land mass of NSW.
“Our mission is to further the interests of rural and regional councils by advocating and lobbying on relevant State and National issues by working with State and Federal governments and other appropriate organisations to further the interests of our members, as well as to act as an information-sharing forum. People should have the same rights and opportunities, regardless of where they live within the state,” Mayor Chaffey said.
Deputy chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM said he was “proud of the position CMA took in the declaration of a Statewide Roads Emergency back in November 2022 and also of the State Election 2023 Priority document, created and endorsed by our membership, that has no doubt played a big part in yesterday’s funding announcement”.
“Country people serve in local government because we are proud of the communities we live in. Our people are under enormous pressure right now to restore our regional and local road networks and this generous funding will go a long way to give our people the extra support they need to achieve positive outcomes,” Mayor Firman said.
“The CMA stands firm in our pursuit of equity of service provision for the residents of our communities. That is why we are pleased to offer our list of priorities for consideration and implementation to all political parties contesting the 2023 NSW state election. We stand united with our members to advocate for residents who choose to call country NSW home. We will continue to work with both State and Commonwealth Governments to achieve the best quality of life and provision of services for our residents, and we look forward to a prosperous future,” Mayor Chaffey said.
