NSW councils’ peak body has congratulated NSW Premier-elect Chris Minns and his incoming government, and pledged to work with them to deliver for communities right across the state.
Local Government NSW president Darriea Turley AM said the 58th Parliament of NSW offered the opportunity for the two spheres of government to work in true partnership for the people of NSW, via a fresh Intergovernmental Agreement.
“Councils previously had an agreement with the Coalition government signed by former premier Gladys Berejiklian, but this agreement was disappointingly not renewed during the last Parliamentary term,” Cr Turley said.
“We’re delighted that the incoming Minns Labor Government has committed to signing a new agreement, which will provide the foundations for a more constructive way of working together.”
Cr Turley said the agreement was in keeping with the constructive and respectful election campaigns run by both Premier-elect Minns and former premier Dominic Perrottet.
“LGNSW looks forward to working in the same vein with all elected MPs: ALP Government MPs, Liberal and National MPs, minor parties, independents and crossbenchers,” she said.
“Above all, we remain firmly focused on the community-focused objectives that made up our election priorities and we will continue to work constructively towards the achievement of those goals.
“There’s still so much to do, particularly around the financial sustainability of local government.”
Cr Turley said LGNSW would hold the incoming government to account to ensure delivery of a wide range of election commitments, including promises to:
* Review the broken model which effectively works against the financial sustainability of councils.
* Develop and apply new, fairer grant guidelines.
* Require a mandatory 30 per cent of all homes built on surplus government land to be social, affordable and diverse housing.
* Implement all 44 recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry into rural and regional health services.
Introduce fair and transparent accounting rules that restore ownership of the so-called “red fleet” firefighting equipment to the Rural Fire Service.
“NSW Labor also promised an Emergency Road Repair Fund for regional roads worth $670m over two years, and this money needs to flow into the system as quickly as possible to assist councils in building back local roads devastated by floods and torrential rains,” she said.
“There is a very big task ahead of the incoming government, but I am confident that a fresh Intergovernmental Agreement is a strong first step in forging the good faith partnership our communities need and expect.”
