The Lockhart Shire Council was pleased to welcome the Hon Ron Hoenig MP, NSW Minister for Local Government, and his Chief of Staff, Peter McCabe, to the region on Wednesday, 2 July 2025.
The Minister’s visit followed his attendance at the REROC Board Roundtable in Wagga Wagga earlier in the day, providing a valuable opportunity for engagement with local leaders and the wider community.
Minister Hoenig began his visit with a meeting at Lockhart Shire Council offices with Dr Joe McGirr – Member for Wagga Wagga, Mayor Peter Sharp, and General Manager Gavin Rhodes.
The discussion focused on a range of key topics, including:
• Road Funding
• Enabling infrastructure
• Critical need for housing for essential workers, including health professionals.
• Advocacy for quarantined (non-competitive) grants for rural councils
• Support for the full adoption of the RFS PAC Report recommendations
• Funding progress for key Council projects, including masterplans for Brookong Creek and the Lockhart CBD upgrade.
Following the meeting, Minister Hoenig attended an afternoon tea with councillors and senior Council staff at Green’s Gunyah Museum.
This informal gathering offered further opportunity for community interaction and included a tour of the Tim Fischer Gallery and the Doris Golder Wool Art Gallery.
A visit was also made to That Butcher Shop, to congratulate them on their recent global awards. Lockhart Shire Mayor Peter Sharp expressed his appreciation for the visit.
“It was a privilege to welcome Minister Hoenig to our Shire and provide first-hand insights into the opportunities and challenges our rural communities face,” Mayor Sharp said.
“This visit was a productive step forward in strengthening existing collaboration between local and state governments.”
The Lockhart Shire Council thanks all who participated in making the visit a success.
