Council leaders discuss funding challenges

DISASTER recovery and resilience, collaboration between councils and local government funding models were discussed at a meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) and Local Government NSW (LGNSW) leaders on Tuesday.

Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts and Acting CEO Robert Fish joined LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM and CEO David Reynolds, as part of LGNSW’s recent tour of Mid North Coast councils.

In a statement, Council said Mayor Roberts and Mr Fish presented a snapshot of the work that PMHC has been doing in recent years to strategically plan for and deliver key and critical infrastructure.

Mayor Roberts also discussed current local government funding models and highlighted gaps in funding shortages, saying more tangible support from other levels of government is required.

“I appreciate President Miller and Mr Reynolds taking the time to visit our region so soon after the May weather event and to hear our feedback on ways we can all better prepare and recover from major disaster events,” Mayor Roberts said.

“It was also good to have the conversation around the growing gap between what major types of infrastructure Councils can afford and deliver with what little resources they have at their disposal.

“Councils such as ours require further support from State and Federal Government to help deliver what is required to ensure infrastructure delivery keeps pace with our current and forecast growth.”

Part of the role of Local Government NSW is to advocate on behalf of NSW Councils on priority issues affecting the sector, with the Board of the organisation made up of regional and metropolitan council mayors and councillors who help develop policy and advocacy programs.

Mayor Roberts says he looks forward to continuing to raise the key priorities and opportunities with President Miller and Mr Reynolds as the opportunities arise.