Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP attended the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) dinner in Sydney last Thursday night.

The Prime Minister was the Keynote speaker at the event and Members were pleased to hear his recognition of the financial constraints many councils across Australia face and his commitment to the recent resolution passed at the National Labor Conference to implement the Federation Compact.

“Mr Albanese spoke of the infrastructure funding announced in the Federal Budget and assured agricultural communities reliant on seasonal labour, that the Government is going to monitor the working holiday visa program and ensure it meets employer demand. There was some disappointed that the controversial water buyback issue was not covered,” said Mayor Firman. “The Prime Minister also indicated the Federation Compact was being teased out with State & Territory Local Government Associations.   We need to continue to remind our Prime Minister, the Government as well as Opposition and Cross Benches that financial sustainability of Local Government is the number one issue for us, and we need their urgent help’.

“The Board, Members, Staff and I greatly appreciate that our Prime Minister took the time to address our function and join us for dinner.  The vast majority of our CMA Members ensure party politics is left out of Local Government – it’s about our communities.  The night cemented the NSW CMA as a significant representative of rural, remote and regional Councils, on both a State and National level,” Mayor Firman said.

NSW Local Government Minister, The Hon Ron Hoenig MP and Shadow Local Government Minister Mr Tim James MP, LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne and CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM also addressed the 150 rural, remote and regional NSW Council leaders at the gala event.

“It was heartwarming to see our Prime Minister visibly moved when Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott, played guitar and sang captivatingly stirring renditions of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’.  The roof nearly came off the building when we all joined with Mayor Westcott and sang our National Anthem together.  That’s a moment our CMA Family and our Prime Minister will remember warmly,” Mayor Firman added.

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Caption:

Labor Senator for NSW, Deborah O’Neill; NSW Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Ron Hoenig MP; Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP; CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire and LGNSW President, Mayor Darcy Byrne.

Contacts:  Mayor Rick Firman OAM, CMA Chairman:  0429 204 060

CMA Secretariat Gary Fry, Mobile: 0427 008 572   Email: *****************************

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Housing was the core theme of the CMA meeting on Friday 28 August 2026 and is one of the priority concerns of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) 89 Member Councils. Close to 160 members and guests attended the Theatrette in NSW Parliament House.

The guest speakers were:
• Ms Kellie Sloane MP – NSW Opposition Leader
• The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC – NSW Housing Minister
• Mr Anthony Wing – New IPART Chairman
• Ms Rebecca Pinkstone – Homes NSW CEO
• Ms Linda Scott – NSW Grants Commission Chair
• Mr Brett Whitworth PSM – NSW Office of Local Government Deputy Secretary
• The Hon. Chris Rath MLC – NSW Shadow Housing Minister
• Ms Carolyn Doherty – Argyle Housing CEO

“We also had great case-study presentations from Byron Shire Council and Forbes Shire Council, highlighting grassroots housing challenges and innovative solutions. Both Councils can be proud of what they have done in the housing space and the concise presentations they delivered,” Mayor Firman said.

As a result of CMA lobbying, the Opposition Leader, Ms Kellie Sloane MP announced that an elected Coalition Government in NSW would have a stand-along Local Government Ministry and that a minimum of 25 percent of the State Government infrastructure spending would be directed at regional NSW.

“CMA Board have been lobbying and advocating for the stand-alone portfolio for Local Government. We believe that our sector deserves a stand-alone portfolio, given the impact councils have on the day-to-day lives of every person in NSW and the fact that we employ over 50,000 people. After all, we are the third tier of Government and in remote, rural and regional NSW councils are a key driver of economic development and social cohesion. Our warm praise goes to Ms Sloane and the Coalition for listening and acting – it is appreciated’, Mayor Firman added.

“It is encouraging to hear first-hand that the NSW Government is literally being constructive in terms of the housing crisis. It was particularly pleasing to hear NSW Housing Minister, The Hon Rose Jackson MLC announce that the State Government will have built 300 homes for essential workers by the end of the year,” Mayor Firman said.

“Minister Jackson rightly emphasised the need for collaboration in response to the housing crisis. She spoke of how homelessness is now evident in regional communities, and in some cases, for the first time,” he said.

The final CMA meeting for the year will be on Friday 13th November, which will host a NSW Pre-Election Leaders’ Forum, then the Annual General Meeting. NSW Premier, The Hon. Chris Minns MP will be the special guest speaker for the CMA Dinner.

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Caption: CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire and NSW Opposition Leader Ms Kellie Sloane MP.

Contacts: Mayor Rick Firman OAM, CMA Chairman: 0429 204 060
CMA Secretariat Gary Fry, Mobile: 0427 008 572 Email: *****************************

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Edward River Council’s nine councillors are united in their support of the resolution passed at this week’s Ordinary Council Meeting regarding the ongoing Deniliquin Medical Centre matter.
The resolution reaffirms Council’s full confidence in the Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and Council staff as they continue to carry out their statutory and organisational responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and diligence.

Councillors remain committed to ensuring the Expression of Interest process is conducted in an impartial, objective and robust manner, with all decisions made in accordance with the established evaluation process and governance requirements.

As a Council, we stand behind the process underway and the delegated officers and independent experts responsible for reaching a final recommendation. We look forward to working constructively with the successful applicant once the process has been completed.

This statement is endorsed by all nine Edward River Council councillors.
Mayor Cr Ashley Hall
Deputy Mayor Cr Kellie Crossley
Cr Ken Bates
Cr Shirlee Burge
Cr Craig Druitt
Cr Linda Fawns
Cr Leanne Mulham
Cr Shannon Sampson
Cr Frank Schofield

< ENDS >

Media Enquiries:
Phone: Yvette Height 0439 314 408
Email: *************************************

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NSW Country Mayors’ Powerhouse Speaker Line-Up on Regional Housing Crisis

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has locked in an outstanding line-up of political leaders, policy makers, and housing experts for its highly anticipated General (members) Meeting at NSW Parliament House on Friday, 28 August 2026. The night before the meeting, Australia’s Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP will be the keynote guest speaker at a special CMA dinner function, with 150 members and guests set to attend.

With the regional housing crisis escalating across rural, remote, and regional Local Government Areas, CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire, announced that housing is the core theme of the meeting and one of the priority concerns of the CMA’s 89 Member Councils. “Skilled labour shortages, even building materials supply and cost variability are housing crisis contributing factors; these are certainly worse in rural, regional and remote NSW than in Sydney.”

The meeting will bring country Mayors and General Managers face-to-face with some of the key identities in NSW politics, housing and infrastructure. The confirmed guest speaker line-up includes:

• Ms Kellie Sloane MP – NSW Opposition Leader
• The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC – NSW Housing Minister
• Mr Anthony Wing – New IPART Chairman
• Ms Rebecca Pinkstone – Homes NSW CEO
• Ms Linda Scott – NSW Grants Commission Chair
• Mr Brett Whitworth – NSW Office of Local Government Deputy Secretary
• The Hon. Chris Rath MLC – NSW Shadow Housing Minister
• Ms Carolyn Doherty – Argyle Housing CEO

In addition to the keynote speakers, the event will feature targeted case-study presentations from Byron Shire Council and Forbes Shire Council, highlighting grassroots housing challenges and innovative solutions being developed on the ground.

Mayor Firman said housing remains one of the most critical barriers to the long-term sustainability and economic growth. “Many of our rural, remote and regional councils are at an absolute tipping point.

Their revenue cannot keep up with their increasing expenses. The housing crisis is inhibiting the economic growth needed to boost rate-bases and consequently, our revenue,” Mayor Firman said.
“We cannot build thriving communities if our essential workers, young families, vulnerable residents and others cannot find a place to live.”
“To have the Housing Minister, the Opposition Leader, the Shadow Minister, and the heads of Homes NSW, IPART, and Argyle Housing all in the same room at Parliament House shows the gravity of this issue. We are not just there to talk about the problems; we are there to hear from both sides of politics, listen to and question them and encourage collaboration with our Country Mayors and their Councils,”
Mayor Firman said.

—-end—-

Contacts: Mayor Rick Firman OAM, CMA Chairman: 0429 204 060
CMA Secretariat Gary Fry, Mobile: 0427 008 572 Email: *****************************

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Mayors from across the Riverina and Murray regions met at Tocumwal NSW earlier this month, to demonstrate their united stance in calling for greater awareness of the impacts of ongoing environmental water recovery on regional communities.

The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) has endorsed the development of a community-led advocacy campaign to raise public and political awareness of the impacts of water recovery and water reform on Basin communities. The decision was made at the RAMJO Board Meeting held on 7 August 2026.

The campaign, developed in partnership with the Murray Darling Association, will focus on sharing the stories of regional communities through a series of short videos highlighting the social, economic and environmental consequences of ongoing water recovery. The campaign aims to ensure the voices of Basin communities are heard and understood beyond regional Australia.

The RAMJO Board recognised that, earlier this year, significant formal submissions including technical and economic analysis had been provided to the Murray Darling Basin Authority as part of the 2026 Basin Plan Review but considered that there remained a need to better communicate the human impacts of water policy decisions on regional towns, families, businesses and industries.

A consistent message from councils across the region is that future generations deserve both healthy rivers and healthy communities includes the following key priorities:

• Ending further recovery of productive water from Basin communities and providing certainty on future water recovery measures.
• Completing existing Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects and transparently accounting for their outcomes before considering additional recovery initiatives.
• Reviewing environmental watering practices to ensure they are delivering measurable environmental benefits and are supported by sound evidence.
• Accelerating measures to address invasive carp and other biosecurity threats impacting river health.
• Prioritising investment in secure town water supplies and critical water infrastructure across regional communities.
• Strengthening governance and oversight of water trading to protect local economies and prevent adverse impacts on Basin communities.
• Undertaking an independent review of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to ensure transparency, accountability and alignment with environmental, agricultural and community outcomes.

This campaign is about more than water. It is about protecting regional jobs, sustaining local communities, and preserving Australia’s food and fibre security and sovereignty by ensuring future generations retain the capacity to grow, process and manufacture the food and fibre on which the nation depends.

Griffith City Council

Mayor Doug Curran highlighted the importance of balancing environmental outcomes with the long-term future of productive regional communities.
“We support a healthy Basin, but not at the cost of hollowing out productive communities. Future generations deserve healthy rivers, thriving regional economies and secure food production.”

Edward River Council

Mayor Ashley Hall said communities such as Deniliquin had already experienced significant impacts from water reform and future decisions must acknowledge those cumulative effects.
“Our community and irrigation industries have already carried a substantial share of water recovery and reform. Future decisions must recognise what has already been removed, the efficiencies already achieved and the cumulative impact on communities such as Deniliquin.”
The Mayor warned that further water buybacks risk undermining the economic and social foundations of regional communities.
“Water is not simply a commodity in our region. It supports farms, food processing, transport businesses, local jobs, schools, sporting clubs and community services. When productive water leaves a district permanently, the economic activity and population it supports can leave with it.”

Leeton Shire Council

Mayor George Weston emphasised the continuing national importance of irrigation communities and Australia’s food security.
“Irrigation communities helped drought-proof Australia more than a century ago. They remain essential to our nation’s food security, export strength and future prosperity.”
The Mayor also called for greater recognition of the partnership between agricultural production and environmental stewardship.
“Stop pitting farmers against the environment. Strong communities and healthy rivers depend on each other.”

Balranald Shire Council

Mayor Louie Zaffina expressed concern about the widening gap between policy making and the realities being experienced in Basin communities.
“There is a growing gap between policy intent and the lived experience of Basin communities. Our communities deserve secure water and a strong future.”
The Mayor noted that water policy impacts extend well beyond agriculture.
“Water recovery doesn’t stop at the farm gate. It affects jobs, businesses, regional confidence and the future of our towns.”

Berrigan Shire Council

Mayor of Berrigan, Dr. Julia Cornwell McKean called for meaningful action in response to the concerns raised by Basin communities.
“Communities have spoken. The question now is whether they have been listened to. We need action, not just acknowledgement.”

Albury City

Mayor Kevin Mack highlighted that the Basin Plan affects not only agriculture but also urban communities, infrastructure and water security.
“A healthy Basin means more than river health. It also means secure drinking water, resilient infrastructure and strong regional communities.”

Federation Council

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Cheryl Cook said Federation Council is proud to stand with its many fellow RAMJO Councils in this joint effort.
“The 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review is a turning point for our region. By working through RAMJO, Federation Council is advocating for a fair revised plan that delivers genuine environmental health without compromising the long-term viability of the communities that rely on the Riverina and Murray systems.”

Narrandera Shire Council

Mayor, Cr Neville Kshenka OAM stated the following:
“We are concerned that although the great state of NSW has almost 9 million people, less than 3 million people provide 70 percent of the wealth.
We do that by caring for the land where produce is grown and feeds the nation. We understand how to care for the land, and the environment, and how our rivers should be managed.  But without water, Australia will become a net importer of food and fibre.
We have to cease the water buy-backs before it is too late.”

Hay Shire Council

Mayor, Cr Carol Oataway stated:
“We support a healthy river, but we also need a healthy economy and healthy communities.  Water is the lifeblood of our agricultural economy, and when water leaves productive agriculture, the impact is felt well beyond the farm gate. It affects local businesses, employment, families, and the long-term sustainability of our towns. We need a Basin Plan that achieves genuine environmental outcomes while recognising that regional communities must also have a sustainable future.”

Murrumbidgee Council

Chair of RAMJO and Mayor of Murrumbidgee Council, Cr Ruth McRae OAM, said the 2026 Basin Plan Review presents an important opportunity to reset water policy settings and focus on practical outcomes for both communities and the environment.
“Any future Basin policy must balance environmental objectives with the long-term sustainability of regional communities, industries and food production. Basin communities deserve certainty, transparency and a genuine voice in decisions that shape their future.”

A Shared Vision for the Future

The campaign will focus on real community stories, local industries, family businesses and the people who live and work throughout Basin communities. It will seek to demonstrate that healthy rivers, strong regional economies, food security and vibrant communities are complementary outcomes that should be pursued together.

The united message from the Riverina and Murray region is clear.  As stated by Cr Ruth McRae OAM:
“This is about more than water. It is about our communities’ survival.”

– ENDS –

Media contacts: For further enquiries, please contact

RAMJO Chair:
Cr Ruth McRae OAM
Phone: 0428 861 767
Email: *****************************

RAMJO Water Subcommittee Chair:
Ms Jackie Kruger
Phone: +61 269 530 901
Emai;: *************************

About RAMJO:

RAMJO has been proclaimed by the NSW State Government as a Body Corporate under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 to provide a way for local councils, the NSW Government, the Commonwealth and Industry to work together to deliver projects and advocacy to regional communities and represent a long-term commitment to the development of a shared vision for a region.

RAMJO creates regional advantage for the twelve member councils by delivering outcomes that individual councils could not achieve alone — including collective advocacy, efficiencies, opportunities and cost savings.

The RAMJO region consists of the following member councils: Albury City Council, Balranald Shire Council, Berrigan Shire Council, Edward River Council, Federation Council, Griffith City Council, Hay Shire Council, Leeton Shire Council, Murray River Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Narrandera Shire Council and Wentworth Shire Council, and covers an area of over 94,000 square kilometres with a population of 165,600 people.

About the MDBA Plan Review:

The Murray–Darling Basin is the largest and most complex river system in Australia. It covers 1 million square kilometres of south-eastern Australia, across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan sets the amount of water that can be taken from the Basin each year, and this plan is currently in review.

Why now?

The need for this campaign has never been more urgent. Recent announcements that 78 SunRice jobs will be lost across Deniliquin and Leeton have brought into sharp focus the real-world consequences that water recovery decisions can have on Basin communities. These losses affect not only workers and their families, but also transport operators, contractors, small businesses, retailers, sporting clubs, schools and community organisations that depend on a strong regional economy. They reinforce concerns held by many Basin communities that the cumulative effects of water buybacks are now being felt well beyond the farm gate, placing additional pressure on towns that have already contributed significantly to Basin reform.

At the same time, communities are questioning whether further water purchasing should continue while reviews of the Basin Plan, Water Act and National Water Agreement remain underway. The Prime Minister has previously acknowledged the critical contribution regional Australia makes to the national economy, and Basin communities argue that policies affecting productive water should be subject to rigorous socio-economic assessment before additional water is removed from regional industries.

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Published on 20 August 2026

Edward River Council has welcomed the response to its Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the future operation of the Deniliquin Medical Centre, with applications closing yesterday and assessment underway.

Council received four applications through the EOI process, which sought experienced healthcare providers capable of delivering safe, high-quality and sustainable health services that respond to the needs of Deniliquin and surrounding communities.

Acting Mayor Kellie Crossley said the response was an encouraging step as Council works to secure a strong and sustainable future for healthcare delivery from Deniliquin Medical Centre.

“The level of interest gives Council good reason to be extremely positive about the next stage of this process,” Cr Crossley said.

“We now have an important job ahead of us to carefully assess each application and understand the capability, experience and service model each potential provider can bring to our community.

“This is about more than finding a new operator for the Medical Centre. We have an opportunity to consider how the facility can support accessible, high-quality and sustainable healthcare for our community well into the future.”

Applications will now undergo a formal assessment by a six-person panel, including four independent members with regional and national experience across healthcare governance, management and leadership, health workforce planning, community services, mental health, procurement and probity in both the public and private sectors.

The assessment will consider the capability and experience of applicants, the sustainability of their proposed service model and their ability to respond to the current and future healthcare needs of the Edward River community.

Cr Crossley said Council wanted to support continuity of GP services while also strengthening the local health workforce and exploring opportunities for broader, more integrated care.

“Regional communities face well-documented challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, and Deniliquin is certainly not alone in facing those pressures,” Cr Crossley said.

“We want a model that strengthens local healthcare and makes the best possible use of the Medical Centre, including opportunities for allied health and other healthcare professionals. Ultimately, it is about helping people access more of the care they need locally.”

The assessment period is expected to take approximately 2-4 weeks followed by deliberations and final decision by Council.

Council and Ochre Health are continuing to work cooperatively on transition arrangements while the assessment process takes place.

Ochre Health has confirmed it will continue operating Deniliquin Medical Centre for approximately six weeks beyond 2 October 2026, with further flexibility if required to support an orderly transition to a future operator, including the transfer of relevant patient records subject to legal, confidentiality and privacy requirements.

“Continuity of care remains our priority, and patients should continue accessing the Medical Centre and attending appointments as normal,” Cr Crossley said.

“We are encouraged by the response to the EOI and look forward to progressing the assessment process and securing the best possible outcome for our community.”

Council will keep the community informed as the process progresses and encourages community members to rely on official information published directly by Council and Ochre Health.

Contact ERC: *************************************

More information: https://www.haveyoursay.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/deniliquin-medical-centre-lease

< ENDS >

Media Enquiries:

Phone: Yvette Height 0439 314 408
Email: *************************************

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 CMA gives Regional Parliament proposal thumbs up

 The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has commended the genuine motivations behind the NSW Opposition’s plan to bring parliamentary sitting weeks directly into regional communities.

“While we have some concerns about the obvious costs involved, this is a very commendable proposal. Our city parliamentarians can be disconnected from the realities of rural, remote and regional NSW and this appears to be a genuine effort to address that,” CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM said. “It should be acknowledged however, that NSW Premier The Hon Chris Minns MP has been proactive in engaging with the CMA and the issues of country NSW, through the Premier’s Rural, Remote and Regional Advisory Council (PRRRAC), which is a relatively new initiative that I’m honoured to be Co-Chairman of with the Premier.”

Yesterday, NSW Opposition Leader, Ms Kellie Sloane MP, announced a policy pledging that a future Liberals and Nationals Government would establish a Regional Parliament within its first year. Under the proposal, the NSW Parliament would sit for a full business week in a regional host city, conducting full Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council proceedings outside of Sydney.

Mayor Firman stated that the policy highlights an obvious understanding of the unique challenges and feelings of isolation often experienced by those living outside metropolitan areas. “What is truly pleasing to see in Ms Sloane’s announcement is a genuine motivation to reconnect Macquarie Street with our CMA communities that actively sustain our State’s economy,” Mayor Firman said. “As someone who was brought up in the country herself, our Opposition Leader clearly recognises that remote, rural and regional communities often feel forgotten and left out of the major decision-making processes.”

“Remote, rural and regional NSW is an economic powerhouse, food and fibre production, manufacturing and mining  and so much more supports the growth of our State. There are almost 3 million people that call country NSW home. We carry a significant portion of the state’s economic weight but also crushing infrastructure cost burdens. It is only fitting that the political process comes to the people who do this heavy lifting.”

The CMA particularly welcomes the transparent and competitive bidding process proposed under the policy, which would allow regional centres to showcase their local industries, unique priorities, and investment potential.

“If our politicians and their staff spend a full week living, working, and engaging directly with our regional communities, they will return to Sydney with an improved appreciation of how State policy impacts real lives on the ground”, Mayor Firman said.

“Our NSW Opposition Leader, Ms Sloane has already reached out to discuss how CMA may be able to advise them on how to engage with and involve outlying rural and remote Councils and communities, should the proposal become a reality.  CMA are only too happy to assist and appreciate her calling us.

“The Country Mayors Association Board represents 89 rural, remote, and regional Councils across the NSW, and our core message has always been about equity. We look forward to working constructively with all sides of politics to ensure country NSW remains central to the State’s future governance and economic planning,” Mayor Firman concluded.

—-end—-

Caption: NSW Opposition Leader Ms Kellie Sloane MP and CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire.

Contacts:  Mayor Rick Firman OAM, CMA Chairman:  0429 204 060

CMA Secretariat Gary Fry, Mobile: 0427 008 572   Email: *****************************

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New brand unites early learning services across the Murrumbidgee area

Murrumbidgee Council has launched Murrumbidgee Early Learning, a new identity bringing together the area’s early childhood education services under one welcoming, family-focused brand.

The new brand brings together early learning services in Jerilderie, Coleambally and Darlington Point under one recognisable identity, while retaining each centre’s local character and community connections.
Each centre will be known as Murrumbidgee Early Learning, followed by the name of the town in which it operates.

Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae OAM said the new identity reflected Council’s long-term commitment to supporting children, families and communities through quality early learning opportunities.
“Murrumbidgee Early Learning represents an important investment in the future of our area,” Cr McRae said.

“The new brand creates a strong and consistent identity while recognising the unique character, strengths and connections of each community.

“It reflects Council’s commitment to ensuring local families have access to quality early childhood education and care close to home.”

The brand launch includes a new logo, dedicated website, new staff uniforms and children’s clothing, with new signage to be progressively installed.

Inspired by the Murrumbidgee Council brand, the new logo features softer shapes, vibrant colours and playful typography, to create a warm and inviting identity that reflects the joy, curiosity and creativity of childhood.

The establishment of Murrumbidgee Early Learning follows Council assuming management of the Jerilderie and Coleambally services at the request of their respective management committees.

The launch comes as Council continues progresses planning for the new 120-place facility at Darlington Point. Following a competitive tender process, Council appointed MaasDPC to design and construct the $4.375 million facility, which is expected to open in 2028.

Families can visit the new Murrumbidgee Early Learning website to access information on enrolments, educational programs, fees, policies and the latest news from each centre.

ENDS
Media contacts: Anne Lyons, Murrumbidgee Council, *****************************, 0418 294 010

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BERRIGAN MAYOR DR JULIA CORNWELL MCKEAN REPRESENTS RAMJO AT NSW PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

Mayor Dr Julia Cornwell McKean was invited to represent the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) at a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry examining government service delivery standards in regional New South Wales.

RAMJO represents 12 councils across the southern border region, collectively serving more than 160,000 residents from Wentworth to Albury. In her evidence, Mayor Julia highlighted the significant and persistent inequities experienced by communities across the region.

During the hearing, Mayor Julia outlined the widening divide between metropolitan and regional NSW, particularly in access to essential health, education, transport and digital services. Examples from Berrigan Shire illustrated challenges shared across the broader RAMJO region, including lengthy ambulance wait times, limited access to dialysis and cardiac diagnostic services, and the inability for stroke patients to receive treatment within the critical ‘golden hour’.

Mayor Julia also highlighted broader service gaps affecting the region’s rapidly growing population, including unreliable digital connectivity, ageing school infrastructure, limited youth services and electricity supply constraints that are restricting local growth and development opportunities.

Cross-border service delivery was a key focus of the Mayor’s evidence. Many communities across the RAMJO region rely on services located in Victoria, yet NSW policy and service frameworks do not consistently recognise or accommodate this reality. While the Office of the Cross-Border Commissioner was established to improve coordination and address these challenges, Mayor Julia noted that tangible outcomes for border communities remain limited.

Mayor Julia called on the Committee to strengthen and make greater use of the Office of the Cross-Border Commissioner to drive meaningful improvements for residents in the RAMJO catchment.

RAMJO and its member councils will continue to advocate for fair, reliable and equitable access to essential services, ensuring regional and border communities receive the support and opportunities they deserve.

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