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The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has welcomed today’s announcement by the NSW Opposition of a promise to invest $5 billion over ten years to address town water infrastructure in regional NSW.
“About one-third of CMA member councils are also Local Water Utilities, providing drinking water to the almost 3 million people that live and work in remote, rural and regional NSW. Currently, most are struggling to meet the costs associated with upgrading existing facilities or building new water treatment plants. These facilities which are essential to housing growth, cost millions, and the CMA maintains that councils and water county councils need more investment from the State to address the challenge,” said CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (Temora Shire).
“The CMA warmly welcomes this announcement from the NSW Coalition because it recognises and addresses the desperate need that many remote, rural and regional councils have for long-term, committed investment in this essential service. We remain very disappointed that while the most recent state budget committed over $5 billion to tackle town water issues in western Sydney, there was no similar investment in the same facilities for regional NSW.”
“I commend the genuine consultation from NSW Shadow Water Minister Ms. Steph Cooke in the lead-up to this announcement. The Cootamundra MP met with Councils and County Councils right across the State to gain a holistic understanding of the challenges being faced in delivering the standard of drinking water that our communities have the right to expect,” Mayor Firman said.
“Local Water Utilities are in desperate need of investment to upgrade and build new facilities. Since COVID, many remote, rural and regional communities have seen a surge in population which has increased demand for new housing and as a result, quality drinking water.”
“While the NSW Government is understandably focused on housing, every new house requires a connection to drinking water. Every resident of NSW should have access to quality drinking water. This announcement from the NSW Opposition is a big step in the right direction to ensure that happens.” Mayor Firman said.

Caption: NSW Shadow Water Minister Ms. Steph Cooke MP, CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM and Secretary, Temora Shire General Manager Ms. Melissa Boxall in a consultation meeting.
Contacts: Mayor Rick Firman OAM, CMA Chairman: 0429 204 060
Mr Gary Fry, CMA Secretariat, Mobile: 0427 008 572 Email: *****************************

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The peak body for NSW councils has today warned that without urgent action the delivery of safe, reliable and affordable water services to nearly 2 million people across the state could be put at risk.

Local Government NSW and the state’s Water Directorate have launched a 6 point Regional Water Action Plan which aims to strengthen water security, renew ageing infrastructure and support the Local Water Utilities that almost two million people in NSW rely upon.

LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne said without urgent action NSW risked facing a widespread crisis.

“Access to clean, safe and reliable water is not just an essential service – it’s a basic human right,” said Mayor Byrne. “Every person in NSW regardless of their postcode should be able to turn on the tap and access safe, clean water.

“It’s not an optional extra – it underpins public health, housing, jobs, education, agriculture and every part of life in regional NSW.

“Too many councils are being asked to maintain ageing infrastructure and absorb growing costs without the long-term funding certainty they need.

“Just a few months ago the NSW Auditor-General found that almost $1 billion is urgently needed to keep water infrastructure operational. Broader sector estimates put priority investment needs at about $5 billion.

“Councils in regional communities simply cannot do this alone and shouldn’t be expected to,” said Mayor Byrne.

The Executive Officer of the NSW Water Directorate Mr Brendan Guiney said the plan was the result of the joint work they do with LGNSW to advocate for the needs of member local water utilities right across regional NSW and the communities they serve.

“Addressing current risks, and planning for the future of our water supply and wastewater services is a shared responsibility with the State Government,” said Mr Guiney.

“Funding and collaboration between all levels of government, Commonwealth, State and Local is vital to regional NSW through the provision of sustainable and affordable water and wastewater services”.

The Regional Water Action Plan was launched with the support of local Mayors.

MidCoast Council Mayor and Water Directorate Committee Executive Cr Claire Pontin said the action plan reflected a shared purpose of the two groups.

“This advocacy from LGNSW and the Water Directorate will ensure that we can speak with one voice when it comes to securing our water supply” said Mayor Pontin.

“Communities across rural, regional and remote NSW will benefit significantly from this much needed attention and action.”

Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Ballina Shire, who hosted this week’s LGNSW Water Management Conference, said the action plan was about equitable access and collaboration.

“Regional and rural communities deserve a water and sewerage system that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and fit for the future,” said Mayor Cadwallader.

“This six-point plan recognises that achieving this requires more than just building infrastructure — it requires long-term investment, sensible regulation, a skilled workforce, and stronger collaboration between local water utilities.”

“Councils in the bush are really hurting. They are doing an incredible job under trying circumstances and I call on the State Government to jump on board with this plan to support them in delivering this vital service to their communities.

The “Securing our Water Supply” Action plan calls on the NSW State Government to partner with LGNSW and the Water Directorate to:

1. Provide capital grant funding of $5 billion for LWUs for at least a further 10 years;
2. Strengthen drinking water quality in rural, regional and remote NSW including support for LWUs to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS;
3. Reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on LWUs in rural, regional and remote NSW including the NSW Regulatory and Assurance Framework, water utility strategic planning and Section 60 approvals;
4. Implement a complementary Community Service Obligation model for better targeted, more efficient and predictable funding for councils that cannot raise sufficient revenue to meet the costs of running their water and sewerage systems;
5. Commit $4 million per annum to a Local Water Utilities Alliance program, enabling utilities to share expertise, access specialist skills, coordinate planning and to respond more effectively to droughts, emergencies and asset management challenges;
6. Commit to a $15 million, 10-year Regional Water Workforce Development Program to build a skilled and sustainable regional water workforce and allocate $2.5 million over 5 years to create dedicated career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Download the “Securing our Water Supply” policy document here.

For all Media enquiries please contact 0448 718 892

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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.

—-end—-

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

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

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27 August 2026, Dubbo NSW: The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) sent a clear message at the National Bush Summit: ‘enough is enough’ of taking water away from farmers.

“Communities are at tipping point right around the Basin,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of NIC, after 1 in 3 litres of water has been removed from farming over more than 30 years of reform.

“Removing water from farming by any means is a problem – enough is enough,” said Ms Lowien, “farmers can’t continue to absorb the change”.

The Summit comes as the Basin Plan is under review, and SunRice has just announced major changes to their rice packaging operations in the Riverina citing water policy as the cause of large-scale redundancies.

“This is the opportunity for a refocus and get the balance right,” said Ms Lowien, referring to the ongoing Basin Plan Review.

“What happened with SunRice is the canary in the coal mine, industry has been warning of this,” said Ms Lowien.

“After 30 years of reform, enough is enough, governments must step out of farmers lives and let them get on with it – they need stability.”

“When farming does well, so does the community,” said Ms Lowien.

The panel also included Barnaby Joyce MP and Andew McConville (Murray Darling Basin Authority), with the panel agreeing on the need to better manage the portfolio of water held by the Federal Government, who is now the largest water licence holder in the Basin.

“Farmers don’t farm the same way today as they did, 5, 10 or 20 years ago, why should we think the use of water for the environment shouldn’t get better too,” said Ms Lowien.

The Basin Plan introduced new lower limits on water diversions, called Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs), which are now in effect across the Basin, with diversions now less than 28% of total inflows. This means under the current rules within the Murray-Darling Basin, any new water user – like a data centre or a new dam – must operate within those limits, meaning its water comes out of the existing water pool, not on top of it and therefore from an existing user.

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Media Contact: Zara Lowien Chief Executive Officer National Irrigators Council 0427 521 399

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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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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

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Media Enquiries:

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

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