Media Releases from Member Councils and Stakeholders
Why #IrrigationMatters to every Australian
Why #IrrigationMatters to every Australian - media release from NSW Irrigators Council 7 September 2026 The NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) has today launched #IrrigationMatters, a new statewide campaign highlighting the critical role irrigation plays in Australia’s...
Country Mayors welcome promised investment in Town Water
COUNTRY MAYORS WELCOME PROMISED INVESTMENT IN TOWN WATER 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...
Councils launch Action Plan to secure water and sewerage services for regional NSW
Councils launch Action Plan to secure water and sewerage services for regional NSW 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...
PM speaks to the Leaders of NSW Country Councils
PM speaks to the Leaders of NSW Country Councils 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...
Country Council Leaders Focus on Housing
Country Council Leaders Focus on Housing 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...
Statement from Edward River Council Councillors – Deniliquin Medical Centre
Statement from Edward River Council Councillors - Deniliquin Medical Centre 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...
‘Enough is enough’: National Irrigators Council says at Bush Summit
‘Enough is enough’: NIC says at Bush Summit - media release from National Irrigators Council 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....
Strong response as Medical Centre EOI moves to assessment – Edward River Council
Strong response as Medical Centre EOI moves to assessment 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...
New brand unites early learning services across the Murrumbidgee area
19 August 2026 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...
Water policy must be on the food security menu
Water policy must be on the food security menu - NSW Irrigators Council media release Australia’s food security strategy cannot ignore water as a critical input, according to irrigation industry leaders in Canberra attending the National Farmers’ Federation Summit...
Berrigan Mayor, Dr Julia Cornwell McKean, represents RAMJO at NSW Parliamentary Inquiry
13 August 2026 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...
Edward River Council’s Statement on SunRice Redundancies in Deniliquin
Statement from Acting Mayor Kellie Crossley Edward River Council Response to SunRice redundancies in Deniliquin Edward River Council's Statement on SunRice Redundancies in Deniliquin Today is a deeply disappointing day for our community following confirmation that 68...
Deni CBD Prepares for Celebration of Ute Culture and Community
Deni CBD Prepares for Celebration of Ute Culture and Community Published on 13 August 2026 The Spirit of the Muster returns to Deniliquin on Wednesday 30 September, revving up the CBD with an impressive display of utes, live entertainment and activities for all ages....
Edward River Council Tourism Advisory Committee puts industry expertise at the table
Tourism Advisory Committee puts industry expertise at the table Published on 05 August 2026 Edward River Council has taken an important step towards strengthening the region's visitor economy, establishing a new Tourism Advisory Committee that puts local tourism,...
Federation Compact welcomed by NSW Country Mayors
Federation Compact Welcomed by NSW Country Mayors - Media Release - Country Mayors Association 26 July 2026 Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Board and its 89 remote, rural and regional member Councils has welcomed the Labor National Conference’s support for the...
NSW Country Mayors slam Federal plans to reduce disaster assistance
MEDIA RELEASE 24 July 2026 - NSW COUNTRY MAYORS SLAM FEDERAL PLANS TO REDUCE DISASTER ASSISTANCE Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Board and its 89 remote, rural and regional member Councils has slammed the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Disaster...
Council commitment to accessible and sustainable healthcare services
Media Release from Edward River Council - Council commitment to accessible and sustainable healthcare services Edward River Council understands and acknowledges the concern and uncertainty many people in our community are feeling following the announcement regarding...
Leeton Shire Council Secures $150,000 to Identify Improvements in Night-time Safety in the CBD
Media Release from Leeton Shire Council - Leeton Shire Council Secures $150,000 to Identify Improvements in Night-time Safety in the CBD Leeton Shire Council has secured $150,000 in funding from Transport for NSW through the Safer Cities: Her Way 2 grant program to...
Country Mayors ask about their fair share of the Budget
Media release from Country Mayors Association of NSW IN - Country Mayors ask about their fair share of the Budget Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), has said today that councils wanted to see a bigger commitment in the...
Basin Plan Review must secure Australia’s food and fibre future
Basin Plan Review must secure Australia’s food and fibre future - media release from NSW Irrigators Council The NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) says the release of today’s Murray- Darling Basin Authority’s “What We Heard” report highlights the need for the next phase...
Leeton Shire Council Calls for Prime Minister Intervention in Basin Plan Buybacks
MEDIA RELEASE from Leeton Shire Council The Federal Government has dealt another blow to the southern New South Wales food-bowl with its latest purchase of almost 86 billion litres of water in June 2026 at a cost of $430M to taxpayers. Leeton's Mayor, Cr George...
Sturt Highway Taskforce pleads for urgent action following Euroley tragedy
MEDIA RELEASE From the desk of the Chair Sturt Highway Taskforce The Sturt Highway Taskforce is once again pleading for urgent and meaningful investment in the Sturt Highway after another devastating tragedy, with yesterday’s crash near Euroley claiming two lives and...
$5.192 Million Funding Boost to Help Deliver Affordable Housing in Leeton
MEDIA RELEASE from Leeton Shire Council Leeton Shire Council is pleased to announce it has secured $5.192 million in funding through Round 2 of the NSW Sustainable Communities Program to support enabling infrastructure for Council's Affordable Housing Project at the...
Major Funding Win for Edward River with Two Key Projects Approved
MEDIA RELEASE from Edward River Council Edward River Council is celebrating a major funding success, with two priority projects approved under Round 2 of the Sustainable Communities Program, securing a combined $5.6 million investment in the region. To be delivered in...
Sturt Highway ignored in Federal Budget despite renewable energy freight pressures
The Sturt Highway Taskforce has expressed frustration that the 2026–27 Federal Budget invests billions in renewable energy projects, while failing to fund upgrades to the Sturt Highway, the key corridor required to deliver them safely. The taskforce has previously met...
Berrigan Shire Council lodges submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan 2026 Review
MEDIA RELEASE from Berrigan Shire Council At its Extraordinary Council Meeting, held yesterday, 29 April, Berrigan Shire Council has endorsed to lodge a detailed submission to the Murray–Darling Basin Plan 2026 Review. The submission calls for a fundamental shift in...
Balranald Shire Council Mayor Condemns Water Buyback Profiteering as Communities Pay the Price
MEDIA RELEASE from Balranald Shire Council Balranald Shire Mayor, Cr Louie Zaffina, has expressed deep disappointment following reports that another major water entitlement holder has received tens of millions of dollars from the Federal Government under water buyback...
Balranald Shire Council Mayor Says Confirmed $15 Million Water Buyback Highlights Growing Threat to Communities
MEDIA RELEASE from Balranald Shire Council Balranald Shire Mayor, Cr Louie Zaffina, says an officially recorded $15 million Commonwealth water purchase involving a local landowner has again highlighted the ongoing economic risk water buybacks pose to communities such...
Murrumbidgee Council steps in, securing the future of Coleambally Preschool
MEDIA RELEASE from Murrumbidgee Council Murrumbidgee Council is working with the Coleambally Preschool Association Committee, following their request for the council to take over management and operation of the preschool and early learning centre, ensuring the service...
NSW Country Mayors: Time for NSW to get its’ fair share of the GST
Media release from the Country Mayors Association of NSW Inc Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) has said today, “the latest GST distribution which has resulted in NSW receiving only 25.5% of the pool,...