Mayors Bring Regional City Agenda to Parliament

11 February 2019

On Friday, a newly formed alliance aimed at growing regional cities in New South Wales held the inaugural Regional Cities New South Wales meeting at Parliament House, Sydney.

Cr Col Murray, Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, who was named Chair of the new alliance, said the focus of the group would be to ensure the needs of regional cities were prioritised in State Government policy and funding.

"Regional cities are fundamental to the future of New South Wales, we want to ensure all the things that make our cities great places to live and work are delivered by our political leaders," he said.

"We also want to make sure the government sees the importance of growing our member cities, particularly in the face of Sydney's crushing congestion," he said.

During the meeting the membership of the alliance was confirmed with the following cities agreeing to be active participants:

-Tamworth Regional Council (Chair)
-Albury City Council (Deputy Chair) 
-Armidale Regional Council
-Bathurst Regional Council
-Cessnock City Council
-Coffs Harbour City Council
-Dubbo Regional Council
-Griffith City Council
-Lismore CIty Council
-Maitland City Council
-Orange City Council
-Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
-Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
-Tweed Shire Council; and  
-City of Wagga Wagga.

The alliance also confirmed the key issues they seek to raise with both sides of politics in the lead up to the next election.  

These issues were increasing the connectivity of regional cities, how the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund will be spent, the development of a population strategy and ensuring regional investment ocurrs to support the development of regional cities.   

“I thank my fellow Regional Cities New South Wales Members for their votes of confidence and look forward to a strong partnership as we represent the interests of regional cities in the lead up to the state election and beyond,” Cr Murray said.

 “I would also like to congratulate Cr Kevin Mack, Mayor of Albury City Council who was named Deputy Chair, I look forward to working together on this important agenda,” Cr Murray said.