Local Government NSW (LGNSW) will hold its flagship event later this month, with hundreds of elected representatives, general managers and senior staff set to gather in Tamworth for the LGNSW Annual Conference.
The meeting to set the advocacy priorities for the local government sector will be held at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre from Sunday 17 to Tuesday 19 November.
The Annual Conference is the supreme policy-making body of LGNSW, with councillors and mayors from the state’s 128 councils and other related entities such as county councils and joint organisations, set to consider over 100 motions this year.
Addressing more than 900 delegates will be distinguished guests including Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain; NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig; NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison; and Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, representing Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman.
Other speakers include LGNSW President, Darriea Turley AM and Netball Australia Chair, Liz Ellis AO.
The Conference program features professional development opportunities for first-time councillors, and plenary sessions with the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and the NSW Auditor General as well as the Office of Local Government (OLG) and the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure.
There are also sessions on cyber security and financial challenges and opportunities, as well as a tradeshow and educational workshops to help support delegates in effectively representing their communities.
LGNSW Rural/Regional Vice-President, Phyllis Miller OAM said this year’s Annual Conference would once again highlight the landscape facing the state’s local councils.
“The Conference is a wonderful way for councillors and mayors to learn from and support each other and consider new ways to deliver positive outcomes for their communities,” Mayor Miller said.
“We have a significant number of first-time councillors following the recent local government elections, so I know they’ll find the Conference an extremely valuable professional development opportunity,” she said.
LGNSW updates its Policy Platform annually to reflect resolutions from the Annual Conference. The Conference also informs the organisation’s Advocacy Priorities.
Mayor Miller expressed her sincere appreciation to councils for submitting motions on their key priorities.
“We received close to 200 motions this year from councils right across the state. This valuable contribution reflects the diverse range of issues facing our sector,” she said.
“Whether councils are in metropolitan, regional or rural parts of the state, we all share the same goal – delivering the services and infrastructure our communities need and deserve as effectively and efficiently as we can.
“I look forward to continuing to work with councils in the coming year on our advocacy priorities,” she said.
Mayor Miller congratulated Tamworth Regional Council on their high-quality bid to host the 2024 Conference.
“For a hosting city, the LGNSW Annual Conference is a magnificent chance to highlight everything the area has to offer,” Mayor Miller said.
“I know that the Mayor, and the council itself, will be wonderful hosts,” she said.
The destination for the 2025 Annual Conference will be announced at the closing of this year’s event.
