The Minns Government has announced the creation of the NSW Premier’s Rural Remote and Regional Advisory Council (PRRRAC), promising rural and remote communities a stronger voice in state policy.

While the move has been broadly welcomed across the bush, groups in Western NSW say the council must deliver genuine outcomes, not just more talk.

Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty unveiled the initiative at the 2025 Bush Summit, describing the council as a way to bring regional concerns directly to government.

The PRRRAC will meet twice a year with the Premier and Minister Moriarty, and its membership will include the Country Mayors Association, Regional Cities NSW, the Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA), Indigenous councils, Local Land Services, and representatives from health, education and business sectors.

Mr Minns said the new body would ensure regional perspectives shape decision-making.

“We want to work with regional communities to find solutions that really meet their needs and will make a difference,” he said.

“We are committed to delivering regional communities their fair share and this group means we can ensure our responses are targeted, effective and in line with the realities of regional life.

"I have seen firsthand that when someone with a local knowledge of a community is willing to share their experience and perspective with us, we deliver better policies, services and outcomes.”

Minister Moriarty said the council builds on previous efforts such as regional roundtables and the Regional Development Trust Advisory Council.

“This additional group ensures we can bring further input into government and continue our work in ensuring solutions are meeting real local needs,” she said.

“We have been building better essential services and attracting more essential workers to regional NSW and I hope this group will assist me in our work of growing regional economies.”

CWA of NSW President Tanya Jolly said issues such as lack of housing and access to health services will be highlighted by the organisation to the NSW Government.

The CWA of NSW has welcomed its invitation to join the panel, but cautioned that promises must translate into action.

“This is certainly a step in the right direction and we welcome the chance to be part of this group to put forward the issues our members are telling us are impacting their communities and the quality of life of residents in those areas,” CWA President Tanya Jolly said.

“But it needs to be more than just words – we have to see the insights this group is providing be taken forward by the NSW Government and acted on.

"And the issues from our perspective are very clear.”

Ms Jolly said the CWA would highlight issues including the decline of health services, land use and planning regulations, a lack of affordable housing and inadequate telecommunications.

“What we hear often is that so many country residents feel like they’re not being listened to by government and their concerns are being relegated to the ‘too hard’ basket,” she said.

“In 2025 our regions deserve better, and the people who live there should be able to expect reasonable access to quality services, and workable infrastructure.

"Many groups are calling this shift from the cities a ‘long-term’ trend, but currently many rural and regional towns and cities would say they need the resources to support this growth.

"We are hopeful this new government advisory group will help highlight the issues being felt by the regions and provide the quality of life both existing residents, and newcomers, should expect.”

For communities in the state’s west, the council offers a long-awaited opportunity to press the case on local priorities.

Country Mayors Association Chair and Temora Mayor Rick Firman, who has been invited to act as Secretariat of the council, said regional leaders were “tickled pink” at the Premier’s decision.

“Premier Minns was receptive of the proposal when we put this to him personally.

Both our Premier and his team have now come through in spades and established this Advisory Council, specifically for Rural, Remote and Regional issues,” he said.

Mr Firman added that the council should not just be symbolic.

“We will share the challenges with suggested solutions, we will have government policy proposals bounced off us and give genuine feedback.

"We will also share the countless inspiring initiatives that occur in our cherished rural, remote and regional communities which may be replicated across our great state.

"Only positive things can come from this initiative.”

The PRRRAC is expected to meet for the first time before the end of 2025.

For Western NSW communities grappling with drought resilience, under-resourced hospitals, housing shortages and patchy digital access, the message is clear: consultation is welcome, but only meaningful action will prove that this time, the government is listening.