The Country Mayors Association of NSW Inc (CMA) announced a new executive team after an election held at their AGM in Sydney on Friday 18 November.  

Cr Jamie Chaffey (Mayor of Gunnedah Shire) was elected as Chairman, and Councillor Rick Firman OAM (Mayor of Temora Shire Council) was elected Deputy Chairman.  

A new position - Immediate Past Chairman – was also created, with Ken Keith OAM Mayor of Parkes Shire Council the first to hold the title. 

Eight country mayors were elected to the Executive, including Cr John Medcalf OAM (Lachlan Shire Council) and Cr Craig Davies (Narromine Shire Council) from the Western Plain region.  

Other country mayors elected were Cr Sam Coupland (Armidale Regional Council), Cr Russell Fitzpatrick (Bega Valley Shire Council), Cr Phyllis Miller OAM (Forbes Shire Council), Cr Sue Moore (Singleton Council), Cr Kylie Thomas (Kyogle Council), and Cr Russell Webb (Tamworth Regional Council). Eric Groth, General Manager of Gunnedah Shire Council, was elected Secretary/Public Officer. 

The CMA allows local government from regional, rural and remote NSW to come together to discuss issues of specific interest, to areas outside the major metropolitan centres as well as looking at the bigger picture of the whole local government sector within the State. 

Cr Chaffey said he was honoured to be unanimously supported for the Chairman role in an organisation that had a long history of lobbying for local government and issues that affected regional communities, and working with all levels of government to achieve the best outcomes. 

“The Country Mayors Association of NSW has a proven record of speaking up for our 76 member councils representing more than three million residents – that’s about 37% of the state’s population,” Cr Chaffey said. 

“It’s a big task, particularly in a year like 2022 when local government is facing extreme financial pressure from inflation, material shortages and price increases, staff shortages and energy price increases, amongst other challenges. 

“Add to this the unrelenting natural disasters impacting on our member councils, and our communities are clearly in need of strong representation at the highest level. 

“This is our strength as an organisation.” 

A general meeting was held after the AGM and association members agreed in principal on a list of State Election Priorities that will be endorsed in a matter of weeks and then presented to all political parties calling for action. 

Cr Craig Davies from Narromine Shire Council said he was honored to be elected to the executive and that he is eager for the priorities to be endorsed and actioned as quickly as possible.  

"All the political leaders in NSW have been informed of the priorities of the CMA in a document and they've been given a week and then details of those priorities will be released," he said.  

Election priorities

 The list of key “Asks” that the Association has put to political leaders in the lead-up to the State Election in March 2023 cover areas of: 

• Skills and Education 

• Health Services 

• Roads and Transport 

• Water Security 

• Housing 

• Crime, Law and Order 

• Telecommunications Blackspot Coverage 

• Disaster Preparedness and Funding 

"One of the more frightening aspects of all this has been the shocking statistics of child abuse across NSW," said Cr Davies.  

"Of the top 40 locations, just one is outside of rural NSW. That is so shocking," he said 

Cr Davies believes that this is just one area within crime, law and order that will need to be addressed in the lead up to the election.  

"Police numbers per head of population is much lower in regional areas than it is in the city, and you just wonder why." 

"Another issue on my mind is the biodiversity offset costs that are stifling development in rural and regional NSW. 

"This issue will play a fairly significant part in that document as well." he said.  

Cr Chaffey says he is also eager to see the priorities put into action.  

“The final endorsed document will suggest a range of solutions, that if implemented, will have a positive effect for change in country NSW and improve the lives of our residents," he said.  

Cr Chaffey also said that the AGM included a presentation from The Chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), Ms Carmel Donnelly, who explained the process for the IPART review in rate pegging in NSW. 

Deputy Chairman Cr Rick Firman OAM said he was very grateful that Ms Donnelly had “so graciously” given her time. 

“Financial viability for all CMA members is one of the biggest concerns that keep us awake at night,” Cr Firman said. 

“The importance of getting the annual rate peg amount right can not be understated if councils are to continue to provide the service levels that our communities deserve.” 

Further details about the priorities of the Country Mayor's Association in the lead up to the State Election in March 2023 will become publicly available from Monday next week.