Broken Hill’s Darriea Turley has been elected president of Local Government NSW (LGNSW), putting regional and rural priorities to the forefront.

Filling the shoes of outgoing President Linda Scott, Darriea is only the second female LGNSW President, and the first female President hailing from a rural background. 

The organisation is independent of government, working to promote the interests of 125 local councils plus other special interest councils like county councils, weeds and water groups.

“I’m very honoured to be elected as a rural delegate. For me, I want to make sure that Local Government NSW does not lose the vision of just the metro and rural councils. We are one organisation and we represent everyone,” Ms Turley said. 

Since COVID-19 drove councils in varying directions as each community bunkered down to protect themselves, Ms Turley said that her term will be an opportunity for re-unification. 

“We need to make sure that as an organisation we reconnect with all our members, and that we are here on the ground to see those challenges in local councils,” she said. 

“Our office is based in Sydney and we hear our metro councils, but I’m really interested in making sure that there is a rural voice heard at the organisation as well,” Ms Turley said. 

Entering into the new year, LGNSW has plans to co-ordinate a rural summit to discuss how agendas can be implemented, such as renewable energy and the circular economy. 

“The circular economy is one of our biggest issues we’re facing, talking to the councillors. They really want us to look at the environment and climate change and what that means on the ground and how they do their planning and delivering services,” Ms Turley said. 

Ms Turley has been a part of various roles that qualify her for her new position, including being a delegate to the United Nations, and chairing two national bodies, including the National Women’s Coalition. She was first elected to Broken Hill City Council in 1995 and became Mayor in 2016.

“I’m very strategic about how we progress this organisation and I look forward to working on this, and working with the Premier and the government to ensure our agenda is heard.”

“It is about taking this opportunity of having someone from the outback town of Broken Hill sitting in chair to make sure that we’re inclusive of all our members.”

Ms Turley’s term will last two years before another election occurs.