"Ninety-four out of 128 councils reported high-risk audit findings indicating weaknesses in their processes," Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig told Parliament's Question Time on Tuesday.

His criticism has proven a bitter pill, coming so soon after Councils have been told their contribution to the state government's fire and emergency services budgets would rise 19.5 per cent next year.

The Country Mayors Association has come out loudly against Minister Ron Hoenig's comments.

As reported by Western Plains App previously the sudden large increase in emergency services levies has been met with concern by local councils. Some councils including the Yass Valley, Bourke and Tenterfield shires face the prospect of the levy swallowing nearly or all of their planned rate rises for the coming year.

Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf OAM was just one who agreed the planned ESL increase would have massive consequences.

“The increase in the Emergency Service Levy contribution will have a real impact on Council’s 2023/2024 financial year budget," Mr Medcalf said. "We have struggled with the Covid pandemic, recent flooding and rising operational costs, and it now appears that we will be hit with a massive increase. In our Shire alone the emergency services levy has increased from $353,979 in 2019 to $625,351 in 2024, an increase of 77 per cent.

Mr Medcalf's concerns echo that of many Shire Councils across the state but Minister Hoenig was having none of it.

"Local government need to face their own expenditure issues before they come bleating to the state government asking for an allocation of funds when it is facing a $180 billion deficit," he said, referencing the state debt projected for 2025/26.

The accusations of incompetence and not being worthy of the money paid to serve their communities has brought spirited response.

According to the Country Mayor's Association of NSW (CMANSW) serving as an elected member of a regional community is both a challenging and rewarding task, but it is in no way financially lucrative.

CMANSW says that councillors stand up for their communities because they have a passion for the communities they live in. They want a future full of opportunity for the youth of their communities, and they want their communities’ dreams and aspirations to come true. That is why they serve in Local Government.

These sentiments were echoed by Mayor of Narromine Shire Council, Cr Craig Davies.

“Since the State election on March 25th, I've made it my business to meet with many new Ministers and highlight the challenges that rural Mayors face on a regular basis. I have been received warmly and listened to intently," he said. “I have formed a very positive view of all of them. But to hear the rant of Minister Hoenig is to listen to the voice of arrogance."

Just last week Minister Hoenig met with Country Mayors Association of New South Wales, including Chair, Cr Jamie Chaffey, Mayor of Gunnedah Council, Deputy Chair, Cr Rick Firman, Mayor of Temora Shire Council, and Cr Doug Hawkins OAM, Mayor of Liverpool Plains Shire Council. IMAGE: facebook 

Mr Davies drew attention to the disparate comparison in the incomes.

“My annual stipend for working an average of 50-60 hours per week is $37,000. Minister Hoenig is paid $315,000 p.a. and he has the hide to deny Mayors a fair and reasonable stipend when our Queensland counterparts are paid $108,000. " Mr Davies said. "He's unworthy of his very privileged position and will damage this government and relations between Local Government and the Ministers. What a shame.”

Other NSW Mayors joined the debate with Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, Russell Webb saying is was a great disappointment that the new Minister for Local Government, a past mayor with a long and distinguished career, has attacked Local Government in the way he has.

CMANSW says there are many factors that have contributed to the current financial stress in Local Government, the least of which is incompetence by those who serve.

“This cannot change without respect, recognition and collaboration by the State Government,” CMA Chairman Jamie Chaffey said. “Minister Hoenig’s outburst against local government elected members in NSW has left us all feeling frightened for the future of Local Government in NSW."