The ‘shire workers’ stereotype might be frowned upon this week more than most, as councils celebrate Local Government Week, which celebrates the locals working behind the scenes that keep the council cogs turning. 

Local Government Week (31 July-6 August) comes as Local Government NSW (LGNSW) releases their submission for the 2023-24 NSW Budget, with an emphasis on road maintenance, essential infrastructure and stronger water security measures. 

Locally, councils are spreading the word about what they’re trying to achieve.

“Local Government Week is a time to learn more about what the council does, the variety of projects we’re working on and how these projects keep money pumping through the local economy,” said Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf OAM.

 

The shire council will host sausage sizzles across their town’s during the week, as well as the opportunity to hear more about local projects. 

In the Warrumbungle Shire Council, Mayor Ambrose Doolan chalks up the resilience of the town to those who keep community services - seen or unseen - running. 

“Everything from community services, childcare, sports fields, parks, and cemeteries, and local road networks through to food safety checks, building and development, water supply and pet registration our Council is on the ground running every day,” Cr Doolan said. 

“With extreme weather events on the back of pandemic and plagues, these testing years have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that councils are best placed to provide a locally led economic recovery for their communities and create new jobs for ongoing resilience,” said Cr Doolan.

While perhaps often unseen, the true value of local facilities and services may be revealed soon, after the State Government’s increase to the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) revealed significant cost increases for local councils to cover.

“The effect will leave some councils with insufficient funds to cover cost increases in other areas. These costs will need to be met by cuts to staff and services,” said LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM.

Major asks in the LGNSW NSW Budget submission include:

• $77 million to restore the ESL subsidy 
• $390 million to implement the Emergency Road Repair Fund 
• Continuation of the $1.1 billion Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Bridges Programs 
• $1 billion over five years to renew the Safe and Secure Water Program 
• $ 1 billion over four years to invest in the next tranche of water infrastructure projects under the WaterNSW 20-year Plan. 
• $2.6 billion annually over the next 10 years to build public and social housing 
• Reinvest $800 million in waste levies into waste management.