Goulburn Mulwaree Council opts to rejoin Local Government NSW

Back then, former council general manager Warwick Bennett argued that Local Government NSW' $48,000 annual membership didn't represent 'value for money.'

Councillors agreed with him that they were gaining more traction with the Canberra Region Organisation of Councils, Country Mayors and Regional Cities NSW.

Now, there's been a change of mind.

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It coincides with the election of Broken Hill councillor Darriea Turley AM as president and Blayney councillor Scott Ferguson as vice-president for a three-year term. Over the past three years, metro representatives led the organisation, a factor that influenced Goulburn Mulwaree's withdrawal.

It and others complained that constructive debate by regional and rural councils was often "shut down" by their larger metropolitan counterparts that had greater voting powers and numbers.

At a recent meeting, councillors decided to rejoin the peak body, at an estimated $70,000 annual cost. Acting general manager Brendan Hollands will negotiate a membership fee for the remainder of 2021/22.

Local Government NSW says it advocates on economic development, roads and infrastructure, regional and rural communities, drought and climate change policy, natural disaster and emergency management, planning, housing and homelessness planning and more. It also provides councillor training and development, an industrial and human resource service, legal advice and resource sharing.

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Cr Bob Kirk said he spoke to Forbes mayor Phyllis Miller last November about the possibility of Goulburn Mulwaree rejoining the peak body. At the time she was canvassing for votes in her tilt on the board.

"Many of the reasons why we pulled out still exist today," Cr Kirk said.

"But I think it's appropriate to be part of a recognised peak body if for no other reason than to monitor changes in legislation. We don't have the capacity to do it as an individual council," he said.

The former mayor told the meeting he often felt "guilty" that Goulburn Mulwaree was "bludging off" the membership of other councils as it also benefited from Local Government NSW gains.

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He argued that if problems still existed in its operation, it was better to deal with them "inside rather than outside the tent."

Cr Steve Ruddell called for a policy on who attended Local Government NSW annual conferences "in the interests of transparency."

The cost of attendance has come under scrutiny in the past.

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