Western councils meet with new Minister for Western NSW

Western councils meeting with NSW government ministers at Dubbo on Friday, from l-r: CEO of Dubbo Regional Council Murray Wood, GM of Narromine Shire Council Jane Redden, Cobar Deputy Mayor Jarrod Marsden (at rear), Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty, GM Mid-Western Regional Council Brad Cam, Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman, Narromine Shire Mayor Narromine and Chair of the Alliance Western Councils Craig Davies and Mayor of Bogan Shire Glen Neill. Photo TWH

Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman and Bourke Shire’s Acting General Manager Ross Earl were in Narromine last week attending the Alliance of Western Councils conference and taking the opportunity to meet the new Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty.

Ms Moriarty is also NSW Minister for Agriculture and Minister Western NSW.

Mr Earl said he was impressed that Minister Moriarty had promptly made the time to meet face-to-face with the member councils who were able to raise their common issues.

“Minister Moriarty took the trouble to come out and meet with us as part of a familiarisation tour in relation to her extensive Ministerial portfolio” Mr Earl said.

“She was very approachable, and Minister Moriarty said she was committed to regional NSW, and she clearly wants to make a difference, which was pleasant to hear.

“Joining her in Dubbo was Rebecca Fox, who is the Secretary of the Department of Regional NSW and Johnathon Wheaton, Deputy Secretary of Regional Development Programs. Ms Moriarty made the comment that councils can make representations directly to her portfolio so that she can act as a conduit and ether deal with those issues within the department or refer them to colleagues.

Mr Earl said that Minister Moriarty would be a very visible Minister and he expected that to see her frequently in western NSW.

“The Alliance of Western Councils is an advocacy group based on the old footprint of the Orana Region of Councils before the Joint Organisations, and is a united voice from councils in western NSW to government.

“Some of the common issues we were able to put forward were things like water, health services and the emergency services levy. […]

Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!