Last week, I attended the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) conference.

It was a valuable opportunity to engage with representatives across all levels of government.

Many inner-city councillors were shocked when I shared the state government’s attempt to shut down our pathology lab in Narrabri.

They couldn’t imagine tolerating such a situation in their own areas.

One speaker from Victoria emphasised the importance of local councils defending essential services, highlighting that what is standard in city areas should also be available in rural regions.

This message underscored the need for strong advocacy to ensure our communities receive equal service and support.

There is growing pressure around our Shire hospitals, with staff and community groups urging me to call for a fully independent inquiry into Hunter New England Health.

This is crucial given the significant number of medical services bypassing our hospitals, impacting the quality and accessibility of healthcare in our region. The concerns of our community are valid, and I am committed to advocating for a comprehensive review to ensure our hospitals receive the necessary attention and resources.

The wellbeing of our residents is paramount, and we must hold health authorities accountable.

Yesterday, I opened several completed infrastructure projects for the shire with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison and our local Barwon member Roy Butler.

The projects include the new Bullawa Creek Bridge and the Old Narrabri Turrawan Road intersection.

These represent significant investments in our local infrastructure, aimed at improving safety and connectivity within the Shire.

Collaboration with state and local representatives highlights our commitment to enhancing the region’s infrastructure, ensuring our roads and bridges meet required standards and support community needs.

I must express my disappointment that the NSW state government did not support our funding request to seal the Narrabri Shire section of the Rangari Road.

In the last budget, we received none of the $33 million requested via our local member.

This lack of support is a setback for our community, and I will continue to advocate for the necessary funding to improve our infrastructure.

On a related issue, there are council elections in September. If you are interested in running, Local Government NSW will hold an online candidate information session tomorrow, July 9 from 5pm.

It will cover the rules and processes for registering as a candidate and running a campaign, as well as the roles and responsibilities of a council, the governing body, councillors, and the administration. Visit council’s website to find out more and register.

I encourage any residents interested in standing to register. Being on council is quite different from what I expected.

I had no idea how restricted councils are in what they can and can’t do in their local areas.

I was also surprised at how many state government laws local councils are expected to administer, often without adequate funding.

What has impressed me most is the numerous checks and balances in place to ensure that public money is not wasted and that there is full accountability for all expenditure.

For instance, when there is a tender, there is a formal policy to ensure it is properly advertised, all applicants are treated fairly, all applications are evaluated independently, and the process is fully transparent.

Additionally, every council has an Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC) to oversee the council’s audit and finances.

These committee members are independent financial professionals who ensure accountability and scrutiny of our audit documents and processes.

I attend these committee meetings as an observer, but ultimately, these professionals have the final say on our audit processes, which is highly beneficial.

Have a great week, everyone, and to those participating in “Dry July,” all the very best. Only a bit over a fortnight left.

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