Dedicated regional advisory group to be convened

Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Regional New South Wales, Tara Moriarty will convene a dedicated regional advisory group to work with the government to better understand and address the unique challenges faced by people living and working in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW.

Announced at the recent 2025 Bush Summit, the NSW Premier’s Rural Remote & Regional Advisory Council (PRRRAC) will meet twice annually with the Premier and Minister Moriarty.

The first council meeting is set to take place this year and will bring together representatives from across the regions to provide direct advice and insights on issues impacting their communities, from essential services and key infrastructure to biosecurity, the state government said in its announcement.

An invitation has been extended to chair of the NSW Country Mayors Association, Rick Firman OAM, the chair of the NSW Regional Cities, and representatives from the Local Land Services, Country Women’s Association, regional health and education sectors, Indigenous councils, and business communities, to be part of this important forum.

The development of this advisory panel follows advocacy to the Premier from Cr Firman, who the Premier and minister have invited to act as the group’s secretariat.

“The CMA NSW board, together with our 92 members are tickled pink at the news our NSW Premier has signed off on his Rural, Remote & Regional Advisory Council,” Cr Firman said.

“Premier Minns was receptive of the proposal when we put this to him personally. Both our Premier and his team have now come through in spades and now established this advisory council, specifically for rural, remote and regional issues.

“We will share the challenges with suggested solutions, we will have government policy proposals bounced off us and give genuine feedback and we will also share the countless inspiring initiatives that occur in our cherished rural, remote and regional communities which may be replicated across our great state.

“Only positive things can come from this initiative.”

Mr Minns said the NSW government wants to work with regional communities to find solutions that really meet their needs and will make a difference.

“We are committed to delivering regional communities their fair share and this group means we can ensure our responses are targeted, effective and in line with the realities of regional life,” the Premier said.

“I have seen firsthand that when someone with a local knowledge of a community is willing to share their experience and perspective with us, we deliver better policies, services and outcomes.

“I really want to congratulate Rick for being such an advocate for not just his community, but all regional communities and bringing this idea to the table.”