LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne at Parliament House, Canberra, this week with The Hon. Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.
5 June 2026
Our Funding Push Continues
This week I travelled to Canberra for meetings with Minister Kristy McBain and the Shadow Assistant Minister for Local Government, Jamie Chaffey MP as part of increasing our campaign for greater support through the Financial Assistance grants.
Both Minister McBain and Mr Chaffey were receptive to our message that appropriate, proportionate untied funding for local government will ensure that councils can keep providing essential services and facilities to our communities.
I will keep you all updated as we intensify our advocacy on this vital issue for our sector; particularly those of you travelling to Canberra for the upcoming National General Assembly for ALGA at the end of the month.
I also discussed with minister McBain the ongoing issues around fuel prices and security and I conveyed the sector’s gratitude for the role she has played in coordinating discussion and Federal Government support across the country.
Committee report - Inquiry into NSW Reconstruction Authority operations
Last week the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority tabled its report for the Inquiry into the review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
The report contains an outstanding set of findings and recommendations, demonstrating that the Committee has heard our sector loud and clear.
Key recommendations from the report include:
- Rec. 14 – That the NSW Government implement ways in which betterment can be incorporated into future funding frameworks.
- Rec 20 – That the NSW Government continue to advocate to the Australian Government through relevant intergovernmental forums for reforms of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to:
- Expand eligibility criteria to include water and sewer infrastructure as essential public infrastructure.
- Streamline application and assessment processes, and
- Incorporate betterment.
- Rec 21 – That the NSW Reconstruction Authority continue to prioritise improvements to streamline payment of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement funds to local councils as a matter of urgency. The NSW Reconstruction Authority should have funds readily available so that councils do not incur the extra financial burden at a time when council assets are adversely impacted.
- Rec 22 – That the NSW Government work with the Australian Government to ensure all monies still owed to councils for approved and completed Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements funded works be paid immediately, so as to aid those local government areas in their recovery and future resilience.
I know Minister Saffin is working hard to drive improvements in this framework, and this inquiry provides a clear path forward.
Bluett awards now open
A reminder that applications for the Bluett Awards for 2026 are now open.
An invitation from the three Bluett Trustees has been sent to all Mayors and GMs, inviting councils to put forward a submission.
The awards recognise and celebrate progress and excellence in local government, and I encourage you all to consider nominating your council.
Applications are open until 31 July.
Sincerely,
Mayor Darcy Byrne
LGNSW President