Dear Editor

I refer to the recent LTE from Messrs Freudenstein, Simpson, Phillips and Lobb concerning local government reforms.

Weddin Shire Council is held in the highest regard by local residents. And Council should be justifiably proud of its good reputation. Likewise, Weddin Shire Council, as well as the many councils in regional NSW, is held in high regard by the NSW Liberals & Nationals.

As a member of the NSW Nationals, I am committed to improving the lives of NSW residents by delivering better services and local infrastructure for all communities. I believe in thriving, successful regional communities, towns and shires.

The Minister for Local Government Paul Toole has provided me the following advice in relation to the matters raised: in 2011 local Government asked for change and we committed to reform. For two days, we put a combined 6,000 years of local government experience in one room for Destination 2036. All leaders of local government in NSW talked together about the future, and planned for the kind of councils that NSW communities deserve.

These local government leaders asked for the NSW Government to improve and streamline the process by which voluntary council boundary alterations can be considered and accommodated. We achieved what successive Labor governments had failed consecutively to do - to deliver a new direction for the sector over the next 25 years and a road map for the next four years. All 350 representatives from 152 councils at Destination 2036 came to a consensus that changes to the local government sector were required. It was made clear that if we did not seek to improve and modernise local government, then there would be communities that are ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ in terms of the number and quality of services delivered to ratepayers.

The Baird-Grant Government announced funding of up to $1 billion for local government to strengthen communities and ensure councils are Fit for the Future. We are partnering with local councils to find more productive ways of working together to provide better services which regional communities want and deserve. Council is leading the preparation of its own Fit for the Future submission and it is up to Weddin Council to map out its own future and seize the opportunities and benefits on offer.

It’s important that we discuss reform in an open and honest way- not with scare campaigns and fear mongering. “No forced amalgamations” is a campaign slogan Labor is using to spread lies and shut down discussion of sensible options.

You cannot trust Labor with a no-forced amalgamation policy - just look at what they did in 2003. Within two months of the Carr Labor government being returned to office, Labor abandoned its long-held policy of no forced amalgamations. Within one year, council mergers were imposed across the state. Councils were reduced from 177 to 152, with 22 entities being created.

Over the past eight years that Weddin has been in the electorate of Burrinjuck I have enjoyed a very good working relationship with Council. Council has known that my door is always open, and we have worked well together.

I was surprised and disappointed to read the sentiments expressed in Messrs Lobb, Simpson, Freudenstein and Phillips’ letter.

I am proud of my achievements for Weddin Shire. I have worked hard as your local member, and as a member of Cabinet I have been a strong voice advocating on behalf of regional NSW.

We are now starting to see the results of four years of a Liberals & Nationals Government. Infrastructure such as bridges, roads and schools has been funded, frontline staff in hospitals and schools have been employed and real changes on the ground are benefitting regional communities. But there is still much to do.

Should I be successful this Saturday, I look forward to a continuing relationship with Council built on mutual respect and trust. I will continue to be a strong voice for my electorate and I will always speak up for my constituents regardless of whether or not I am in Cabinet.

Yours sincerely