Mayor's Column

On Tuesday this week, I attended the Bathurst Remembrance Day service, organised by the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch. Each year on 11 November, it is crucial that we honour all who have served and we remember all who died in every war, conflict and peace operation in Australia’s name. It was wonderful to see this ceremony so well attended by our community as we commemorated this solemn occasion. Lest we forget. 

For the remainder of this week, I have been in Sydney meeting with the Central NSW Joint Organisation, along with attending the Regional Cities Board Meeting and Country Mayor’s Association Meeting. With a strong focus on Housing, Skills and Education, this was the fourth and final meeting of the Country Mayor’s Association for 2025. It has been a fascinating few days hearing from many influential leaders including Minister for Housing, the Hon. Rose Jackson, Country Education Foundation of Australia CEO, Ms Wendy Mason and many more. It’s terrific to have opportunities like this to meet with fellow regional Mayors or representatives and connect to exchange insights over common issues impacting our regions. 

Additionally, whilst I was in Sydney, I was very pleased to see that, following a referral from federal Local Government Minister Kristy McBain, an inquiry into Local Government Funding and Fiscal Sustainability has now been established. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport inquiry will examine the financial relationship between local government and other spheres of government in Australia, with a particular focus on funding mechanisms and long-term fiscal sustainability. Of course, this inquiry is in many ways a continuation of the federal inquiry into local government sustainability that lapsed prior to the federal election earlier this year. The committee has confirmed that all the information received as part of that inquiry in the previous Parliament will be reconsidered, so councils that already made submissions do not need to resubmit. However, the committee welcomes updated or additional information that addresses the new terms of reference with submissions due by 3 February 2026. This is a valuable opportunity to continue advocating for a more sustainable funding framework for our sector – one that ensures councils can keep delivering the essential services and infrastructure our communities rely on every day. 

Looking ahead to next week, I am eager to meet with representatives and students from Iiyama Junior High School in Japan as they commence their exchange session here in Bathurst. They will be experiencing life in the Central West next week, attending Bathurst High School and staying with local families. This is a terrific program, and I look forward to hearing of their plans whilst here in Australia.