MEDIA RELEASE - CELEBRATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEEK 2021

It is Local Government Week, and Lachlan Shire Council is using the occasion to call on the State and Federal governments to provide the financial support necessary to enable it to continue to lead the region’s economic recovery and create new jobs in the process.

Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf OAM said “our Shire, like so many others has been through challenging times particularly in the past 18 months, and has emerged in strong shape thanks to the hard work of the local community, the financial support of State and Federal governments and the frontline efforts of council staff.

“Drought and COVID have all tried to break us, but we have not only survived but are in a relatively strong position. These testing months have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that councils are best placed to provide a locally led economic recovery for their communities and create new jobs for ongoing resilience.

“I am so proud of our community and our council, who have used Federal and State funding support wisely on projects that have helped to maintain jobs and keep money pumping through the local economy,” he said.

Projects include; Curlew Road 13km seal extension, Tullibigeal Road (stage 2) seal extension 13 km in progress, Gum Bend Lake – dredging, sealing and filling the lake, along with 500m of new footpath, new exercise equipment and the new amenities block is underway, improvements to the Tottenham Recreation Ground – picket fence, stormwater improvements, sealing carpark and new entry gates, upgrade of public swimming pools, Liberty Park foreshore irrigation system installation, development and implementation of a Shire wide Youth Strategy and youth centre refurbishment and Sculptures Down the Lachlan.

“Local Government Week is a time to acknowledge those projects, and the greater economic support provided to Lachlan Shire Council. But, the job is far from done, so we want to use this occasion to highlight the need for ongoing and increased Federal and State support for projects that will help us improve our region, keep people in jobs and keep businesses in business,” Mayor Medcalf added.

Local Government NSW President Linda Scott said NSW councils had long proven their economic credentials, employing about 60,000 people and collectively managing assets worth an estimated $153 billion.

“I agree with Mayor Medcalf, Local Government Week is an opportunity to not only celebrate past achievements, but to also press the case for even greater financial support for other levels of government to ensure councils have the means to provide ongoing locally led economic growth.

If councils get the right support, they have the capacity to create up to 68,000 new jobs for NSW, and as local government’s peak body we will continue to press for that support from the State and Federal governments,” she said.

In line with COVID-19 restrictions Council will not be holding any face-to-face public events this year however, will be sharing posts on Facebook with some facts about Council and NSW Local Government as a whole to help the community get to know Council a little better.