Richmond Valley Council is supporting the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA)'s NSW Election Priorities 2011 for the upcoming State Government election. The LGSA are the peak bodies representing Local Government in NSW and have requested that all political parties contesting the 2011 NSW Election respond to a range of significant problems that councils and communities currently face.
The NSW Election Priorities 2011 outlines a number of issues that Councils commonly must deal with, along with proposed solutions. They cover major issues of significance under the following key themes:
- Improved Local Government financial viability.
- Restore the balance to land use planning.
- Stronger support for communities.
- Greater natural environment protection.
- Enhanced infrastructure provision and maintenance.
- Better local governance.
These priorities are extremely important for the Richmond Valley and improvements in each of these arenas will enable Richmond Valley Council to provide vital services and facilities from roads to libraries to waste, and youth and senior services to our community.
As Mayor, I support the priorities outlined by the LGSA, and consider that the LGSA's NSW Election Priorities 2011 is advocating for the needs of the community and ensuring that the NSW Government and Opposition are aware of and acknowledge the local issues we face, and take on board our proposed solutions.
Richmond Valley Council endorsed the NSW Election Priorities 2011 at its Council Meeting on 15 February 2011 and has written to our local member, Steve Cansdell, requesting an official response.
For a copy of the LGSA's NSW Election Priorities 2011, visit www.lgsa.au/election2011.
Col Sullivan
Mayor
