I’ve been in Canberra this week for the National General Assembly for Local Government which brings together council leaders from across Australia to advocate for federal funding, policy reforms and effective partnerships.
It’s an opportunity to knock on doors of Federal Ministers to highlight key issues and priorities for Wollongong and our region. I was very pleased to join the Mayors of Camden, Campbelltown City, Kiama, Shellharbour City, Shoalhaven City, Wingecarribee Shire and Wollondilly Shire to meet with Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development and Local Government to discuss the LG8 Regional Strategic Partnership.
Minister McBain commended the LG8 on our regional collaboration and has offered to facilitate further ministerial meetings to advance our strategic priorities particularly on transport connectivity.
Over the last few months I’ve been speaking with neighbouring Councils on how we can work collaboratively for our communities. The LG8 Partnership is not at the expense of local priorities, but it reflects a constructive approach to working together and thinking differently about future growth, and it was pleasing to see this in action this week.
The LG8 Region represents more than 10 per cent of the NSW population and it will grow significantly in the years ahead. Importantly the LG8 Region will also connect two major trade gateways – Port Kembla and Western Sydney International Airport – creating a vital economic arc across the region.
This super region is critical to the future of NSW and Australia, including productivity, housing provision, supply chain resilience and regional growth. We need all levels of government working together on its future. I believe the LG8 helps us achieve this goal.
Thank you to Carol Berry MP and Alison Byrnes MP who been helping to open doors in Canberra this week.
Another highlight in Canberra was attending the 2026 National Awards for Local Government where Wollongong City Council won the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Recognition Award for our work on the Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo. Since Council launched the event in 2023, the Expo has grown into a vibrant, celebration of First Nations businesses.
The Expo is now led by a local Aboriginal-owned business Sacred Country Consulting with Council support, creating a welcoming space to connect, trade and build partnerships while celebrating Indigenous talent and innovation.
