The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) played host to NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM at a recent gala dinner. NSW Minister for Local Government the Hon Ron Hoenig MP was also a guest speaker at the special function, held at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Macquarie Street, Sydney. CMA Associate Member, … Read more

Councils across remote, rural and regional NSW are calling on the Federal Government to increase its investment in Local Government. Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) said “investment by successive Federal Governments in Local Government through the Financial Assistance Grants has fallen from 1% of total tax … Read more

The fuel crisis is hitting remote, rural and regional communities hard, with farmers, freight carriers, tourism operators and local government all expressing concerns about the lack of supply and the impact it is having on running their operations. Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Mayor Rick Firman OAM has said today, “given … Read more

“Through Local Government and community organisations, Emeritus Mayor Ray Donald OAM gave so much to his community and rural, remote and regional NSW in general. His contributions, his life deserves to be celebrated and will be remembered,” said Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) said. … Read more

Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) has said today, “the latest GST distribution which has resulted in NSW receiving only 25.5% of the pool, clearly demonstrates why a review of the 2018 GST distribution reforms is so badly needed.” “The formula being used by the … Read more

The first meeting of the NSW Premier’s Rural, Remote & Regional Advisory Council (PRRRAC) for 2026 saw the initiative gaining momentum and structure, according to Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire), who left the meeting delighted with how positive and constructive it was. Mayor Firman is Co-Chairman … Read more

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OMA (of Temora Shire) has welcomed the announcement of NSW Local Government Minister the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP’s Local Government Expert Advisory Panel. “It is particularly pleasing that our CMA is well represented in this new advisory panel,” he said. The panel is part of … Read more

The NSW Government has announced an expansion of their Drought Plan and while welcome, more needs to be done, according to Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire). “Our farmers in south-west NSW are struggling and they need support with fodder and water freight costs. Keeping core livestock … Read more

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) Reform and the Inquiry that will consider five possible models for funding the ESL. However, this is a concessional welcome because if given the option, no Council in NSW would choose to be collecting a levy … Read more

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has met with NSW Emergency Services Minister the Hon Jihad Dib MP about the Red Fleet issue, which refers to local Councils currently having ownership of Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets, on paper. Councils do not own RFS plant and infrastructure, however their financials are negatively impacted by … Read more

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman has congratulated Australia Day 2026 honours recipients, Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM and Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland OAM. Both are current serving Mayors and delegates for their Councils at General Meetings of the Country Mayors Association. Their rural, remote and … Read more

Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire has welcomed the opportunity to meet with the NSW Premier, the Hon Chris Minns MP and NSW Treasurer, the Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC to discuss the Federal Productivity Commission’s Review of the GST Distribution. “While GST distribution has traditionally … Read more