The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has welcomed today’s announcement by the NSW Opposition of a promise to invest $5 billion over ten years to address town water infrastructure in regional NSW. “About one-third of CMA member councils are also Local Water Utilities, providing drinking water to the almost 3 million people that live and work … Read more

Housing was the core theme of the CMA meeting on Friday 28 August 2026 and is one of the priority concerns of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) 89 Member Councils.  Close to 160 members and guests attended the Theatrette in NSW Parliament House. The guest speakers were: “We also had great case-study presentations … Read more

Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP attended the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) dinner in Sydney last Thursday night.   The Prime Minister was the Keynote speaker at the event and Members were pleased to hear his recognition of the financial constraints many councils across Australia face and his commitment to the … Read more

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has commended the genuine motivations behind the NSW Opposition’s plan to bring parliamentary sitting weeks directly into regional communities. “While we have some concerns about the obvious costs involved, this is a very commendable proposal. Our city parliamentarians can be disconnected from the realities of rural, remote and … Read more

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has locked in an outstanding line-up of political leaders, policy makers, and housing experts for its highly anticipated General (members) Meeting at NSW Parliament House on Friday, 28 August 2026. The night before the meeting, Australia’s Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP will be the keynote guest … Read more

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Board and its 89 remote, rural and regional member Councils has welcomed the Labour National Conference’s support for the Federation Compact which is not only promising to increase core funding for Local Government but also addresses road funding, training and capacity building for councils. “Financial sustainability is the number … Read more

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Board and its 89 remote, rural and regional member Councils has slammed the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) which would result in the Government to substantially reducing the financial contribution it makes to disasters that occur in NSW. Chairman of CMA, Mayor Rick Firman … Read more

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Board and its 89 remote, rural and regional member Councils have welcomed the extension of the NSW Fresh Start program, announced by NSW Premier, The Hon. Chris Minns MP last week. Chairman of CMA, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) said the “game changing program has been a … Read more

Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), has said today that councils wanted to see a bigger commitment in the State Budget to investing in services and infrastructure across remote, rural and regional NSW. We recognise and are thankful for the financial commitments made in relation to upgrading hospitals … Read more

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib MP that Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets, commonly known as the Red Fleet, will transfer to State Government ownership from 1 July 2027. “After years of advocacy and a Parliamentary inquiry, the right … Read more

“Skilled labour shortages in rural, remote and regional NSW are a real challenge for our Member Councils. They are one of the largest employers of skilled workers in country communities and the struggle to fill positions can be impactful,” Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire) said. “The … Read more

The Board of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has met with Minister Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to discuss the cessation of the Inland Rail project. “Following the Government’s announcement, there was a unanimous resolution passed at our last CMA meeting to seek a meeting with … Read more