The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has welcomed the appointment of Ms Linda Scott as the new Chairman of the NSW Grants Commission. Ms. Scott was an ideal choice for the role responsible for the distribution of Federal Government funding to Councils, on behalf of the NSW Government, according to CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM.
“The CMA Board and Members warmly applaud the recent appointment of a special friend of local government – Linda Scott as our new Grants Commission Chairman”, Mayor Firman said. “Ms. Scott has held numerous roles within local government including Councillor & Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney City Council as well as being President of both Local Government NSW and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). In her broader roles, Ms Scott worked hard to understand rural and regional local government and we couldn’t be more confident that she will do a tremendous job”, Mayor Firman added.
CMA also congratulated the other new Grant Commissioners: Deputy Secretary of the NSW Government’s Office of Local Government, Mr. Brett Whitworth (appointed as commissioner and deputy chairperson) and Mr. Jason Hamling (former Mayor of Orange, appointed as commissioner). They join Ms. Leanne Barnes PSM OAM, the former General Manager of Bega Valley Shire Council, whose term has been renewed.
The Grants Commissioners are appointed by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW. Three of the appointments were nominated by the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Ron Hoenig while the fourth is an employee of the Office of Local Government. All commissioners have been appointed for a term of three years and commence in their roles from 6 March, 2025. “They will make a strong team and hopefully, rural and regional local communities will receive our reasonable slice of the funding pie, going forward – because if we don’t, we’re going to be in a heck of a lot of strife – and that’s just a plain fact’” Mayor Firman said.
Meanwhile, the CMA Board have also praised the recent appointment of The Hon. Jenny Aitchison MP, as the NSW Minister for Roads and the NSW Minister for Regional Transport. “Minister Aitchison is another of CMA’s dear friends. The Minister’s work ethic and communication skills are exceptional, and she is definitely across her portfolio areas. The Board, Members and I look forward to continuing our work, alongside Minister Aitchison and her team, to maintain and enhance our vital road infrastructure. I know that Minister Aitchison will work with us to further ensure rural and regional communities receive a fair go – that’s all we ask for,” Mayor Firman added.
The CMA Board extended congratulations to the other Ministers appointed in the recent Minns Government reshuffle. They include Lismore MP the Hon. Janelle Saffin who has debuted in Cabinet as Minister for Recovery and Small Business; the Hon. John Graham became Minister for Transport, while the Hon. Steve Kamper picked up the Jobs and Tourism ministry. The CMA will be holding their first meeting for 2025 at NSW Parliament House on Friday 28th March, with Financial Sustainability the theme. Over 130 Mayors, General Managers and guest speakers will be attending.