Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), Media Release, 27 June 2025

After careful consideration of what the NSW Government Budget 2025/26 means for rural, regional and remote Councils, the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) sees a reactionary budget that is fiscally responsible in a time when investment in the regions is needed. CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM said that there are country Councils which have been devastated by catastrophic disasters before they have recovered by the last one. “The $4.2 billion in the budget for disaster relief, with room for that to grow in response to need, is greatly appreciated by our Board country Mayors.”

“Since the 2019/20 fires, disaster relief and recovery costs in NSW have increased by 1,000 percent. Unprecedented disasters have hit all three tiers of Government in Australia in their hip pockets. We must acknowledge the impact of that and the value that the NSW Government places on its’ AAA rating, in relation to this modest budget. A projected surplus is also commendable. However, as our members recover from disasters and work to restore momentum in their economies, there appears to be little to support that in the budget.”

“The cost of living and particularly the cost of housing in Sydney are generally the highest in Australia. Yet, when it comes to the housing shortage, the crisis is often even worse in our rural, regional and remote communities,” Mayor Firman said.

“There are housing investment incentives in the budget, such as the innovative pre-sale guarantee initiative, which are largely Sydney-centric.”

“The CMA Board and I certainly welcome the NSW Government’s commitments to improving rural and regional health. However, yet again the actual facts and figures in the budget for significant health spending was overwhelmingly in Sydney, which is disappointing. We are grateful for what has been allocated but all we continue to ask for is our fair share.”

“Rural, regional and remote Councils do great work, above and beyond their core obligations and are also major employers in smaller economies but they are really struggling with their financial sustainability. We would’ve liked to have seen something in the budget to assist to this end.”

“Funding for Police, particularly domestic violence programs and victim support is welcomed, in regards to the whole State,” he said.

“The Biodiversity Conservation Act has thus far failed to redress the decline of biodiversity in NSW, despite the Biodiversity Offsets scheme impeding some developments by increasing costs. The ‘$472.9 million in the budget for improving the Biodiversity Offset Scheme and associated measures’ could be extremely impactful. We look forward to learning exactly how those funds will be spent.

NSW Minister for the Environment the Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC and her advisors have generously committed an afternoon in August to workshop Biodiversity Conservation Offsets and waste issues, with our CMA Board and Members. Hopefully, we will learn how the funding will support rural, regional and remote development, alongside biodiversity,” Mayor Firman said.

“Overall, not a lot for the CMA in the 2025-26 NSW Budget to be excited about. However, we continue to advocate for equity for rural, regional and remote communities in the State.”