Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), Media Release, 25 November 2025

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) and Local Government New South Wales (LGNSW) have a strong and mutually supportive relationship, according to CMA Chairman Mayor Rick Firman OAM. He and LGNSW President, Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM signed an extended and updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the first day of the 2025 LGNSW Annual Conference in Penrith on Sunday.

Mayor Firman said that like the renewal of vows in a marriage, the MoU signing this week illustrates how the two organisations, which are strong and more important than ever, genuinely complement each other.

“Both organisations tweaked the MoU document a little. It sets out a framework for cooperation on issues impacting those Councils in rural, remote and regional communities,” he said.

“Through our partnership, the CMA and LGNSW will continue to collaborate on policy development, advocacy campaigns and information sharing, working together to deliver stronger outcomes for Councils and communities right across NSW.”

Mayor Miller said the agreement would help ensure the challenges and opportunities of regional and rural communities remain front and centre in statewide advocacy efforts.

“This MoU reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the collective voice of local government and ensuring every council – no matter how large or small – has a seat at the table,” Mayor Miller said.

“From financial sustainability, skills shortages, water management, roads and infrastructure maintenance – we have some major issues facing rural, regional and remote communities. This MoU will help us share resources and strengthen our voice for the sector and for our communities.”

While LGNSW focuses on all issues and needs of the NSW Local Government sector, the CMA addresses the additional challenges faced by rural, remote and regional Councils. Barriers to financial sustainability and the impacts of inadequate Government funding are far more evident and critical for our smaller rural and remote members,” Mayor Firman said.

“Our MoU documents our relationship but it’s far more than words on paper, the Boards and the staff of both organisations really do collaborate and support each other. We are distinct and while our priorities might not always be perfectly aligned, we are united by our passion to serve our members and the importance of Local Government in NSW,” he said.