THERE has been an unexpected change in leadership at Local Government NSW as the result of current president, Darriea Turley, no longer being eligible to retain the office beyond December 24, 2024.

Cr Turley is an elected member of Broken Hill City Council which, at its November meeting, resolved to resign from LGNSW – the peak body for local government across the state.

Despite being democratically elected by members as president in December, 2021, and again in November, 2023, Cr Turley is no longer eligible to hold office as her council no longer forms part of the membership of the peak body.

In accordance with the Rules for LGNSW, the remaining 11 months of her term will now be served by the current vice-president, mayor Phyllis Miller, from Forbes Shire Council.

Mayor Miller will serve until the next scheduled general election due to take place at the LGNSW Annual Conference in November, 2025.

In writing to members to notify them of her sudden departure, Cr Turley expressed disappointment but emphasised her belief the organisation will remain in a position of strength under the new leadership of Mayor Miller, which came into effect on Christmas Day.

Cr Turley also took the opportunity to reflect on her decade of service on the Board of LGNSW.

“I have been honoured to serve as a director at LGNSW since the combined organisation was created in 2013. Over the past decade, I have seen the organisation grow from strength to strength,” Cr Turley said.

“When I was elected president in 2021, we were still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and our communities were reeling from the effects of unprecedented natural disasters.

Darriea Turley has stood down as president of Local Government NSW after Broken Hill City Council, of which she is a member, resolved to resign from the peak body (Image: LGNSW).

“In taking on the office of president, I identified community resilience and the local government role in recovery as key priorities.

“I committed our organisation to supporting councils in their incredible work in helping to drive a locally led recovery from the impacts of drought, bushfires, floods and the pandemic.”

Cr Turley acknowledged the three different local government State Ministers she worked with under the Perrottet and Minns Governments and thanked them for “collaborative efforts and their willingness to listen to our united voice”.

She also expressed gratitude towards her fellow board members, chief executives Scott Phillips and David Reynolds, as well as all staff at LGNSW, who she described as “incredible” and who played “such an important role in keeping local government strong and robust and ensuring LGNSW can deliver so much value for LGNSW members”.

Cr Turley will remain as an elected member of Broken Hill City Council, with next year marking an important milestone for the former healthcare worker.

“Next year will mark 30 years since I was first elected to Broken Hill City Council back in 1995,” she said.

“I love serving my community and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the LGNSW Board.

“Local Government is the most important sphere of government – we not only represent our community, but we also work with them to make our neighbourhoods more liveable, to provide essential services, to facilitate a sense of connectedness and to deliver vital infrastructure and facilities.

“I look forward to watching LGNSW to continue to grow from strength to strength. Best wishes to Phyllis and the team as I now hand over the reins,” she said.

Media Release