NEWLY-elected Local Government NSW president Darcy Byrne has wasted no time in advocating for councils across New South Wales, this week heading to Canberra to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Fresh from his election to the role on Monday, Cr Byrne travelled to the nation’s capital, inviting outgoing president Phyllis Miller and chair of the NSW Country Mayors Association, Rick Firman, to join him for the high-level talks, which took place on the last sitting day of Parliament.

“I want to thank the Prime Minister for taking the time on such a busy day to meet with us and discuss the critical issues facing councils – and our communities – right across New South Wales,” Cr Byrne said.

“As a former Minister for Local Government, the Prime Minister absolutely recognises the many challenges facing the sector as well as the need for direct engagement between Federal Government and our Councils.”

Cr Byrne said the meeting was extremely productive and the Prime Minister was receptive to what the three New South Wales mayors had to say.

County Mayors Association Chair Rick Firman, past LGNSW president Phyllis Miller and new LGNSW President Darcy Byrne with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Top of the agenda was the long-standing concerns around the financial sustainability of all councils across New South Wales.

“This is our number one priority to ensure that all councils across the State – which stand at the frontline of service delivery to their communities – are appropriately resourced for what we do,” Cr Byrne said.

“At a federal level, this means restoring our Financial Assistance Grants to one per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue and to looking closely at how federal grants in general are processed and administered.

“I’m pleased the Prime Minister has agreed to come and speak to a meeting of the NSW Country Mayors Association in the New Year – rural, regional and remote councils are really doing it tough. “Increased funding from the State and Federal governments to these councils is desperately needed for basic infrastructure such as sewerage, water, and roads.

“This is just the beginning of our conversation with the Federal Government and we’ve got off to a great start,” he said.