The conference is the major annual event for all NSW Councils, associate members and the NSW Aboriginal Land Councils.

It is a great opportunity for councillors from city, regional and rural local government areas to come together to share ideas and discuss topical issues affecting our local communities. 

Top of the list of key speakers, the NSW Premier will address the conference. We will also have the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of the Minister, and Shadow Minister, for Local Government.

In light of the current reform of local government underway by the NSW Government, it is important to be part of the discussion on how this will affect our council into the future, and what it means for NSW councils and communities more widely.

The formal structure of the three-day conference includes individual councils being able to put forward motions on a wide range of issues, and to debate policy that shape the way we are governed.

This year, motions for delegates to debate and vote on have been grouped into six categories: Association Business; Industrial Relations and Employment; Economic; Social Policy; Environmental; Governance/Civic Leadership. 

Much effort goes into making the conference program productive and informative, and to provide access to government and industry leaders that would otherwise be limited.

Experts from the public and private sectors share information on topics from planning decisions to fixing our roads; from investment in cultural/sporting facilities to rethinking the role of local government.

One of the main benefits of attending the conference is being able to network with councillors from across the state to share ideas.

Ideas that we will bring back to the Macleay and will assist in making us a stronger local government area.