Council's general manager on behalf of the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation (MNCJO) of councils will write to the Minister for Local Government detailing concerns about the lack of ongoing operational funding being provided to Joint Organisations.
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This decision by council comes after Port Macquarie-Hastings Council said they will give the minister until November to respond to operational funding concerns for the MNCJO.
The MNCJO consists of Port Macquare-Hastings, Kempsey and Bellingen councils and the group has worked on a number of collaborative projects since it's inception in 2018 including the replacement and upgrade of the Mid North Coast's 91 timber bridge network and the koala recovery project.
The state government provided $300,000 in seed funding to establish each new regional body in 2018.
Financial sustainability is the biggest challenge facing Joint Organisations, but for the MNCJO it is particularly difficult as it is one of the smallest Joint Organisations with only three member councils.
At Tuesday's council meeting, councillors also approved a financial contribution to the MNCJO of $25,000 from the Internal Reserve held for joint council activities.
General manager Craig Milburn said operational funding is vital for the MNCJO to deliver projects across the region.
"Kempsey Shire Council remain committed to the MNCJO, as indicated by the funding that has been approved at this week's council meeting," he said.
"However it is vital that the state government provide operational funding support to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability of the Joint Organisation.
"The MNCJO has achieved some remarkable results in a relatively short time. Particularly as it is one of the smallest in the state with only three member councils," he said.
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