Delegates from 15 regional NSW cities met in Albury and Wagga this week as part of an annual tour. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Mayors and CEOs from regional cities across NSW visited the Riverina this week to build solidarity and problem-solve.
Albury and Wagga were chosen as the cities for delegates to visit as part of Regional Cities NSW’s regional sites tour 2024 program which looks to strengthen the relationships of regional cities across the state and create a louder voice for the issues they face.
The tour included a presentation from Griffith City Council and a visit to the Albury Entertainment Centre, Murray Art Museum Albury, Albury Waste Management Centre, Albury Riverside Precinct, Lavington Sports Ground, Wagga Wagga Special Aviation Precinct, Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub, Charles Sturt University Digital Farm Complex and 1st Recruit Training Battalion – Kapooka.
Chair of Regional Cities NSW and Mayor of Dubbo Cr Mathew Dickinson said regional cities were hubs for innovation and Regional Cities NSW members were thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Albury and Wagga Wagga, and also hear from Griffith City Council.
“Regional cities are stronger when we work together, and this regional site tour is an important part of collective problem-solving,” Cr Dickerson explained.
“Southern NSW is in hot demand as a regional migration destination, because these regional cities offer a strong sense of community, good public infrastructure and a great lifestyle.
“Regional cities often have to think outside the square to deliver for their local community, and we are really looking forward to learning from the best-practice innovations on offer.”
Mr Dickinson said that by combining the voices of the 15 cities that were recognised by Regional Cities NSW it was easier to garner the attention of State and Federal MPs.
“A member’s time is important; if we can provide 15 cities’ issues or ideas as one body, it saves them talking or travelling to 15 different cities,” Cr Dickinson explained.
Mayor of Wagga Wagga Dallas Tout said it was crucial for members of different regional cities to visit their neighbours to learn and understand the different challenges and successes of each city.
“We have a lot of similar issues, but we also have different solutions,” Cr Tout said.
“Everyone at the moment has housing and landfill issues, but how we combat that here might be different to how they do it in Dubbo for example.
“Just yesterday on a walk at an Albury landfill, we picked a few ideas that we haven’t thought of or done yet. It’s that kind of conversation that is really beneficial in helping each city grow.”
Loading ...
