The peak body for local government in New South Wales has undergone an unexpected change of leadership.
In November, Broken Hill City Council – of which Local Government New South Wales President Cr Dairrea Turley is an elected member – voted to resign from the organisation. Consequently, as from 24 December, Turley was no longer eligible to hold the office she has held since 2021.
The remainder of Turley’s term will be served by LGNSW’s vice president (rural/regional) Phyllis Miller. Cr Miller – also mayor of Forbes Shire Council – will hold the office of LGNSW president until the next scheduled general election in November.
Miller told Government News that her number one priority as LGNSW president was to ensure financial sustainability for all of local government – “not only here in NSW but right across Australia. We will work constructively with our state government and also with the federal government in order to make sure that local government is healthy into the future, especially financially.”
Upon her departure, Turley took the opportunity to reflect on her decade of service on the peak’s board. “I have been honoured to serve as a director at LGNSW since the combined organisation was created in 2013. Over the last decade, I have seen the organisation grow from strength to strength,” she said in a letter to members.
When Turley was elected LGNSW president four years ago, NSW – much like the rest of the country – was in the midst of the Covid pandemic and communities across the state were reeling from the effects of unprecedented natural disasters.
“In taking on the office of president, I identified community resilience and the local government role in recovery as key priorities,” said Turley. “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.”
Turley expressed gratitude towards her fellow board members, chief executives Scott Phillips and David Reynolds, as well as the “incredible” staff who play “such an important role in keeping local government strong and robust and ensuring LGNSW can deliver so much value for LGNSW members”.
Turley also acknowledged the three local government state ministers she had worked with during her term as president and thanked them for their “collaborative efforts and their willingness to listen to our united voice”.
Local Government is the most important sphere of government
Turley will remain as an elected member of Broken Hill City Council, a role she has held for three decades. Speaking of her 30 years’ on council, she said: “Local government is the most important sphere of government – we not only represent our community but we 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.”
While expressing disappointment over her sudden departure, Turley emphasised her belief that LGNSW will remain in a position of strength under its new leadership. “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.”
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