The New South Wales Government has announced the three members of the independent expert panel that will be responsible for examining the structural arrangements of councils in the context of improving the financial sustainability and future viability of the NSW local government sector.

 

State Local Government Minister Don Page announced that the panel will be chaired by Professor Graham Sansom, who will be joined by panel members Jude Munro and Glenn Inglis.

 

“I am pleased to announce that Professor Graham Sansom, whom I announced as the chair of the Panel last month, will be joined by fellow local government experts Jude Munro AO and Glenn Inglis,” Mr Page said.

 

“Both Jude and Glenn will offer invaluable experience and insight into the Panel process, which ultimately is seeking to improve the future prosperity of the NSW local government sector.

 

“It is a big job, but I am confident we have the right people for that job.”

 

Mr Page said the Panel is the first initiative to be announced out of the Destination 2036 Action Plan, which is nearing completion.

 

“The Panel was created after the presidents of the Local Government and Shires Associations, Keith Rhoades and Ray Donald, wrote to me requesting the NSW Government explore ways to review certain aspects of the local government sector,” Mr Page said.

 

“The Review Panel will take into consideration councils’ ability to support the needs of their communities, ability to deliver services and infrastructure efficiently, ability to provide local representation and decision making, the financial sustainability of each council area, and any barriers that inhibit, or incentives that could encourage, voluntary boundary changes.”