A new governing body is being set up for councils in NSW’s far west, but the Local Government Minister says it is not about taking power away from the councils.

Eight councils are included in the new plan for a regional authority to combine their functions.

Councils would keep responsibility for areas like public spaces, restaurant regulation, local roads and footpaths, but the plan would see the new body perform planning functions and take over interactions with State and Federal Governments.

Local Government Minister Paul Toole says it is all about improving services in the state's most remote areas.

“What we're looking at creating here is actually a body that's going to look beyond boundaries,” Mr Toole said.

“It's about looking at what is best right across the region when it comes to providing transport networks, when it comes to providing jobs across the area, when it comes to providing tourism across the area.”

The plans, dubbed the ‘Far West Initiative’, are part of the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future reforms.

One of the major functions of the new body, if it goes ahead, would be to take over the process of applying for major project grants.

“We still want councils to apply for local grants that are going to continue to meet local needs,” Mr Toole said.

“But what we want to do is to make sure the statutory authority is also looking at what is needed right across the region.

“We don't want to plan for a road network and find that it ends at that local council's boundary.”

Submissions on the plan are open until October 14.

Broken Hill City Council mayor Wincen Cuy is keen for any improvement.

“My main whole thing with all of this is the delivery of service and sustainable communities,” he told reporters.

“Now, whatever model that takes I don't really care, as long as you actually have a sustainable community moving forward.”

The Far West Initiative councils are

  • Broken Hill City Council
  • Central Darling Shire Council
  • Bourke Shire Council
  • Brewarrina Shire Council
  • Walgett Shire Council
  • Balranald Shire Council
  • Wentworth Shire Council
  • Cobar Shire Council