The 31st National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government was held from 24 – 27 June in Canberra, with the theme of “National Priorities Need Local Solutions”.

In line with this theme, the Hunter JO Member Councils successfully moved two shared regional motions at the conference in the focus areas of Jobs and Skills and Housing and Homelessness. These motions called on the Australian Government to:

• Directly support the acceleration of local government actions that address imminent and substantial job losses arising from large scale industry closures in regional economies rapidly transforming to net zero.
• Substantially increase direct Australian Government investment to councils for the construction of local enabling transport and community infrastructure and utilities critical to supporting national housing targets by unlocking and accelerating the delivery of housing on existing development-ready land.

It was also a great pleasure to host over 40 representatives including Mayors, Councillors and staff from Councils right across the Hunter and Central Coast at the Hunter Delegates Dinner. This annual event provides the opportunity for conference delegates from across the Hunter to connect, network and share ideas across local council boundaries.