Delegations Overview

Regional Cities NSW has continued its busy program of advocacy through the first half of 2025.

In February, a delegation spent two days at Macquarie Street fulfilling a busy schedule of meetings.  We returned to Sydney in August for a second two-day visit and our first since the State Budget was handed down in June. 

Over these two visits to Macquarie Street, our delegations met with:

  • The Hon Chris Minns MP, NSW Premier;

  • The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Treasurer;

  • The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW;

  • The Hon Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads;

  • The Hon John Graham MLC, Minister for Transport, the Arts and Music and the Night-time Economy; 

  • The Hon Steve Whan MP, Minister for Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education;

  • Mr Dugald Saunders MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the NSW Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW, Agriculture, Trade and Natural Resources.

  • Office of the Hon Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning;

  • Office of the Hon Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Water and Homelessness, and then Minister for the North Coast; and

  • Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

The RCNSW delegation provided an overview of RCNSW’s five key policy priorities to support sustainable growth of our member municipalities:

  • address the methodology for forecasting the growth of regional cities in NSW;

  • increase the availability of a diverse range of housing to support our growing cities;

  • increase the availability of skills in member cities to support regional employers;

  • invest in road and port freight connectivity across regional NSW to support our industries to grow; and 

  • provide funding for regional programs that will reinforce liveability and as well as civic and community strength.

In May, RCNSW met via videolink with the Hon Janelle Saffin MP, who had recently been appointed Minister for Small Business, Recovery and the North Coast. 

Topics of discussion included:

  • a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for regional NSW;

  • housing; and

  • regional airports.

Our work to further our policy priorities will continue as we further develop important relationships with State Government ministers, shadow ministers and officials, and advocate on behalf of our regional cities.

Edwina Blackburn