From the Chair - Winter 2025

As we pass the midway point of 2025, it’s clear this has been one of Regional Cities NSW’s busiest and most impactful years yet and the pace isn’t slowing down.

Our advocacy has been backed by direct engagement at the highest levels of government. Across our two delegations to Macquarie Street in February and again this month, we’ve met with Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Transport John Graham, along with other ministers, shadow ministers, senior officials and other decision makers. These meetings will help to ensure the voices of our regional cities are heard where it matters, particularly as we continue to press for reforms in housing, migration and infrastructure funding.

A key milestone this year has been the NSW Government’s release of Delivering Freight Policy Reform in NSW. We were proud to see our Regional Transport Pinch Point Program referenced in the roadmap with our $346 million business case now under active consideration. This is a significant step forward in our push to improve freight connectivity across regional New South Wales and a strong example of evidence-based advocacy influencing state policy.

Regional Cities NSW lodged a detailed submission to the NSW Net Zero Commission, advocating for a transition that puts regional communities and councils at the centre of climate and energy policy. 

We also have also provided a road map to Government on how to reform the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to support the construction of more houses in our member cities.

In May, we hit the road to the Central West. Our two-day site visit to Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst allowed Regional Cities delegates to learn how public infrastructure projects and unique attractions and industries are planned for and delivered in different cities.

The following month, we connected with our interstate counterparts from Regional Capitals Australia at a joint dinner in Canberra.

There’s plenty more to come. The lead-up to the end of the year will be busy with more advocacy, strategic planning and engagement with our state government partners.

Thank-you for your continued commitment to our shared priorities. I look forward to what we’ll achieve together in the months ahead.

Kind regards,

Cr Steve Krieg
Chair, Regional Cities New South Wales