Wollondilly Shire Council is taking its place front and centre on the regional stage, as it seeks to add to its strong partnership with the Councils of Outer Western Sydney through The Parks, Sydney’s Western Parkland Councils, by becoming a full member of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation (ISJO) under newly proposed changes from the Minister for Local Government.
This would strengthen the Shire’s connection with the Illawarra, while continuing its strong advocacy partnership with the Councils of Macarthur and Greater Western Sydney.
Although Wollondilly has been an associate member of ISJO for several years, the previous Joint Organisation framework did not provide a pathway for Wollondilly to become a full member. Under the proposed changes outlined in recent correspondence from the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, Wollondilly will now have the opportunity to be a full member for the first time.
Wollondilly has been a longstanding member of The Parks, Sydney’s Western Parkland Councils (to be named the Outer Western Sydney Alliance) which the Minister has recently approved as an Incorporated Association under s358 of the Local Government Act NSW.
In 2018, The Parks, Sydney Western Parkland Councils established an alliance of local Councils that partnered with the Australian and New South Wales Governments to deliver the Western Sydney City Deal.
The alliance includes Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly and has achieved significant outcomes through a strong and coordinated regional voice.
Mayor Matt Gould said, “This strong collaboration with the Councils of Outer Western Sydney is delivering positive results for our community, with the strong, united voice of many Councils advocating for major infrastructure such as the Macarthur Metro, major road upgrades and community infrastructure.”
“We now have a significant opportunity to strengthen our existing collaboration, share resources, and work collectively on issues that matter to our communities by expanding our links into the Illawarra.
In future, this would allow Wollondilly to be a full participant in regionally important matters.”
“Last year, Wollondilly joined together with seven other Councils including Camden, Campbelltown, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollongong to become ‘the LG8.’
The review of the Joint Organisation framework will provide an opportunity to
formalise the LG8 relationship.”
“By 2041 over two thirds of Wollondilly’s population is expected to live closer to Wollongong than to Liverpool, Penrith or Parramatta. At the same time, Western Sydney International Airport is expected to provide significant additional opportunities for our residents.”
“As the geographical heart of this important economic corridor between Western Sydney International Airport to the north and Port Kembla to the south, it is in Wollondilly’s interest to continue building strong partnerships with both Greater Western Sydney and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, including by pursuing full membership of ISJO.”
Following the proposed response to the Minister for Local Government, Council will receive further guidance on next steps and any financial implications.
Council will request that any future changes to the Joint Organisation framework ensure the benefits to Councils continue to clearly outweigh the associated costs, and that the framework enables access to external funding opportunities to minimise impacts on Councils’ operational budgets.
