Bringing a local voice to the forefront, Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon has been elected to the board of Local Government NSW, the peak industry body representing the state’s councils.
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“I feel very honoured to be elected,” he said. Cr Harmon was proud to follow in the footsteps of former Inverell mayor, the late Barry Johnston, who was the vice president of the Shire’s Association for many years.
“This will give our region here a voice at the table of the board of Local Government NSW so we can have an impact into policies and procedures that are affecting local government right across the state,” he said.
Cr Harmon was elected at last week’s annual conference as one of seven directors representing rural and regional councils. He is the only representative on the board from across northern NSW.
There were also seven metropolitan directors elected for two-year terms.
Cr Harmon admitted that the task looks daunting, but said that he is determined to move the board’s focus towards the concerns of rural and regional councils.
“So the whole board really understands what is unique to our area, so we can get our city cousins to assist our councils in this area with different services,” he said.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall congratulated Cr Harmon, and agreed that his election would put more focus on the issues facing country councils.
“Paul has proven himself a fierce and passionate advocate for Inverell Shire over many years and I have no doubt he will bring that same work ethic to his new role,” Mr Marshall said.
“I wish Paul every success in his new role.”
Mr Marshall previously served as a board member and senior vice president of the Shires Association. He said he enjoyed working with Cr Harmon as a councillor in the past and now even more closely as the local State MP.
Mr Marshall said having Cr Harmon with a seat at the Local Government NSW table and Moree Plains Shire mayor Katrina Humphries as the head of the NSW Country Mayors Association, put the region in the box seat.
“Paul joining Katrina in speaking up and speaking out on behalf of all country NSW councils will be good for the bush,” Mr Marshall said.