PRESS RELEASE

NSW GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Online advocacy group restofnsw inc. believes that if regional Local Government is to
be Fit for the Future then the NSW Government should reduce the red tape holding
them and their communities back.
While it may be a big issue in Sydney, efficiency of Local Government is not in the
top ten issues holding restofnsw back. The Government is more than happy to tell
Councils to get their act into gear, but they still tie restofnsw in endless reviews and
dont give us a fair share of infrastructure funding. When the NSW Government has
streamlined its own policies then the Fit for the Future slogan will mean
something.
Chair of restofnsw inc. Cr Bob Wheeldon said.
restofnsw argues that the NSW Government should take a look in the mirror and get
itself Fit for the Future before imploring Local Government to.
We have yet to see any substantive reform derived from the multitudes of reviews
held by the NSW Government so you can understand why some Councils are sceptical
of Fit for the Future. For some councils this just feels like more bureaucracy and cost
shifting disguised as reform.
Deputy Chair of restofnsw inc. Cr Andrew Negline said.
restofnsw believes red tape and excessive regulation is holding the restofnsw back.
People like to think of the restofnsw as the Wild West where folks can do almost
anything they like. It is the complete opposite, the vast amounts of bureaucracy and
red tape is tying up our businesses, communities and Councils from achieving
prosperity. We have to deal with all the rules created to fix Sydney specific
problems.
Cr Negline said.
restofnsw inc.
PO Box 448 WENTWORTH NSW 2648
info@restofnsw.org

When it comes to growing regional population restofnsw believes the Governments

heart is in the right place but the policy settings need to change.
The small country towns in the restofnsw dont have to have depleting populations.
These dynamic towns can deal with change and grow if they have infrastructure
equity, appropriate incentives for business and less red tape. How can a small town
compete if it receives ZERO in infrastructure spending and Sydney receives tens of
billions? Why doesnt the Government help make existing businesses and farms in
restofnsw more profitable? And how can a small business or Council in the restofnsw
be reasonably expected to cope with the same regulation as that of a big business or
large Council in Sydney?
Cr Negline said.
According to restofnsw streamlining of laws relating to native vegetation, Western
Lands Leases and Planning would all help small towns to repopulate without any cost to
the NSW Government.
NSW Planning are quick off the mark for Sydney mega projects such as the casino or
thousands of apartments but they have hardly started the Regional Growth Plans
promised by the Government. Reform of the Native Vegetation Act and Western
Lands have been talked about for almost three years and the Government is still
talking.
Cr Wheeldon said.

ENDS
CONTACT
Cr Bob Wheeldon 0411 222 181
Cr Andrew Negline 0428 206 093

restofnsw inc.
PO Box 448 WENTWORTH NSW 2648
info@restofnsw.org