FNWJO Inaugural Meeting
The inaugural meeting of the Far North West Joint Organisation (FNWJO) was held on Wednesday, 25 July 2018 at the Council Chambers of the Bourke Shire Council.
The meeting was attended by the Mayors and General Managers from member Councils of Bourke, Cobar and Walgett along with government representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Office of Local Government.
The inaugural Chair of the Far North West Joint Organisation, Clr Lilliane Brady OAM, said she was confident that the newly proclaimed Far North West Joint Organisation would bring a focused approach to those communities located in the far north west of the State.
“The total land area covered by this Joint Organisation is some 13.5% of the State of NSW” Clr Brady said. “By the three-member Councils working in collaboration with not only each other, but with Government, the achievements can and will be substantial. Already the FNWJO has been the recipient of significant funding from the NSW Government based on a high level of collaboration”, she added.
Funding provided to the FNWJO comprises:
• JO Establishment Funding Grant - $500,000 - Funding to establish the JO, employ staff and general operations.
• Road Planning Grant - $250,000 - Funding to update existing road plans in the FNW region
• Infrastructure Planning Grant - $250,000 - Funding for planning support with NSW Public Works
• Tourism and Culture Grant - $5,000,000 - Funding to invest in tourism and cultural infrastructure projects to grow the visitor economy
• Air Services Subsidy - Funding to re-establish Air Services to Cobar, Bourke, Walgett and /or Lightning Ridge.
Following changes to the Local Government Act, the NSW Government has provided Joint Organisations with the legislative ability to enter into contracts, apply for grants and perform functions on behalf of member Councils.
NSW NETWORK OF JOINT ORGANISATIONS
FNWJO Attends Landmark Forum at Parliament House, Sydney.
On 16 August 2018, the Chair of the Far North West Joint Organisation, Clr Lilliane Brady OAM, came together with the NSW Network of Joint Organisations and senior government officials for the first time, at a landmark forum at Parliament House in Sydney.
Clr Brady said the meeting was an opportunity for the newly elected Chairs of the 12 Joint Organisations to unite and discuss priorities for infrastructure and services in regional NSW. The meeting marked the official launch of NSW’s network of Joint Organisations across regional NSW.
The meeting of the JO Chairs was addressed by the Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, and Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton. The meeting also follows the recent release of the NSW Government’s 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW, which sets out a set of ‘engine industries’ for growth in the regions, and the government’s priorities for infrastructure spending.
The formation of JO’s aims to strengthen economic management, planning and service delivery in regional and rural areas. Currently 12 JO’s have been formed across regional NSW, representing a total of 85 regional councils. 90 per cent of eligible councils have voluntarily joined Joint Organisations, ensuring the strength and success of the new bodies in delivering for regional NSW, added Clr Brady.
Joint Organisation Chairs
• Canberra Region Joint Organisation – Yass Mayor Rowena Abbey
• Central NSW Joint Organisation – Lachlan Mayor John Medcalf
• Far South West Joint Organisation – Wentworth Mayor Melisa Hederics
• Hunter Joint Organisation – Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent
• Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation – Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery
• Mid North Coast Joint Organisation – Kempsey Mayor Liz Campbell
• Namoi Joint Organisation – Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey
• New England Joint Organisation – Uralla Mayor Michael Pearce
• Northern Rivers Joint Organisation – Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland
• Orana Joint Organisation – Gilgandra Mayor Doug Batten
• Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation – Albury Mayor Kevin Mack
• Riverina Joint Organisation - Cr Rick Firman OAM Temora Shire Council
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JOINT ORGANISATIONS
What is a Joint Organisation?
Joint Organisations are new local government entities with legal powers established by proclamation designed to bring regional and rural councils together for better regional outcomes.
The NSW Government has been working with the local government sector for over five years to develop the joint organisation framework and establish them under the Local Government Act 1993.
Joint Organisations align with the state’s planning regions and in this regard the NSW Government has developed The Far West Regional Plan 2036 . This Plan is a 20-year blueprint for the future of Western NSW.
The Plan has its vision to create a diverse economy, supported by the right infrastructure, an exceptional natural environment and resilient communities. Delivery of the vision is through the achievement through three goals:
• A diverse economy with efficient transport and infrastructure networks
• Exceptional semi-arid rangelands traversed by the Barwon-Darling River
• Strong and connected communities.
POLICIES
The Far North West Joint Organisation has adopted the following Policies and Plans:
Annual_Financial_Statements-GPFS-2022 Download
Annual Statement of Revenue Policy 2022 - 2023 Download
Code of Meeting Practice Download
FINAL - FNWJO Statement of Strategic Regional Priorities - 2022 Download
Annual Performance Statement 2021-2022 Download
Voting Representative Expenses and Facilities Policy Download
Code of Conduct dated May 2019 Download
Procedures for the Administration of the FNWJO Code of Conduct dated May 2019 Download
Code of Meeting Practice dated May 2019 Download
Expenses and Facility Policy Download
Public Interest Disclosures Download
Procedures for the Administration of Code of Conduct: Download
Statement of Business Ethics Download
FNWJO Charter Download
Communications and Engagement Plan Download
Statement of Regional Priorities Plan Download
Code of Conduct 17/10/2022 Download
Code of meeting practice 17/10/22 Download
Voting Representative Expenses and Facilities Policy 17/10/22
Download
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
The Far North West Joint Organisation is committed to assisting the community to access government information in accordance with the Government Information Public Access Act 2009 or GIPA.
The GIPA Act introduces a new right to information that is focused on making government information more readily available. This means that information will generally be released unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.
Further Information
For further information on our processes, please contact the Interim Executive Officer on:
Phone: 0407 937 636
email: eo@farnorthwestjo.nsw.gov.au
To find out more about the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 please go to the Information and Privacy Commission’s website: https://www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
The Act and Regulation can be accessed via the following links:
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009:
Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009:
To access information held by our member councils, please contact the council directly.