Bega Valley's first popularly-elected mayor calls for greater federal help

The first person to be elected as the Bega Valley Shire’s mayor by the region’s residents has called on the Federal Government to provide greater support to local government.

The preliminary results of the 2024 local government elections have been released, with one outcome being Russell Fitzpatrick was returned as the Bega Valley’s mayor.

Cr Fitzpatrick said the new batch of councillors had “a lot to do”, providing the community with what it wanted while balancing limited finances.

He said local government used to get one per cent of the Federal Government’s tax revenue through its Financial Assistance Grants, but that was now down to about 0.5 per cent.

This had resulted in about a $9 million per year loss for his shire, he said.

“We have to do a long-term financial plan over 10 years and that’s nearly impossible on the current income levels. But every government in regional NSW is like that,” he said.

“The key part for me in the present time is to get that one per cent back, but we’ve been asking for that since 2016.

“It’s time the Federal Government started giving more to local government … there’s just a lack of respect to local government and what it does in everyone’s day-to-day life.”

Along with Cr Fitzpatrick, the returning successful councillors in this year’s election are Tony Allen, Mitchell Nadin, Helen O’Neil and David Porter.

They will be joined by newly-elected councillors Simon Daly, Peter Haggar, Peggy Noble and Clair Mudaliar.

Crs O’Neil and Daly are with Labor, Cr Haggar is with the Greens, while Crs Nadin, Porter and Noble are from a group called Independents for Change. The remainder are independents.

Cr Fitzpatrick said he was “extremely proud” while it was also “very humbling” to be the shire’s first popularly-elected mayor.

“To be the first popularly-elected mayor is a great honour,” he said.

“It’s an honour to serve as mayor and I am eager to deliver meaningful outcomes for people from all walks of life and all parts of the Bega Valley. I extend genuine thanks to everyone for their support.

“During the election campaign the other candidates and I heard what matters to our constituents and my aim as mayor is to build on the foundation of our shortened last term, with a renewed focus on addressing the challenges ahead and attempting to prioritise what matters most to our community.”

Cr Fitzpatrick said his initial focus would be to encourage unity within council, with the aim of setting a path that is both affordable and practical.

Council CEO Anthony McMahon welcomed the incoming councillors and thanked the outgoing ones for their dedication and commitment over the past few years.

“Representing and advocating for the needs and wants of our community, as well as balancing those needs and wants against the limitations of budgets and resourcing is a challenging but rewarding task,” he said.

“It’s great to see a mix of new and experienced councillors bringing continuity and new perspectives in equal measure.”

The new councillors will undergo a comprehensive induction process beginning their first official meeting on 9 October where a decision regarding the appointment of a deputy mayor will be made along with formation of council committees.

It is after this first meeting that they commence formal councillor functions.

Cr Fitzpatrick’s term as mayor will run until the end of the current four-year councillor term.

Further details on the newly-elected councillors will be available on council’s website once the official results are declared after the appeal period, which is expected to be this month.