Advocacy

A strategic and collaborative approach to advocacy is essential for ensuring that the Bega Valley Shire receives proper recognition in policy and funding decisions made by state and federal governments.

As a local government body, Bega Valley Shire Council is responsible for providing a variety of services to the community. However, there are several challenges that affect our residents, which require the involvement of other levels of government to fund the necessary infrastructure and services or to implement legislative changes that will benefit our community.

To address these issues and ensure that the needs of our community are met, Council engages in advocacy efforts with all levels of government. This often involves collaborating with local representatives, regional associations, and other councils that share our goals.

Advocacy is an important aspect of Council's role in serving and supporting our community.

Advocacy Efforts

Council is committed to ongoing advocacy to attract policy change, resources and funding for local services and programs and deliver on the needs and aspirations of our community.

Funding our Future

Funding our Future outlines Council’s key investment priorities over the next three to five years.

Affordable Housing

Council adopted an Affordable Housing Strategy in May 2022 which helps guide our advocacy efforts to improve housing choices for our local community now and into the future.

Transport

We understand that our community values a quality transport network that meets the needs of residents in our towns, villages and rural areas. With an extensive road network spanning over 1,500kms, along with supporting infrastructure such as bridges, culverts and kerb and gutter, we heavily rely on substantial funding support from both state and federal governments. We regularly undertake advocacy and make submissions to ensure our transport priorities can be achieved.

Submission to the Federal Government inquiry into the implications of severe weather events on the national, regional, rural and remote road network.

State and Federal Elections

Prior to State and Federal Government elections Council compiled targeted advocacy to share with candidates seeking election.

Collaborative Advocacy

Bega Valley Shire Council is a member of the following organisations and actively participate in their forums. This helps us leverages opportunities to advocate for our communities’ needs.

Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO)
The CRJO's vision is ‘working together to deliver better outcomes for our communities and the region’. Read more about the CRJO Strategic Priorities.

NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA)
The NSW Country Mayors Association has a history of advocating for the millions of people who choose to live, work and play in rural and regional local government areas. Our Mayor helped to shape the Country Mayors’ Association 2023 State Election Priorities.

Local Government NSW (LGNSW)
Providing advocacy, representation and support, Local Government NSW helps member councils deliver improved services and better outcomes to their local communities. Council regularly contributes to the annual Local Government NSW conference motions. These motions help inform the LGNSW Advocacy Priorities.

LGNSW conducts periodic cost shifting surveys to ascertain the extent of cost shifting by the federal and state governments on to NSW local government. Cost shifting is estimated to have imposed a cumulative burden of more than $10 billion on councils over the last decade.

Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the national voice of local government, representing 537 councils across the country. ALGA’s strategic priorities are to champion a strong local government sector.

Each year ALGA hosts an annual conference. Council has provided motions for this conference to continue to advocate for our community and the local government sector more broadly. 

South East Australian Transport Strategy (SEATS)
Council is a member of the South East Australian Transport Strategy (SEATS), which gives a collective voice to show the region is working as one to improve transport infrastructure.

Submissions

Seeking Council support

Council can provide a letter of support for your advocacy efforts to raise an issue or seek grant funding. More details are available from Council's website: Grants and Funding | Letters of support

If you have a project you would like to propose to Council you can submit it through our Community Project Proposals online form. More information is available from Council's website: Project | Community Project Proposals

How you can help

Council recognises the importance of having the support of the community in order to achieve progress on its advocacy priorities.

If you are eager to support the advocacy efforts of Council you can email council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

You can also connect with our local Federal and State members:

  • Dr Michael Holland, MP
    Member of the Legislative Assembly; Member for Bega; Parliamentary Secretary for Health, and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health; Member of the Australian Labor Party
    124-126 Carp Street
    Bega NSW 2550
    Phone: (02) 6492 2056
    Email: bega@parliament.nsw.gov.au
  • Kristy McBain, MP
    Member for Eden-Monaro
    Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
    Bega Office
    1/225 Carp Street
    Bega, NSW, 2550
    Phone: (02) 6492 0542
    Email: Kristy.McBain.MP@aph.gov.au
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