The creation of an Australia-wide advocacy group of councils affected by tourism is now underway after mayor Richardson received the full support of fellow councillors at last week’s meeting (Cr Hunter absent).
Its working title is the ‘Tourism Councils Advocacy Alliance.’
Such an alliance is needed, the mayor told the chamber, owing to the lack of support by the peak lobby group for councils, the Australian Local Government Association.
According to www.alga.asn.au, ALGA are ‘the national voice of local government, representing 560 councils across the country.’
The mayor told the chamber, ‘I have spoken to councils across NSW – they are feeling let down [by existing council advocacy groups] and want to work together.
‘Local Government NSW [the peak lobby group representing NSW councils] is failing us in advocacy – I spoke to councils across NSW – they are feeling let down and want to work together.’
‘We have an opportunity to be leaders in this field. Visitor numbers have skyrocketed and Airbnb has changed the game. We need to lobby effectively with the state and feds.’
The mayor promised there would be ‘very little financial implications’, and that ‘step one is inviting councils to get on board.’
‘I have spoken to 12 councillors or mayors and have had complete support,’ he said.
According to the motion, Council will establish ‘the initial resourcing of the secretariat function to establish and run the Alliance,’ and ‘a letter of invitation for membership [will] be sent to [affected] council mayors, councillors and/or general managers…’
Key roles, responsibilities and governance structure ‘will be clearly communicated in the invitation sent to prospective members, to attract councils with an interest in the vision, charter and objectives of the group.’
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