Councils to form Community to Community Relationship
Thursday 3 September 2020
Inner West Council has initiated discussions with Eurobodalla Council on establishing a formal Community to Community Relationship.
The Mayors of both Councils met on Monday 24 August to discuss strengthening the bond between Inner West and Eurobodalla which was created following the 2019-20 summer bushfires.
In January, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne convened a meeting of Sydney Councils to plan a coordinated response to help local governments in bushfire-affected areas.
Consequently, some Inner West staff were seconded to help with the huge recovery task including in services like waste, town planning, tree management and infrastructure.
In particular, Inner West employees Cameron Gray, Conor Wilson (pictured), Asher Richardson and Ellen Shannon – travelled to the south coast local government area to help process development applications and make way for new ones. Inner West Events Officer Olivia Wilson-Zarganis also travelled south.
As a thank you, Eurobodalla sent a local landscape painting, which now hangs in the Leichhardt customer service area.
Eurobodalla General Manager Dr Catherine Dale wrote, “The efforts and friendship of Asher, Conor, Cameron, Ellen and Olivia will not be forgotten by our staff. They were a very popular group of people, well liked and respected by all.”
“From these small beginnings, the two Councils are now determined to build broader social, economic, sporting and cultural and civic society links,” said Mayor Byrne.
“This should include specific plans to facilitate tourism to Eurobodalla Shire by our residents, businesses and community, cultural and sporting organisations - vice versa,” said Mayor Byrne.
Other areas the Community to Community Relationship could focus on include sustainable procurement, event management, managing bushland reserves, and public and environmental health, particularly in the COVID era.
The relationship will also offer opportunities for staff mentoring and establishing a relationship between local Aboriginal people and families at Eurobodalla and those in the Inner West, Mayor Byrne said.
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes said she was excited by the opportunities and potential mutual benefits in cultural and economic development.
“I look forward to working with you and your Council to build a meaningful, positive and productive relationship,” she said.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au