NSW boasts a network of 13 Joint Organisations to strengthen collaboration and engagement between State and local governments and improve infrastructure and service delivery to regional communities.
Eighty-seven councils in regional NSW are members of the 13 Joint Organisations: Canberra Region, Central NSW, Far North West, Far South West, Hunter, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Mid North Coast, Namoi, New England, Northern Rivers, Orana, Riverina and Murray, and Riverina.
Each Joint Organisation comprises member councils, State agencies and other key stakeholders as determined by each Joint Organisation board. Joint Organisations have transformed the way the NSW Government and local councils collaborate, plan, set priorities and deliver important projects on a regional scale.
The regional bodies are a key mechanism through which the Government delivers funding and programs to regional NSW. Each Joint Organisation has developed a Statement of Strategic Regional Priorities containing the programs, projects and initiatives it is focusing on delivering by working across traditional council boundaries.
The Office of Local Government (OLG) works closely with member councils and other key stakeholders to support Joint Organisations to deliver for their regional communities.
The NSW Government has invested $8.2 million in helping to establish Joint Organisations and strengthen their strategic capability and delivery of regional priorities.
Joint Organisations network
| Joint Organisations | Member councils |
|---|---|
| Canberra Region Joint Organisation | Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Yass Valley |
| Central NSW Joint Organisation | Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Weddin |
| Far North West Joint Organisation | Bourke, Cobar, Walgett |
| Far South West Joint Organisation | Balranald, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Wentworth |
| Hunter Joint Organisation | Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter |
| Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation | Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wollongong |
| Mid North Coast Joint Organisation | Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Bellingen |
| Namoi Joint Organisation | Gunnedah, Gwydir, Liverpool Plains, Tamworth, Walcha |
| New England Joint Organisation | Armidale, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, Uralla, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tenterfield |
| Northern Rivers Joint Organisation | Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed |
| Orana Joint Organisation | Bogan, Gilgandra, Mid-Western, Narromine, Warren, Warrumbungle |
| Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation | Albury, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera |
| Riverina Joint Organisation | Bland, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Greater Hume, Junee, Lockhart, Temora, Wagga |
Joint Organisations review
During 2021, the Office of Local Government contracted specialist consulting firm ARTD to review the Joint Organisation framework. The overall objective of the review was to ensure the effectiveness of the framework, so that Joint Organisations can deliver their core functions.
The review concluded that the framework is robust and credible, but makes some recommendations for improvement. The review identifies opportunities to refine the model to ensure Joint Organisation meet their potential.