Temora Shire Council mayor Rick Firman has been re-appointed as a Commissioner to the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission (LGBC) for a further five-year term by the Governor of NSW – Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley. This is Cr Firman’s third term in the role after first being appointed in 2016 and the new term will conclude at the end of May 2031. The LGBC is an independent statutory authority constituted under section 260 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act). The Commission has several functions including which include examining and reporting on any matter referred to it by the NSW Minister for Local Government, in relation to the boundaries of local government areas and the areas of operation of county councils. Cr Firman will be joined by Peter Duncan, Cr Giacomo Arnott and Erica van dan Honert. He was informed of the appointment by NSW Local Government Minister, Ron Hoenig last week and said he thanks her Excellency the Governor and Mr Hoenig for the confidence they’ve shown in my re-appointment. “As a commissioner, I’ve worked on the initial 45 merger proposals back in 2016,” Cr Firman said. “I’ve also been on the commission when we’ve considered the Cootamundra-Gundagai de-merger proposal as well as the Snowy Valleys de-merger and I was also involved with the Inner West Council de-amalgamation proposal. “I’m pleased to see our chairman also re-appointed, Mr Duncan as he’s an outstanding leader, very measured, considered and honourable. “Mrs van den Honert is also re-appointed from the Office of Local Government (OLG) and is dedicated to the role also. “It’s also good to have met our new commissioner, Cr Arnott from Port Stephens. “He is keen and eager, which is important. Cr Arnott replaces former Mayor of Cowra Shire, Cr Ruth Fagan, who served as a commissioner for the past five years. ‘Cr Fagan was terrific. She gave 100 per cent and her contributions will be missed.” All of the expenses associated with the role of commissioner are borne by the OLG and not Temora Shire Council.
