Wollondilly Shire Council has revealed it is going to become a full member of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation.
Wollondilly has been an associate member for several years, but framework did not provide a pathway for full membership.
Under proposed changes by the local government minister, Wollondilly will now have the opportunity to be a full member for the first time.
Council says full membership would add to its strong partnership with the councils of outer Western Sydney through The Parks, Sydney’s Western Parkland Councils.
The alliance includes Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly.
“This strong collaboration with the councils of Outer Western Sydney [proposed new name for the alliance] is delivering positive results for our community, with the strong, united voice of many councils advocating for major infrastructure such as the Macarthur Metro, major road upgrades and community infrastructure,” says Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould.
“We now have a significant opportunity to strengthen our existing collaboration, share resources, and work collectively on issues that matter to our communities by expanding our links into the Illawarra.
“In future, this would allow Wollondilly to be a full participant in regionally important matters.
“Last year, Wollondilly joined together with seven other councils including Camden, Campbelltown, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollongong to become the LG8.
‘The review of the Joint Organisation framework will provide an opportunity to formalise the LG8 relationship,”Mayor Gould said.
“By 2041 over two thirds of Wollondilly’s population is expected to live closer to Wollongong than to Liverpool, Penrith or Parramatta. At the same time, Western Sydney International Airport is expected to provide significant additional opportunities for our residents.
“As the geographical heart of this important economic corridor between Western Sydney International Airport to the north and Port Kembla to the south, it is in Wollondilly’s interest to continue building strong partnerships with both Greater Western Sydney and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, including by pursuing full membership of ISJO.”