Newcastle Herald By Editorial
The Committee for the Hunter says the region must “lock in” behind its newly appointed Greater Cities Commission representative, Matt Endacott.
The Newcastle Herald reported last week that the NSW government had appointed Mr Endacott, a 31-year-old economic development and urban planning consultant, to a four-year term as the Lower Hunter representative on the commission.
Committee for the Hunter chief executive Alice Thompson said the region’s inclusion in the new-look “megaregion” planning strategy was welcome.
“There is a lot of stakeholder support for the Hunter being part of a bigger plan for the global Sydney megaregion and making this work,” she said.
“We recognise that success lies in partnerships across governments, business and communities.
“We know what the Hunter’s priorities are. It’s now time to lock in behind Matt so that he can hit the ground running and get these effectively to the centre of decisions.”
The government expanded the Greater Sydney Commission in April to cover the five Lower Hunter councils and the Illawarra under the GCC banner.
Ms Thompson said the “big” Hunter councils were “aligned with the NSW government and both major parties on the commissioner’s selection”.
“With a four-year term, the commissioner will provide continuity beyond election cycles, essential for the long-term thinking, planning and investment the Hunter needs”.
Mr Endacott said last week that the commission would aim to “get the stakeholders, particularly the local councils, across the megaregion working together on a shared vision”.