newy.com.au – West Ward councillor Kate Warner has been elected Lake Macquarie’s Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months, replacing Cr Colin Grigg.
Mayor Adam Shultz welcomed Cr Warner’s election at the council’s 28 September meeting and thanked Cr Grigg for his contribution over the past year.
“Strong collaboration and a shared commitment to our community are at the heart of everything we do, and I’m confident Cr Warner will play an important role in helping us deliver positive outcomes for Lake Macquarie,” he said.
At the same meeting, councillors endorsed a submission opposing proposed changes to the distribution of Financial Assistance Grants, which the council forecasts would significantly reduce its funding.
The NSW Local Government Grants Commission’s proposal would cut Lake Macquarie’s grant funding by about $7.2 million in the first year and a total of about $85 million over a decade, according to the council’s estimates.
The grants provide funding that councils can spend on infrastructure, community facilities and services, rather than being tied to specific projects.
The council’s submission calls for further consultation and refinement of the proposal. The council said its position aligned with its long term planning, shaped by community priorities for the local economy, connected communities and environmental protection.
