Inverell Shire Council has welcomed the outcomes of the recent Northern Tablelands Councils Regional Collaboration Forum, held on 16 February 2026 in Bingara.
The Forum brought together the Mayors and General Managers of councils across the Northern Tablelands electorate, along with Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan.
Discussions focused on identifying whether there was support for a new regional collaboration model and how such a model might operate to better serve local communities.
The Forum reached consensus on several key outcomes, subject to the formal endorsement of each individual council.
Most notably, it was agreed that a new Northern Tablelands Regional Organisation of Councils (NTROC) be established, comprising:
•Armidale Regional Council
•Glen Innes Severn Shire Council
•Gwydir Shire Council
•Inverell Shire Council
•Moree Plains Shire Council
•Uralla Shire Council
•Walcha Shire Council
Should each Council formally concur, a draft constitution will be prepared for consideration at the inaugural NTROC meeting scheduled for 18 May 2026. Participation costs will initially be limited to meeting attendance expenses unless otherwise resolved.
Councils also agreed to respond individually to correspondence dated 9 February 2026 from the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, advising of their intention to withdraw from the previous Joint Organisation (JO) model and seek to have it wound up.
Further investigations will also be undertaken into accessing residual New England Joint Organisation funds for the future benefit of NTROC.
The New England Joint Organisation, of which Inverell Shire Council is a member, has been in hiatus since early 2023. Councils noted that the prescriptive governance requirements and associated costs placed on Joint Organisations were onerous, particularly for developing organisations.
Recent correspondence from Minister Hoenig acknowledged that the JO model is not delivering for all councils and offered a more flexible pathway for regional collaboration.
Mayor Kate Dight stated “The proposed Regional Organisation of Councils model is intended to provide greater flexibility, enabling councils to collaborate in a manner that reflects local priorities and expectations. NTROC would provide a valuable platform for joint advocacy and for pursuing projects that deliver mutual benefit across the region”.
Council resolved to confirm its willingness to participate in a Northern Tablelands Regional Organisation of Councils.
A further report will be prepared for Council after the inaugural meeting of the NTROC and consideration of the organisation’s constitution.
Council also resolved to respond to Minister Hoenig’s correspondence regarding regional collaboration, advising Council wishes to withdraw from the New England JO and seek to have it wound up
Media Release: Inverell Shire Council
