This week's Minute with Mayor McKibbin

September 10, 2026

Published September 10, 2026

The Burraga Sheep Show and Fair was held on Saturday 29th August. The traditional rural activities of shearing, wool judging, sheep judging and sheepdog trials were on display with a good attendance. Major winners in the Sheep judging were Dr Ross Wilson and Brendan Miller. The wool category was dominated by Neil Francis. Sandra Stapelton and Ann Milbanks were the major winners in the craft and cooking areas.

Oberon Tigers Men’s team won the 2026 Woodbridge Cup First Grade Grand Final defeating the Blayney Bears 28-20 at Sid Kallas Oval in Cowra on Sunday, August 30, 2026. This is the second year in succession they have been premiers. Our congratulations go to the team.

The Oberon 2026 Business Awards were held at the Oberon RSL Club at 6pm on Friday 4 September. The event was sold out and there were a record number of nominations for each of the Business Categories. Dallas Booth was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening with our local State Member Paul Toole and his wife Jo attending and handing out prizes. The major Category winners were:

Silver Bells Wedding Events
Milbrey Kitchen and Store
Oberon Pharmacy
Waldara
Mayfield Garden
Oberon Skin & Beauty
Black Springs Community Association
Service with a smile

Hayley Byrom
Tatiana from IGA Oberon
Café Oberon

Outstanding Community Contribution Award
- Wayne Barker

On the 27th August I attended a dinner hosted by Country Mayors Association (CMA) in Sydney with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister outlined his Government’s commitment and support for regional Australia. The Federal Compact with State and Local government is intended to provide some increased impetus to financial sustainability for local government. The president of CMA stated this was appreciated however the detail and the final terms of the Compact are crucial for regional Local Government sustainability. The Mayor of Parkes, Neil Westcott, sang and played the National Anthem and the song "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" to the applause and stunned admiration of mayors and general managers present.

On Friday 28th August I attended CMA presentations with a core theme of Housing. Housing is one of the priority concerns of CMAs 89 Member Councils. The following guest speakers presented:

Ms Kellie Sloane MP – NSW Opposition Leader
The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC – NSW Housing Minister
Mr Anthony Wing – New IPART Chairman
Ms Rebecca Pinkstone – Homes NSW CEO
Ms Linda Scott – NSW Grants Commission Chair
Mr Brett Whitworth PSM – NSW Office of Local Government Deputy Secretary
The Hon. Chris Rath MLC – NSW Shadow Housing Minister
Ms Carolyn Doherty – Argyle Housing CEO

The Opposition leader, Kellie Sloane indicated a coalition Government would have a standalone Minister for Local Government.

The Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson announced that the State Government will have built 300 homes for essential workers by the end of the year. In addition, all types of modern methods of construction were being investigated for fast and economical construction and for expedited planning approval processes. Minister Jackson emphasised the need for collaboration across the 3 tiers of government in response to the housing crisis. She also spoke of how homelessness is now evident in regional communities, and in some cases, for the first time.

On Tuesday 8 September I will be appearing before the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Emergency Services Funding (ESL) Reform. The Central West Joint organisation and Oberon Council both made submissions in relation to the ESL reform and the proposed changes in how it is determined and how it is collected. The ESL is currently collected as a levy on insurance policies, but this is intended to change as many people do not take out insurance. The issue is that assessing this levy on Land Value as determined by the Valuer General risks placing rural and regional communities at a significant disadvantage and takes no account of the value of physical assets and their location that is likely to be protected by the Rural Fire Service and Emergency Services

Andrew McKibbin
Mayor