Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper LGFocus.com.au
FEBRUARY 2026
Mayors from across NSW travelled to Waverly LGA as a show of support in the aftermath of the December’s terrorist attack. (Supplied)
Supporting Waverley community Councils across NSW are being encouraged to continue to provide direct support for the Waverley community in the wake of December’s devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. In the aftermath of the Bondi atrocity, councils from across the State reached out to show their solidarity, highlighted by a moving joint laying of tributes on Thursday 18 December that brought together Mayors from as far away
as Orange, the Tweed and Kiama. Local Government NSW president Mayor Darcy Byrne is now encouraging Councils to turn that symbolic support into practical assistance by donating directly to the recovery
effort in the Waverley community. Meanwhile on 3 February Waverley Council honoured young Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff who put his life on the line to help others during the Bondi Beach terror attack awarding him a ‘Key
to the City’, presented by the Waverley Mayor and NSW Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, in recognition of his heroic actions. Full story page 3
Voices heard A $5 million Federal funding package for regional and remote airports impacted by Rex Airlines voluntary administration has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association. Announced by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government earlier Catherine King earlier this month, the package has come as a relief to many councils impacted by the 2024 financial collapse of the airline. ALGA President, Mayor Matt Burnett welcomed the package. “We’re grateful that Minister King and the Federal Government have listened to the councils around Australia who were left with unpaid bills after Rex’s voluntary administration,” Mayor Burnett said. “Regional and remote communities rely on those council-owned and operated aviation services: those airports and aerodromes are critical to local economies, and to ensure connections to friends and family, and access to services.” Mayor Burnett said increased funding to councils through federal Financial Assistance Grants was a further crucial step in ensuring they could invest in and support local aviation infrastructure.
ALGA’s 2024 National State of the Assets report showed aviation facilities operated by councils are worth $3.6 billion, and around 12 percent of these facilities were in poor condition. With limited rate bases, councils are feeling the pressure of trying to maintain and modernise their airports.” “Restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue would support councils to invest in sustainable upkeep of critical regional aviation facilities.” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the Government was working hard to support regional communities through the voluntary administration process. “Rex plays an essential role in connecting regional Australian communities and this will ensure those services can continue,” the Minister said. “I encourage councils and airports affected to apply for this support program ensuring the maintenance of critical aviation links across our
country.” She said regional and remote airports impacted by Rex’s voluntary administration could now apply for a share in the funding under the Albanese Government’s Regional and Remote Airport Support Program. With many of these airports being run by local councils this program will help address the financial impact of unpaid claims. The support program will also reduce the likelihood of airport services suffering and ensure residents and ratepayers are not impacted. “This is yet another demonstration of the Albanese Government’s commitment to regional aviation,” Minister King said. “The government recognises the critical role regional aviation plays in providing essential services such as health care, education and goods to Australia’s regional and remote communities.” This program follows the conclusion of the successful purchase of Rex (Regional Express Airlines) by Air T, with the government providing a new commercial loan of $60 million and
the restructuring of $108 million in existing debt. Air T has agreed to a range of commitments aimed at preserving essential regional aviation connectivity, including returning more aircraft to service and increasing the frequency of profitable flights across the Rex network. Applications for the new program are open now and will close on 17 March 2026. Mayor Matt Burnett said in August 2024, ALGA called for strong action by the Government to ensure regional communities remained connected and accessible in the wake of Rex Airlines entering voluntary administration. “We also jointly convened a crisis meeting with impacted councils and Federal Local Government Minister Kristy McBain,” he said. “A year ago, the Federal Government announced it would acquire the airline after it entered voluntary administration. At the time, ALGA thanked the Government for safeguarding regional aviation services and protecting the local economies of regional and remote communities.”