Draft Advocacy Strategy


Inviting Feedback

Wollondilly Shire is one of the fastest growing areas in NSW, so a core priority for Council is advocating for state and federal government investment in infrastructure and services for the community.

Council’s draft Wollondilly Advocacy Strategy is on public exhibition and we are keen to hear from our community, peak bodies and stakeholder groups.


This Strategy

The aim of our advocacy is for current and future communities in Wollondilly to have everything they need to thrive. This draft Strategy formalises our approach to advocacy and outlines our long-term direction, tools, and partnerships as we advocate for Wollondilly over the next five years.

The purpose of this draft Strategy is to outline:

  • What advocacy is
  • Wollondilly’s regionally significant role
  • Why we advocate
  • How we advocate
  • Clear five-year aims for the established key priorities
  • Guidelines on the types of advocacy, the tools Council uses, and working with partners.


Our Priorities

Our priorities for advocacy have been established through ongoing engagement with the community, the annual community satisfaction survey, and the process of developing the Community Strategic Plan and Delivery Program – which are reviewed and revised following each Council election.

The current priorities were adopted by Council in April 2025, based on what we have been hearing loud and clear:

  • Public transport connections
  • Road links like the Picton Bypass
  • Basic water/sewer infrastructure
  • Education (e.g. schools)
  • Healthcare (e.g. a hospital or hub)
  • Our natural environment.

We are currently inviting feedback about our approach, rather than the priorities. Future reviews of advocacy priorities will align with the Community Strategic Plan and Delivery Program process.


Why We Need Advocacy

Right now, we are at a critical point in our growth journey, and we’re anticipating significant growth in the next 10-20 year period; predominately in the state mandated growth centres in Wilton and Appin.

Council needs to make strong, informed local decisions, and to be clear with other levels of government about what is needed to cater for the Shire’s existing 62,000 residents, and to support new residents.

As we’re one of the fastest growing areas in NSW, a core priority for Council is advocating for state and federal government investment in infrastructure and services for the community.


View the Draft Strategy

  • Online under the 'Documents' tab (scroll down below feedback form if viewing on a phone)
  • Wollondilly Civic Centre at 62 Menangle Street, Picton
  • Wollondilly Library in Picton at 42 Menangle Street, Picton, and the Mobile Library, visiting 14 towns and villages across the Shire.
  • Via the Dilly Wanderer outreach service, visiting 15 towns and villages across the Shire.


Stop By for a Chat

Stop by one of our pop-up kiosks to chat with staff about our advocacy strategy.

  • Tahmoor Town Centre - Monday, 7 September from 2:00 - 4:00pm
  • Silverdale Shopping Centre - Tuesday, 8 September from 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • Wilton Plaza - Monday 14 September from 2:00 - 4:00pm.

If you’d like to chat but can’t make it on one of the days, you are welcome to call our Head of Advocacy Stephen Gardiner on 4677 1100.


Provide Feedback

  • Online via the feedback form below
  • Email to council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au quoting reference CM 16156~21
  • By post addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Wollondilly Shire Council, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571
  • In person hand delivered to Wollondilly Civic Centre at 62 Menangle Street, Picton.


Submissions Close

Share your feedback until 5:00pm on Monday 21 September 2026.


More Information

Further enquiries can be made to Council's Head of Advocacy on 4677 1100 or council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au quoting reference CM 16156~21.


Inviting Feedback

Wollondilly Shire is one of the fastest growing areas in NSW, so a core priority for Council is advocating for state and federal government investment in infrastructure and services for the community.

Council’s draft Wollondilly Advocacy Strategy is on public exhibition and we are keen to hear from our community, peak bodies and stakeholder groups.


This Strategy

The aim of our advocacy is for current and future communities in Wollondilly to have everything they need to thrive. This draft Strategy formalises our approach to advocacy and outlines our long-term direction, tools, and partnerships as we advocate for Wollondilly over the next five years.

The purpose of this draft Strategy is to outline:

  • What advocacy is
  • Wollondilly’s regionally significant role
  • Why we advocate
  • How we advocate
  • Clear five-year aims for the established key priorities
  • Guidelines on the types of advocacy, the tools Council uses, and working with partners.


Our Priorities

Our priorities for advocacy have been established through ongoing engagement with the community, the annual community satisfaction survey, and the process of developing the Community Strategic Plan and Delivery Program – which are reviewed and revised following each Council election.

The current priorities were adopted by Council in April 2025, based on what we have been hearing loud and clear:

  • Public transport connections
  • Road links like the Picton Bypass
  • Basic water/sewer infrastructure
  • Education (e.g. schools)
  • Healthcare (e.g. a hospital or hub)
  • Our natural environment.

We are currently inviting feedback about our approach, rather than the priorities. Future reviews of advocacy priorities will align with the Community Strategic Plan and Delivery Program process.


Why We Need Advocacy

Right now, we are at a critical point in our growth journey, and we’re anticipating significant growth in the next 10-20 year period; predominately in the state mandated growth centres in Wilton and Appin.

Council needs to make strong, informed local decisions, and to be clear with other levels of government about what is needed to cater for the Shire’s existing 62,000 residents, and to support new residents.

As we’re one of the fastest growing areas in NSW, a core priority for Council is advocating for state and federal government investment in infrastructure and services for the community.


View the Draft Strategy

  • Online under the 'Documents' tab (scroll down below feedback form if viewing on a phone)
  • Wollondilly Civic Centre at 62 Menangle Street, Picton
  • Wollondilly Library in Picton at 42 Menangle Street, Picton, and the Mobile Library, visiting 14 towns and villages across the Shire.
  • Via the Dilly Wanderer outreach service, visiting 15 towns and villages across the Shire.


Stop By for a Chat

Stop by one of our pop-up kiosks to chat with staff about our advocacy strategy.

  • Tahmoor Town Centre - Monday, 7 September from 2:00 - 4:00pm
  • Silverdale Shopping Centre - Tuesday, 8 September from 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • Wilton Plaza - Monday 14 September from 2:00 - 4:00pm.

If you’d like to chat but can’t make it on one of the days, you are welcome to call our Head of Advocacy Stephen Gardiner on 4677 1100.


Provide Feedback

  • Online via the feedback form below
  • Email to council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au quoting reference CM 16156~21
  • By post addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Wollondilly Shire Council, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571
  • In person hand delivered to Wollondilly Civic Centre at 62 Menangle Street, Picton.


Submissions Close

Share your feedback until 5:00pm on Monday 21 September 2026.


More Information

Further enquiries can be made to Council's Head of Advocacy on 4677 1100 or council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au quoting reference CM 16156~21.

  • Thank you for your interest. Some helpful information about submitting feedback:

    • Please read the draft strategy
    • Consider
      • Do you support the approach to advocacy?
      • Does anything need to be clarified? 
      • Before now, how aware were you about Council’s advocacy and approach?
      • How should we best communicate our advocacy to the community?
    • Identify the ideas you want to comment on. It can be as much or little as you like, but please explain clearly, and where possible refer to page numbers or section numbers. 
    • Submit your comments: Either write your submission separately and upload it as a Word file or PDF, or, type your submission into the text box provided. Your thoughtful comments are appreciated.


    Complete Form