Don Page kept a close eye on the Hunter during his three years as NSW local government minister.
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Maitland City Council gave the Ballina MP a lasting connection with the region on Monday when they asked him to plant a tree in Ministers Park.
Mr Page took the opportunity to praise the innovation of local government across the Hunter, particularly Hunter Councils – the corporation of 11 councils from across the region, including Maitland.
“Hunter Councils was at the forefront of local government reform in terms of better ways of doing things,” he said.
“In many ways, they have shown the rest of the sector how things can be done better.”
Mr Page said the importance of local government had been underestimated in NSW.
“The one thing I tried to do during my time as minister was make the partnership between state and local governments more meaningful,” he said.
“I think that’s happened.”
Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, said Mr Page had worked with councils rather than against them in his role as minister.
“That’s important because we rely on each other’s support,” he said.
“Too many times local government is the forgotten level of government.
“I believe that he was probably the best minister for local government that I have had the experience of working with.”
Former minister for Hunter George Souris was the last politician to plant a tree in the park.
John Howard, Nick Greiner, Bob Carr and Robyn Parker are among the 48 others who have planted trees in the park since Milton Morris planted the first one 30 years ago.
