Member for Barwon Roy Butler has confirmed that Central Darling Shire Council successfully held its first meeting since emerging from twelve years of administration, marking a significant milestone for the remote shire.

The historic meeting saw the newly formed transitional council, comprising three community-elected members and three ministerial appointments, conduct business in what Chairman Bob Stewart described as an orderly and civil fashion.

Councillors were sworn in before the meeting commenced, with one of their first official acts being the election of Councillor Daniel Fusi to the role of Deputy Chair.

The council addressed a substantial agenda including the appointment of an interim General Manager and recruitment process for a permanent general manager, setting future meeting dates, reviewing financial statements for 2024/25, conducting the quarterly budget review and appointing consultants to develop the council's Community Strategic Plan.

Chairman Bob Stewart expressed confidence in the council's future.

"I am looking forward to working with the Council over its term. I feel confident moving forward that the council will be successful.

Everyone wants to see the new model work and recognises the challenges. It was good to see the whole council was unanimous in its support for the deputy chair being Daniel Fusi," he said.

The transitional model has been established to address the unique challenges facing larger remote councils and will remain in place until the council finds its feet.

Butler thanked Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig for his work on establishing the new council structure and his willingness to engage with communities across the shire, wishing the councillors success as they undertake their important work ahead.

Butler's recent activities on behalf of the electorate included extensive meetings in Canberra with federal ministers, where he raised numerous regional issues including the Wilcannia Weir project and the need for federal funding contributions.

During discussions with Federal Minister for Regional Development Kristy McBain, Butler successfully advocated against a departmental proposal from 2018 to reduce speed limits in regional areas.

Following his petition that garnered thousands of signatures and discussions with State Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison, the proposal has been scrapped.

The Member also continues his campaign against the Narrabri Gas Project, warning that the proposed 55-kilometre pipeline connecting the project to the Hunter Gas Pipeline threatens water sources, the protected Pilliga Forest and productive farmland.

Public submissions on the project close December 18 through the NSW Planning Portal.

Butler reminded residents that the latest round of Category 3 Clubs Grants is now open to local government and non-profit organisations for community infrastructure, sport and recreation, disaster readiness and arts and culture projects supporting disadvantaged communities across regional and remote NSW.