The City of Wollongong overcame a strong field to win the right to host the 2026 Local Government NSW Annual Conference in late November 2026, Local Government NSW (LGNSW) announced in a media release.

The Annual Conference is the local government sector’s primary event every year, which sets the agenda for the advocacy that the organisation pursues on behalf of the state’s 128 local councils.

LGNSW President, Councillor Darriea Turley AM, congratulates the City of Wollongong for beating off a raft of high-quality cities to host the conference.

“I am delighted that the conference in two years will be held in the City of Wollongong,” Cr Turley says.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM, is also delighted that Wollongong will be hosting hundreds of councillors, general managers and council staff from across NSW.

“Here they’ll be part of constructive conversations focused on sharing new ideas and industry best practice.”

Wollongong City Council General Manager, Greg Doyle, believes Wollongong is making its mark as a city. 

“We’ve been working hard in recent years to redefine Wollongong as a city that embraces the arts and culture, that facilitates and delivers greener active transport through our investment in cycleways and support of a shared e-scooters trial, and that is working to address climate change through planning and policy,” said Mr Doyle.

“Plus, we’ve hosted world-class sporting events, and got one of the fastest-growing residential areas in NSW outside the Sydney metropolitan area.”