General News
18 April, 2025
Council’s hosted Audit Risk Improvement Committee (ARIC) Conference 2025
On Friday, April 4, Gilgandra Shire Council hosted the Country Council’s Audit Risk and Improvement (ARIC) Conference at the Coo-ee Heritage and Visitor Information Centre.
Attendees came from 19 NSW councils and three NSW government organisations. Attendees included mayors, councillors, council staff, ARIC chairs, ARIC independent members across NSW, and the NSW Auditor General, Bola Oyetunji.
ARIC is a statutory audit process where an independent committee advises councils on assurance and advice on matters related to risk management, internal controls, governance, and external accountability.
The conference was designed ‘by councils for councils’ to provide a series of discussions specifically tailored for rural and regional councils; high levels of engagement and participation; an opportunity to share ideas, information and resources; opportunities for advocacy and networking; and to add value to councils’ ARIC operations.
Senior corruption and prevention officer, Mr Stephen Wood from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) presented a session on fraud and corruption.
The keynote address was presented by the auditor general, Mr Oyetunji, on transforming public sector auditing in NSW. Mr Oyetunji spoke about the parliamentary injury into the ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services into the future.
Mr Oyetunji also provided the audit office’s strategic goals for 2025-2028 which includes transforming public sector auditing in NSW to create more public value; deeply understanding its stakeholders and how they operate; and deliver effective insights that inform, influence and improve government performance.
Gilgandra Shire Council mayor, Doug Batten, commented on the success of the day and the opportunity to host the state’s auditor general in Gilgandra. “Hosting the Country Council’s Audit Risk Improvement Committee conference was a great opportunity not only to engage in open and informative discussions on audit and risk, but also to welcome attendees from across NSW to Gilgandra.
“As it was Mr Oyetunji’s first visit to Gilgandra, I couldn’t resist taking him on a mayoral tour to showcase our thriving community and all it has to offer, including our aged care and disability services,” said mayor Batten.
The conference concluded with an interactive plenary session featuring Karen Pegler, executive member of Lachlan Shire Council; Sam Helweh, internal auditor at Campbelltown City Council, and Gilgandra ARIC independent member; Charbel Abouraad, chair of Broken Hill City Council’s ARIC; Leonie Brown, general manager of Bourke Shire Council; and Jeff Budd, deputy mayor of Tamworth Regional Council. The panel discussed the future challenges and opportunities of ARICs, followed by an open question and answer session.
