Hilltops Council currently engages with the former Young Shire Council Sister City, the Chinese city of Lanzhou which was established in 1997. In addition, the former Harden Shire has an Inter-Council Friendship with Sutherland Shire which was established in 2007. Hilltops Council have not yet formalised these relationships, however, they have made contact with relevant parties advising of the new entity, Hilltops Council. At the last Council Meeting, Council also endorsed the progression of a friendship agreement with North Sydney Council.
These relationships between Hilltops Council and others help to promote exchange and cooperation including economic growth, cultural interests, environmental issues and increased tourism. The policy is designed to help Hilltops Council prioritise which international relations and activities it pursues as well as outline the criteria and procedure for the establishment and maintenance of the more formal Sister City and Friendship City relationships with the Hilltops Region.
In December 2018 Council welcomed six delegates from Lanzhou China to explore the existing Sister City relationship and develop a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties in relation to cultural exchange, trade and tourism. This MOU will be developed with guidance from the Sister City Policy.
The Draft Sister City Policy is available on Councils website www.hilltops.nsw.gov.au and at Council Offices. Submissions should be emailed to submissions@hilltops.nsw.gov.au with ‘Sister City Policy’ in the subject line. Submissions must be received by Thursday 28 March 2019.
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