Wollongong City Council - which has the right to seven votes at the conference - will be sending one of the largest contingents in the state, with seven councillors and Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery making the trip.

The exercise will cost the council about $14,000; $925 for registration, $450 for accommodation and $325 for airfares for each councillor

Cr Bradbery said it was vital for councillors to be able to attend the conference, as it gave them a chance to network with representatives around the state as well as advocate on behalf of their city.

‘‘We discuss issues affecting local government which shapes the agenda for discussions with state and federal governments,’’ he said.

‘‘But it is also an educational and professional development opportunity that helps us to be an informed council.’’

He said the NSW Government’s local government reforms would be a hot topic among delegates this year.

Shellharbour has nominated three councillors and Kiama nominated four councillors to attend the conference.

Shellharbour will put forward one notice of motion, recommending all NSW councils adopt the award-winning Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Development Assessment Toolkit being used by Illawarra councils that the federal and state governments contribute to financially.

The toolkit is a guide designed to help local governments protect Aboriginal places of significance.

Wollongong and Kiama councils collaborated on the development of the toolkit that was coordinated by Shellharbour City Council.

Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba also said the council’s delegates would be very interested to hear the debate surrounding the Fit for the Future reforms.