Circulars

What’s new or changing

• The Minister for Local Government has initiated an independent review of the New South Wales Local Government Boundaries Commission (Boundaries Commission).
• Dr Juliet Lucy has been appointed to carry out the review. Dr Juliet Lucy has legal experience with a strong focus on administrative and public law.
• A discussion paper has been released to outline the current composition, function and processes of the Boundaries Commission and to invite submissions seeking suggestions for improvement. The discussion paper is available here.
• The independent reviewer’s findings and recommendations will be provided to the Minister at the end of March 2023.

What this will mean for your council

• Anyone, including councils, individual councillors, council staff and members of the public, can make submissions in response to the discussion paper.
• Information on how to make submissions is contained in the discussion paper.
• Submissions close 5.00 pm 16 December 2022.

Key points

• The Boundaries Commission’s role is to examine and report on any matter referred to it in relation to the boundaries of local government areas in NSW. These matters include proposals for the constitution, amalgamation, de-amalgamation and alteration of boundaries of local government areas.
• The review’s terms of reference are available here.

Where to go for further information

• Further information about the review of the Boundaries Commission is available on the OLG website here.
• For more information, contact the Office of Local Government’s Policy Team on 02 4428 4100 or by email at olg@olg.nsw.gov.au.