Wednesday, 14 February 2024 has been chosen as the “relevant day” for councils to report on their labour statistics in their annual reports under section 217 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (the Regulation).

The NSW Government will introduce a new council model that will set Central Darling Shire up for a more sustainable future and return democracy to remote communities in far west NSW for the first time in over 10 years. The state’s largest local government area by size, Central Darling Shire Council has been under administration since 2013 due to significant financial and governance issues.

The NSW Government has today ordered a public inquiry into Liverpool City Council after an interim report provided to the Minister for Local Government detailed serious concerns about widespread dysfunction and maladministration.

The Minns Government is introducing a range of measures to hold local and State Government accountable for the approval of more housing as NSW works towards its commitment of 377,000 homes by mid 2029 under the National Housing Accord. The NSW Government has been clear that addressing the housing crisis is a shared responsibility, and all levels of government must do their part. To ramp up housing supply across the state, the NSW Government has introduced planning reforms to build more homes and build better communities.

Artificial Intelligence t.rial to speed up local planning systems. Sixteen councils will trial technologies to speed up development assessment timeframes, as part of the NSW Government’s $5.6 million investment into introduce artificial intelligence into the planning system.

The 2024/25 fees payable for registration and permits for companion animals have been adjusted for inflation under clauses 18 and 27 of the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 (CA Regulation) calculated as prescribed under Schedule 2 of the Regulation using Consumer Price Index (CPI) by the Parliamentary Counsel.

Tuesday, 18 June 2024 The Minns Labor Government is building a stronger local government sector by ensuringcouncils are better positioned to deliver on the key outcomes their communities need,including the delivery of new homes. The Government recognises councils’ critical role...

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has issued Guidance for councillors on corruption risks associated with overseas travel (ICAC’s Guidance). This can be accessed on the Office of Local Government’s website here and on ICAC’s website. ICAC’s Guidance provides information to help councils understand the corruption, integrity and security risks posed by overseas travel by councillors and to mitigate those risks.

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has a new dedicated webpage on its website for candidates at the upcoming local government elections called ‘Become a Councillor’. The webpage contains a range of resources for potential candidates to assist them to understand what their role and responsibilities will be as a councillor if they are elected.

The Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) has been amended by the Local Government Amendment (Employment Arrangements) Act 2024 (the amending Act). The amending Act received assent on 31 May 2024. As a result of the amendments, as of 1 September 2024, councils will no longer have the option to determine positions within their organisation structure as “senior staff positions” and to employ the holders of those positions under the statutory contract approved by the “departmental chief executive” of the Office of Local Government (OLG).