The Minister for Local Government, the Hon Paul Toole MP announced the winners of the ninth annual Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government at Parliament House on 2 March 2016. The Awards were established to recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of women in local government in NSW. The awards are delivered in partnership with the Minister for Women, the Hon Pru Goward MP.

To advise councils of the release of the guidelines for Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation for the 2016/17 rating year. A council that is affected by a merger proposal will not be eligible to apply for a special or minimum rate variation for the 2016/17 rating year. The Guidelines outline the process for all other councils seeking to apply for a special or minimum rate variation for 2016/17.

Details of proposed phase 1 amendments are available through the Fit for the Future website at www.fitforthefuture.nsw.gov.au, which also provides the opportunity to submit comments online. The Office invites feedback from councils and their communities on the proposed amendments via this online facility.

The NSW Government will make $5 million available for new dedicated off-street boat trailer storage solutions. Next year the Government will seek legislative changes to provide councils with the power to impound boat trailers parked for more than 3 months.

The NSW Government has committed $900,000 over 3 years to the Responsible Pet Ownership Grants Program. (2014-15 through to 2016-17). Applications for the program can now be made.

As Chief Executive of the Division of Local Government, and in accordance with clause 6.2(b) of the Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW, I have approved the Internal Audit Bureau (IAB) as an alternative provider of conduct reviewers.

The Division of Local Government, with local government sector representatives, has commenced work on a new Local Government Performance Measurement Framework and would like feedback on a Discussion Paper. A supporting survey will also be issued to General Managers for completion.

The ‘Model Asbestos Policy for NSW Councils’ has now been released as a guideline under section 23A of the Local Government Act 1993. This means that councils must consider the Policy when developing, adopting and implementing asbestos policies for their local government areas.

With the upcoming local government elections in September 2012 this circular provides a reminder of the obligations of council officials in relation to the use of council resources and the potential for council publications to be considered ‘electoral material’.

With the upcoming local government elections in September 2012 this circular provides a summary of the new caretaker provisions pursuant to the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.