The Guidelines have been issued pursuant to section 23A of the Local Government Act 1993. As such, councils must consider these Guidelines before committing to capital projects. It should be noted that councils are expected to undertake the processes outlined in the Guidelines, irrespective of the funding sources of projects.

The NSW Parliament has passed the Local Government Amendment (Confiscation of Alcohol) Act 2010. The Act was assented to by the Governor on 7 December 2010 and its provisions commenced on that date. The purpose of this Circular is to advise councils of the effect of these amendments.

The Guidelines have been developed to assist councils with the preparation of an investment policy and the prudent and appropriate management of council’s surplus funds.

Following consultation with the local government sector, the Division of Local Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet has developed the Tendering Guidelines for NSW Local Government.

The Minister for Local Government has issued a revised Borrowing Order pursuant to section 624 of the Local Government Act 1993. The revised Order replaces the Order dated 27 September 1993. The revised Order, which is attached to this circular, retains the limitation on councils to borrow only in Australia and in Australian currency. All other limitations or restrictions have been removed.

The purpose of this circular is to advise councils of the release of revised Guidelines for the payment of expenses and the provision of facilities for mayors and councillors in NSW.

The Department has now determined that in accordance with AASB 1051 Land Under Roads, a council may elect to recognise or not to recognise as an asset land under roads acquired before 1 July 2008. Land under roads acquired after that date is accounted for under AASB 116.

The purpose of this Circular is to advise councils of the release of the revised Local Government Filming Protocol (the Protocol).

Councils are advised that ‘Guidelines for Council when Notification of a Fireworks Event is Received’ have been developed by WorkCover and the Local Government and Shires Associations to provide councils with a standard framework when deciding whether to object to WorkCover in regard to a firework display of which council has received a notification.

In January 2010, the Division of Local Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet issued a survey to all councils and council managed collaborative arrangements to update its database. The Division also sought to obtain councils’ views on factors supporting collaborative arrangements as a means of meeting community needs.