As foreshadowed in circular 22-41, the Local Government (General)Regulation 2022 (the Regulation) has been amended to give statutory force to key elements of the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW (the Guidelines).

Statement from the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig: I have reviewed the report released today by the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) in relation to Operation Tolosa. Having considered ICAC’s recommendation I have suspended Angelo Tsirekas from civic office with a view to his dismissal for serious corrupt conduct effective immediately.

Circular Details23-14 / 30 October 2023 / A872350Previous Circulars23-01 Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 – Conclusion of the Grace Period and updated guidance22-31 Commencement of Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 202122-19 Consultation on regulatory proposals for a new Public...

Circular Details23 -13 / 30 October 2023 / A871320Previous CircularCircular No 22 – 15 Guidance for Councils on the publication of disclosure of interest returnsWho should read thisCouncillors / General Managers / Council Governance StaffContactCouncil Governance / olg@olg.nsw.gov.au / (02)...

The NSW Government is ramping up its efforts to have fewer Development Applications (DAs) withdrawn and to get more people into homes sooner by releasing new guidelines for councils.

The Office of Local Government (OLG), with the concurrence of the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Hon. Paul Scully MP, has released the Guidelines on the Withdrawal of Development Applications (the Guidelines). The Guidelines have been issued under section 23A of the Local Government Act 1993 and councils are required to consider the Guidelines in exercising their development application (DA) assessment functions.

5 October 2023 Inspirational and talented women from across NSW councils have been recognised for their accomplishments at the prestigious Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government. Now in their 16th year, the annual awards recognise the invaluable contribution and...

The NSW Government has today salvaged the plan to de-amalgamate Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC). Since coming to office, the Minister and Office of Local Government have explored the legal avenues available to achieve a successful demerger under the roadmap provided by the previous Liberal-National government. This roadmap has only succeeded in leading to a dead end, with no statutory mechanism under the legislation (section 218CC of the Local Government Act 1993) to create two independent and fully functioning councils.

Ron Hoenig - Minister for Local Government Tuesday, 19 September 2023 The Minns Labor Government is delivering on a core election commitment to ensure greater transparency and accountability to NSW councils.The 2023-24 NSW Budget invests an additional $4.5 million to...

The NSW Government is returning democracy and fairness to the City of Sydney by removing rules that favour the votes of businesses over residents in local government elections. The City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023 introduced by the Government seeks to reinstate the voting rules for non-residential electors that apply in all other LGAs across NSW. In 2014, the City of Sydney Act 1988 was amended to give eligible businesses two votes in council elections, compared to one each for residents.