17-01 – Exhibition draft of Bill to amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
As announced in May 2016, the Government is exhibiting draft amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The draft Bill will be on exhibition from 9 January 2017 to 10 March 2017.
15-43 – Section 23A Guidelines – Council Decision Making During Merger Proposal Periods
The Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government has issued guidelines to provide instructions to councils that are the subject of merger proposals on the appropriate exercise of their functions during the period in which a merger proposal is under consideration by the Chief Executive, the Boundaries Commission and the Minister for Local Government.
15-41 – Commencement of the Local Government Amendment (Councillor Misconduct and Poor Performance Act) 2015
Amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 made by the Local Government Amendment (Councillor Misconduct and Poor Performance) Act 2015 commenced on 13 November 2015.
15-42 – New powers to help councils and others manage boat trailers in local streets
The Government intends that the Impounding Act 1993 be amended by the Impounding Amendment (Unattended Boat Trailers) Act 2015 from 1 October 2016. This will enable councils and other impounding authorities that ‘opt in’ to take impounding action against boat trailers parked for more than 28 days.
15-40 – Recovery of outstanding Water Charges
What’s new or changing The NSW Ombudsman has advised that some councils are restricting or severing residential tenants’ water supply to pursue outstanding water charges owed by landowners, whether in accordance with or contrary to the council’s existing debt recovery...
15-39 – GIPA Guideline 1 – Disclosure of information in returns of interests submitted by councillors and designated persons
What’s new or changing Councils are reminded of GIPA Guideline 1 - Local Councils on the disclosure of information (returns disclosing the interest of councillors and designated persons) (Guideline 1). What this will mean for your council This guideline was issued by...
15-38 – Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 – Certificate lodgement fees
What’s new or changing The NSW Building Professionals Board has received complaints that some councils are imposing fees and charges for the lodgement of Part 4A certificates and complying development certificates in excess of the $36.00 statutory limit. Councils are...
15-37 – 50% discounted registration fee for desexed animals sold by an eligible pound or shelter
The Companion Animals Amendment (Registration Fees) Regulation 2015 commenced on 29 October 2015. For dogs and cats sold by eligible pounds or shelters that are desexed at the time of registration, the fee payable is 50% of the fee for a desexed animal referred to in clause 17(1)(a) of the Companion Animals Regulation 2008. This discount also applies to animals transferred from eligible pounds or shelters to a rescue organisation for rehoming. An eligible pound or shelter includes a NSW council pound, the Animal Welfare League NSW, the Cat Protection Society of NSW Inc. and the RSPCA NSW.
15-36 – Release of IPART’s Fit for the Future report – Announcement of Stronger Communities Fund
The NSW Government has released the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Assessment of Council Fit for the Future Proposals report. There will be a final 30-day consultation opportunity to inform the
Government’s position on local government reform and respond to the IPART findings. A Stronger Communities Fund has been announced for merging councils.
15-35 – State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) – Strategic Emergency Operations Centre Review – Inventory Survey
The deadline for completion of the inventory survey, which was distributed to councils via Regional Emergency Management Officers in late August 2015, has been extended to 30 October 2015.