The Ministerial Guidelines on Alcohol-Free Zones (the Guidelines) have been updated following an administrative review.    The revised Guidelines incorporate updates to agency names, agency contact details and International Organization for Standardization references. The list of councils required to consult with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (the Board) on alcohol-free zone (AFZ) proposals has been removed from the Guidelines on advice from the Board.  Guidelines headings and public notification requirements have been updated to align with the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) and contemporary publication practices. The Alcohol-Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas in NSW Fact Sheet (Fact Sheet) has also been updated to reflect the minor changes to the Guidelines.

To ensure councillors have effective oversight and are in control of the financial performance of their council, the Office of Local Government (OLG) has revised the Quarterly Budget Review Statement Guidelines for Local Government (the Guidelines). The Guidelines outline the purpose and value of effective financial reporting, highlight roles and responsibilities, and establish standardised Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS) reporting templates. The Guidelines also introduce a QBRS overview and reporting of council income and expenditure based on fund.

End of year reporting information for the 2024-25 financial year Updated Financial Data Return (FDR) for 2024-25 financial year Updated Annual Report checklist for 2024-25 financial year Calendar of Compliance for 2025-26 financial year Local Government Grants Commission annual returns

Circular Details25-15/ 17 July 2025 / A968418Previous Circular24-13 Annual Reporting of Labour StatisticsWho should read thisCouncillors / General Managers / Human ResourcesContactCouncil Governance Team / 02 4428 4100 / olg@olg.nsw.gov.auAction requiredCouncil to ImplementPDF Version25-15 Annual Reporting of Labour Statistics What’s...

The Local Government Filming Protocol (Protocol) has been updated replacing the 2009 version. The Protocol is issued under Section 119D of the Local Government Act 1993 and sets out requirements for both councils and filmmakers associated with filming related activity approvals. The Protocol also prescribes filming related fees and forms and provides guidance relevant to filming activities.

The Commonwealth Government has announced an advance payment of the preliminary FY 2025-26 Financial Assistance (FA) Grants, representing approximately 50% of the amount councils are entitled to. Further adjustments to the remaining payment will take into account: - the determination by the Commonwealth - Treasurer of the final adjustments for FY 2024-25 - the Local Government Grants Commission’s (the Commission) final recommendations for FY 2025-26

Amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) relating to council de-amalgamations have commenced, effective 22 May 2025. The amendments replace existing provisions within the Act with new provisions setting out a clearer pathway for councils to seek to de-amalgamate.

The 2025/26 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)(based on the Consumer Price Index or CPI). The new fees are effective from 1 July 2025.

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has issued a guideline on free speech in local government in NSW (the Free Speech Guideline). The Free Speech Guideline is available on OLG’s website here. The Free Speech Guideline provides practical guidance to councils on what free speech means in the context of NSW local government.

The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (the Tribunal) has determined an increase of 3% to mayoral and councillor fees for the 2025-26 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2025. The Tribunal is required to determine the remuneration categories of councils and mayoral offices at least once every 3 years under section 239 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act). The Tribunal last undertook a significant review of the categories as part of its 2023 determination and will next review these categories in 2026.