17-08 – 2017/18 Determination of the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal
The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (the Tribunal) has determined an increase of 2.5% to mayoral and councillor fees for the 2017/18 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2017.
17-07 – Update to Integrated Planning and Reporting Manual – request for feedback
In response to recent amendments to the Local Government Act 1993, the Office of Local Government (OLG) is revising the Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines.
17-06 – Commencement of Phase 1 Amendments – An Overview
The Office of Local Government has received questions about the commencement dates of amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 made by the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act 2016 (the Phase 1 Amendments).
17-05 – Innovation Fund – Round Two – Open for Applications
Round Two of the Innovation Fund is now open for eligible councils.
17-04 – Topics for local government performance audit by Auditor-General of NSW
The Auditor-General of NSW was given the mandate to conduct performance audits of a council, or the sector, as part of the Phase 1 amendments to the Local Government Act 1993.
17-03 – 2017 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government
The Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Gabrielle Upton MP announced the winners of the tenth annual Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government at Parliament House on 7 March 2017.
17-02 – Draft Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (update 25) and Supplement
The draft 2016-17 Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting has been released for comment.
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.
16-52 – Induction and Ongoing Professional Development for Mayors and Councillors
The recent Phase 1 amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) have seen the inclusion in the prescribed role of councillors under section 232 a responsibility “to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor”. In support of this, the amendments allow regulations to be made for induction and other professional development for Mayors and Councillors.
16-49 – Fit for the Future Improvement Plans and Integrated Planning and Reporting
In 2015, all councils prepared an Improvement Plan to demonstrate how they would become Fit for the Future. As councils undertake the next cycle of Integrated Planning and Reporting, it is important that the strategies and actions identified in the Improvement Plans are reflected in the new Delivery Program and Resourcing Strategy. Councils are reminded that the Office of Local Government will monitor councils’ performance against the Fit for the Future benchmarks over time.