Circulars

15-19 – Fixing Country Roads – Grant Writing Workshops

The next rounds of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads grants program are expected to award up to $500 million over a ten year period. This will be complemented by a $400 million Fixing Country Rail program, targeting upgrades to the rail network connecting country NSW to ports.

15-17 – Fit for the Future – Methodology and templates

IPART has issued the final methodology for its assessment of councils’ Fit for the Future proposals, as well as details about the proposal submission that will be through an online portal.

15-16 – Reporting of Rates Permissible Income for 2015/16

On 2 December 2014, the Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal announced the 2015/16 rate-peg limit of 2.4%. The Special Schedule 9 Permissible Income Workpapers have been updated accordingly. The rate-peg for 2015/16 will be used to calculate the Permissible Income that will be reported and audited with the Financial Statements for 2014/15.

15-15 – Responsible Pet Ownership Grants Program – Year 2 (2015/16) – Call for applications

The NSW Government has committed $900,000 over 3 years to the Responsible Pet Ownership Grants Program (2014-15 through to 2016-17). Applications for the second year of funding for the program can now be made.

15-14 – Information About Rating 2015/16

The Minister for Local Government, the Hon Paul Toole MP, has determined the maximum Boarding House Tariffs and maximum interest rate chargeable on overdue rates and charges for 2015/16.

15-13 – Fit for the Future Expert Panel

The Minister for Local Government has announced that the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will undertake the role of the Expert Panel in assessing councils’ Fit for the Future proposals. IPART will be inviting submissions on the proposed assessment methodology.

15-12 – Draft Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting 2014-15

The draft 2014-15 Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting has been released for sector comment.

15-11 – 2015 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

The Minister for Local Government, the Hon Paul Toole MP, and the Minister for Women, the Hon Pru Goward MP, announced the winners of the eighth annual Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government, as part of International Women’s Day celebrations at Parliament House on 3 March 2015. The Awards were established to recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of women in local government in NSW.

15-10 – More time to get pools safe before selling or leasing

What’s new or changing Provisions requiring a property with a swimming pool to have a certificate of compliance before it can be sold or leased will now commence on 29 April 2016. What this will mean for your council Councils should use...

15-09 – Changes to the land acquisition process for acquiring authorities in NSW

The process for acquiring privately owned land by compulsory process has been changed to improve fairness and transparency. The new requirements apply to all acquiring authorities in NSW, including local councils. Compliance with the requirements is mandatory.