End of year financial reporting information has been updated for 2015-16. The Financial Data Return (FDR) 2015-16 has also been updated to reflect the changes within the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (Update No. 24).

The NSW Government is pleased to have received 63 submissions and heard from local councils, regional bodies, peak sector bodies and agencies at 10 consultation sessions across the State, on the way forward for Joint Organisations (JOs). The Office of Local Government is leading this work in collaboration with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, local government sector and State agencies to build on lessons from the JO Pilot process, and deliver practical tools to make each JO a success.

Council finance staff in new councils should take action immediately, if they have not already done so, to ensure that the taxation issues associated with the new council are managed effectively. There are numerous taxation issues that a new council must consider and address early in its establishment.

Councils should incorporate these determinations into their 2016/17 rating structures and Operational Plan Statement of Revenue Policies. The statutory limit on the maximum amount of minimum rates for 2016/17 has been determined.

The November 2012 Model Asbestos Policy for NSW Councils has been updated by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA). The updated policy, dated November 2015, incorporates guidance on two new categories of asbestos, being ‘loose fill’ and ‘naturally occurring’.

The Impounding Act 1993 will now be amended by the Impounding Amendment (Unattended Boat Trailers) Act 2015 from 1 July 2016, allowing councils and impounding authorities to ‘opt in’ to take impounding action against boat trailers parked for more than 28 days. To ensure that the effectiveness of the initial implementation is thoroughly assessed, the Office of Local Government (OLG) has invited three council areas where unattended boat trailers are of concern to participate in a program to pilot the new measures.

The draft 2015-16 Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting has been released for comment. Councils are invited to provide feedback on the draft Code (update 24) by Monday 28 March 2016 to: code@olg.nsw.gov.au. There is an opportunity to learn more about the changes and provide feedback via a webinar on Monday 21 March 2016 (9:30am to 11:00am).

The Minister for Local Government, the Hon Paul Toole MP announced the winners of the ninth annual Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government at Parliament House on 2 March 2016. The Awards were established to recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of women in local government in NSW. The awards are delivered in partnership with the Minister for Women, the Hon Pru Goward MP.

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.

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.