NSW residents are being encouraged to adopt from their local council pound or animal shelter rather than shopping if they’re considering getting a pet this Christmas. The Christmas period is a prime time when many families welcome a new, furry family member into their homes.

he NSW Government has announced stronger employment protections are now in place for waste management workers employed by NSW councils and council contractors. Changes to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 have been gazetted to ensure greater protection for the employment of waste workers when council waste management contracts go to tender.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig today confirmed the immediate dismissal of Mayor Angelo Tsirekas from City of Canada Bay Council and his disqualification from civic office for a period of five years.

Elected councillors will be better informed about how their councils are performing and be in a stronger position to exercise more effective oversight of council operations under new regulations governing the operation of Audit, Risk and Improvement Committees (ARICs) and internal audit within NSW councils.

Statement from the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig: I have reviewed the report released today by the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) in relation to Operation Tolosa. Having considered ICAC’s recommendation I have suspended Angelo Tsirekas from civic office with a view to his dismissal for serious corrupt conduct effective immediately.

The NSW Government is ramping up its efforts to have fewer Development Applications (DAs) withdrawn and to get more people into homes sooner by releasing new guidelines for councils.

5 October 2023 Inspirational and talented women from across NSW councils have been recognised for their accomplishments at the prestigious Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government. Now in their 16th year, the annual awards recognise the invaluable contribution and...

The NSW Government has today salvaged the plan to de-amalgamate Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC). Since coming to office, the Minister and Office of Local Government have explored the legal avenues available to achieve a successful demerger under the roadmap provided by the previous Liberal-National government. This roadmap has only succeeded in leading to a dead end, with no statutory mechanism under the legislation (section 218CC of the Local Government Act 1993) to create two independent and fully functioning councils.

Ron Hoenig - Minister for Local Government Tuesday, 19 September 2023 The Minns Labor Government is delivering on a core election commitment to ensure greater transparency and accountability to NSW councils.The 2023-24 NSW Budget invests an additional $4.5 million to...

The NSW Government is returning democracy and fairness to the City of Sydney by removing rules that favour the votes of businesses over residents in local government elections. The City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023 introduced by the Government seeks to reinstate the voting rules for non-residential electors that apply in all other LGAs across NSW. In 2014, the City of Sydney Act 1988 was amended to give eligible businesses two votes in council elections, compared to one each for residents.