Policy and Legislation

17-41 – 2017-18 draft Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (Update No. 26)

The draft 2017-18 Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting has been released for comment.

17-42 – Changes to Crown reserve management under the Crown Land Management Act 2016

The Office of Local Government (OLG) is partnering with the Department of Industry (DOI) – Crown Land to ensure councils are prepared for commencement of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (CLM Act), in 2018. The CLM Act will introduce changes to the way Crown reserves are managed by councils. It is crucial that councils understand these changes and are ready for the transition.

17-38 – Update on implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

New applications for development consent or modifications to an approved development under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) (not including State Significant Development) will continue to be assessed under former planning provisions until 25 February 2018 in most local government areas.

17-31 – Updated Practice Note 15 – Water Safety

Coinciding with the beginning of the 2017/18 swimming season, Practice Note 15 – Water Safety (the Practice Note) has been updated to reflect key legislative changes and the latest best practice advice.

17-29 – Investment Policy Guidelines – Interim TCorp Waiver

The NSW Government has provided a waiver to certain provisions within OLG’s Investment Policy Guidelines to allow councils to engage NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) in the provision of investment advice.

17-26 – 2017 “Hit the Ground Running” Councillor Workshops for councils with elections in September 2017 – promotional flyer and online registrations

A promotional flyer has been produced to provide information to general managers and councillors about the upcoming “Hit the Ground Running” councillor workshops. The promotional flyer is attached to this Circular. Online registrations opened on Monday 11 September 2017 for general managers to enrol themselves and their councillors to attend one of the workshops.

17-25 – Container Deposit Scheme and waste management contracts

The NSW Container Deposit Scheme (the Scheme) will commence on 1 December 2017, with a 10 cent refund claimable on eligible containers. Under the Scheme, operators of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) will be able to claim a portion of the refund on containers collected from kerbside recycling using the MRF Protocol.

17-24 – Guidelines for Council When Notification of an Intention to use Fireworks is Received

SafeWork NSW has updated the 2008 Guidelines, which provide councils with a standard framework when deciding whether to raise an objection with SafeWork NSW about a fireworks display for which a council has received notification.

17-23 – Preparing for implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

In March 2015, the NSW Government committed to all 43 recommendations of the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s review of biodiversity conservation legislation.

17-20 – 2017 Local Government elections – Hit the Ground Running workshops

OLG will again be providing support to councils and councillors to help them in their roles by conducting Hit the Ground Running councillor workshops following local government elections on Saturday 9 September, 2017.