Councils play a crucial role in promoting water safety and in minimising risks associated with aquatic locations under their care and control. Councils are encouraged to promote water safety awareness at key times during the swimming season to help reduce drowning risks in backyard swimming pools, public pools, beaches and other public waterways.

Councils must notify the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) that they have reached a refund sharing agreement with their Material Recovery Facility (MRF) operator before 1 December 2018 to enable the MRF to continue to claim refunds for eligible containers and to enable councils to receive a share of CDS revenue from their kerbside recycling stream.

Council can use the checklist to ensure that it has included all of the information required under the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act), the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 and other relevant legislation and guidelines in its annual report.

The Code was gazetted on 1 July 2000. The Code has the effect of modifying Part 6 (the public register provisions) of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and the application of the Information Protection Principles as they apply to local government.

On 31 August 2018 amendments to the Companion Animals Act 1998 commenced, and the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 wholly replaced the former Companion Animals Regulation 2008. In addition, penalties for offences relating to assistance animals increased on 1 July 2018.

Local councils will commence management of Crown reserves under the Local Government Act 1993 from 1 July, and must be ready to start the transition to the new requirements from that date.

Councils are encouraged to review the report and continue working towards strengthening governance, financial management and reporting in the local government sector. Councils are also encouraged to engage early and work with their auditors to continue to improve the quality and timeliness of financial reporting.

The Local Government Skills Strategy (LGSS) is being rolled out to councils across the State following a successful pilot program.The program provides local councils with better access to quality professional training to help them meet the demands of a modern local government environment.

The Companion Animals Regulation 2008 (the Regulation) is undergoing statutory review by the NSW Government. The Regulation, which is made under the Companion Animals Act 1998, provides key information about how companion animals (pet cats and dogs) are identified, registered and managed in NSW.

The final Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (Code) (Update 26) is available for preparing councils’ 2017/18 financial statements.