The NSW Government is reviewing the Joint Organisation (JO) framework to ensure it is delivering value for council and communities and continues to support effective regional collaboration between councils.

JOs play an important role in helping councils work together on shared regional priorities, advocate to other levels of government, and coordinate planning and service delivery. While the JO model works well in many regions, there is a desire in the local government sector for change. Councils and JOs are seeking greater flexibility in membership and boundaries as the current policy limits JOs to regional planning boundaries and membership changes have been slow to occur in recent years.

This review provides an opportunity for councils to share their experience and help shape a refreshed framework that better reflects current and future needs across NSW.

Expression of Interest process

As the first step in the review, councils were invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The EOI provided councils with the opportunity to:

  • indicate whether they wish to maintain, change, or withdraw from their current Joint Organisation (JO)
  • propose the establishment of a new JO
  • indicate if an existing JO may dissolve
  • share views on alternative models of regional collaboration, including Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) or other arrangements
  • provide feedback on how the JO framework could be improved into the future.

In total, 102 EOIs were received from councils, county councils, JOs and other stakeholders. The EOI process was designed to capture council preferences and ideas. It does not represent a final or binding decision.

Next steps

The EOI feedback will inform:

  • further engagement with councils to resolve areas of misalignment prior to formal decision-making
  • advice to the Minister for Local Government
  • development of updated policy principles, guidance, processes and supporting materials to inform final decision and implementation of the refreshed JO framework
  • continued work with NSW Government agencies to improve alignment with, and support for, the JO framework.

OLG council engagement managers are available to discuss the EOI process and provide support to councils.

Resources