Local Government Act Review
The NSW Government has been leading local government reform to:
- Improve council performance, integrity, transparency and accountability
- Streamline legislative, planning and regulatory frameworks and requirements, and
- Build strategic capacity of local councils so they are better placed to serve their local communities.
The reform program continues today, with a renewed focus on responsible and transparent governance, and quality, affordable services for communities.
Over the past few years there have been important amendments to the Local Government Act to improve business planning and governance, and strengthen the accountability of local leaders.
Further amendments to the Act were made in June 2019 through the Local Government Amendment Act 2019. Amendments made include:
- ensuring councils are given the time they need to have important conversations with their communities about changes to the rating system and to make important decisions about arrangements for council elections in 2020
- removing some of the current limits on local government procurement and make other amendments to cut red tape and reduce the regulatory burden on councils and local communities, and
- allowing more opportunities for councils to share regulatory services and staff across existing boundaries to achieve higher quality services and best value for money.
The Government is examining work undertaken by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in reviewing local government regulation, reporting and rating. Three separate IPART reports on these issues were released for public consultation in June 2019. Submissions have now closed. The Government is currently considering feedback and will respond in due course.
For more information, click on the following links: