Local Government (General) Regulation Review
The Office of Local Government (OLG) is undertaking a statutory review of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (LG Regulation).
Why is the LG Regulation being reviewed?
The Local Government Act 1993 is supported by the LG Regulation which will be automatically repealed on 1 September 2026 unless remade before then. In 2021, the LG Regulation was remade, however, a statutory review was not undertaken.
Proposal to split the LG Regulation into three stand-alone instruments
For efficient and effective legislation, regular reviews of regulations are conducted to ensure the principles of simplification, repeal, reform, and consolidation are achieved. However, the size and scope of the LG Regulation presents challenges in conducting such reviews.
In 2005, the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 replaced 9 regulations, making it the largest regulation in the NSW statute book. Given the size and scope of the LG Regulation and to better serve the sector, it is proposed to transfer sections of the LG Regulation into three stand-alone instruments. This would allow for a more focused and targeted approach to regulation, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
The three proposed new instruments are:
- Local Government (Elections) Regulation (LG Elections Regulation)
- Local Government (Council Governance and Operations) Regulation (LG Council Governance and Operations Regulation), and
- Local Government (Approvals) Regulation (LG Approvals Regulation).
The transfer of the election provisions of the LG Regulation to a standalone LG Elections Regulation is the first step in the statutory review and aims to ensure the continued efficiency and effectiveness of local government elections.
Have your say
For further information about the new LG Elections Regulation and how to have your say please click on the following.: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/councils/policy-and-legislation/local-government-general-regulation-review/local-government-elections-regulation/.
- LG Council Governance and Operations Regulation
Please check back again. Further information will be published on the new LG Council Governance and Operations Regulation when it becomes available.
- LG Approvals Regulation
Please check back again. Further information will be published on the new LG Approvals Regulation when it becomes available.
Next Steps
OLG is consulting on the proposed new LG Elections Regulation. Please refer to the webpage linked above.
Please check this page regularly for updates regarding the next steps of the review process.