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Work begins on new rehoming facility to save Sydney Dogs & Cats Home

Monday, 23 September 2024 Construction of a new rehoming centre that will care for lost and vulnerable pets is about...

Democracy to return to Central Darling Shire for the first time in over a decade

Thursday, 19 September 2024 Central Darling Shire Council will return to democratic representation for the first time in over 10...

Three councils to return to democratic representation at local government elections

Three NSW councils will return to democratic representation when voters head to the polls for local government elections this Saturday, 14 September. Central Coast Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council and Balranald Shire Council will all come out of administration, with voters electing councillors for each of the three local government areas.

Proposed reforms to stamp out bad councillor behaviour and increase transparency in local government

Thursday, 5 September 2024 The NSW Government is proposing reforms to overhaul the broken Code of Conduct system for elected...

Public Inquiry into Liverpool City Council to proceed immediately as time expires on postponing elections

Thursday, 5 September 2024 There will be no further delays to interrogating the evidence of serious maladministration and dysfunction inside...

Statement on Liverpool City Council court decision

Monday, 2 September 2024 The NSW Government welcomes Justice Robson’s ruling today in the Land and Environment Court.As per the...

Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government announced

Wednesday, 21 August 2024 Talented women from councils across NSW have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the 2024...

Nominations now open for local government elections

Monday, 5 August 2024 Editor’s note: Audio grabs available here Nominations for the 14 September local government elections open today...

$252 million boost set to deliver 1,300 new apprentices and trainees

The Minns Labor Government is investing $252.2 million to employ an additional 1,300 apprentices and trainees in the local government sector across the state, the largest state government investment in directly hiring new apprentices in recent memory. This investment will train up the next generation of skilled labour while keeping jobs within local councils, reversing the trend of councils outsourcing jobs to contractors.

New path forward for Central Darling Shire Council

The NSW Government will introduce a new council model that will set Central Darling Shire up for a more sustainable future and return democracy to remote communities in far west NSW for the first time in over 10 years. The state’s largest local government area by size, Central Darling Shire Council has been under administration since 2013 due to significant financial and governance issues.

NSW Government to launch public inquiry into Liverpool City Council

The NSW Government has today ordered a public inquiry into Liverpool City Council after an interim report provided to the Minister for Local Government detailed serious concerns about widespread dysfunction and maladministration.

Council performance to be ranked to meet housing targets

The Minns Government is introducing a range of measures to hold local and State Government accountable for the approval of more housing as NSW works towards its commitment of 377,000 homes by mid 2029 under the National Housing Accord. The NSW Government has been clear that addressing the housing crisis is a shared responsibility, and all levels of government must do their part. To ramp up housing supply across the state, the NSW Government has introduced planning reforms to build more homes and build better communities.

Artificial Intelligence trial to speed up local planning systems

Artificial Intelligence t.rial to speed up local planning systems. Sixteen councils will trial technologies to speed up development assessment timeframes, as part of the NSW Government’s $5.6 million investment into introduce artificial intelligence into the planning system.

Budget builds stronger councils for stronger communities (NSW)

Tuesday, 18 June 2024 The Minns Labor Government is building a stronger local government sector by ensuringcouncils are better positioned...

Hornsby Council to pay back $36 million in unspent Stronger Communities grant

Monday, 10 June 2024 The NSW Government is ordering Hornsby Shire Council to repay $36 million that was provided under...

Empowering women to run for council

With voters heading to the polls for local government elections in September, the NSW Government is providing support to encourage more women to consider running for their local council.

New England Weeds Authority board suspended over financial concerns

The Minister for Local Government has today suspended the board of the New England Weeds Authority (NEWA) and appointed an interim administrator due to serious concerns about the financial position and governance of the organisation.

Labor’s De-amalgamation Bill passes Parliament

Thursday, 9 May 2024 The NSW Labor Government has today given councils and their communities the power to make decisions...

Celebrating women in local government

Ron Hoenig - Minister for Local Government Jodie Harrison - Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, Minister for the Prevention...

Investigation to be launched into Liverpool City Council

The Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has requested the Office of Local Government to undertake an investigation into Liverpool City Council.

Cootamundra-Gundagai de-amalgamation proposal on exhibition

Ron Hoenig - Minister for Local Government Wednesday, 10 April 2024 On Thursday, 28 March I received a proposal from...

Boundaries Commission report on Inner West Council demerger proposal released

The NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission’s report on Inner West Council’s business case for de-amalgamation.

De-amalgamation bill delivers certainty for NSW councils

The NSW Government has introduced new legislation that will remove a major roadblock to council de-amalgamations and ensure local democracy is enshrined in the decision-making process. The amendments to the Local Government Act 1993, introduced to Parliament today, will provide a new legal pathway for NSW councils seeking to demerge, including those that already have de-amalgamation proposals under consideration.

NSW Government announces review into funding model of councils to address financial sustainability concerns

Ministerial media release - NSW Government announces review into funding model of councils to address financial sustainability concerns

NSW residents encouraged to adopt don’t shop for a purr-fect present this Christmas

NSW residents are being encouraged to adopt from their local council pound or animal shelter rather than shopping if they’re considering getting a pet this Christmas. The Christmas period is a prime time when many families welcome a new, furry family member into their homes.

Greater employment protections for council waste workers

he NSW Government has announced stronger employment protections are now in place for waste management workers employed by NSW councils and council contractors. Changes to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 have been gazetted to ensure greater protection for the employment of waste workers when council waste management contracts go to tender.

City of Canada Bay mayor dismissed and disqualified from civic office

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig today confirmed the immediate dismissal of Mayor Angelo Tsirekas from City of Canada Bay Council and his disqualification from civic office for a period of five years.

New measures to strengthen transparency and financial sustainability of councils

Elected councillors will be better informed about how their councils are performing and be in a stronger position to exercise more effective oversight of council operations under new regulations governing the operation of Audit, Risk and Improvement Committees (ARICs) and internal audit within NSW councils.

Statement on Operation Tolosa

Statement from the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig: I have reviewed the report released today by the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) in relation to Operation Tolosa. Having considered ICAC’s recommendation I have suspended Angelo Tsirekas from civic office with a view to his dismissal for serious corrupt conduct effective immediately.

New DA withdrawal guidelines for councils to boost housing supply

The NSW Government is ramping up its efforts to have fewer Development Applications (DAs) withdrawn and to get more people into homes sooner by releasing new guidelines for councils.

Women’s excellence in local government celebrated at Ministers’ awards

5 October 2023 Inspirational and talented women from across NSW councils have been recognised for their accomplishments at the prestigious...

New pathway to guide Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council de-amalgamation

The NSW Government has today salvaged the plan to de-amalgamate Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC). Since coming to office, the Minister and Office of Local Government have explored the legal avenues available to achieve a successful demerger under the roadmap provided by the previous Liberal-National government. This roadmap has only succeeded in leading to a dead end, with no statutory mechanism under the legislation (section 218CC of the Local Government Act 1993) to create two independent and fully functioning councils.

2023-24 Budget delivers transparency, accountability and financial security to councils

Ron Hoenig - Minister for Local Government Tuesday, 19 September 2023 The Minns Labor Government is delivering on a core...

Fairer democratic elections to return for City of Sydney

The NSW Government is returning democracy and fairness to the City of Sydney by removing rules that favour the votes of businesses over residents in local government elections. The City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023 introduced by the Government seeks to reinstate the voting rules for non-residential electors that apply in all other LGAs across NSW. In 2014, the City of Sydney Act 1988 was amended to give eligible businesses two votes in council elections, compared to one each for residents.

Concessions now available to pensioners for council rates

Eligible pensioners across NSW can now apply for a rebate on their council rates to help with the rising cost of living. An annual concession of up to $250 per property is available to pensioners for ordinary rates and domestic waste charges.

Construction underway in $1.775 million upgrade of RSPCA Broken Hill Veterinary Hospital

Construction underway in $1.775 million upgrade of RSPCA Broken Hill Veterinary Hospital.

Ministers’ Awards celebrate Women in Local Government

Nominations are now open for a prestigious awards program that showcases inspirational women and their achievements in our state’s councils.

Preliminary roadmap for council demerger

Thursday, 2 February 2023 A preliminary roadmap for the demerger of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has been produced by the NSW...

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council demerger

Thursday, 10 November 2022 Office of Local Government (OLG) executives met with Cootamundra-Gundagai councillors and staff earlier this week to...