Mayors at the table in regular council webinar program
Shelley Hancock – Minister for Local Government
Sunday, 5 September 2021
Council mayors and general managers have joined together for a series of ongoing webinars organised by Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock to hear the latest COVID-19 developments from key government ministers and senior officials.
Mrs Hancock said the webinars provide an interactive forum for participants to obtain information, and provide feedback on how the current COVID-19 outbreak impacts councils and communities.
“It is essential both levels of government continue to work closely together to support, and protect the health and safety of our local communities during the current COVID-19 outbreak,” Mrs Hancock said.
“That’s why we’re holding a series of webinars to keep NSW mayors and general managers from local councils, as well as staff, informed about the evolving situation and changes in Public Health Orders.
“The webinars hosted by the Office of Local Government provide real-time access to key ministers and relevant senior officials including representatives from NSW Health, NSW Police, Resilience NSW, Service NSW, the NSW Electoral Commission and Multicultural NSW.”
Mrs Hancock said the webinars, which provide a platform for local councils and staff to ask questions, allow for a lot of ground to be covered quickly.
“Not only do councils receive comprehensive up-to-date information about the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, they also have their questions answered directly from the experts,” Mrs Hancock said.
Some of the topics being covered include Public Health Orders, vaccinations, authorised workers, cross-border issues, waste services, community facilities, beach access, enforcement of restrictions, COVID-19 testing, remote council meetings, face masks and QR codes.
Mrs Hancock said councils have been receiving regular COVID-19 communications, including webinars and e-newsletters, since March last year.
“The Office of Local Government is also complementing the webinars with COVID-19 Council Update e-newsletters up to twice daily, and detailed technical guidance to help councils understand and comply with Public Health Orders,” Mrs Hancock said.
“A similar approach was taken during the pandemic last year with 15 webinars held and 91 COVID-19 Council Update e-newsletters issued to support NSW councils.”
The NSW Government is organising further webinars to continue to support councils during these very challenging times.
Office of Local Government Webinars during recent COVID-19 outbreak
| Date | Subject | Presenters | Participants |
| June 28 | COVID-19 briefing for NSW councils | NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys | 272 |
| July 15 | QR code update for NSW councils | Service NSW Director Project Delivery and Enterprise Change Belgin Tran, NSW Health Public Health Response Branch Team Leader Education and Compliance Craig Lamberton | 201 |
| July 29 | Postponement of local government elections | NSW Electoral Commission Director Customer Service and Relationship Management Steve Robb, NSW Electoral Commission Director Election Operations Andrea Summerell | 243 |
| August 17 | COVID-19 update for NSW councils | NSW Health Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Malcolm Lanyon | 302 |
| August 26 | COVID-19 update for regional and rural councils | Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall, NSW Health Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Michelle Cretikos | 171 |
| August 31 | COVID-19 update for NSW councils | NSW Health Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, Resilience NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons | 252 |
| September 2 | Supporting multicultural communities during COVID-19 | Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans Natalie Ward, NSW Health Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale, Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta | 78 |
MEDIA: Caterina Polistina | 0439 196 539
| PDF Version | Ministerial Media Release – 5 September 2021 |