Update on RFS assets
9 August 2022
I would like to start this week by once again thanking the large number of councils that have joined the LGNSW campaign and rejected the ludicrous notion that RFS assets are controlled by councils and should be recorded on their balance sheets.
That so many metropolitan councils have also joined the campaign to support impacted councils shows how united we are as a sector on this critical issue.
Disappointingly, LGNSW received a letter from NSW Treasurer the Hon Matt Kean MP last week in which he reaffirmed the position that certain fire-fighting equipment vested to councils is not controlled by the RFS nor NSW Government for accounting purposes.
In addition, the NSW Treasurer advised that the NSW Audit Office has accepted this position and made recommendations to support councils recognising Red Fleet assets in their financial statements.
While the Treasurer acknowledged council concerns about the financial impact of this position (the Auditor-General’s report estimated last year’s asset cost at $145 million, so we are not talking about a small sum), he has to date failed to offer a solution to alleviate these additional costs.
Incredibly, the Treasurer expects that this matter will be resolved on the NSW Government’s terms before the next financial year, but this is simply not acceptable.
LGNSW will continue to strongly oppose the NSW Government’s position on this issue and will be raising our serious concerns at a planned meeting with the Treasurer, Minister Tuckerman, Minister Cooke and the Auditor-General.
In the meantime, I would strongly encourage any council that has not done so yet to adopt the Mayoral Minute or take similar measures to express your opposition.
All the support we receive will place more pressure on the NSW Government to reconsider its position.
Local Government Week Awards
In far better news, it was fantastic to join so many of you at last week’s Local Government Week Awards in which we celebrated the achievements of councils from across NSW.
While no one gets involved in local government to win awards, it is always nice to get the chance to reflect on the terrific work being undertaken in the sector and to be recognised by your peers.
Gongs were handed out for a range of categories, including arts and culture, events, communications and planning.
In a sign of how challenging the past year has been, several of the awards were given to councils for their work in helping communities recover from this year’s devastating floods as well as the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another striking element was the large number of innovative projects that were nominated for awards, highlighting how councils are finding new and engaging ways to deliver for their communities.
It was also heartening to see an even spread across metropolitan and regional and rural councils among the award winners, showing that no matter where they are located, councils are achieving great things.
On behalf of everyone at Local Government NSW, I congratulate all the award winners and nominees for their outstanding efforts.
Download the list of award winners
I would also like to thank the awards’ sponsors, Statewide Mutual, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Landcom, GoTo Technologies and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice for their support.
Annual conference update
The clock is ticking to register for the LGNSW 2022 Annual Conference and take advantage of discounted early bird rates.
This year’s conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley from October 23 to 25 and is taking place at a crucial time.
With local government under increasing financial pressure and a State Government election creeping ever so closer, the conference will allow us all to work together and shape the sector’s advocacy agenda for the year ahead.
Early bird registrations are open until Wednesday 17 August 2022, so if you have not done so already be sure to register today.
2022 Annual Conference Motions
In addition to registrations, Councils across NSW are also in the process of submitting the policy motions that will help set the local government advocacy agenda.
Financial members are asked to submit motions for the Annual Conference by Monday 29 August 2022 to allow for preparation of the Business Paper.
Under LGNSW Rules, the latest date motions can be accepted for inclusion in the business paper is Sunday 25 September 2022.
More information is available online or by emailing LGNSW Policy Officer Elle Brunsdon.
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