23 April 2024
An important day of reflection for communities
With Anzac Day ceremonies taking place across the state on Thursday, I want to take this opportunity to thank all councils for the work you do in bringing our communities together for this important day of reflection.
It feels like this year, more than ever, we need that sense of connection and unity and I wish you all the best for your community ceremonies on Thursday.
LGNSW forum on ability of councils to fund infrastructure and services
Thank you to all mayors and general managers who joined an online LGNSW forum last week to consider our sector’s responses to the state parliamentary inquiry into the ability of councils to fund infrastructure and services.
The session was extremely helpful in informing the content of our submission to the inquiry, and I trust it was helpful for you to hear from your peers across the sector, too.
Download a summary of key themes and comments.
Submissions to the inquiry close on 26 April.
While LGNSW received an extension for our submission, we have not been granted a general extension for all councils. I certainly encourage you to seek an individual extension if this would be helpful to your council in finalising your submission to such an important inquiry. It is imperative the state government hears our voice loud and clear.
Hearing dates are now available online, with the first hearing set for 17 May.
USU submission to inquiry into ability of councils to fund infrastructure and services
Notably, the USU is also this week writing to all councils sharing a copy of its submission to the inquiry, prepared by Professor Brian Dollery.
This USU report contains a range of data and positions that may be of interest to councils as you draft and complete your own submissions to the inquiry.
The USU has suggested that councils may like to refer to parts of the USU report in your own submissions.
View the USU’s report
Have Your Say on Red Fleet – Submissions due by Friday 10 May
A reminder for councils to ensure you make your submission to the NSW Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee inquiry into Assets, premises and funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The inquiry is looking into the funding, maintenance, accounting and operational management of NSW Rural Fire Service assets and premises. In particular, the inquiry will consider arrangements between the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and councils, as well as the appropriate role of local authorities in providing emergency services and the sustainability of contributions to emergency service provision.
This inquiry is a critical opportunity for our sector to highlight the absurdity of the NSW Government’s position that councils control these rural fire fighting assets and should recognise in our books the depreciation of the NSW Government’s RFS mobile assets (the Red Fleet) and call for change.
Submissions direct to the inquiry close on 10 May 2024. To contribute to LGNSW’s submission, please email Shaun McBride, LGNSW Chief Economist, by 3 May 2024.
LGNSW Housing Roundtable with Ministers Scully and Jackson
I encourage all mayors, councillors and GMs to set aside a placeholder on 29 May 2024, 9am to 10.30am, for an LGNSW online housing roundtable with Ministers Jackson and Scully.
It’s so important that our spheres of government continue to work together to address our state’s housing and homelessness crisis, and I am pleased that the Ministers have made themselves available to meet with our sector collectively.
As well as hearing directly from each Minister there will be an opportunity to submit questions, so I encourage you to keep a look out for the email invitations LGNSW staff will send out soon, along with further details.
New TAFE course for Local Government Planning
Over the weekend, the NSW Government announced a new diploma of Local Government (Planning) to assist administrative staff, school leavers and future planners on their way into roles that can support our professional planning teams with a range of administrative tasks.
LGNSW has worked closely with the NSW Government, the Planning Institute of Australia and TAFE NSW in establishing the Diploma of Local Government (Planning) and we warmly welcome any move to address the significant skills shortage across the local government sector.
We support any additional funding and other assistance that enhances councils’ ability to carry out their planning and development responsibilities effectively and efficiently.
Local government will always need professional planners to do the work of assessing development proposals and land use planning for population growth in their communities. This new diploma will leave our professional planners to get on with their important roles of assessing planning and development proposals and strategic planning.
Those who undertake this new diploma will be equipped to undertake general administrative tasks and duties to support our planning and building teams.
Importantly, for the expansion of skilled planners in the future, it provides a valuable pathway to encourage more future planners into the profession. More information about the course can be found here.
Meanwhile, the expansion of the NSW Government’s Strong Start Mentoring Program also continues, and registrations are now open for up to 250 planning mentors and mentees.
Visits and meetings
I was pleased that our Chief Executive and I were able to meet with members of the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) last week.
I always value the opportunity to discuss key priorities with our members and related organisations and consider how LGNSW can best assist with advocacy and services.
REROC has been such an effective advocate for its members, most recently making strong representations to the State Government on the issue of the Waste Tendering Regulations, which were pushed through just before Christmas.
I want to take this opportunity to assure you all that discussions are ongoing on this matter and I hope to provide you with a further update in coming weeks.
Pat Dixon Scholarship reminder
A reminder that the Cr Pat Dixon Memorial Scholarship is now open for applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councillors or employees of councils across NSW.
This scholarship, offered annually through the Pat Dixon Memorial Scholarship Trust, aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councillors and staff with financial assistance of up to $5,000 to assist with further study, research, or professional development. The scholarship can be used for course fees or associated costs.
Please do encourage your First Nations council employees and councillors to submit applications by 2 May 2024.
Further information and apply
Upcoming Events
As we draw to the end of April, our sights are already set on a busy month ahead.
We are nearing the final days for registration for two important events – our “Careers at Council Jobs summit” on 1 May and our “Rural and Regional Summit” on 9 May.
We are all aware of the significant range of issues impacting upon rural, regional and remote communities and of course the issue of skills shortages is true for all of us across the state. These two summits will bring together industry leaders and decision-makers so ensure your council is represented:
Careers at Council Jobs Summit
When: Wednesday 1 May 2024, 9.00am-5.00pm
Where: Swissôtel Sydney, 68 Market Street Sydney 2000
Register
Rural and Regional Summit
When: Thursday 9 May 2024, 9.00am-5.30pm
Where: Auditorium, State Library of NSW, 1 Shakespeare Place Sydney 2000
Register
Sincerely,
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