27 April 2021
I am pleased to note that Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has been able to achieve a number of positive outcomes for our members this past week.
Your 2021 LGNSW Policy Platform
On the basis of your feedback to us, the LGNSW Board has endorsed the 2021 LGNSW Policy Platform, consolidating your views to guide our advocacy on behalf of you.
I encourage you to read through the Policy Platform and seek meetings with your local State and Federal MPs to seek their support.
As always, if there are areas you wish to change, ensure your Council considers a motion for the ALGA National General Assembly in June, or our LGNSW Conference November 28-30, to shape the agenda!
Locally led launch - We create jobs for a Locally Led Recovery
Locally Led Breakfast - Panel of guest speakers
Alongside many of you, I was so excited to officially launch LGNSW’s Locally Led campaign, calling for stronger partnerships in which funding flows from State and Federal governments through councils to create the local jobs that will drive employment and economic recovery for NSW.
Councils already employ more than 60,000 people in NSW, making them a lead employer in many rural and regional areas, and they create many more jobs through council-related projects, placing councils in pole position to drive job growth in our communities.
We support local businesses, while council infrastructure and services are indirect contributors of jobs growth. The tourism industry - worth $48 billion annually to NSW and responsible for every one in 14 jobs –relies on roads, bike paths, footpaths, services and maintenance of attractions by councils to preserve NSW’s visitor drawing power.
Councils are ready to work in partnership with our State and Federal colleagues to create around 66,000 new jobs in areas such as roads, social services, social housing and preschool and waste and recycling.
Councils are the closest level of government to their community; they know where jobs need to be created and can support their communities to make it happen.
Spotlight on Council disability inclusion
Congratulations to all NSW Councils for now having our Disability Inclusion Action Plans (DIAPs) in place, which guide our work delivery for our communities.
It was an honour to present about this great work to the Disability Council NSW this week and highlight the work LGNSW has done to provide policy advice, support, resources and advocacy services to assist your planning, development and delivery of Disability Action Plans.
Councils are increasingly including their activities to employ people with a disability, and support their communities to grow disability employment, in their Disability Action Plans – yet another example of councils driving a locally-led economic recovery!
While the NSW Government did not support our calls in our 2020/21 Budget submission to the NSW Government for $6.4 million over four years to support councils to develop and implement our second Disability Action Plans, we will continue to advocate for support to allow councils to deliver on this great work.
Safe cladding report welcomed, but more progress needed
Last week’s NSW Government report identifying safe cladding products to replace combustible cladding on more than 200 high-risk residential buildings was a welcome step forward.
However, the Government needs to urgently speed up the process of fixing the issue and provide financial support to owners – not just loans.
In our State Budget Submission last year we called on the Government for a $600 million commitment to fix combustible cladding on private residential buildings.
LGNSW will continue to advocate on behalf of affected councils and their communities to get the job done.
In the meantime, the Government is expected to commence assessment and project design for the first batch of 30 buildings in July, with the first cladding removed later in the year.
Nominations closing soon for the 2021 Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government
Time is running out to nominate a worthy colleague for the 2021 Ministers’ Women in Local Government Awards.
These awards are a celebration of women in local government who have gone above and beyond to make a significant contribution to the role of women, both in local government and within their communities.
They are also important for encouraging women to take on leadership roles in local government.
There are award categories for elected members, council staff and apprentices/trainees. I am also very pleased to see the outstanding contribution of our late and great colleague, Cobar Mayor Lilliane Brady OAM, celebrated through the naming of an award category.
If you haven’t nominated anyone yet you will need to act fast as applications close 30 April.
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