12 April 2022
With the Federal election now under way, councils right across Australia have come together to ensure our communities are not short-changed amid the flurry of announcements we can expect in marginal electorates.
Most critically, in the wake of the recent catastrophic floods, by our federal colleagues at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) for investment that will help build resilience.
While we were pleased to see significant and urgently needed funding in the Federal Budget for post-disaster recovery, there was very little for disaster mitigation – a disturbing omission given the drought/bushfire/flood disasters that have impacted communities so profoundly in the past five years alone.
The ALGA “Don’t Leave Communities Behind” campaign is this week calling for:
If you haven’t already, consider supporting this campaign through a series of resources available for use by councils.
Download Template Letters and Motion
Campaign Artwork Assets
Minister helps bring IPART to the table on rates
Following sustained representations from LGNSW, the Office of Local Government has issued new guidelines for councils seeking a one-off rate variation after IPART got the 0.7% rate peg so wrong the first time.
You may recall Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman previously advised a temporary solution by which councils would be able to make a one-off application for a rate peg of up to 2.5%; however, that intervention was stymied by IPART application criteria which made many councils ineligible to apply.
Thanks to further intervention by Minister Tuckerman, councils that can demonstrate the special variation would enable them to meet their 2022-23 obligations as set down in their 2021-22 Integrated Planning and Reporting documentation will now meet IPART’s revised criteria. It’s a far simpler and better targeted evaluation process.
Information and application forms
Applications are open until April 29 and IPART is committed to notifying councils no later than 21 June.
To ensure this anomaly does not reoccur in subsequent years, IPART has also agreed to undertake a broader review of its methodology, including the Local Government Cost Index. LGNSW continues to push for this review to be fast-tracked so IPART builds a better understanding of the real pressures facing our sector.
Good news for regional health
The NSW Government has announced the establishment of a new Regional Health Division for NSW Health, to develop a new Regional Health Plan, provide a single point of contact for issues including workforce attraction and retention, cross border issues and communication, enhance access to health and other social services, and support the response to recommendations of the NSW rural health inquiry.
The rural health inquiry, to which LGNSW made two submissions (Dec 2020, Sept 2021), is due to report later this month. Improving rural and regional health is a key advocacy priority of LGNSW and we will be looking to ensure the NSW Government acts quickly on recommendations to improve access and services.
Temporary COVID Response Measures end
The prescribed period for the suite of temporary Covid-19 response measures lapsed on 31 March, which means construction work is no longer automatically allowable at weekends and must occur only in line with the consent conditions for that particular development, while developments approved after 31 March will no longer be able to defer their infrastructure contributions payments.
However, contribution payment deferrals are still on the agenda as part of a broader review of infrastructure contributions, so rest assured LGNSW will continue to ensure the voice of councils and their communities is heard in this space.
Towards a Circular Economy
The NSW Resource Recovery Framework may sound like a bit of a mouthful, but it is an important way to keep NSW moving towards a practical, effective and fit-for-purpose structure to recycling and a circular economy.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority is supporting an independent review of the resource recovery framework and is seeking feedback on its issues paper by Friday 6 May.
Access the paper and more information
Destination and Visitor Economy Conference accommodation selling fast
With the Central West one of NSW’s premium visitor destinations, it is no surprise that accommodation in Orange and surrounds is selling fast ahead of our Destination and Visitor Economy Conference from 17-19 May.
LGNSW has negotiated discount rates at a range of hotels for delegates. If you haven't yet registered to attend the Conference, the early bird discount offer ends on 19 April.
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