12 October 2022
Meeting with members
Last week I was on the road once again to meet face-to-face with a number of our regional and rural member councils in the state’s south.
The week began in Wollondilly Shire, before travelling to Wingecarribee then on to Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Valleys, Snowy Monaro, Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven, Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong councils.
These meetings were extremely valuable as they provided those who took part with the opportunity to discuss issues that are impacting their council and how LGNSW can provide the appropriate support.
I look forward to meeting with more councils across NSW before the year ends.
Red fleet update
A letter was sent out to all councils last week by the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP, regarding the Rural Fire Service mobile assets (the Red Fleet).
The letter included a Treasury summary that attempted to, among other matters, explain that councils assumed no profitability or cash impact from recognising Red Fleet assets. It also included advice that the Office of Local Government would make appropriate adjustments to the assessment of performance for councils that record Red Fleet assets in their financial statements.
What the letter failed to address is the fact that the NSW Government is still trying to shift state assets onto local government books.
If it is indeed the case that these various accounting solutions will have zero impact on financial statements, then it logically follows that the NSW Government should have no concerns recognising these assets in its own financial statements.
LGNSW is encouraged by the many councils that continue to recognise it is not the responsibility of local government to recognise depreciating NSW Government assets.
Multiple councils have also submitted motions on this matter for consideration at the LGNSW Annual Conference, demonstrating the breadth of support across the local government sector to have this matter suitably resolved.
We will continue our advocacy on this matter in the lead-up to the 2023 State Election and continue to seek legislative amendments to sensibly resolve the NSW Government’s unjustifiable position.
Business paper for the Annual conference now available
Speaking of the LGSNW Annual Conference, we are now less than two weeks away before we descend on the Hunter Valley for this year’s event.
To help registered voting delegates prepare, the conference business paper is now available to download.
Please note, there are two categories of motions:
- Category 1: Motions for debate and consideration by conference
- Category 2: Motions already consistent with existing LGNSW positions (and so do not require a new conference resolution for LGNSW to take action)
Members may also still submit a late motion via email, up to 24 hours before the conference. We do ask that any registered voting delegates who intend to propose amendments to motions during debate, to please email these to LGNSW in advance of, or during, the conference to ensure smooth proceedings during debate.
I really look forward to seeing so many of you in the Hunter Valley from Sunday 23 October.
Rate peg review
A reminder that the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is seeking submissions on its Issues Paper that was released as part of the review into rate peg methodology.
The Issues Paper sets out some of the factors that affect how IPART sets the rate peg and the questions it is seeking comment on from stakeholders.
I would strongly encourage all councils to make submissions to IPART as part of this review as it presents a critical opportunity to overhaul the broken rate peg methodology and ensure it reflects real cost movements in a timely and predictable way.
LGNSW will also be making a submission and invites councils to provide comments for inclusion. Please forward comments or copies of submissions to LGNSW Chief Economist Shaun McBride at [email protected].
The deadline for submissions is 4 November 2022.
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