9 July 2026
Fresh Start for apprentices and trainees expanded
It was great news over the weekend to hear the State Government will be adding another 400 jobs to the Fresh Start for Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets program – building on the 1300 jobs for our sector that have already been created.
Every single council across the state has benefitted from this program and it really is a win-win arrangement – for our communities, for our councils and, most importantly, for the individual gaining skills and meaningful employment.
I thank you all for taking part in the scheme so enthusiastically and I thank the State Government and the United Services Union for its role in making it such a success.
LGNSW staff have worked incredibly hard on the project, particularly in regards to the 2022 Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey, which laid a lot of the groundwork for addressing the skills shortages and the Local Government Skills Audit 2025-26 that provided evidence for the additional funding investment.
They will continue to keep you all updated on the next round of applications but in the meantime, you can access general information about the Fresh Start program on the Office of Local Government website.
Free disposal of household asbestos waste
In more good news, we also welcome the NSW Government’s Asbestos Plan of Action, particularly the commitment to a two-year trial of a household collection program, which will offer NSW households a free pick up and disposal service for asbestos waste.
The household collection trial, plus initiatives to improve asbestos identification and management, are positive steps forward, as is the move to clarify regulatory settings.
We need to ensure the identification, removal and disposal of this harmful material is as safe and cheap as possible to avoid illegal dumping and to keep our communities safe.
Sincerely,
Mayor Darcy Byrne
LGNSW President