28 May 2026
LGNSW calls for clear direction on council meeting rules
Following this week’s disallowance in Parliament of the Model Code of Meeting Practice, LGNSW called on the Government to provide clear guidance and direction as to how councils need to proceed with their meeting arrangements.
I’m aware the Office of Local Government has written to all general managers and CEOs to provide some initial advice, but the way forward is still not abundantly clear.
As we have asserted from the beginning, the new Model Code implemented in January had a number of flaws, including the ban on briefings and the prohibition on councillors attending meetings via audio visual link.
While the Model Code was flawed, the disallowance in the Legislative Council on Tuesday night has resulted in widespread confusion and uncertainty.
If a new regulation is now brought forward by the Minister, it must be done in close consultation with the local government sector and it needs to be workable and practical. It’s important that the Government actually listens to the voice of councillors on this matter.
Council workers now included in State Government “Welcome Experience”
Across the Local Government sector, we know all councils are feeling the impact of skills and labour shortages.
LGNSW welcomes the news yesterday that council workers will now be included in a State Government program aimed at helping them to settle into essential jobs in rural, regional and remote councils. Jobs in areas such as road maintenance, town planning, engineering and childcare services will now be included in the program.
The “Welcome Experience” is a free service supporting workers and their families to make the move to regional areas and had previously applied only to sectors such as health, aged care, education, veterinary services, policing, emergency services.
The inclusion of council roles in the program is a welcome step towards addressing a skills shortage in regional areas, however, we see this as only part of broader, longer-term solutions needed as the shortage of skills and labour remains across the sector.
Find out more about the program
Sincerely,
Mayor Darcy Byrne
LGNSW President