18-05 – Commencement of the biodiversity offset scheme across most of NSW
The Office of Local Government (OLG) is working in partnership with the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Planning and Environment to support the commencement of the Biodiversity Offset Scheme.This will include overseeing the establishment of a network of regional biodiversity reform support officers to assist councils.
18-04 – OLG Financial Reporting Roadshows 2018
The Office of Local Government (OLG) is conducting a series of information sessions in March 2018 on impending Accounting Standards and the auditing of financial statements.There will also be an opportunity at the sessions to discuss accounting issues and provide input into OLG’s financial reporting policy and guidelines.
18-03 – Reminder: Invitation for submissions on consultation drafts of the following: Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines and Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW
The purpose of this Circular is to remind councils of the opportunity to make submissions on the Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines and the Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW which are currently on public exhibition.
18-02 – Supporting Joint Organisation success – Consultation on regulations and extension to the nomination deadline
With more than half of regional and rural NSW councils having already resolved to join a Joint Organisation (JO), results have been encouraging. A few councils have requested an extension and, to make it fair across the board, the NSW Government has decided to extend the period by which all councils must submit nominations to be part of a JO to 23 March 2018.
18-01 – Establishment of a Council Engagement Team
OLG is changing the way it engages with councils. A key step is the establishment of a Council Engagement Team. The Council Engagement Team will work closely with councils and Joint Organisations, identify, emerging issues and opportunities for OLG to address, implement programs to support improved council performance and build working relationships with State agencies.
17-43 – Boat Trailer Impounding Guidelines for councils
The Boat Trailer Impounding Guidelines (the Guidelines) provide information for authorised impounding officers about the exercise of functions under the Impounding Act 1993 regarding the enforcement of provisions relating to impounding unattended boat trailers.
17-41 – 2017-18 draft Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (Update No. 26)
The draft 2017-18 Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting has been released for comment.
17-42 – Changes to Crown reserve management under the Crown Land Management Act 2016
The Office of Local Government (OLG) is partnering with the Department of Industry (DOI) – Crown Land to ensure councils are prepared for commencement of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (CLM Act), in 2018. The CLM Act will introduce changes to the way Crown reserves are managed by councils. It is crucial that councils understand these changes and are ready for the transition.
17-39 – Consultation on the Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines
Amendments made to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) by the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act 2016 in August 2016 saw the inclusion in the prescribed role of councillors under section 232 a responsibility “to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor”.
17-40 – Consultation on the draft Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW
Amendments made to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) in August last year by the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act 2016 provide for a model code of meeting practice (Model Meeting Code) to be prescribed by regulation.