Circulars

17-38 – Update on implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

New applications for development consent or modifications to an approved development under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) (not including State Significant Development) will continue to be assessed under former planning provisions until 25 February 2018 in most local government areas.

17-37 – Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program

The Office of Sport has allocated $4 million over four years for the provision of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) through the NSW Government Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

17-36 – Annual Code of Conduct Complaints Reporting

Under the Model Code of Conduct Procedures, each council’s complaints coordinator must report annually on a range of complaint statistics to their council and to the Office of Local Government within three months of the end of September.

17-35 – Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation Guidelines and Process for 2018/19

The timetables for 2018/19 Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation applications have been released. The Guidelines that apply to 2018/19 Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation applications have been published.

17-34 – GIPA Contracts Register

Councils are reminded of requirements under Division 5 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 in relation to maintaining a register of government contracts.

17-32 – 2017 Edition of the Councillor Handbook

The Office of Local Government has issued an updated edition of the Councillor Handbook. General Managers and council governance staff should ensure councillors are aware of the availability of the Councillor Handbook on the Office of Local Government’s website.

17-33 – GIPA Annual Reporting Obligations

Councils are reminded of the requirement to submit their annual report to the Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) on the council’s obligations under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).

17-31 – Updated Practice Note 15 – Water Safety

Coinciding with the beginning of the 2017/18 swimming season, Practice Note 15 – Water Safety (the Practice Note) has been updated to reflect key legislative changes and the latest best practice advice.

17-30 – Consultation on drafts of the new Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW and associated Procedures

The Office of Local Government (OLG) is consulting with councils and other stakeholders on changes to the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (the Model Code of Conduct) and the Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (the Procedures).

17-29 – Investment Policy Guidelines – Interim TCorp Waiver

The NSW Government has provided a waiver to certain provisions within OLG’s Investment Policy Guidelines to allow councils to engage NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) in the provision of investment advice.