The local Government sector is a critical part of the NSW economy, employing nearly 50,000 people and spending more than $11 billion annually to provide infrastructure and services to people across the state.
The Office of Local Government oversees programs and initiatives designed to build on the strengths of local government and support the sustainability of councils.
The Councillor Conduct Framework is currently under review to strengthen local decision-making, improve transparency, and ensure accountability across NSW councils.
The Minister for Local Government received elector proposals that would affect boundaries in relation to Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) began 3 independent reviews of local Government in late 2012 and delivered its final reports in 2019.
NSW boasts a network of 13 Joint Organisations to strengthen collaboration and engagement between State and local Governments and improve infrastructure and service delivery to regional communities.
The Office of Local Government, together with local government sector representatives, has started on work to build a new performance measurement framework for councils.
NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) offers long-term, competitively priced funding to NSW local councils deemed financially sustainable, subject to credit criteria and other qualifying factors.