NSW councils have more than $200 million to collect in outstanding annual rates and charges, according to a report released by the State Government today. In 2008/09, councils reported that $236 million had not been collected from total rates and annual charges revenue of $4.18 billion. The Snapshot of NSW Councils report shows data for […]
16 August, 2010
From left-right: Cr Alan Ward, Parkes Shire Council; Cr Genia McCaffery, President of the Local Government Association of NSW; Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry; Kelly Hendry, Parkes Shire Council tourism manager; and Michael Tyler, Country Energy. Image: LGSA. Events including the annual Elvis Parkes Festival and a campaign against e-waste were recognised in […]
5 August, 2010
The Local Government and Shires Associations of New South Wales have launched a new photography campaign to provide greater insight into the lives and wellbeing of Afghani, Bhutanese and Somali communities. The Photovoice initiative teaches photography skills to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities through a series of workshops and enables them to communicate non-verbally with […]
26 July, 2010
The Local Government and Shire Associations of NSW (LGSA) has launched a series of workshops to help councils plan for climate change. The Climate Change Action Planning for Local Government workshop package is designed to self-assess and create strategies that are suitable to their local circumstances. Many NSW communities have already experienced the climate changing […]
16 July, 2010
NSW councils have raised concerns with a proposal announced by the State Government that allows developments in small lots to be approved in 10 days with no consultation. Community feedback is being sought on NSW Government plans to slash approval times for new homes and home extensions on small lots by up to 190 days, […]
6 July, 2010
Changes to infrastructure funding will force New South Wales councils to increase their rates or defer basic community infrastructure, the Local Government and Shires Associations have warned. Local Government Association president, Genia McCaffery, said councils were considering refusing new DAs that require development contributions until they work out how to fund shortfalls resulting from changes […]
10 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The New South Wales Government has announced that it will retain rate pegging, with charges to be set by the independent pricing regulator. Rates will be set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), with a cap of $20,000 a lot for council charges on new development (Section 94 contributions). The changes […]
5 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Local government must modernise to meet future challenges, but that does not necessarily mean council amalgamations. That was the message from the New South Wales Shires Association president, Bruce Miller, speaking at a conference in Sydney today. “We need to recognise that there are many changes on the horizon, which will have […]
1 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Shires Association of New South Wales has renewed its calls for the abolition of rate pegging. Speaking at the Shires Conference in Sydney today, Shires Association president Cr Bruce Miller urged the State Government and Opposition to remove the cap on council rates. “Many councils are now struggling to provide even basic […]
1 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Local government has welcomed the release of the Henry Tax Review and the Rudd Government’s decision to reject an expansion of land tax to all landowners. In its response to the long awaited review of Australia’s tax system, the Government adopted four of the 138 recommendations. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer […]
3 May, 2010
By Rob O'Brien John Perkins recalls the motivation that drove him and his wife to establish a charity focused solely on delivering infrastructure in co-operation with councils. “We were heavily involved with a few charities and we always thought it would be great if there was a charity out there that did three or four […]
3 May, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The water saving achievements of three New South Wales councils have been recognised by Parliamentary Secretary for Water, Mike Kelly. Dr Kelly congratulated Orange, Gosford and Dubbo city councils for being the first to complete their projects under the Water Loss Management Program. The program is a $22 million joint initiative of […]
7 April, 2010
NSW councils would back any plans to restrict trading hours to prevent alcohol-related violence, the Local Government and Shires Association (LGSA) has said. The LGSA said that the State Government should consider restricting trading hours in pubs and clubs, including lockouts and prohibition of various drinks. "Alcohol related violence in the community is a huge […]
1 April, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Rural and regional councils in New South Wales have urged the State Government to extend the timber bridge replacement program. The Shires Association of New South Wales has called on the Government to commit to funding the program until all bridges on regional roads have been fixed or replaced. At an annual […]
22 March, 2010End of content
No more pages to load
Garth Daddy on: War memorial contracts fudged, audit finds
Roger Buhlert on: New VLGA appointment vows to lift governance standards
Roger Buhlert on: APS hybrid work is here to stay, report finds