The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has called for reform of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Part 3A planning laws allow the State Government to override local council decisions on major projects. In its report on the exercise of discretion under Part 3A of the Act, the ICAC recommended that the […]
14 December, 2010
By Angela Dorizas New South Wales Ombudsman Bruce Barbour today called for a state-wide asbestos removal plan, commencing with government buildings. Following a two-year investigation into asbestos-related issues, Mr Barbour released his report Responding to the asbestos problem: the need for significant reform in NSW. Mr Barbour found that approaches to dealing with asbestos across […]
17 November, 2010
The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW have renewed their calls for an end to rate pegging and an increase in local road funding. Shires Association president Bruce Miller said there was a gap between council revenue and the cost of funding local infrastructure projects. “Councils manage 85 per cent of the road network and nearly […]
5 November, 2010
Working with Clarence Valley Council, NSW Public Works has developed the early tenderer involvement (ETI) process and introduced it for the Shannon Creek Dam project's construction procurement phase. “An Australian Contractors' Association national survey of its major public sector clients found that clients believed that all types of contracts could be improved if there was […]
2 November, 2010
The New South Wales Government has announced the trial of a new online system for complying development applications. Following the signing of an agreement between the Departments of Planning Technology and Administration, 12 councils and 10 private certifiers were selected to pilot the online processing system. Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the Electronic Housing Code […]
27 October, 2010
The NSW Government has reversed its decision to have contaminated material from a Hunters Hill site used to process uranium ore dumped at a landfill site in Kemps Creek. Earlier this month, Penrith City Council “robustly voiced” its opposition to the planned proposal. At the time Acting Deputy Mayor, Ross Fowler said Council […]
26 October, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Local government’s campaign for constitutional recognition has gained momentum, with the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between the NSW State Government and the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA) on Monday. The formal signing of the agreement took place at the annual conference of the Local Government Association in Albury. It establishes […]
25 October, 2010
By Angela Dorizas NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell has made an election promise to strengthen professionalism in public sector governance and slash the number of ministerial staff. Presenting at the Chartered Secretaries Australia Public Sector Update on Tuesday, Mr O’Farrell said the potential of the state’s public service was “squandered by poor governance”. He pledged […]
13 October, 2010
The New South Wales Government has created an $11.2 million incentive for councils to complete their local environmental plans (LEPs). Minister for Planning Tony Kelly wrote to councils last week inviting them to apply for funding under the $10 million LEP Acceleration Fund. Mr Kelly said the new LEPs would lay the foundations for the […]
5 October, 2010
The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW have conditionally welcomed changes to the Coastal Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, tabled in Parliament last week. Local Government Association president, Genia McCaffery, said the Bill had been considerably amended after the Associations requested more time to consult with councils. "The Coastal Panel now has three […]
27 September, 2010
By Lilia Guan A recent speech by the Minister for Water, Phillip Costa, has caused confusion among councils seeking decisive action from an inquiry started three years ago. Mr Costa told delegates at the 2010 Water Management Conference in Orange he supported a model of regional alliances of local water utilities that is consistent with […]
17 September, 2010
The Heritage Council of NSW has called on communities to nominate their local heritage hero for a NSW Government award. The 2010 NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Awards pay tribute to individuals and organisations who have contribute to the management or promotion of heritage in their local community. Chair of the Heritage Council of NSW, Gabrielle […]
31 August, 2010
By Rob O'Brien The NSW Government has stripped Cessnock City Council of its planning powers after ongoing concerns to delays in development applications. An independent expert panel has been appointed to undertake the planning functions of the council, the NSW Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said. The appointment follows a request in May for the council […]
24 August, 2010
New South Wales public sector agencies have been invited to participate in the Premier’s Public Sector Awards. The awards recognised and reward outstanding performance and achievement by the NSW public sector. Award categories include: leading change; delivering services; engaging with the community; project delivery – making it happen; succeeding through innovation; Premier’s priority category – […]
27 July, 2010End of content
No more pages to load
Sue Phillips on: 15 councils participate in SA emissions reduction trial
Garth Daddy on: War memorial contracts fudged, audit finds
Roger Buhlert on: New VLGA appointment vows to lift governance standards