Local councils across NSW have entered caretaker mode.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock says councils will not be making any major policy decisions until after Election Day on December 4. 

During the caretaker period, councils, general managers and other delegates of councils (other than a joint regional planning panel, a local planning panel or the Central Sydney Planning Committee) must not:

  • Enter into any contract or undertaking involving an expenditure or receipt by the council of an amount equal to or greater than $150,000 or one percent of the council’s revenue from rates in the preceding financial year (whichever is the larger).

  • Determine a “controversial development application”, for which at least 25 persons have made submissions during community consultation.

  • Appoint or reappoint the council’s general manager (except for temporary appointments).

Ms Hancock said all councils know to plan ahead to avoid the need to make these types of decisions during the caretaker period.

Some exemptions do apply and, in certain circumstances, these functions may be exercised with the approval of the Minister.