The New South Wales Government has flagged the possibility of reform in the local government sector after State Minister for Local Government Don Page told the NSW Local Government Association’s annual conference that changes to the sector are necessary.

 

Mr Page opened the conference in Nowra by praising the local government sector for understanding that modernisation, reform and innovation were required in councils to help them meet future challenges and ensure they can continue to deliver efficient, essential services to communities.

 

Mr Page announced that a draft action plan is currently being developed based on the ideas heard at the Destination 2036 conference in August. He also announced that the State Government’s review into the Model Code of Conduct for NSW Councils was nearing completion, and that a draft was now on display.

 

"The Division of Local Government, after discussion with sector stakeholders including the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA) and the Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA), and with input from the public, identified a range of issues pertaining to the Code which it wants addressed and its recommendations are in its Position Paper which is now available,” Mr Page said.

 

The Division is currently only seeking views on the general direction of the proposed changes to the Model Code and the misbehavious provisions of The Local Government Act 1993.

 

To assist in hearing the views of stakeholders involved in the administration of the code of conduct on the proposed reforms, the Division will be holding a series of workshops in a number of locations around the State.

 

Workshops are to be held on the following dates and locations:

  • Thursday, 10 November 2011 at 6pm: Discovery Room, Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, Cnr The Grand Parade and Princess Street, Brighton le Sands
  • Monday, 21 November 2011 at 6pm:  Tamworth Regional Council Chambers - Ray Walsh House, 4th Floor, 437 Peel Street, Tamworth 
  • Tuesday, 22 November 2011 at 6pm:  Dubbo Civic Administration Building – Central Conference Room, Ground Floor, Church Street, Dubbo (entry from Darling Street)
  • Wednesday, 23 November 2011 at 6.30pm:  Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Cnr Baylis and Morrow Street, Wagga Wagga

 

The Division of Local Government NSW will be seeking public input for the position paper, with submissions required before the December 5 closing date.


The draft Model Code of Conduct paper can be found here