Local Government NSW

2025 is around the corner 📅 📖 It's time to get your diary out to plan your LGNSW events for the year ahead. Our range of conferences and courses are specifically designed for the local government sector. See our key dates below 👇 #LGNSWEvents #YourLGNSW

MEDIA RELEASE 📣New year, new rules: government sides with developers over local voices Today's confirmation of eligibility criteria for the State Government’s new Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) has generously presented developers with the freedom to exceed development standards by up to 20 per cent, giving greater opportunities for profit-driven land banking, and no mandated requirement to meaningfully provide affordable housing. LGNSW says the HDA will further weaken the role of community-led strategic planning while doing nothing to address real barriers to housing delivery such as land banking, skills and labour shortages and soaring costs of materials and labour. President Cr Darriea Turley AM said today's announcement would be viewed by developers as an early Christmas present. “Far from the season of giving, these planning changes will leave local communities empty-handed while big developers celebrate,” Cr Turley said. Read full release > bit.ly/3WcnpkX #LGNSWMedia

Upcoming 2025 training courses for Mayors, Councillors & Council Staff 💻 Thinking about upskilling in 2025? Check out our upcoming online training courses designed for mayors, councillors and council staff for high-quality, cost-effective professional development. JANUARY COURSES 👇 💰 20 Jan - Understanding LG Finances for Councillors 💻 21 Jan - Managing Media for Councillors 📝 21 Jan - Planning for Non-Planners 📓 21 Jan - Speed Reading 📱 22 Jan - Social Media Policy for Councillors 👥 23 Jan - Code of Meeting Practice for Councillors ✍️ 23 Jan - Improving Your Report Writing 📣 28 Jan - Chairing Effective Committee Meeting 📓 30 Jan - Speed Reading REGISTER NOW or VIEW the 2025 course calendar > bit.ly/4gIXXLD #LGNSWTraining #LGNSWEvents

Re-live the celebrations 📽️ The highlights video from the Excellence in the Environment Awards Finalists' Forum and Awards Ceremony is in ✨ Check out the highlights from the day and hear from some of our 2024 award winners who shared what the accolade means to them and their organisation and why this event is important to recognise the work being done to manage and protect the environment 👇 Lane Cove Council | Central NSW Joint Organisation | Hilltops Council #LGNSWEnviro2024 #LGNSWEvents

National campaign to activate your local overseas-trained workforce 👥 LGNSW recently endorsed Activate Australia’s Skills to Reduce Barriers campaign so more people with overseas qualifications can work at their full potential, fill skills shortages, and improve services. The campaign, convened by Settlement Services International, is a growing cross-sector alliance of unions, industry and the community sector calling for reform of Australia’s bureaucratic and expensive system for recognising overseas skills and qualifications. More info > bit.ly/3OUI3Sz #CouncilsDo

MEDIA RELEASE 📣 Councillor Conduct Framework discussion paper welcome but LGNSW has concerns The state’s peak body for local government is supportive of the State Government’s review of the Councillor Conduct Framework, but is concerned about several proposed changes in the recently released Councillor Conduct and Meeting Practices Discussion Paper. LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM said the sector supported modifications that would boost transparency, integrity and probity across all levels of government. “However, we are particularly concerned about proposed reforms to confidential councillor briefings and how information will be able to be shared with councillors, as well as the composition and operation of the proposed Privileges Committee,” she said. Read full release > bit.ly/3ZFZcnK #LGNSWMedia

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvements Grants Program Round 5 is now open. The grant program supports councils in the Regional Levy and Non-Levied areas to close, consolidate and make environmental improvements at high-risk landfill sites. 📅 Applications close Friday 21 March. More info > bit.ly/41l3P9o

LGNSW is calling for presentation proposals for the 2025 LGNSW Water Management Conference, to be held in Albury from 9-11 September 2025. The Conference presents the most current and relevant information from a local government perspective on water policy and regulation, water utility management, water security and quality and service delivery. 📝 Presentations should be relevant, topical and engaging. 📅 The closing date for the first round of submission proposals is 14 February 2025. More info OR submit an EOI > bit.ly/49BVGj2

Natural Disasters – is your community prepared? Donation platform GIVIT is urging local councils, charities, and frontline services to ensure they are registered to receive donations of essential goods for their communities before disaster strikes. In partnership with the NSW State Government, GIVIT manages offers of goods, services, funds, and volunteering during emergency recovery. The GIVIT platform is free and easy to use, ensuring donations meet real needs and avoid the harm caused by unwanted items that burden communities and responders. More info > bit.ly/3OP0fgm

Will you #MarchForward with us at our International Women's Day Lunch? 🍽️ 📅 Friday 7 March 📍 Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Come together for an afternoon of dining and networking with industry peers as we hear from keynote speaker Pauline Nguyen. Pauline’s journey is one of incredible resilience. Escaping war-torn Vietnam and enduring a harsh Thai refugee camp, she faced further hardship in Australia. Today, she’s a leading development coach, entrepreneur and award-winning author, turning her past challenges into a powerful career. Pauline will leave you captivated by her electrifying stage presence and inspired by her story. View a special video message from Pauline 👇 Tickets are selling quickly 🏃➡️ REGISTER NOW > bit.ly/4gqsfCK #LGNSWEvents #IWD