LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM and CE David Reynolds visiting Wollondilly Council last week (April 2024), pictured with Cr Suzy Brandstater and Mayor Matt Gould.

9 April 2024

Councils again cleaning up after heavy rains

I’d like to start this week’s message by acknowledging our council areas that have again been impacted by the heavy rains that fell late last week and over the weekend in some areas.

Once again our councils have stepped up to help our communities in cooperation with other service providers.

I trust everyone has stayed safe and is now commencing the process of drying out and recovering yet again.

Local Water Utilities Inquiry outcomes

On 28 March 2024, the report of the parliamentary inquiry into protecting local water utilities (LWUs) from privatisation was tabled, with multiple very positive recommendations for the local government sector.

The findings and recommendations are overwhelmingly consistent with positions LGNSW and our sector put forward to the inquiry in our submissions and appearances at hearings of the inquiry.

These include:

• Local governments are best placed to own and operate their water and sewerage services in regional NSW.
• That the NSW Government develop legislation to protect LWUs from privatisation, forced amalgamations and sell-offs.
• That the NSW Government consult extensively with local governments on any new legislation to protect local water utilities from privatisation and forced amalgamations, to ensure that the legislation is fit-for-purpose and does not result in unintended, adverse consequences.
• That the NSW Government funds the Town Water Risk Reduction Program beyond Phase 2, with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to determine the next phase of workstreams in consultation with the local water utilities sector.

This report is a terrific result for LWUs, but it will be important to see the recommendations implemented through legislation and funding.

Visits and meetings

I was pleased to visit Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly, Waverley and Woollahra councils last week to discuss their key priorities, challenges and opportunities, and how LGNSW can assist with advocacy, advice and services.

I also met with Shadow Minister for the Environment, Kellie Sloane MP, to discuss our sector’s priorities for the environment including legislative reform opportunities and the waste levy.

Pat Dixon Scholarship reminder

A reminder that the Cr Pat Dixon Memorial Scholarship is now open for applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councillors or employees of NSW councils.

This scholarship, offered annually through the Pat Dixon Memorial Scholarship Trust, aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councillors and staff with financial assistance of up to $5,000 to assist with further study, research, or professional development. The scholarship can be used for course fees or associated costs.

Please encourage your First Nations council employees and councillors to submit applications by 2 May 2024.

Further information

New cemeteries levy – seeking feedback

I advised you last week of a disappointing announcement from the NSW Government advising that an interment levy would be extended to apply to all cemetery operators from 1 July 2024, meaning councils will need to charge a levy on each burial and cremation they undertake.

The levy will be set at $156 per burial, $41 per cremation and $63 per ash interment. This represents a cost shift that councils will likely need to pass on to grieving families.

The NSW Government’s cemeteries regulator, Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW), is now seeking feedback from our sector on this reform.

LGNSW is collating feedback from councils to provide to the NSW Government, including on the impractical timing of proposed commencement (1 July this year) given the requirement for councils to exhibit and consult on their fees and charges.

To provide feedback on the reform, please email [email protected] by 22 April.

Council staff working in cemetery operations and management are also welcome to join the online LGNSW Cemeteries Network, to share advice, resources and best practice with peers across our sector. To join the network, councils staff may email [email protected].

Sincerely,

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