President's Message

CONTACT

Communications 

Phone: 02 9242 4000 
[email protected]

20 February 2020

Linda Scott and David Chandler

I was pleased to welcome NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler back for the Transforming the Building Industry Workshop this week, which is part of our ongoing consultation with the Commissioner. Stronger building regulation is a key advocacy priority after motions put forward by several councils at the annual conference.

I look forward to updating you on arrangements for future workshops very soon. 

This week’s win for local councils
Win! Personalised assistance for those affected by bushfires: LGNSW has been calling for dedicated case management to help people affected by bushfires to access the support they need, so we are pleased to see the NSW Government’s bushfire customer care specialist program offering personalised assistance

Representations on your behalf:

  • We have sought action from Environment Minister Matt Kean on your behalf regarding industry uncertainty, including the closure of Polytrade’s Rydalmere Materials Recovery Facility, and its impacts on kerbside recycling. I encourage you to also write to the Minister and, if you haven’t already, sign up to our state-wide Save Our Recycling campaign.
  • We have reinforced the importance of practical reforms to reduce trauma on local roads in NSW while not unfairly burdening the limited resources of local government or resulting in cost shifting in a submission to the StaySafe Committee Inquiry.
  • We have expressed in-principle support for the registration of engineers in NSW, bringing it into line with other states such as Queensland and Victoria at this week’s Inquiry on Professional Engineers Registration Bill 2019. We also highlighted that any such scheme would need to be phased in and designed so that councils have a range of options to choose from for attracting, retaining and sharing the employment of engineering professionals, given the skills shortage challenges facing councils. 

Please help us by contributing to our advocacy
Bushfire recovery needs of your council: LGNSW is representing councils on bushfire recovery committees spanning the breadth of the recovery effort. To provide feedback on your council’s experience and to help us to advocate on your behalf for what your communities need, please email LGNSW Policy Officer [email protected]

Join us for an LGNSW special briefing – Council responsibility in the National Redress Scheme
Join NSW Attorney-General the Hon Mark Speakman MP on 5 March, in Sydney (5-6pm). This is an opportunity for mayors to understand their new obligations under the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Mayors may invite another councillor or staff member to represent them if unable to attend. Register now. For further information, email Elizabeth Robertson, Senior Policy Officer. 

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