11 September 2020

I have written to Premier Berejiklian seeking the Government’s commitment to funding COVID-safe marshals in local government areas with major beaches and a COVID communications strategy and campaign, to ensure people visiting our NSW beaches and open spaces during the warmer weather can be COVID safe.

Local governments, NSW Police and Surf Life Saving NSW are exploring ways to better work together to share real time information about beach capacity and local government management plans to ensure, where possible, there is clear and consistent decision authorities and rules for actions required across the beaches. These strategies were discussed at a recent roundtable convened by LGNSW with mayors of local government areas with major beaches and popular outdoor recreation areas, NSW Police and Surf Life Saving NSW.

Similarly, LGNSW hosted a separate meeting last week, involving NSW Police Commissioner Fuller, NSW Cross-Border Commissioner McTavish, and mayors and general managers of councils and communities impacted by northern border restrictions, including Ballina, Bourke, Brewarrina, Byron, Gwydir, Inverell, Kyogle, Lismore, Moree Plains, Tenterfield, Tweed and Walgett. Together, we’re working to better support people living and working in those border communities, including our ongoing calls for small business support grants to be available to businesses impacted by the border closure. For further information, email Kelly Kwan, Executive Manager, Advocacy

Government Update
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) handed down a two per cent rate peg for 2021-22 – the maximum overall increase in ratings income for NSW councils, which will come into effect from the middle of next year. Reducing cost shifting and the administrative and financial burdens placed on councils remains a top priority for LGNSW. Refer to LGNSW media release. For further information, email Shaun McBride, Chief Economist.

Advocacy Wins! This week:
Councils eligible for Creative Economy JobMaker package: I am pleased to let you know the contribution of local governments to the cultural and creative sector has been recognised by Federal Minister for the Arts Paul Fletcher MP. Minister Fletcher wrote to me this week to confirm local government is eligible for the RISE grants and the Arts Sustainability funds under the Creative Economy JobMaker package. Congratulations! Applications can be made until 31 May 2021. Eligibility for the concessional loans program under the package is yet to be released. For further information, email Elizabeth Robertson, Senior Policy Officer.

Reminder
Please submit motions, register as voting delegates and sign up to attend this year’s Annual Conference. We look forward to hearing your views.

Help amplify our advocacy work
Sixteen Sydney councils have joined forces to signal to the market a demand for 20,000 tonnes of recycled crushed glass per year, as a substitute for natural sand in roads and footpaths. Led by SSROC, the Paving the Way initiative is creating a circular economy, creating jobs and helping to develop essential infrastructure. Councils can join this initiative or use the model for sustainable procurement in their region. We also need the NSW Government to act if we’re going to build a circular economy and create well-needed jobs. I encourage you to join the Save our Recycling Campaign and write to your MP seeking investment of the Waste Levy ($800 million annually) in council-led solutions to address the burden posed by waste and recycling on local government in our State, to develop new regional plans for the future of waste management and resource recovery. With the State budget just around the corner, there is no better time than now.

Professional opportunities
A reminder that LGNSW is seeking councillor nominations for the Transport for NSW Road Freight Industry Council. I encourage councillors with knowledge and experience in the area of roads and road freight to send nominations to Sanjiv Sathiah, Senior Policy Officer Roads and Transport or call 02 9242 4073.

Office of Local Government invited up to four suitably experienced and qualified people to join the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), reconvened by the Minister for Local Government to strengthen collaboration and engagement with the local government sector. Applications must be made in writing to [email protected] by September 25. For more information contact Jodie Healy on 0428 753 162.

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