The New South Wales Government has announced the release of its Destination 2036 Action Plan, which ‘sets out a new direction for local government in NSW’ and details how councils will deliver services to their communities in the future.

 

In launching the plna, State Minister for Local Government Don Page said the plan gives gives NSW residents, communities and Councils a clear explanation of how the local government sector will modernise, reform and improve how they function in the next five years, 10 years, and 25 years.

 

The initiatives identified in the Action Plan are:

  • Efficient and effective service delivery in local government,
  • Quality governance and leadership in local government,
  • Financial sustainability in local government,
  • Appropriate, flexible structural models in local government, and
  • Strong relationships within local government

 

“The Destination 2036 Action Plan gives the residents and communities of NSW an insight into how councils will improve the delivery of services to ratepayers and modernise to meet the challenges of a changing world,” Mr Page said.

 

“As Minister, I am committed to modernising, reforming and ultimately improving the local government sector in NSW because, if we do not, then there will continue to be communities across this State that are `haves’ and `have-nots’, in terms of the number and quality of services delivered to ratepayers.”

 

The formation of the Action Plan was a result of the Destination 2036 conferenced held in August last year, which was attended by representatives from all 152 councils in NSW.

 

The Destination 2036 Action Plan was developed jointly by the Chief Executive of the Division of Local Government, and the Presidents of the NSW Local Government Association, the NSW Shires Association, and the Local Government Managers Australia (NSW).

 

The plan can be found here