Office of Local Government

Office of Local Government The Office of Local Government is responsible for local government across NSW.

The Office’s organisational purpose is “To strengthen the Local Government Sector” and its organisational outcome is “Successful councils engaging and supporting their communities”. Operating within seven strategic objectives the Office has a policy, legislative, investigative and program focus in matters ranging from Local Government finance, infrastructure, governance, performance, collaboration

and community engagement. The Office strives to work collaboratively with the Local Government sector and is the key adviser to the NSW Government on Local Government matters.

More than 1,000 NSW residents have stepped into rewarding new careers in local government through the Fresh Start Progra...
25/05/2026

More than 1,000 NSW residents have stepped into rewarding new careers in local government through the Fresh Start Program. 🎉

Nate Stenhouse, an apprentice Arborist with Broken Hill City Council, was the 1,000th recruit employed through the program, demonstrating the growing opportunities available for young people to start their careers close to home.

Across three funding rounds, councils have welcomed 1,138 new starters, including:

👩🏼‍💼 152 cadets,
👩🏽‍🏫 443 trainees
👨‍🔧 543 apprentices.

Each recruit is gaining a nationally accredited qualification while helping councils fill critical skills gaps and strengthen service delivery across NSW.

For more on the Fresh Start Program, see: https://ow.ly/KSUN50Z3GV1

Over the past 12 months hundreds of new apprentices, trainees and cadets have commenced careers with councils through th...
01/05/2026

Over the past 12 months hundreds of new apprentices, trainees and cadets have commenced careers with councils through the Fresh Start Program 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️ 🦺✨

But how do we set them up for success? 🤔

Councils have told us they need to boost their skills to support new trainees in the workplace. 📈🛠️

Recently, we ran supervisor training, in consultation with our colleagues at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, for water crew team leaders from councils across the Mid North Coast and North Coast of NSW.

It focused on strengthening their mentoring, leadership, and on-the-job instruction, along with their role in workplace assessment and supporting the learning and development of new recruits. 📚🤝

With 19 water trainees across councils in the Mid and North Coast alone, it’s more important than ever that their supervisors have the skills to ensure they have a great start to their careers in council. 🌱🚀

Local government elections point to a positive shift in who is putting their hand up for public office, reflecting a mor...
29/04/2026

Local government elections point to a positive shift in who is putting their hand up for public office, reflecting a more inclusive future for local leadership.

Nearly all 2024 candidates and councillors completed a voluntary survey 📊, providing a reliable, statewide view of the local government landscape in NSW.

👩 516 female councillors were elected to council in 2024 (up from 490 in 2021), and 41 female mayors.

🌏 Councils are becoming more diverse; 60 councillors identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 75 speak a first language other than English, and 20 are aged just 18-24.

🚀 And importantly, 38.5% of councillors had no previous experience, proving local government remains open to new community voices.

You can read the Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report at: https://ow.ly/eU3450YRwUJ

23/04/2026

A pawsitive step forward for animal welfare 🐾

Across NSW, animal rehoming organisations play a vital role in reducing euthanasia rates, easing pressure on council pounds, and ensuring cats and dogs don’t end up roaming our streets.

Today, we’re pleased to announce the first round of funding under the NSW Government’s $6 million Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grants program.

58 rehoming organisations will share $1.5 million to support the care of vulnerable cats and dogs. Funding will help the upgrade of facilities, purchase essential equipment, and cover veterinary costs.

Recipients include a mix of metropolitan and regional groups such as Friends of Kempsey Pound, CatRescue 901, and the Hunter Valley Animal Facility & Rehoming Centre.

Congratulations to all successful applicants. Those who missed out this time are encouraged to apply again when the next round opens later this year.

21/04/2026

⚡️NSW councils are getting future-ready with mechanics upskilling to service a growing electric vehicle fleet used across local government.

The first EV upskilling workshop has now concluded at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park, with more planned in the future, including on the North Coast.

The workshops are open to qualified council mechanics and fourth‑year apprentices, teaching the inspection, service and repair of EVs.

The workshops are part of the NSW Government’s $252 million Fresh Start program, supporting more than 1,300 apprentices, trainees and cadets in the local government workforce across the state.

A new guideline to help councils manage asbestos issues in the community has been released by Local Government NSW. Mana...
09/03/2026

A new guideline to help councils manage asbestos issues in the community has been released by Local Government NSW.

Managing Asbestos Concerns in the Community provides practical direction on the best course of action when responding to incidents.

The guide helps councils respond consistently and effectively to incidents at all stages of the asbestos lifecycle.

Councils are encouraged to utilise it to support safer communities and improve coordination across the sector.

👉 Read the full guideline: https://ow.ly/iHP350YrBEb

07/03/2026

Today we’re celebrating the incredible women making a difference in local government across NSW! 💪✨ From leaders and innovators to community champions creating positive change every day. 💛🌿

This video features some remarkable women recognised at the Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government 👏🎉 Their achievements remind us just how important women are in leadership and decision‑making at every level.

💜 Who inspires you this International Women’s Day? Tag them below! 👇🌸

Did you know? The Office of Local Government (OLG) helps ensure NSW councils are strong, capable and accountable, so the...
25/02/2026

Did you know? The Office of Local Government (OLG) helps ensure NSW councils are strong, capable and accountable, so they can deliver the services and leadership their communities rely on.

OLG works with the sector to:

✔ support councils with training, guidance and capability building

✔ oversee governance, transparency and legislative compliance

✔ deliver community‑benefiting programs like disaster recovery grants, companion animal reforms and the apprentices/trainees program

✔ assist when issues arise

Strong councils mean strong communities, and OLG is here to help make that happen.

Learn more 👉 https://ow.ly/bl1A50YlHRP

As we kick off a new year, the Fresh Start program is continuing its strong momentum with young people and councils acro...
03/02/2026

As we kick off a new year, the Fresh Start program is continuing its strong momentum with young people and councils across NSW.

As part of round 3 of the program, we have up to 292 apprentices in high-demand trades – from mechanics, plumbing, civil construction, painting, greenkeeping, civil construction and more – beginning their careers across the state.

The $252.2 million program is transforming local government workforces, plugging critical skills gaps, and creating a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.

Find out more about the Fresh Start program at: https://ow.ly/zP7I50Y7Y3B

Many in the community have asked what they can do to help in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi on Sunday, 14 Dec...
22/12/2025

Many in the community have asked what they can do to help in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi on Sunday, 14 December 2025. We are calling on people of all faiths and communities across NSW to come together and participate in a good deed as part of and encouraging everyone to take part.

A Mitzvah is an act of kindness, compassion, and a moral responsibility. It is about taking practical action to help others, through simple, everyday acts of kindness that together create a powerful wave of goodwill.

When these acts are carried out collectively, they strengthen the community and bring light in moments of darkness.

We are asking all Australians to do a good deed which can be as simple as:

• Volunteering
• Donating
• Giving blood
• Calling someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
• Buying a neighbour a coffee
• Supporting those in need

Please share your good deed using or visit https://ow.ly/IV9j50XNrO7

Address

5 O'Keefe Avenue
Nowra, NSW
2541

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61244284100

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