Publication Guide

Section 20 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) ("the GIPA Act") requires agencies to develop and adopt a publication guide as part of their mandatory open access information.

General information about the Division's structure and functions is provided below.

Organisational Structure

The Division operates under four strategic groups.

Innovation and development group

The group’s primary focus is on the whole of the sector with a concentration on policy, frameworks, programs and education that will strengthen the local government sector. The group brings a strategic focus to its activities and takes a strong collaborative approach in its work with the sector. The group will be the key driver of the Destination 2036 initiative.

The innovation team generates, develops, implements and evaluates innovative policies and initiatives that strengthen the local government sector.

The development team is responsible for program development, implementation and evaluation. These programs include promoting better practice, integrated planning and reporting, and companion animals.

The council governance team promotes and supports ongoing improvement in council governance practices through the development and implementation of governance frameworks.

Investigations and performance group

The group’s primary focus is at an individual council level with a concentration on legislative, regulatory and guideline compliance. When required the group leads targeted interventions with councils. The group is responsible for monitoring council performance with an emphasis on financial performance. The group is also the gateway for all statutory applications.

The investigation team is responsible for the investigative process through to presentation for prosecution. The team would lead any statutory investigations into councils under the Act. The team handles complex complaints about councils.

The performance and compliance team is responsible for monitoring, reviewing and analysing councils' operational performance, including financial, rating and land management matters. The team leads targeted financial interventions with councils where required. The team also serves as the gateway for receipt of statutory applications made by councils to the Division, including compulsory acquisitions, leasing and licensing applications, council constitution changes, public-private partnerships and applications for approvals, many of which are assessed and determined by the team.

Operations group

The group provides the information technology, human resource, financial and other support frameworks that enables the division to operate efficiently and effectively. The group provides project and administrative support to other groups. The group is the gateway for all correspondence coming into and out of the division and is responsible for coordinating the receipt of correspondence, tracking the progress of correspondence through the system, monitoring correspondence trends, reporting on correspondence performance, and preparing responses where appropriate. The group is also responsible for the division’s outward communications including internet and printed publications. The group also provides support to the operation of the Grants Commission and the Pecuniary Interest and Disciplinary Tribunal.

Executive support group

The group focus is to provide the governance, performance, strategy and risk management framework for the division. The group manages Ministerial correspondence, provides legal support and manages the legislative program for the Division.

Information held by the Division of Local Government

General Publications

We produce publications on a range of matters relevant to local government in NSW and the wider community. Publications are made available on the Publications page of our website.

Circulars to Councils

Circulars are regularly issued to councils providing information or advice on a wide range of issues. Most of the policy determinations made in relation to local government issues are contained in circulars distributed to councils. Circulars are available on the Circular to Councils page.

Septic Safe Publications

There are various brochures and papers available on the Onsite Sewage Management page on this website.

Companion Animals Publications

There are various brochures and papers available on the Companion Animals page of this website.

Internal Circulars

We issue two types of internal circulars. The Chief Executive, Local Government issues circulars to staff dealing with matters of major importance. The Manager, Business and Information Services issues circulars covering non-policy issues.

Procedure Manuals

We issue procedure manuals and guidelines concerned with internal management functions. Guidelines issued for councils are available on this website in the Directory of Policy Advice for Councils

How to Access the Division’s Information

The Division's homepage contains a Browse by Topic section which provides easy access to information about specific topic areas.

Publications are made available on the Division's website. Printed copies of recently released DLG publications are available from Salmat and may be ordered by phoning customer service on 02 9311 9899, or faxing 02 9311 1076. Unless otherwise stated, publications are free.

Enquiries and requests for information

The Division is committed to openness with regard to the government information it holds and produces. Enquiries and requests for information can be directed to the Records & Information Services Coordinator at the address below between the hours of 8.30 am and 5.00 pm:

Division of Local Government
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Locked Bag 3015
NOWRA NSW 2541
Phone (02) 4428 4100

Release of Information

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act) provides for government information to be released in four ways:

1. Mandatory proactive release
2. Authorised proactive release
3. Informal release, and
4. Release subject to a formal access application

Information that is subject to mandatory proactive release is available in the Open Access Information section of this website. The Division has also proactively released a range of information of this site.

The rights to information provided by the GIPA Act mean that formal applications for access to information should be a last resort. In most circumstances you should not have to make a formal application to access information that we hold.

To access the Division's information:

• search our website to see if it's already available
• contact the Division and ask for the information. We will decide whether the information you want:
  
  - is open access information that is readily available. If it is, we will tell you where and how you can get the information
  - should be made available as part of a 'proactive release' of information.
  - can be disclosed to you through 'informal release', for example where no third party personal information is involved.
  - requires a 'formal access application', for example because consultation with a third party is required.

Formal applications for access to information should be made using the application form. Before making a formal application for access to information, we suggest you contact the Right to Information Officer on (02) 4428 4100, to see if the information you seek is already available or can be made available to you without the need for a formal application.