FAQs

As a registered organisation, LGNSW is bound by a number of legal obligations, including the need to report back to members on financial performance within six months of the end of the 2020-21 financial year. For this reason, an Annual Conference must be held within the relevant time period.

LGNSW’s Annual Conference has also traditionally provided the opportunity for member councils to bring forward policy motions for debate and resolution, thus helping to set the Association’s advocacy agenda for the year to come. Member feedback following 2020’s online conference experience indicated a strong preference for an in-person event at which more motions could be debated and resolved.

It would be unreasonable to ask councillors to interrupt their election campaigns for the length of time required for an in-person event in late November. A one-hour online Annual Conference in November, followed by a full Special Conference scheduled for 28 February to 2 March 2022, has been identified as the best and fairest way to fulfil LGNSW’s legal obligations as well as its accountability commitment to members.

The rules governing LGNSW require us to provide a minimum four months’ notice for the holding of an Annual Conference. It was not possible to hold a meeting before this date.

As a Registered Organisation, LGNSW is legally required to report back to the membership on its financial results within six months of the end of the financial year. The Annual Conference online event on 29 November is designed to meet this obligation while maintaining LGNSW’s commitment to full and transparent accountability.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated over and over again that there are no guarantees. However, as vaccination programs continue to rollout across NSW, every tier of government is working to help ensure we can return to a more normal way of life for both organisations and individuals.

Yes: separate registrations are required to allow for potential attendance changes brought about by the local government election.

Registrations for the Annual Conference online event on 29 November are now open, with all mayors, councillors and general managers notified by direct email. Attendance will be free.

Registrations for the three-day Special Conference from 28 February to 2 March 2022 will carry a standard registration charge. Register here >>

Yes – LGNSW’s Annual Conference 2022 is scheduled to take place in the Hunter Valley in October 2022.

Motions will now be debated and resolved at LGNSW’s Special Conference (Monday 28 February – Wednesday 2 March 2022).

The deadline for accepting motions for inclusion in the Special Conference business paper has been extended to midnight on Sunday 30 January 2022.

This has the additional benefit of providing sufficient time for newly elected councils to finalise their submitted motions, should they so choose.

Download the Motions Submissions Guide

To avoid any election irregularities, LGNSW has asked the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to conduct and finalise this election so it does not clash with the local government election.

We are awaiting further advice from the AEC and will provide updated information on this issue as soon as possible.

Discussions with the AEC are continuing, but it is expected COVID-related restrictions will require the election for the LGNSW Board to be undertaken via postal ballot.

Members are now required to advise LGNSW of the names of their nominated voting delegates by the following dates:

• Annual Conference online event (29 Nov) – by 5pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 5 October 2021
• Special Conference (28 Feb – 2 March) – by 5pm (AEDT) on Thursday 17 February 2022

MORE INFORMATION >>

Forms for advising LGNSW of the names of nominated voting delegates for the 2021 Annual Conference and LGNSW Board election are available via these links:

ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOMINATED VOTING DELEGATES >>

LGNSW BOARD ELECTION NOMINATED VOTING DELEGATES >>

Further information on determining and registering nominated voting delegates for the Special Conference (28 Feb – 2 Mar 2022) will be provided to all members at a later date.

Conference delegates who have booked accommodation directly through the previously provided Conference booking link will have their rooms automatically cancelled without penalty.

Accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Sydney for the new conference dates (28 February to 2 March) will need to be re-booked via this special link.

Delegates who have reserved accommodation with the Hyatt Regency Sydney or other hotels through other means will need to cancel these reservations via their original booking platform.

Delegates who have pre-booked travel arrangements will need to amend these bookings via their original booking platform.