AGY-1829 | Local Government Boundaries Commission [II]

Full description

The Government Boundaries Commission which had lapsed in 1980 was reconstituted on 12 May 1982 under the Local Government (Boundaries Commission) Amendment Act 1982 (Act No.59, 1982), section 260, to examine and report on any matter referred to it regarding the boundaries of local government areas, and the areas of operation of county councils. The four member Commission were appointed by the Governor. Apart from the nominees of the Minister and Department selections were made from two boundary panels appointed by the Local Government Association of New South Wales and the Shires Association of New South Wales. (1)

The Boundaries Commission had several functions under the Act. In summary its main functions were:
(i) to examine and report on any matter referred to it by the Minister in relation to the boundaries of local government areas and the areas of operation of county councils; and
(ii) where a matter (as described in (i) above) has been referred to the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government for examination and report, to review that Report and provide comments to the Minister. (2)

The Commission’s four members were appointed by the Governor for a five-year term. Of the four Commissioners, one (the Chairperson) was nominated by the Minister for Local Government; one was an officer of the Office of Local Government nominated by the Chief Executive; and two were persons appointed from the panel constituted under section 262(1) of the Local Government Act 1993 (the members of this panel were nominated by Local Government NSW). (3)

Section 263(3) of the Act set out eleven factors that the Commission was required to have regard to in examining any proposal for changes to local government boundaries. Two of these factors related only to proposals for merging council areas, so were not relevant to the Commission's current examination. The remaining factors covered issues such as:
(i) financial advantages/disadvantages
(ii) the community of interest and geographic cohesion
(iii) attitude of residents and ratepayers
(iv) requirements of the area concerned in relation to elected representation for residents and ratepayers at the local level
(v) any impact on council operations and staff, and
(vi) any impact on rural communities in the areas concerned. (4)

Endnotes
1. Local Government (Boundaries Commission) Amendment Act 1982 (Act No.59, 1982), section 260.
2. Office of Local Government website, Commissions and Tribunals, Local Government Boundaries Commission, https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/commissions-and-tribunals/local-government-boundaries-commission/ (accessed 21 November 2022).
3. Ibid.
4. Office of Local Government website, Commissions and Tribunals, Local Government Boundaries Commission, FAQ download available from: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/commissions-and-tribunals/local-government-boundaries-commission/ (accessed 21 November 2022).