AGY-3079 | Local Government Office [Department of Local Government and Lands]

Full description

On 6 November 1981 the Local Government Office of the Department of Local Government and Lands was established to perform the functions of the former Department of Local Government.(1)

The role of the Local Government Office was to foster an efficient and effective system of Local Government in New South Wales which is equitable for all sectors of the community. The office also administered the Local Government Boundaries Commission and the Local Government Grants Commission. Municipalities and Shires were, however, independent bodies elected by their constituents to perform a range of functions within their jurisdictions which were bestowed upon them by the Local Government Act, 1919 as amended.

In 1982 the Office consisted of Five divisions - Policy and Research, Secretariat, Administrative Services, Land and Building Development, and Finance and Inspectorate. The Secretariat was responsible for administering the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1919 in particular :
Constitution of Local Government Areas;
Membership of Councils;
Alteration of boundaries of local government areas;
Division of local government areas into wards and ridings;
Dismissal of councils. The Division had particular responsibility for council elections; council meetings and business; public reserves and parks; roads (including kerbing and guttering, obstruction, condition of roads, light traffic thoroughfares and closure of roads) littering in public places; advertisements and advertising structures; traffic matters; straying and impounded stock and pounds; dog problems and registration; and rates and fees of councils. The Division was responsible for the promotion of public health, safety and convenience particularly in relation to boarding houses; food shops; barbers and hairdressers, meat carriage and delivery; keeping of animals on premises; regulation of cemeteries owned by councils; burials; swimming pool safety; and Senior Citizen Centre grants. The Division also examined processed applications by councils for resumption or easement of land; leases of council-owned property; selling drainage reserves; surrendering land to the Crown; dredging and reclaiming land subject to tidal waters; and administration of the pensioner rates reduction scheme. The Administrative Services Division administered the Local Government Act in regard to the certification of town and shire clerks, auditors, valuers, engineers, overseers of works, health inspectors and town and country planners; and for the eradication of noxious plants. The Land and Building Development Division was responsible for building regulations; and for sewerage and water supply in buildings and on private land. There was a Theatres and Public Halls Section within this Division. The section was responsible for licensing and regulation of premises used for public entertainment or public meetings including public halls, cinemas, drive-in theatres, and theatre restaurants; and for the regulation of public entertainment. The Finance and Inspectorate Division was responsible for the inspection of the accounts of councils and the internal organisation and management of council offices. It also made grants and approved applications of councils to borrow in addition to overseeing the accounting practices of Councils (2)

The Office of Local Government was abolished on 29 February, 1984 and the Department of Local Government (III) was created in it place. (3)

Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette, 6 November, 1981 p. 5751.
2. NSW Government Directory. 3rd edition, 1982 pp.247-249.
3. NSW Government Gazette 2 March, 1984 p.1420.