Regulation Review - IPART - NSW Government

2 Local government compliance and enforcement
functions
2 Local government compliance and enforcement
functions
To review local government compliance and enforcement activity, we need to
understand what this comprises. Consequently, this chapter discusses the
compliance and enforcement functions of local government. It also considers:
the number and diversity of councils in NSW
the relationship between State and local government in relation to the
administration of regulation
the compliance and enforcement capacity and capability of local government
relationships between councils, including the extent of coordination,
cooperation and consistency in relation to regulatory activities and
requirements.
These factors can impact on local governments’ performance as a regulator, and
the regulatory burden faced by business and the community.
2.1 The number and diversity of councils in NSW
There are currently 152 general purpose and 14 special purpose councils in NSW.
A challenge for our review is that these councils differ significantly in the size
and characteristics of the area they serve. As discussed later in this chapter, this
can have implications for councils’ capacity to undertake their regulatory
responsibilities. It can also impact on the nature and extent of their regulatory
activities.
Councils like Blacktown, Parramatta or Newcastle serve areas that are considered
to be major cities in their own right. In contrast, some rural councils, like
Balranald or Bourke Shire, serve areas that are largely agricultural. The socioeconomics
of councils in NSW also varies greatly. Mosman has the highest
median income ($106,000) and Guyra the lowest ($31,000). 12 Blacktown has
nearly 300,000 residents, whereas Urana has just under 1,300 residents. Hunters
Hill occupies the smallest area at 5.7km 2 , compared with the Central Darling
12 The PC reports this to be the largest range in Australia. (Productivity Commission, Performance
Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation: The Role of Local Government as Regulator, July
2012, Vol 2, p 536.)
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