Resources for Councillors

Councillor Development Strategy

The Department of Local Government implemented a Councillor Development Strategy to ensure that all NSW councillors elected in September 2008 had timely access to the information needed to understand and undertake their roles and responsibilities effectively. The Strategy also aimed to facilitate ongoing professional development for councillors.

The Strategy was developed in partnership with the Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW.

Key documents and links

Councillor Guide

The Department and the Associations have jointly developed a Councillor Guide that outlines in more detail the topic areas covered at the councillor information seminars. It also includes information about strategic planning and, reporting as well as financial management responsibilities of councils. The Guide includes a skills checklist and information about where to find additional resources.

Web-based Directory of Information for Councillors

The Directory of Information for Councillors is an on-line directory on the Department’s website that includes a broad range of information and resources to assist councillors, as well as contact details and links to relevant agencies and organisations.

The Directory, including all linked documents, was distributed on a CD to all Councillors in November 2008.

The Directory index is also linked here for your convenience.

Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA)

Membership of ALGWA is open to anyone interested in supporting women’s participation in Local Government. Membership includes elected Councillors, employees in Local Government, former Mayors and Councillors, individual Councils and Shires and intending candidates for Local Government elections.

Mosman’s Councillor Induction Program

A comprehensive induction program for Councillors elected at the September elections was organised by Mosman Council staff, SHOROC, and the Department of Local Government.

All presentations made to Councillors are available here:

Items 7, 10 and 29 are short video presentations that will not be uploaded. One is an excerpt from ‘Mosman’s Built Heritage’ – the other two are video slideshows. They do not contain additional information to that available in the presentations above.