Destination 2036 - planning the future of local government in NSW

The State government is examining, along with all Councils, the future shape of local government in NSW. This initiative, 'Destination 2036', is all about planning how to meet the challenges facing local government in the next 25 years  - challenges such as finances, assets, services, population, skills and technology. It started with the NSW Destination 2036 Discussion Paper (1MB) in July 2011 putting forward several models to address the diversity of needs across NSW, including boundary changes and amalgamations.  Then came the Destination 2036 Workshop with all Councils in Dubbo in August.  The workshop outcomes have just been released in the 'Destination 2036 Outcomes Report' (3.8MB) , September 2011.

The report shows that the relationship between state and local governments needs to be redefined if we are to meet the future challenges.  There is a strong focus on providing the tools and legislation to enable local government to be financially stable, adaptable and able to respond to the changing needs of our populations.  A number of priority actions were suggested on local government’s functions, structure, governance, capacity and finance. Comments on the report are due in early November.

All Councils have been invited to comment on the Outcomes Report and contribute towards a state-wide Action Plan focussing on the next 4 years. For more information on the Destination 2036 initiative, click here.