Funding Investment for Council Apprentices and Trainees a Win for Local Government Sector

Local Government NSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM has lauded the NSW Government’s announcement of $252 million in funding to employ an additional 1,300 apprentices and trainees in councils across the state.

Cr Turley emphasized that Local Government

NSW (LGNSW) has long advocated for initiatives to boost trainee, cadet, and apprentice employment, aiming to create a robust and diverse local government workforce.

“This funding is a highly welcome investment and a wonderful outcome for NSW councils and the communities they represent,” Cr Turley said. “Local councils’ ability to deliver the infrastructure and services their communities expect and deserve will be greatly improved, and it will also bolster the liveability and productivity of NSW.”

Addressing Skills Shortages

Cr Turley highlighted that the program would help NSW councils tackle skills shortages while training and upskilling the future private sector workforce, addressing workforce shortages across the state. “This has been one of LGNSW’s advocacy priorities for some time, so it is pleasing to see the State Government invest funding in this area,” she added.

Historically, local government has served as a skills incubator, with many skilled workers in diverse industries starting their careers within local councils.

“Given their activities, geographic diversity, and connection to local community, councils have traditionally been an excellent provider of entry-level employment,” Cr Turley said.

“Councils are a wonderful place to acquire practical skills, training, and nationally recognized qualifcations, as well as access to long-term secure employment, particularly in rural and regional areas. Local government-trained workers gain valuable local experience, making them extremely attractive employees to future workplaces, both inside and outside the sector.”

Targeting Critical Shortages

Cr Turley identifed the most common skills shortages in NSW councils, including engineers, urban and town planners, building surveyors, and project managers. Additionally, shortages of water treatment operators, accountants, computing and ICT professionals, mechanical tradespersons, and early childhood education workers have worsened in recent years.

“We also know there are many long-term local government staff who will be retiring in the coming years, so it’s vital that councils have the means to safeguard their workforce while providing career opportunities for their local communities,” she stated.

Acknowledging Advocacy Efforts

Cr Turley extended her appreciation to the United Services Union (USU) and General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM for their relentless advocacy in securing the funding boost. “Mr. Kelly and the

USU have always been passionate supporters of council trainees, apprentices, and cadets, and I know they’ve worked extremely hard to see this funding come to fruition. I congratulate them on their efforts, which will help create employment opportunities and remediate skills shortages.”

Cr Turley concluded by expressing anticipation for the detailed guidelines of the announcement and the opportunity to work with the NSW Government and other stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for the local government sector.

“We look forward to seeing the detail of the guidelines for this announcement and to working with the NSW Government and other stakeholders to make sure the guidelines deliver the best outcomes for the local government sector,” she said.

New Laws to Ban No-Grounds

The NSW Government is set to introduce new laws that will prevent landlords from evicting tenants without “reasonable grounds.” Premier Chris Minns will unveil the legislation at the NSW State Labor Conference, fulflling an election promise to transform the state’s housing system.

Under the proposed changes, landlords will be required to provide a “commonsense” and “reasonable” cause to end a tenancy for both rolling and fxed-term leases. They must include evidence with a termination notice or face penalties.

Key Changes in Notice

Periods

• Periodic Leases: Notice period increased to 90 days.

• Fixed-Term Agreements (Less than 6 Months): Notice period increased from 30 days to 60 days.

• Fixed-Term Agreements (More than 6 Months): Notice period increased to 90 days. These changes will align NSW with other states such as the ACT, South Australia, and Victoria.

Ensuring Fairness and Certainty

Premier Minns emphasized that while the new laws aim to protect renters, “bad tenants” will still be subject to eviction

Works To Replace Bluff Bridge Between Grafton And Glenreagh One Step Closer

Works to replace Bluff Bridge on the Orara Way between Grafton and Glenreagh are one step closer following the awarding of a tender at a recent meeting of Clarence Valley Council for the design and construction of the new bridge.

Welcoming the news, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson said Council was awarded $11.29 million from the former NSW Coalition Government under the Fixing Country Bridges program, with the Federal Government chipping in $5 million through the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program.

“The new bridge will provide a much safer bridge and bring a higher level of food and fre protection to the travelling public on the Orara Way,” Mr Williamson said.

“We are helping councils build bridges that are wider, higher and more resilient to withstand natural disasters.

“The Bluff Bridge replacement project will involve building a new concrete bridge next to the existing one and raising the deck height by approximately eight metres, which will increase food resilience.

“Bridges keep