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About the Associations

Together, the Local Government Association of NSW (LGA) and the Shires Association of NSW represent 152 general purpose councils as well as about 13 special purpose councils. Regions of NSW Aboriginal Land Council are also eligible to be members of the LGA. The Associations represent the views of these councils by:

  • Presenting councils views to governments

  • Promoting Local Government to the community

  • Providing specialist advice and services.

Councils can choose to be members of either Association.

Each Association has its own elected Executive headed by a President, which meets every two months and holds an annual conference where members are able to vote on issues affecting Local Government.  The Annual Conference is the supreme policy making event for each Association.

The Associations also have a Joint Committee, which makes many of the management  and policy decisions on behalf of the Associations.  The committee meets each alternate month.

Four standing committees - Local Government Operations and Reform, Social Policy, Economic Policy and Natural and Built Environment meet bi-monthly to deal with specific issues.

The Associations have produced a publication, About The Local Government Association of NSW and The Shires Association of NSW, outlining our main functions and member benefits. Click the link below to view PDF.
Download about_lgsa_240407.pdf About The Local Government Association of NSW and The Shires Association of NSW (159KB)

Local Government & Shires Association logo

More about services provided by the Associations

Via their staff the Associations also provide industrial relations and specialist advice to councils, organise conferences and other events and meetings relevant to Local Government (such as the annual Local Government Water Management Conference and Local Government Week), as well as provide training for councillors and council staff on behalf of the Associations. 

The Associations have a joint annual budget of about $8 million, which is funded by member subscriptions (which are levied on a sliding scale) to each Association, as well as through government grants and fees charged for services by the Associations (training courses, conferences and executive recruitment) and various corporate activities.  

The staff Download Organisation_structure_April10.pdf Organisation Structure (141KB) for the Associations is separated into the following divisions: The Office of the Secretary General, Policy and Communications, Corporate Services, and Workplace Solutions.

One Association Survey

The Associations recently surveyed all members seeking their views on the issue of forming one association to represent Local Government in NSW. The results of the survey have been collated and are now available.

The survey results can be found below in addition to a covering letter signed by the Presidents of both Associations. The survey results must be read in conjunction with this letter.

Download one-association-survey-results_161009.pdf One Association Survey Results - 14 October 2009 (1.1MB)