Reports
Actions for Integrity of grant program administration
Integrity of grant program administration
This report assessed the integrity of the assessment and approval processes for two grant programs: Stronger Communities Fund Round 2 (tied grants round), which was administered by the former Office of Local Government (OLG) and provided $252 million to newly amalgamated councils and other councils that had been subject to a merger proposal during 2017–18 and 2018–19. Regional Cultural Fund, which was administered by Create
Actions for Planning, Industry and Environment 2021
Planning, Industry and Environment 2021
This report analyses the results of our audits of the Planning, Industry and Environment cluster agencies for the year ended 30 June 2021. Our preferred approach is to table the ‘Report on State Finances’ in Parliament before any other cluster report. This is because the 'Report on State Finances' focuses on the audit results and observations relating to the Total State Sector Accounts, in effect a consolidation of all government agencies. This year the
Actions for Managing climate risks to assets and services
Managing climate risks to assets and services
This report assessed how effectively the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and NSW Treasury have supported state agencies to manage climate risks to their assets and services. Climate risks that can impact on state agencies' assets and services include flooding, bushfires, and extreme temperatures. Impacts can include damage to transport, communications and energy infrastructure, increases in hospital admi
Actions for Fast-tracked Assessment Program
Fast-tracked Assessment Program
This report examines the effectiveness of the Fast-tracked Assessment Program, administered by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) between April 2020 and October 2020. The program aimed to support the construction industry during the COVID-19 crisis by accelerating the final assessment stages for planning proposals and development applications. DPIE selected projects and planning proposals f
Actions for Report on Local Government 2020
Report on Local Government 2020
Results of the local government sector council financial statement audits for the year ended 30 June 2020. What we found Unqualified audit opinions were issued for 127 councils, 9 county councils and 13 joint organisation audits in 2019–20. A qualified audit opinion was issued for Central Coast Council. Councils were impacted by recent emergency events, including bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial implications
Actions for Procurement management in Local Government
Procurement management in Local Government
The Auditor‑General for New South Wales, Margaret Crawford, released a report today examining procurement management in Local Government. The audit assessed the effectiveness of procurement management practices in six councils. All six councils had procurement management policies that were consistent with legislative requirements, but the audit found compliance gaps in some councils. The audit also identified opportunities for councils to add
Actions for Planning, Industry and Environment 2020
Planning, Industry and Environment 2020
This report analyses the results of our audits of financial statements of the Planning, Industry and Environment cluster agencies for the year ended 30 June 2020. The table below summarises our key observations. 1. Financial reporting Audit opinions There are 45 separate entities in the cluster. Unqualified audit opinions were issued for 38 cluster agencies' 30 June 2020 financial statements audits. Four fina
Actions for Waste levy and grants for waste infrastructure
Waste levy and grants for waste infrastructure
The Auditor-General for New South Wales, Margaret Crawford, released a report today that examined the effectiveness of the waste levy and grants for waste infrastructure in minimising the amount of waste sent to landfill and increasing recycling rates. The audit found that the waste levy has a positive impact on diverting waste from landfill. However, while the levy rates increase each year in line with the consumer price index, the EPA has not c
Actions for Support for regional town water infrastructure
Support for regional town water infrastructure
The Auditor-General for New South Wales, Margaret Crawford, released a report today examining whether the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has effectively supported the planning for, and funding of, town water infrastructure in regional NSW. The audit found that the department has not effectively supported or overseen town water infrastructure planning since at least 2014. It does not have a clear regulatory approach and lacks internal p
Actions for Credit card management in Local Government
Credit card management in Local Government
The Auditor-General for New South Wales, Margaret Crawford, released a report today examining credit card management in Local Government. The audit was in response to a letter from the then Minister for Local Government in November 2018. The audit assessed the effectiveness of credit card management practices in six councils, including in the areas of policies, procedures, compliance and monitoring. The audit found that all six councils had gaps in the