A development application (DA) is a formal application for development that requires consent under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It is usually lodged with the local council for processing and determination, and consists of standard application forms, supporting technical reports and plans.  The NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE)’s ‘Development Assessment Best Practice Guide' describes the development assessment pr

What the report is about Natural disaster events, including bushfires and floods, have directly impacted some local councils in New South Wales over recent years. It is important for local councils to effectively plan so that they can continue operations through natural disasters and other disruptions. This audit assessed the effectiveness of Bega Valley Shire Council and Snowy Valleys Council’s approaches to business and service continuity arrangement

What the report is about 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 NS

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

This report analyses the results of our audits of the Stronger Communities 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 'Report on St

This report will bring together findings and recommendations from our 2020–21 financial audits of local councils and will comment on financial reporting and performance, internal controls and governance, and areas of interest that are in focus during the conduct of our audits.

This report will analyse the results of the financial statement audits of the ten NSW universities and their controlled entities for the year ended 31 December 2021. It will comment on financial reporting and performance, internal controls and governance, and areas of interest that are in focus during the conduct of our audits.  

What the report is about 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 for fast tr

What the report is about Results of the financial statement audits of the public universities in NSW for the year ended 31 December 2020. What we found Unqualified audit opinions were issued for all ten universities. Two universities reported retrospective corrections of prior period errors. Universities were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with student enrolments decreasing in 2020 compared to 2019 by 10,032 (3.3 per cent). Of this decrease 8,310

What the report is about 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