In February 2021, the NSW Government tabled the report of a statutory review of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013. The report titled 'The 11th hour solving Sydney's cemetery crisis' found that Greater Sydney is running out of burial space, posing significant financial risk to the State’s finances with unfunded liabilities of the Crown sector in excess of $300 million and required capital for new cemeteries of approximately $200–300 million. As part

This report will analyse the results of the 2022–23 financial statement audits of the Regional NSW cluster and group findings around key areas of service delivery. It will comment on financial reporting and performance, key accounting issues, and internal controls and governance findings.

This report will analyse the results of the 2022–23 financial statement audits of the Planning and Environment cluster and group findings around key areas of service delivery. It will comment on financial reporting and performance, key accounting issues, and internal controls and governance findings.

The NSW Government has committed more than $400 million over four years to bring a faster and more reliable digital network to rural and regional New South Wales. The Regional Digital Connectivity Program (RDCP) was set up to deliver families and businesses in regional NSW better access to mobile, internet and digital services, aiming to address the divide between metropolitan centres and regional NSW. The program is investing in infrastructure, emerging

This audit assessed how effectively the Department of Planning and Environment (Heritage NSW) is overseeing and administering heritage assets of state significance. Heritage that is rare, exceptional or outstanding to New South Wales may be listed on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977. This provides assets with legal recognition and protection. Places, buildings, works, relics, objects and precincts can be l

The Auditor‑General for New South Wales, Margaret Crawford PSM, has tabled a special report into the financial affairs of the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. Read the PDF version of the report

What this report is about This report draws together the financial impact of natural disasters on agencies integral to the response and impact of natural disasters during 2021–22. What we found Over the 2021–22 financial year $1.4 billion from a budget of $1.9 billion was spent by the NSW Government in response to natural disasters. Total expenses were less than the budget due to underspend in the following areas: clean-up assistance, including coun

The Office of Local Government (OLG) in the Department of Planning and Environment is responsible for strengthening the local government sector, including through its regulatory functions. This audit assessed whether the OLG is effectively monitoring and regulating the sector under the Local Government Act 1993. The audit covered: the effectiveness of departmental arrangements for the OLG to undertake its regulatory functions

This audit assessed the effectiveness of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and local councils in planning and managing equipment for bushfire prevention, mitigation, and suppression. What we found The RFS has focused its fleet development activity on modernising and improving the safety of its firefighting fleet, and on the purchase of new firefighting aircraft. There is limited evidence that the RFS has undertaken strategic f

Sydney Metro is Australia’s largest public transport project. It requires the acquisition of many private properties, including residential and business properties. This audit assessed the effectiveness of the acquisition of private properties for the Sydney Metro project. The audited agencies were Sydney Metro, the Department of Planning and Environment (Valuer General NSW) and Transport for NSW (the Centre for Property Acquis