Losing your job is one of the great stressors of life

This news is too good and it's true

This news is confusing, and there may be legal issues, but HR tells us to relax

This news is so bad, that at Liverpool it has to be true

And this MidCoast news, is just hilarious

Issue 170 - 14 June 2024

Sophie to the rescue!

What happens next?

Je ne regrette rien

And we've discovered local government's longest and best kept secret

It's hard to keep the Federal Court a secret

101 Damnations at Campbelltown

NSW Electoral Commission declares depa's 2024 elections, and we have one new Committee Member

Trainees in chains

We still provide free insurance for "journey claims", and we've just improved it

What have you blokes been doing?

MidCoast running sore settled

He said what?

"I am a passionate person and if on occasion I don't get it quite right, I am always willing to acknowledge it". Always?

Part 1 - OLG confesses "OLG would have been aware of multiple cases of alleged (and now proven) misconduct when Deputy Secretary Hurst made a determination on 5 February 2021"

Part 2 - 2023 depa awards for the Worst HR in Local Government

LGNSW stand-off with the Unions on senior staff transitional arrangements

OLG continues the paragraph 20 cover-up

Mid Coast salary system dispute arbitrated

We stop Shoalhaven inserting mobile phone numbers into employees' email signature blocks

We apologise for the irregularity of depaNews this year

Next month

Issue 163 - 31 July 2023

What's the fuss? It's only a bloody consultative committee

Let the good times roll,2023 State Award made today

Do you have to be a union member to get the increases and benefits?

A new NSW Government,and some new Ministers to make our lives and work better - yes,hope does spring eternal

Quo Vardis OLG?

Department of Planning creates its own Sagittarius A

NCAT disqualifies former Wagga Wagga councillor from holding civic office

OLG opposes our application to join and support them in NCAT

How are the Award negotiations going?

Not sure who to vote for in the Legislative Council on Saturday?

SafeWork nails councillors behaving badly at Parramatta - and makes OLG irrelevant

Councillor Misconduct Framework Review

Thank you Margaret, and welcome Raelene

2022 depa awards for the Worst HR in Local Government

Councillor Misconduct Review released

That's it for us

‘Tis but a scratch - mixed fortunes at the High Court, and later …

What’s happening?

How has HR been this year?

Randwick GM’s bold move to protect senior staff

NSW unions challenge NSW Government in the High Court – again

We file a dispute with Waverley for failing to have a Consultative Committee operating for 30 months

Minister for LG releases the much-awaited “Discussion paper - Senior staff employment”

LG Professionals invite members for a little bit of consensual S&M

2023 Award discussions have begun

The NSW Building Commissioner is interested in the big picture with local government certifiers

Speaking of corruptibility, how are OLG and the Minister moving to implement the industry's consensus on “no reason” sackings? Part 2

Greg wins, Lake Macquarie loses, but don’t tell Liz

Uh oh, the Building Commissioner is concluding the investigation into certifiers at nine councils …

Central Coast goes hard to establish best practice in health and wellbeing leave

Humpty Dumpty inspires management at Mid Coast

Not too late if you’ve got any good ideas about the next award

depa’s appeal over OLG denying access to information heard in NCAT on 19 August

Interested in the past? What were the issues depa dealt with between December 1984 and September 1997?

What a refreshing change. A crook confesses at ICAC

Speaking of corruptibility, how are OLG and the Minister moving to implement the industry’s consensus on ”no reason” sackings?

Fair Work Commission increases the minimum wage by 5.2%

This has to be the final nail in the coffin for the standard contract

If the senior staff contract is a corruption risk, unimaginative and a shortcut instead of proper performance management, who’d be mad enough to put more people on it?

NCAT smashes depa and the OLG can keep their secrets

The last pay increase in the 2020 Award is from the first pay period after 1 July

Ponderously slow, unexaminable, discouraging and disadvantaging of complainants, the OLG process must change

New COVID Splinter Award to be made to operate from 8 April

depa has a new Committee of Management, and we welcome Bryce

2021 Golden Turd winner resigns

Barbarians rise to keep unfair sackings

depa v Narrabri settled

Enough about everyone else, what about us? We’re having an election.

2021 depa awards for the Worst HR in Local Government

That’s it for us

Time is running out for dodgy developers - and dodgy builders, certifiers, and engineers too

“The glorification of greed has left Sydney with a vast backlog of misery”

Most Councils moving towards mandatory vaccination

Yes, permanent employment for senior staff is great news, but when?

Office of Local Government announces review of how to deal with councillor misconduct

Bruce Dunlop is a new member of our Committee of Management

No increase in membership fees in 2022

December is the last month of the year, and that can only mean one thing

Email : 26 October 2021

New South Wales elects new Pope

Meanwhile, 600 years later...

Councils moving towards mandatory vaccination

depa supports mandatory vaccination

Let’s talk about work and let’s talk about local government

Three quick questions for the undecided

Building Commissioner targets the most dodgy private certifiers

A mixed bag

OLG Model Social Media Policy - consultation draft

NSW Building Commissioner putting the frighteners on developers, and their certifiers

How are the prestigious depa HR awards looking for 2021?

Next issue

Kiersten Fishburn appointed new Chief Executive of OLG

A lesson for all councils from Bega Valley - you can’t make employees forfeit their rights to progression under the Award

A lesson for all councils from Port Macquarie Hastings - you can’t make employees forfeit their rights to historic employment conditions under council policies

Another variation of the Splinter Award for some dawdlers

Covid 19 Splinter Award made for 2021 - and you can get vaccinated in worktime

Where’s Tim?  

ICAC dogs it on Dasha

OLG puts up the impenetrable screen around its Wagga Wagga/Councillor Funnell Order

LGNSW disappoints on standard contracts

Office of Local Government hacked by Russians

Building Commissioner issues stop-work orders

We make Parramatta rethink charging employees with leaseback cars for parking them in council car parks. Again.

LGNSW disappoints on standard contracts

Issue 141 - 23 January 2021

Welcome to 2021! Going to work? Going to the office?

Issue 140 - 17 December 2020

That’s it for us

Thank you Margaret, and welcome Lyn

2020 depa awards for the Worst HR in Local Government

Issue 139 - 26 November 2020

Councillors behaving badly

Transparency vs Confidentiality - a tale of two cities

What's Lyall been doing?

Resourcing the NSW Building Commissioner

Who has the worst HR in local government?

Issue 138 - 20 October 2020

depa v Narrabri Shire Council in historic Supreme Court victory

Just as well we can play a long game

Next month

Issue 137 - 5 August 2020

It's the COVIDiots' fault

Things weren't quite going that well at Bayside

Issue 136 - 29 June 2020

NSW Industrial Relations Commission makes the 2020 Local Government State Award

If the NSW Ombudsman comes to your Council to ask you questions, look out...

Issue 135 - 12 May 2020

Let the money flow!

LG Professionals (sic) to the rescue!

"Shoebridge Committee" hands down final report

And some good news for old council certifiers

The lucky group enjoying fewer constraints under COVID: developers

Local Government State Award 2020 - are we there yet?

Issue 134 - 1 April 2020

Local Government Poseurs want to stand you down - 

COVID-19 update

Something to balance all the bad news, we have a new Committee of Management

Issue 133 - 17 February 2020

Just as well we can play a long game

How are the award negotiations going?

Ït will take two years to fix ...

"Wake up, we've found a flaw in Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 No. 63

Sydney City can't help being nominated for our HR awards

Finally, something about us - it's election time

Issue 132 - 17 December 2019

Bumper holiday reading - 2019 depa awards for the Worst HR in Local Government

And that's it for us this year

Issue 131 - 27 November 2019

Premier to announce "the simplest and most effective planning system in Australia"

A word about wage theft

Local Government Super appoints a new Chief Executive Officer

Supreme Court reserves its decision on Narrabri's jurisdictional argument

Public Accountability Committee's first report makes 17 recommendations

Next month

Issue 130 - 30 October 2019

Narrabri GM wants more bloodshed

That's not a monumental step, this is a monumental step

Uh oh, time to change feet

Finally, on the crisis in construction ...

Oh no, more ïndependent"LGS directors

Issue 129 - 5 September 2019

More good directors sacked - a real bloodbath at Snowy Valleys

We start negotiating a new Local Government State Award this month

Evidence to the Legislative Council Public Accountability Committee into the regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes

Senior Staff are being invited to respond to some questions about their job security

Issue 128 - 23 July 2019

A hapless of Building Ministers announcing bugger all in Sydney

Issue 127 - 27 June 2019

Prime Minister announces IR reform - oh no, here we go again

A new Minister for Local Government - let's see what we can do about those unfair standard contracts

Look out if your Council wants to review your nine day fortnight

As high-rise buildings sink or fall apart, NSW Government gets its finger out on the Building Confidence Report

Issue 126 - 25 March 2019

Shellharbour shows why you need to be a member of a union

And we're in dispute with another Council too

Super dispute in the Commission as well

NSW election means we'll be bashing our heads against the wall with the Coalition Government

Issue 125 - 28 February 2019

We still hate term contracts for senior staff

NSW Government doesn't understand why they lost the High Court case

We file our first dispute of the year with Snowy Valleys Council

Issue 124 - 21 January 2019

"Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer; You'll wish that summer could always be here"

Kaldas review released in December

Opal Tower fiasco raises opportunity to review everything

Issue 123 - 18 December 2018

How's HR been this year?

Richmond Valley is the winner

What about the High Court challenge?

And that's it for 2018, but here's some good advice.

Issue 122 - 28 November 2018

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays depa from the swift completion of depaNews ...

High Court to hear union challenge to electoral funding laws next week

Speaking of issues of principle, the Government appreciates us, but doesn't want to meet with us

How has HR gone this year?

Issue 121 - 25 October 2018

Oh no, now the NSW Government has asked whether we think "there is a greater risk for conflicts of interest to arise in private certification work and result in poor certification..."

NSW unions challenge NSW Government in the High Court

Slowly getting somewhere on "superable salary" dispute

Issue 120 - 28 August 2018

No wonder this lot didn't want a Banking Royal Commission

"Keep your hands off our super"

Don't think banks should be involved in Super?

But what do the regulators do?

Issue 119 - 30 July 2018

Nick Kaldas to audit corruption risks in New South Wales planning

"I need to see you at the gym"

Councillors on interview panels

Issue 118 - 27 June 2018

Next time you have a disagreement about professional opinion ...

The BPB is not just using "intelligence", it has "intelligence cells"

Issue 117 - 28 May 2018

Look out the BPB is coming after you

We make a submission to ICAC Operation Dasha

You've moved house or Council? Don't let it be a secret

Farewell Ernie, thanks for everything

Issue 116 - 23 April 2018

Former Canterbury demonstrates to ICAC why councillors should be removed from development assessment

We may find ourselves in an unusual position

Government sends IRC to Parramatta

Issue 115 - 27 March 2018

Electoral Commission declares 2018 depa elections

Issue 114 - 26 February 2018

Okay, we don't mind a challenge, but...

Going down like dominoes at Tweed

Some people think they can get away with anything...

Government decides to move the IRC out of the Sydney CBD

How to not lose your leaseback car

2018 depa elections - lucky Lord Buckethead isn't a member

Issue 113 - 29 January 2018

Welcome back

Issue 112 - HR Awards 2017

Tweed Shire is the most hazardous workplace for depa members in NSW

Well, that's it for us

Issue 111 - 18 December 2017

LGNSW CEO Donna Rygate proudly launches their game changer

Code of Conduct

depa elections next year

depaNews HR awards will be out Wednesday or Thursday...

Issue 110 - 23 November 2017

LGS agrees it's their responsibility, and they will fix it

We still don't know what this thing is

Had a look at the Draft Code of Conduct yet?

And look out for this...

Is that the time?

Issue 109 - 25 October 2017

Like getting blood from a stone...

And members respond brilliantly

What is this thing called, love*?

Andrew Spooner resigns as President

BPB nails idiots at Griffith City Council

Issue 108 - 28 August 2017

Get your own ideas!

"Like a dog returning to its vomit..."

Look out, the ******** and ******** might be back...

Are you okay?

Issue 107 - 26 July 2017

Enough is enough - it's time to cut councillors out of development assessment

I've got a Deed of Release - lessons to be learned form Amber Harrison

Issue 106 - 19 June 2017

We accept LGNSW offer for a new State Award

Uh oh, ...

Do yourself a favour

Issue 105 - 24 May 2017

Nine days to go ...

We don't like being gagged and we pull the pin on the EMRG

Courts nail clumsy and secretive handling of Council mergers

Issue 104 - 20 April 2017

A Tale of Two Cities

Issue 103 - 29 March 2017

It's hard not to feel sorry for Gladys

LGNSW backflips on decades of cooperation

OLG forced to state the bleeding obvious on employment protection

Ex-Mayor of Hurstville exits with his tail between his legs

Cripes, where was the compassion?

Issue 102 - 15 February 2017

Uh oh ...

What would Mike Baird have done?

Next month ...

Issue 101 - 23 January 2017

The sharks are circling

Issue 100 - 19 December 2016

Who has the worst HR in local government in 2016?

And that's pretty much the end of the year for us...

Issue 99 - 13 December 2016

The Ascension marks the death of the historic IRC

We give OLG's Employment Reference Group another chance

"It's all the fault of bullying union bosses..."

Are things going any better at Sydney City with their asbestos contamination?

Who has the worst HR in local government this year?

Issue 98 - 29 November 2016

Sydney mishandles asbestos contamination in Town Hall House

Ignore Henny Penny, there has been progress in State Award negotiations

BPB gets their fingers out on what should happen with PINs

depa's prestigious HR Awards will be announced next month

Issue 97 - 27 October 2016

We stop Government's secret processes in merged councils

Government dismantles Industrial Relations Commision

Who would have thought! Private certifiers need better regulation ...

Issue 96 - 7 September 2016

Sick of politicians? We are ...

Get ready, we're about to start negotiating the 2017 State Award

Government picks up the pace on dismantling IRC

What are "workplace representatives" for on Consultative Committees?

Issue 95 - 25 August 2016

Government to dismantle Industrial Relations Commission of NSW

Issue 94 - 11 July 2016

"What have the Romans ever done for us?"

Mid-western Council receives ICAC report

Issue 93 - June 2016

Early elections, bring back local democracy!

Senior staff jobs go in amalgamations and the hero is Viv the Vivisector

Employment Matters Working Party clarifies the protections under the Act

Not so fast, the dilettantes and dabblers are still at it

Food Regulation Forum

Issue 92 - May 2016

You'd have to be a mug not to join

Issue 91 - April 2016

NSW Government announces broad expansion of exempt and complying development

LGS launches special holiday arrangements for members

Now we can all be miners, NSW Government announces

Happy birthday, Mike

Issue 90 - March 2016

2016 depa elections delivers four new brooms

PIA NSW did what?

Issue 89 - February 2016

Ex Planning Minister attacks extensions to exempt and complying development

LGNSW and the three unions meet about IPART recommendation 30 and protecting senior staff

"Come on Barry, give me a cuddle"

Some great news for Catherine

Council Amalgamations provide "a good night out" for old folks

2016 elections for the Committee of Management

We extend out legal services to members

Issue 88 - January 2016

Fit for the Future

We settle our section 106 with Mid-Western

Anyone for golf?

Issue 87 - HR Awards 2015

Who has the worst HR in local government in 2015?

Issue 86 - December 2015

Here comes the knockout punch

Councillors behaving badly - bans on at Parramatta

Chinese hackers embarrass LGNSW and LGMA

IRC survives to be dismantled another day

HR awards issue out on Tuesday

Issue 85 - November 2015

Time is ticking away

But some good news too - use this template if your council wants to give you five years protection against forced redundancy

Issue 84 - October 2015

Mixed reception to IPART Report

Anyone there?

NSW Government to shut down Industrial Relations Commission

We file section 106 for the unfair sacking at Mid-Western

Something to put a smile on your faces - we may have found local government's dumbest

Issue 83 - September 2015

Better than Nostradamus

More Councillors behaving badly

Mid-Western GM sacks two directors - and one of them was ours

In such a hostile world, who wouldn't want a guardian angel?

Any action from people we rely upon to properly regulate the industry?

And what about one or two good news stories?

Tamworth GM drops off on removing the nine day fortnight from existing staff

Uh oh, look out!

Why is the Office of Local Government protecting Jilly Gibson? Or is the Minister thinking a few moves ahead?

Next month …

A message to the Minister and the Office of Local Government

We drag the dawdlers at Sydney City into the modern world (and watch them waste a good employee)

depa's submission to the Legislative Council Local Government Enquiry

We hate it when members disappear - and it wastes our time too

Has Local Government Super dumped uranium and nuclear yet?

Issue 80 - June 2015

Reviewing our rules is much more exciting than watching paint dry

Issue 79 - May 2015

Fit for the Future

Got the Boss's job at last and don't need us anymore?

Tamworth brings in the big guns

Old blokes collapse and let Mum keep working part-time

Review of the BPB

We are updating our rules

Issue 78 - April 2015

"New South Wales is open for business" Baird Liberal/Coalition Government commits to dramatic initiatives

Government bans the words "bad for the budget"

The Government clarifies the sale of Poles and Wires

South Africa stripped of World Cup placing

John Howard sees silver lining after Malcolm Fraser's death

Issue 77 - March 2015

Election Special

Issue 76 - February 2015

Tamworth and GM Paul Bennett humiliated in IRC

From one GM with poor HR to another ...

And now back to the 19th century when mothers knew their place

Who wouldn't like to hit a ball into this beautiful lake?

NSW election on Saturday 28 March

Issue 75 - January 2015

Special: Welcome to 2015 issue, three disputes already this year but we won’t mention  Bankstown

How hard is HR? Part 2

Don’t forget our commitment to helping councils provide family friendly work

Anyone for golf?

Fit for the Future, or some other F word?

Issue 74 - December 2014

How hard is HR?

depa's awards for the Worst HR in Local Government

2014 depa award for the worst HR in local government

And that, with great relief, is the end of the year ...

Issue 73 - November 2014

NSW Premier seizes all the pencils

We don't care about Peter Hurst

Confusing messages from LGS

Shoalhaven dispute resolved but the council suffers lasting damage

depa offers a prize in 2015

Anyone for golf?

2014 HR awards to be announced next month

Issue 72 - October 2014

Oh no, Local Government Super goes pro-nuclear

Sam Byrne is appointed as our new director on the LGS Board

Goodby Gough and thanks

Issue 71 - September 2014

Less people with pencils and more people digging up roads

Local Government Poseurs Association still frightened of the new State Award

Apology to Andrew Crakanthorp

How's Penrith going?

Uh oh, Local Government Super is about to do something really bad

Issue 70 - August 2014

Wagga Wagga stumbles with dangerous precedents

What's the score at Shoalhaven?

What Penrith did next

Issue 69 - July 2014

Everyone loves the State Award

LGMA Poseurs fail to derail Award

It's not just the State Award that is committed to making councils provide family friendly and flexible work

What's your council doing about the Award's health and well-being provisions?

An early favourite for our 2014 HR Award

Shock, horror, more bad news on the quality of private certifiers

Issue 68 - June 2014

We have an offer for the 2014 State Award

What's happening about the new Award?

Government announces Roger Rogerson as a role model as Australians encouraged to work into their 70s

Farooq gets Farooqed

Barry Farooqs himself

Goodbye Don, hello Paul

The three last reasons why you would remain a member of AIBS have gone

Fearless leaders copy everyone - Local Government Managers becomes Local Government Professionals! (But nothing changes)

O’Farrell/Christian Democrats deal to reduce smut and innuendo behind removal of BPB’s Neil Cocks and Margaret Hole

O’Farrell/Shooters and Fishers deal to cull more ferals

Bigot Brandis moves to protect the right to be a bigot

Ex HSU officials call for investigation into depa’s finances

Issue 64 - March 2014

Election results declared

2014 election provides new blood to the Committee of Management

Excited about April Fools’ Day?

Issue 63 - February 2014

Has the Government got what it takes to save local government?

Uh oh, they're back

You don't have to be a member, but what would you do if ...

Doing other work? What does your council do about Section 353?

Union Picnic Day golf day cancelled this year.

We have a new Office Manager starting on Monday 3 March.

What’s happened to local government reform?

Want to feel as good as Adam?

Like to be one of our representatives on the NSW Food Regulation Forum?

Special Issue - Issue 61

2013 depa HR Awards

Planning review stalled in the Upper House for three months - what could possibly go wrong now?

Don’t tell us, we don’t want to know

2014 State Award negotiations off and running

Don’t try this at work

Is that the time? 2014 Award discussions to start next month

“Robbo departs super … not with a whimper, but a bang”

Sack this Council - there is nothing fair about Fairfield Part 2

80 jobs lost at Newcastle as GM takes an axe to the organisation

Try not to get sacked over the next three weeks

John and Stephen are innocent!

Federal Court finds there is an implied term of “confidence and trust” in the employment relationship

How not to get sacked

We have to make some observations about the Federal election

North Sydney presented with depa Cup

Looks like an early favourite for our worst HR Award

Don't get lost in action

The 3.25% July Award increase has put some of you over the journey claim limit

Special White Paper issue

Yes, in your backyard

Will the real Brad Hazzard please stand up

Nambucca remarries first wife - after humiliating and expensive divorce

Pace of reform agenda picks up

“The most beautiful sight in the world is a little child going confidently down the road of life after you have shown him away” – Confucius

Do you want your ex to get your super when you die?

Ballina goes feral – it’s time to bring back the pineapple cake

Hard to choose, clowns or dunces, but it was all the Board’s fault

Paid leave for organ transplants

Local Government Acts Taskforce - Next month

GM and Mayor tell everyone to get Farooqed

Look what the BPB dunces want councils to do now!

Get a job at Liverpool and get Farooqed

Liverpool even makes the BPB look reasonable

depa Union Picnic Day Golf Day

Jeeze Craig, you’d have to be joking

Now, that is something to smile about, Gary!

Another GM bites the dust after a dustup with the mayor

2013, time to play golf in our Union Picnic Day Golf Day

Don’t forget our journey claim insurance

2012 depa HR Awards

Anyone can be a Mayor, and look what they can do

Amalgamation hysteria: the sky isn’t falling

Bring in the clowns, the BPB thinks you can approve applications or certify compliance for members of your family!

Your Superannuation Fund is Triple-A Rated

How much investigation is enough?

Danger danger, warning warning as novices gain control in September elections

But wait! There's more.......

Dilettantes dabble with your future - Could Destination 2036 get any worse?

Hold the phone, how good is the technology the Council supplies you?

Welcome Wendy

Try not to get sacked over the next three weeks

New planning system for NSW all about certainty for developers

“’Public nuisance’ evicted from meeting” We’ll have more mayors like this bloke, thanks

The latest on workers comp journey claims

Some early entries in our "Worst HR in Local Government" annual awards

Some clarification on members wanting help with issues that predate their membership

And a final word about union membership - is there no limit to what the freeloaders want?

Bad news Part 1 Government removes workers comp for home to work travel

Bad news Part 2 DLG risks human rights and ILO Convention breaches with proposed new Code of Conduct

It's official, urine testing is unacceptable

Good news Part 1 State Award varied

Good news Part 2 LGS wins Property Council Award for the best sustainable development of an existing building

"Appalling" cuts to workers compensation could affect everyone

IRC directs Hunter Councils to provide information in Alcohol and Other Drugs dispute

Andrew and Jody nominated to the NSW Food Forum

Rewarding meeting with BPB - despite loitering

NSW Government targets sick and injured workers - Workers Comp Special

Random testing finds no evidence of illegal drugs - anti drug zealots now on medication

Fair Work Australia rejects urine testing again and sets other important guidelines

Happy anniversary, Barry

Tsunami of new blood and nothing boring in 2012 depa election results

Great opportunity for a female EHO

Increases in compulsory super remind us those Coalition politicians still really hate industry super funds

Would you buy management consulting from Management Solutions?

Like a dog with a bone, Peter Hurst is back

Protecting your entitlements Part 1: Wingecaribee

Protecting your entitlements Part 2: condition of employment

Update on Alcohol and other drugs trials

BPB kills off our endless summer by coming to a town near you

BPB roadshow starts next month

When is an offensive word, not an offensive word?

depa Union Picnic Day golf day on again

Destination 2036: Government turns a blind eye to local government reform

Panel goes gaga trying to separate the hopeless and the nasty judging the 2011 Worst HR Award

But wait, there is a happy note from Taree

John Skene recruits our 1300th member

It's now okay to call someone petite at Canterbury but be careful who you call a ****, a ******* or particularly a ******* ****

The chickens come home to roost at Blayney

Gosford apologises for their conga line of incompetents

LGS continues to lead the way on its sustainable property portfolio

Canterbury says "wash your mouth out with soap"

Taree unbackable favourites to win 2011 Worst HR in Local Government Award

Hold Destination 2036 - we offer a great innovation to Taree and Great Lakes

And now for something far, far less ridiculous

Destination 2036 demands local government reform over the next four years

Government announces review of the EP&A Act

Consultation on the Public Health Act Regulations

BPB plans to nail the new and aspiring council-accredited employees in 2013

Changes made to the Local Government (State) Award

Some light relief at Gosford?

Bans lifted at Blayney and DLG watches councillors behaving badly

depa's submission to the DLG review of the Model Code of Conduct

"Well, he's hopeless isn't he? You might as well ask the cat."

Canterbury GM presents depa cup

Members at Wagga Wagga vindicated as minister rejects calls for a planning administrator

Members put ban on services to Deputy Mayor at Blayney

FBT changes in Federal Budget will affect council cars

Is this the right room for an argument? Here we go again at Taree

Pizza man says "I wouldn't bother answering..." (Hurstville)

Some progress in Drug and Alcohol dispute (Upper Hunter)

Local Government Super wins SuperRatings Infinity Award

What will life be like in the new New South Wales?

Upper Hunter gets coy about their ineffective testing regime

Freeloaders get a free lunch too at Hurtsville

The BPB would like us to nominate someone for their TRG

Canterbury wins 2011 depa Cup

Upper Hunter lets the dogs out (random drug testing)

Div of LG wakes up to tell us not to worry

BPB reviews conflict-of-interest provisions for council accredited certifiers

Peter Hurst could be coming to a town near you!

Wagga Wagga dispute returns...

LGS wins Sustainable Super Fund of the year

Wagga Wagga dispute ends at last

The Daily Advertiser gets a kicking from the Press Council

Bankstown's denial of family friendly work dispute finally settled

The year is over and we're all having a break

and Bankstown wins "Worst HR in Local Government Award" again

Get a bonus under the new Award

Peter Hurst says he will apologise

The Daily Advertiser protects the guilty

Bernie avoids jail but it's time to go Phillip (private certifiers)

No fee increase in 2011 and a big hint about our HR ugliness awards next issue...

An offer we can't refuse - new Local Govt (State) award

Ten good reasons to accept the offer

Commission recommends LGSA agree to our claim on accrediation

At last, some proper recognition of a Council's duty of care when employees reputations are attacked

Who is Peter Hurst and why is he so unkind? (Wagga Wagga)

Members on strike at Taree

We stop Parramatta Council charging employees for bringing their leaseback cars to work!

BPB rethinks legislative problems and conflict of interest

We ask the Division of Local Government to do something!

But first... Special report from a meeting with the BPB

Progress with accrediting council staff

Conflict of interest issues

Transitional provisions

Fines under the BPB Act 2005

The issue of discipline generally

Woo hoo, look at LGS returns

We have rewarding meeting with BPB

NSW government does the right thing on GIPA

Progress in State Award negotiations

Hackers win depa Cup. And the Mayor presents the Cup

We are involved in how many disputes?

And is there anyone we would like to have a dispute with?

We might not like it, but get accredited now

LGS kills off any merger with EIS

Consultation on Public Health Bill lumbers on

BPB confirms no Council staff will be fined

and it looks like council will get the levels of accrediation they ask for...

NSW Health starts to get their act together on Public Health Bill consultation

State Electoral Office declares new officials and a new Committee of Management

Award discussions take off

Bullying, bastardry and belligerence at Bankstown (and that's only the B words)

TAFE needs Causal Trainers/Assessors for the Diploma Local Government (Environmental Health and Building)

Does it get any better than playing golf on a perfect day, celebrating Union Picnic Day, at the depa Golf Day at Blackheath?

Apology to Beverley Giegerl and Richard Powis

BPB folly to accredit council employees to start today!

There's a new Public Health Bill - and it's been a well-kept secret

And the Attorney General's Department is not doing a bad job of not telling people what is going on either

At last, some movement on the 2010 Local Government (State) Award negotiations

2010 Log of Claims Local Government (State) Award - Part 1

USU firms up its opposition to any merger of EIS and LGS - but do we smell a rat?

Local Govt (State) Award discussions to start in March

BPB Version 3 consultation about to close

A reminder about access to industrial tribunals for senior staff

No developments (as far as we can tell) on secret superannuation merger plans

depa Golf Day on again this year - and not just for golfers

Introducing Ben Douglas Robertson

No fee increase in 2010

Help you with recruitment

BPB still working at avoiding creating the monster

What's UWS doing with the environmental health course?

Superannuation dispute almost resolved

Best practice NSW Industrial Relations Commission to continue for local government employees

Councillors behaving badly at Parramatta

2010 Award discussions to start early next year

Understanding the monster (and some bad news for EHOs)

BPB accreditation of council staff

UWS looks at dumping Environment and Health degree program next year

Accreditation proposals look impossible - but BPB commits not to create a monster

Can your Council continue to do what it is doing now, with its existing staff, under these guidelines?

Parramatta Councillors discover there is a new Local Government Act

Only the really unpleasant councils left in super/TRP dispute

Accreditation of council staff: is no news, good news?

depa, the LGSA and the USU have met to try to develop a common approach to drug and alcohol policies

Shock horror: BPB kills off B1 and B2

Two vacancies on the Committee of Management close on Friday 31 July

Commission endorses depa’s super/trp campaign that Council should pay the increased compulsory employer contribution - and now more than 100 councils are paying

Which is the worst council?

Pittwater struggles to get it right and depa fixes a problem for everyone

2009 Health and Building Surveyors Conference Reunion

Commission puts brakes on the Belligerent Seven

Dispute Filed with 83 Councils

Today is the International Day of Mourning

Members at Taree show how to do it

Food Authority gives the BPB a lesson in consultation

Careful what you say on Facebook (or even Twitter)

Superannuation and members on contracts or TRPs

LGSS attacked over the increase employer contribution

The BPB wants to survey "council building certification officers"

First things first - don't respond to the survey

Why would you accredit council officers?

Why do we oppose accreditation of council staff?

Some useful links

Some unanswered questions about accreditation of council staff

Please attend the State-wide BPB workshops

And why not wear one of our campaign t-shirts.

But what does the BPB really need?

Forget Etheridge, Red Hot Rees gives WorkChoices a shellacking?

Another fool rushes in - and this time it's a General Manager

LGSS terminates contribution holiday

DLG and Department of Water and Energy wreak havoc with plumbing inspections

A good time to have your money under the bed

Etheridge and protection from Federal industrial laws

Meanwhile, the fools are rushing in...

What does the Building Professionals Amendment Act 2008 mean for councils and council staff?

Having a bad day? Things could be worse: you could be Michael Costa or Morris Iemma

Federal Court rejects WorkChoices

"Fools rush in" competition

Bad things always happen in the middle of the night (EP&A)

NSW Food Authority gets it right!

A new Code of Conduct will affect Council staff

Lake Macquarie decides not to proceed with random drug and alcohol testing

Some good advice in a bad year for superannuation returns

The lunatics have taken over the asylum (BP amendment bill)

The fantasy of a level playing field

Government proposes accreditation of Council “certifiers” in 2004.

And now they do it again in 2008

What does the 2008 Exposure Draft Bill do?

And there is an exposure draft Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2008 too!

We make Hornsby rethink its obsession about random drug and alcohol testing

Lithgow triumphs at depa Golf Day

FOI application flushes out hoax of "public consultation"

And the winner is...Part I

And the winner is...Part II

Hornsby gets gung ho on random drug and alcohol testing

Sex Lies and development (ICAC)

depa fesses up on our dinner with Frank

Some great responses in our "Let me be Frank with you" competition

Another great competition for March

Committee resolves policy of opposing random drug and alcohol testing

Committee of Management elections

Sydney Council rediscovers 19 day month

A competition for everyone (and not just members) to put a smile on faces in 2008

Minister’s office rejects depa’s application under FOI and we file an appeal

At a time of stock-market crises, here is some good news about LGSS

Good News 1: LGSS nominated as Sustainable Super Fund of the Year

Good News 2: Knocking Co 2 off the old office block

Good News 3: If you’re interested in sustainability…

depa Golf Day 2008: Will Bankstown retain the depa Cup?

Howard reproduces 1929 disgrace

What does the change of government mean for WorkChoices and NSW local government?

Oh no, more stupid proposals on planning reform and we file an FOI application to see the draft bill

Oh no, the Department of Local Government stuffs up changes to senior staff contracts (again!)

Interested in that the Diploma of Local Government (Health and Building Assessment)?

Season’s greetings and a happy New Year

Not everyone's cup of tea but Work Choices is here to stay

Small business of the year, cripes, how do they keep doing this?

Love him or loathe him (2007 Federal election)

And what about the Local Government (State) Award?

Membership Update

"In principle" agreement reached on the new Local Government (State) Award

Not a cardigan to be seen

Workchoices just keeps looking worse

Random Drug and Alcohol Testing at work.

New depths plumbed in unsophisticated debate on industrial relations policy

Getting a pay increase in November. Eight frequently asked questions

Some councils want non-union members on Consultative Committees - and we don't

Part 3A fiasco imminent

Independent assessment fiasco next?

Private Certifiers fiasco continues

Food Authority creates Newcastle fiasco

No fairness in Fairfield fiasco

Everyone now agrees, WorkChoices stinks

What's happening with Referral Agreements?

And now for something completely different …

Something old, something blue …

Jody is going on holidays

NSW elections - but BIG differences on industrial relations

Award discussions get under way

Bankstown wins depa cup

Going, going, gone. Woods stands down as Chair of LGSS

Have you sent your Tax File Number to the LGSS

Nothing clear about councils and WorkChoices

FAQ about WorkChoices

It's time to Go Peter, Part III

depa Golf Day

It's time to go Peter, Part II

Who gets the AFPC increase

Councils continue to sign Referral Agreements

What to do if your local irritating HR Manager offers you an AWA

What, no fee increases in 2007?

Have a fabulous break

BONUS: How Not to Get Sacked

40,000 March in Sydney

High Court decides WorkChoices is constitutional

Do we get the Fair Pay Commission pay increase?

What would be the smart thing for councils to do now?

When will we know if we get the $22.30?

More and more councils sign Referral Agreements

Beware the Internal Ombudsman

Cars,cars and more cars. Arguments about cars, that is

BPB crashes into Burwood

All disputes settled at Bankstown!

It's time to go, Peter

Who cares about Garrett v Freeman

We welcome two organisations rising from the ashes...

Whoops, we thought that Food Authority had it all under control

"An Inconvenient Truth"

Senior Staff Contracts

Cars

Superannuation Returns

We make Cooma-Monaro apologise to members

Avoiding WorkChoices

Canterbury does the right thing (at last) to protect their staff

.Canterbury introduces smoke-free workplace

.What can be done about the shortage of planners?

A new Committee of Management for 2005/2006

2006 recruitment campaign announced

.Private certifiers give us all a good laugh!

WorkChoices starts on Monday 27 March

Can NSW Govt save us from WorkChoices

What is the BPB up to with council statistics

depa Golf Day

BPB and Councils

Bankstown - 13 prosecutions for Award breaches

What should a council do when an employee is assaulted

A new competition

No fee increase in union fees in 2006

What happens to the Award under WorkChoices?

Clauses at risk in the Local Government (State) Award

What WorkChoices could really mean for you

Member's action wins an apology from Nambucca

Some new ministers and good riddance to Craig

Costa to axe Building Professionals' Board

Recruit our 1400th member and get $500

What does Section 353 of the Local Government Act mean?

Howard Government attacks you at work

We win fight for family-friendly work at Bankstown

Win in an appointment dispute at Canterbury

North Sydney team thrashes everyone at depa golf day

Pushing out boundaries and protecting ourselves

Play nicely kids or else

BPB considers accrediting councils

Federal Government attacks Unions

Restrictions on term contracts

Gosford Triumph

Changes to our legal service

Delegate training

DIPNR under pressure

Have you seen our submission

We make another helpful suggestion to the BPB!

depa proposes amendments to Local Government Act

The idea the customer is always right is wrong

Gosford heroes on strike for more staff

Award gets closer to settlement

Who does the AIBS think they are speaking for?

Two fresh faces on committee of management

We lodge 2004 Log of Claims with LGSA

Minister loses her favorite town!

Are you working at a "toxic" Council?

Expanded complying development - what lies ahead?

Committee of Management election in 2004

2004 Award discussions to start soon

Development in contracts campaign

Task force wants lunatics in charge of asylum

IRC Nails Marrickville

DIPNA nor Dept of Commerce want to accredit certifiers

no fee rise for 2004

We challenge the legality of term contracts

What does the ICAC think about term employment?

Crashing through or crashing on planning reform?

Amalgamation pressures continue

On a lighter note, anyone for golf?

What to do about boofhead councillors?

Council Amalgamations

Regulate or not regulate senior staff?

Craig Knowles is back..

Term Contracts

Complaints about private certifiers

Anyone interested in food survellance?

Hello Emma!

We are depa and here is another chance to win $500

Marrickville pleads guilty

A strategic alliance with the Planning Institute of Australia

Historic salary dispute is finished

Lessons for everyone from the Sydney boundary changes

An attitude to inter-union committees

Goodbye Moira, Hello Carol

Everyone loves depa!

And the winner is...

Committee of management co-opts Graham Gardiner

Marrickville heroes launch industrial campaign

Another warning about email and internet policies

Been temporary for long?

LGSS resolves to not appeal supreme court decision

No fee rise for 2003!

More protection in term contacts result from Gosford dispute.

We can make Fairfield provide salary sacrifice at no cost

Reasonable working hours and RDO's.

What's in a name? A choice for members

LGSS in Supreme Court

Now is a good time to complain about private certifiers

Fair Trading to do something about shonky builders

Happy Xmas and New Year

New gradings and 10 more cars at Wollongong set a new standard.

We've advertised by can't get anyone.."

We still hate term contracts and we're doing something about it.

Only union members get Picnic Day

Anyone working unreasonable hours?

Think you might be redundant?

$500 still available!

Putting superannuation returns into perspective

We make Warringah introduce salary sacrificing for cars.

"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..."

Council certifiers to be accredited

LGSS has a day in the Supreme Court

Freeloaders to be hit with service fees?

Freeloaders to miss out on Union Picnic Day?

Ehabsa and the AIBS

But he also said this about council certifiers..

Shock news: Government sets up inquiry into private certification!

The AIBS says you all want to be accredited, can this be true?

LGSS about to have it's day in court

Election results declared

We love planners

Private cars under threat

Restructuring and the spilling of positions

Term contract successfully opposed at Quanbeyan

All office holders and COM positions up for grabs!

Pay your fees annually?

Salary sacrifice available from 1 April

Private certification hits the fan

New Award made on 1 November

Having problems with salary packaging?

Triumph at Eurobodalla on the nine-day fortnight

Fees for 2002. We'd love to reduce the fees and you can help!

What's happening about the LGSS surplus?

People who make our lives difficult.