NSW councils
Sydney councils that drag heels on housing DA claim there are good reasons
Councils pinged as the slowest in Sydney at assessing development applications say there are several reasons why they rank poorly on a new league table.
- by Michael Koziol and Megan Gorrey
Latest
Why this council is opposing a $170m solar farm that would power 48,000 homes
A 100-megawatt solar farm is the latest flashpoint over the construction of renewable energy projects in regional Australia.
- by Megan Gorrey
Exclusive
City life
The state government wants to close streets for parties, but can councils afford it?
The Minns government wants to close roads for more festivals, concerts and markets to boost local shopping strips.
- by Andrew Taylor
Exclusive
Liverpool
One of Sydney’s largest councils implodes amid calls for inquiry
Half of the councillors have complained to the state government about dysfunction under its mayor.
- by Kate McClymont and Ben Cubby
Giant pothole leaves thousands of people on edge
A NSW council has had to slash its budget, cancel events and sell its own land to make ends meet after suffering 15 natural disasters in just five years.
- by Catherine Naylor
This council job pays up to $633,852 a year. But there’s an easy way to lose it
Council general managers and chief executives are supposed to be non-political. However, they’re being hired and fired by councillors.
- by Anthony Segaert
This north shore council was ordered to repay $36 million for unbuilt park. Instead, it wants to sue
An outraged Philip Ruddock, the Liberal mayor of Hornsby, said he was “as disappointed as I am flabbergasted” by the government’s decision to recall the funding.
- by Michael Koziol
Footpaths at $1000 a metre: Spending, costs ‘out of control’ as fight over rate rises heats up
A council whose spending includes $1 million a kilometre on footpaths was among those to appear at a parliamentary inquiry on Monday asking for permission to raise rates.
- by Michael Koziol
Updated
Planning
Revealed: The number of new homes coming to your Sydney suburb
Some parts of Sydney’s north and east have had their housing targets tripled and quadrupled under figures released by the state government today.
- by Michael Koziol, Michael McGowan and Anthony Segaert
Exclusive
Sydney councils
‘I want to keep going’: Clover Moore seeks sixth term as Sydney lord mayor
The 78-year-old Sydney lord mayor rejected the suggestion it was time to give someone else a go after 20 years in the job, citing maxims from Buddha and Teddy Roosevelt.
- by Michael Koziol
‘We’re not West Hollywood’: Byron locals push back against new mega mansions
Residents of one of Australia’s most exclusive beach enclaves are pushing for new rules to stop oversized mansions swallowing their neighbourhood amid a post-COVID building boom.
- by Catherine Naylor