All Local Government Councillors have obligations under the Election Funding and Disclosures Act 1981. Each Councillor, or their official agent, is required to lodge a Declaration of Political Donations Received and Electoral Expenditure Incurred during the disclosure period.

There is an ongoing six monthly disclosure obligation for all Councillors. Declarations for the period ending 30 June are due by 25 August each year. Declarations for the period ending 31 December are due by 25 February each year. Visit the Election Funding Authority website for more information.


Disclosure of Political Donations and Gifts

Introduction

The Local Government and Planning Legislation Amendment (Political Donations) Act 2008 (the Act) was passed by both houses of the NSW Parliament on 30 June 2008 and will become effective from 1 October 2008.

The Act amends the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and the Local Government Act 1993.. These amendments require the disclosure of relevant political donations or gifts when planning or development applications are made to minimise any perception of undu influence by:

requiring public disclosure of the political donations or gifts at the time planning or development applications (or public submissions relating to them) are made

providing the opportunity for appropriate decisions to be made about the person who will detemine or advise on the determination of the planning applications.

Disclosures of reportable political donations and gifts are to be made available to the public within 14 days.

Council maintains a register of received disclosures and this register is available for public inspection at Council's Administration Centre.