The New South Wales Ombudsman
The Ombudsman was established in NSW in 1974. Its function is to, amongst other things, receive, investigate and report on complaints about public sector agencies in NSW. Local Councils fall within the definition of a public sector agency. The NSW Ombudsman has been kept busy since its establishment with complaints about Council. As well as dealing with those complaints, the Ombudsman has taken a wholistic view to improving public administration and accountability but producing Annual Reports detailing the process. The Ombudsman's Annual Reports have a separate chapter devoted to Local Government for those interested in keeping tabs on issues. The Ombudsmans office also regularly produce Guidelines for the public sector in NSW including some tailored to local government specifically.
What the Ombudsman cannot investigate at local government level.
Under Construction
What acts or ommisions can the NSW Ombudsman investigate?
The NSW Ombudsman Act 1974 section 5 states the NSW Ombudsman has the power to investigate conduct that is:
- illegal
- unreasonable
- unjust or oppressive
- improperly discriminatory
- based on improper or irrelevant grounds
- based on a mistake of law or fact
- otherwise wrong.
and this includes:
- failing to comply with proper procedures or the law
Application of those issues to local government heritage listings.
Under Construction
Application of those issues to the NSW Department of Local Governments local government heritage management or lack thereof.
Under Construction
| 
