Over the past few days a lot of people have contacted me asking the same question:
What is the best way to raise a concern with the Office of Local Government when Council will not resolve an issue?
Read the original blog post for the pathway below
When residents need a guidebook to deal with their own Council
Here’s a simple guide to help you write a clear, effective complaint that the OLG can act on.
The most important thing
OLG cannot intervene just because something feels unfair. They step in when there’s evidence that Council has not followed its own policies or the NSW Local Government Act.
Your letter needs to show this plainly.
What to include
• A short summary of the issue, including the timeline
• What you asked Council to do and when
• Council’s response or lack of response
• The specific policy, procedure or legislation you believe Council has not followed. If you don’t know try Google
• Any documents, emails or screenshots that support your claim
• The outcome you are seeking
• Your contact details
Keep it factual, calm and organised.
This helps OLG assess whether the matter sits within their responsibilities.
Contact details for OLG
Email: olg@olg.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 4428 4100
Postal: Office of Local Government, Locked Bag 3015, Nowra NSW 2541
My suggestion is you email them, send them a snail mail copy and also send an email copy to your MP – in the case of Kiama that is Katelin McInerney
| A | Ms Katelin McInerney, MP 102 Terralong Street KIAMA NSW 2533 |
|---|---|
| P | (02) 4232 1082 |
| F | (02) 4232 3577 |
| E | kiama@parliament.nsw.gov.au |
Why this matters
When the community follows a clear process, it is harder for any organisation to dismiss concerns or pretend the issue is complicated.
A well-written complaint demonstrates that residents know their rights and expect the standards set out in the Act to be upheld.
#OLG #LocalGovernment #CommunityRights #CouncilAccountability #Transparency #GoodGovernance #NSWOLG #CivicEngagement #KnowYourRights #CommunityAdvocacy