{"id":"nsw:sl-2018-0192","name":"Local Government (Regional Joint Organisations) Proclamation 2018","slug":"local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"192 of 2018","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176699,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2018-0192-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Proclamation","content":"#### 1 Name of Proclamation\n\n1 Name of Proclamation\n\n> This Proclamation is the [Local Government (Regional Joint Organisations) Proclamation 2018](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2018-0192).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Proclamation commences on the day on which it is published on the NSW legislation website.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of joint organisations","content":"#### 3 Constitution of joint organisations\n\n3 Constitution of joint organisations\n\n> The joint organisations specified in the Table to this clause are constituted with—\n> \n> > (a) the names specified in the Table, and\n> \n> > (b) joint organisation areas consisting of the council areas specified opposite the name of each joint organisation—\n> \n> | Column 1 | Column 2 |\n> | Joint organisation | Council areas forming joint organisation area |\n> | Canberra Region Joint Organisation | Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Snowy Monaro Regional, Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan Shire, Wingecarribee, Yass Valley |\n> | Central NSW Joint Organisation | Bathurst Regional, Blayney, Cabonne,Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, City of Lithgow, Oberon, City of Orange, Parkes, Weddin |\n> | Far North West Joint Organisation | Bourke, Cobar, Walgett |\n> | Far South West Joint Organisation | Broken Hill City, Central Darling, Wentworth, Balranald |\n> | Hunter Joint Organisation | City of Cessnock, Dungog, City of Lake Macquarie, City of Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, City of Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter Shire |\n> | Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation | Kiama, City of Shellharbour, City of Shoalhaven, City of Wollongong |\n> | Mid North Coast Joint Organisation | Bellingen, Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings |\n> | Namoi Joint Organisation | Gunnedah, Gwydir, Liverpool Plains, Tamworth Regional, Walcha |\n> | New England Joint Organisation | Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn Shire, Inverell, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tenterfield, Uralla |\n> | Northern Rivers Joint Organisation | Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, City of Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed |\n> | Orana Joint Organisation | Bogan, Gilgandra, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Warren, Warrumbungle Shire |\n> | Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation | City of Albury, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, City of Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera |\n> | Riverina Joint Organisation | Bland, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional, Greater Hume Shire, Junee, Lockhart, Temora, City of Wagga Wagga |\n> \n> **cl 3:** Am 2018 (371), cl 3 (1) (2); 2018 (426), cl 3 (1)–(5); 2019 (48), cl 3; 2020 (42), cl 3; 2022 (801), sec 3; 2023 (102), sec 3.","sortOrder":2}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The seven amendments made between 2018 and 2023 indicate that the scope has evolved from the original proclamation — likely reflecting changes in council membership, boundary adjustments, or the addition or dissolution of specific regional joint organisations since the scheme was first established."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendments over time (7 versions from 2018 to 2023) create a layered history that requires cross-referencing to understand the current state","The proclamation operates under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), meaning its full effect cannot be understood without reference to that parent legislation","Regional boundary determinations (which councils fall into which JO) can have significant practical consequences but are not always self-evident from the text alone","The governance structure of Joint Organisations involves interplay between state government powers and local council autonomy, adding a layer of constitutional complexity","Limited substantive content is visible in the provided text — the actual operational provisions of the proclamation are not reproduced, making full assessment difficult"],"plain_english_summary":"This proclamation formally creates Regional Joint Organisations (JOs) in NSW, grouping neighbouring local councils into regional bodies. It affects regional councils, their residents, and state agencies by shifting some regional planning, advocacy and shared service coordination to a joint, cross-council level. It has been amended multiple times (most recently March 2023) as groupings changed."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Clause 3 defines each joint organisation and its constituent council areas. That clause has been amended repeatedly (see amendment history attached to cl 3), indicating the composition and membership of the joint organisations have been changed since the original proclamation. The Proclamation therefore changes scope by updating which councils form each joint organisation over time (cl 3 and its amendment citations)."},"complexity_factors":["Primary effect is declarative: a table listing organisations and member councils (cl 3) — low legal drafting complexity.","Multiple amendments to clause 3 across 2018–2023 (see: cl 3: Am 2018 (371), 2018 (426), 2019 (48), 2020 (42), 2022 (801), 2023 (102)) increase the practical task of tracking current membership.","Large number of councils and many region names increases administrative complexity for implementation and coordination (cl 3 table).","Commencement on publication gives the proclamation immediate effect (cl 2), requiring prompt administrative action by affected councils.","The proclamation specifies membership only; it does not set out governance powers, funding, or operating rules for the joint organisations, leaving those matters to other instruments — this shifts legal and compliance complexity elsewhere (cl 3)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Proclamation creates named regional joint organisations and specifies exactly which local council areas belong to each by listing every joint organisation and its member councils. It takes effect on the day it is published. It matters because it fixes, in law, which councils are grouped for regional cooperation and so determines the formal membership basis for joint organisation activity."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Proclamation serves exactly its original purpose: constituting regional joint organisations under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW). It has not expanded beyond this narrow administrative function. The amendments shown merely update council memberships (adding, removing, or reassigning councils) rather than expanding the scope or purpose of the instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document — only 3 operative clauses","No defined terms section — all language is plain English","Single purpose: creating organisations and listing their members","No conditional logic or exceptions — just a straightforward table of names and council areas","Minimal cross-referencing — only internal references to the Table in clause 3","Amendment history is noted but doesn't affect the operative complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This Proclamation officially creates 13 **Regional Joint Organisations** in New South Wales. These are formal partnerships between neighbouring local councils (cities and shires) that band together to work on big regional issues like infrastructure, economic development, and service delivery.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Sets up 13 specific joint organisations with official names (like \"Hunter Joint Organisation\" or \"Riverina Joint Organisation\")\n- Lists exactly which councils belong to each organisation\n- Gives each organisation a defined geographic area made up of its member council areas\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Local councils** — 128 councils across NSW are grouped into these 13 organisations\n- **Local communities** — residents now have their council represented in a regional body that can advocate for bigger-picture projects\n- **State government** — has a clearer structure for dealing with regions rather than individual councils\n\n**Why it matters:**\nInstead of 128 councils negotiating separately with the state government or competing for funding, these joint organisations give regions a single, stronger voice. They can coordinate things like road upgrades, water security, and economic strategies across council boundaries. The Proclamation has been updated several times (as shown in the amendment notes) to add or adjust which councils belong where as boundaries and arrangements change."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018","history":"/api/acts/local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/local-government-regional-joint-organisations-proclamation-2018/documents"}}