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Policies have been adopted by Council to set out the general approach to all of our operations, activities and services.

You’ll find our full list of policies here - grouped under the Community Strategic Plan outcomes. There is a brief description of what each policy relates to and has a link providing more detail.

Vibrant Local Economy

Outdoor Dining and Footpath Merchandise Policy

This policy aims to support a vibrant streetscape that is safe and welcoming, attracting tourists and locals to visit, enjoy and return. The appropriate placement and regulation of outdoor dining furniture and display of footpath merchandise that ensures safe and equitable access to the footpath can be achieved whilst supporting local businesses.

Waste Minimisation for Functions and Events

Council aims to promote best practice waste management through waste avoidance, resource recovery and sustainable procurement practices at all public events held in the Northern Beaches local government area. All public events and functions held on Council property and public open space must adhere to the Event Waste Management Guidelines.

Housing, Places and Spaces

Affordable Housing Policy

The purpose of this policy is to outline Council’s position and approach to the provision of affordable housing in the Northern Beaches. 

Council-related Development Applications Policy

This policy aims to manage potential conflicts of interest and increase transparency at all stages of the development process for council-related development.

Naming our Reserves, Roads and Facilities Policy

Northern Beaches Council aims to provide a consistent and transparent process for naming Council owned and managed reserves, facilities and roads.

This policy endorses Council’s adherence to the Geographical Names Board (GNB) Place Naming Policy and process for the naming of reserves, facilities and roads.

It aims to provide further guidance and criteria to apply the GNB Place Naming Policy when for assessing and approving naming requests from the community.

Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines

The Northern Beaches Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines are to be used as a guide for the evaluation, planning and design of streets and open spaces and public / private interfaces.

The Guidelines seek to retain and enhance the Northern Beaches unique landscape character whilst providing additional environmental, social and health outcomes within its centres and neighbourhoods through the introduction of best practice street design and appropriate material selection.

Voluntary Planning Agreements

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council - 28 June 2022

Good Governance

Asset Management Policy

This Policy sets guidelines for implementing consistent asset management processes to existing and new assets throughout the Northern Beaches Council. The application of these principles will ensure our assets continue to provide the appropriate level of service to meet the community’s needs and expectations in a sustainable manner.

Code of Conduct Policy

The Northern Beaches Council adopted the Northern Beaches Council Code of Conduct and the Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct at the Ordinary Meeting of 26 July 2022. This code is prescribed by regulation and sets out the minimum requirements of conduct that must be observed by Council Officials including committee members, staff, delegates, contractors and consultants in carrying out their functions for Council.

Code of Meeting Practice

This code is prescribed by regulation and sets out the minimum requirements of conduct that must be observed by Council officials including committee members, staff, delegates, contractors and consultants in carrying out their functions for Council.

Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy

The aim of the Policy is to facilitate a positive working relationship between councillors, as the community’s elected representatives, and staff, who are employed to administer the operations of the Council. The Policy provides direction on interactions between councillors and staff to assist both parties in carrying out their day-to-day duties professionally, ethically and respectfully.

Councillor Expenses & Facilities Policy

Policy for payment and reimbursement of expenses incurred by, and the provision of facilities to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors.

Councillor Induction and Professional Development Policy

Northern Beaches Council is committed to developing an induction and ongoing professional development program for the Mayor and Councillors to ensure they can fulfil their statutory roles and responsibilities.

Councillor Use of Social Media Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for Councillors about the personal and professional use of social media. Social media is an important communication, engagement and customer service channel which can encourage dialogue between Councillors and the community.

This policy intends to assist Councillors to use social media in a way that minimises exposure of both Councillors and Council to legal risk. In particular, it outlines guidance for Councillors with regards to confidentiality, governance, privacy, record keeping and other legal and regulatory risks when using social media.

Fraud and Corruption Control Policy

Northern Beaches Council is committed to maintaining trust and building advocacy with the community and stakeholders through a robust and vigilant fraud and corruption prevention approach.  This Policy and Plan outlines Council’s zero-tolerance position on any fraudulent or corrupt behaviour and establishes a framework to prevent fraud and corruption, proactively monitor, maintain and build awareness of its fraud and corruption prevention controls and strategies. 

Investment Policy

The objectives of this policy are to provide a framework for the investing of Council's funds at the most favourable return available to it at the time whilst having due consideration of risk and security for that investment type and ensuring that Council’s liquidity requirements are being met.

Legislative Compliance Policy

To provide assurance and build the capacity of Northern Beaches Council to meet its key compliance obligations, promote a compliance culture and uphold good corporate governance practices.

Pensioners’ Rates & Annual Charges Concession Policy

To provide a framework for the administration of concessions provided by Council to eligible pensioners on rates and annual charges and clear principles and guidelines for the granting of those concessions ensuring the requirements of Local Government Act 1993 (“Act”) and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 (“Regulations”) are satisfied.

Council has rescinded existing pensioner concession policies for each of the former Councils effective from 1 July 2021.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council 15 October 2024

Policy framework

Public Interest Disclosures

The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 establishes a system to encourage people who work in the public sector to report serious wrongdoing without fear of reprisal, such as adverse treatment, intimidation or being sued for defamation. A report of wrongdoing made under the provisions of the PID Act is known as a Public Interest Disclosure (PID). 

Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy

The provision of assistance to those ratepayers who are experiencing genuine financial hardship with the payment of their Rates and Annual Charges. A key objective is to work with ratepayers to achieve flexible alternatives to legal action where possible.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council - 15 October 2024

Work Health and Safety

The Northern Beaches Council’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) Policy outlines Council’s commitment to providing a healthy and safe environment for all workers including volunteers, contractors, students and visitors.

Environmental Sustainability

Asbestos Management Policy

To ensure the health, safety & wellbeing of the Northern Beaches community, staff and workers within the local government area with respect to asbestos containing material. This policy focuses on eliminating or minimising the exposure when working with asbestos (including storage, transport and disposal) in accordance with SafeWork NSW requirements. Adopted by Northern Beaches Council on 23 March 2020.

Community Gardens Policy

This policy outlines Council’s support for community gardens throughout the Northern Beaches. It aims to ensure a consistent, equitable and transparent approach to the planning, establishment, management and operation of community gardens.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council on 23 June 2020.

Single Use Plastics

Council to take a leadership role in the elimination of Single Use Plastic, advocating for legislative change, and influencing and enabling responsible consumption practices.

Transport, Technology and Connectivity

Beach Parking Permits Policy

This policy relates to the allocation of annual Beach Parking Permits which allow free parking in designated Council operated Pay and Display reserve carparks.

Shared Transport Policy

To provide wide ranging Shared Transport systems that integrate effectively within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area (LGA) minimising disturbance and safety hazards to the public now or into the future.

Adopted 23 July 2019

Protection of the Environment

Bush Fire Management Policy

This Policy sets out Council’s approach to effective bush fire risk management and location based bush fire management throughout the Northern Beaches Local Government Area (LGA) in order to protect life and reduce the negative impact of bush fire on property, infrastructure and the environment.

This Policy is to be read in conjunction with the Council’s Bushland and Biodiversity Policy.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council on 23 February 2021.

Bushland and Biodiversity Policy

Council aims to protect, enhance and restore local bushland and biodiversity and the unique value they have on the Northern Beaches.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council on 23 February 2021.

Coastal Erosion Policy

This policy guides Northern Beaches Council’s approach to the protection of public and private property from coastal hazards identified in the certified Coastal Zone Management Plan for Collaroy-Narrabeen Beach and Fishermans Beach.

Water Management for Development Policy

This policy supports Councils commitment to protecting and enhancing the aquatic and terrestrial natural environment while ensuring protection of public and property across the Northern Beaches.

The application of these principles, and corresponding planning controls, will deliver effective integrated management of stormwater, rainwater, groundwater and wastewater

Community and Belonging

Child Safeguarding Policy

The Child Safeguarding Policy provides a set of overarching practices aligned to the Child Safe Standards that demonstrates Council’s commitment to child safety.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council - 27 October 2020

Community Centres Policy

Northern Beaches Council Community Centres are safe, welcoming, inclusive, accessible and affordable public spaces for the whole community. They are vibrant modern facilities that support and enable programs that provide diverse opportunities for a rich social and cultural life, encouraging good health, social interaction, creativity and learning.

Council will manage and maintain community facilities that are responsive to community priorities and support community organisations through the provision of facilities at a subsidised rate, if and when available.

As public trustee and guardian of public and community assets Council will provide access for all members of the community. Council will actively pursue innovative ways to maximise the use of public and community assets. (Community Development & Services Policy, adopted 25 May 2019)

Council will provide an equitable and transparent framework for the management of Council’s network of community centres. The operational management model will be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the community.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council 23 March 2021

Cultural Policy

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council - 28 November 2023

Glen Street Theatre Complimentary Tickets Policy

Northern Beaches Council is committed to supporting the arts and creative communities through the management of a professional performing arts venue. Glen Street Theatre is an integral part of the Northern Beaches cultural fabric and a high profile example of Council building strong relationships with the community and providing cultural leadership.

The strategic, discretionary use of complimentary tickets is a tool to facilitate the governance, promotion, revenue generation, staff training, customer service and community engagement outcomes that underpin Council’s investment in Glen Street Theatre.

Moveable Heritage Management Policy

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council - 28 May 2019

Social Sustainability Policy

Northern Beaches Council acts principally as a facilitator and enabler of social sustainability in order to build the capacity and resilience of the community to achieve individual and collective wellbeing. Community development activities are carried out in collaboration with individuals and service providers, including community groups, charitable organisations, government and non-government agencies and neighbouring Councils.

Adopted by Northern Beaches Council - 24 August 2021

Partnership and Participation

Communications Policy

This policy provides an understanding of the different communication channels Northern Beaches Council use, their intended purpose and the roles and responsibilities of staff in accessing and using them to ensure all communications are well coordinated, effectively managed and responsive to the diverse information needs of the community.

Community Service Awards Policy

Council recognises that the community is enhanced through the endeavours of its residents and volunteers who work to improve the lives of others and make the Northern Beaches a better place to live.

Council’s Community Service Awards recognise the outstanding contributions by publicly acknowledging and thanking them in a spirit of community pride.

Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund Policy