Local Government Focus Day New South Wales 2026
2025 was proudly supported by
Overview
New South Wales local governments are at the frontline of community impact, delivering essential services, maintaining infrastructure, and supporting local wellbeing. As the most connected tier of government, councils are uniquely placed to respond to community needs with agility and purpose.
However, 2025 polling results made it clear: councils are under mounting pressure. Budget constraints are the most pressing challenge, with many struggling to meet growing service expectations while maintaining long-term financial sustainability. Most councils are still in the early stages of AI adoption, despite strong interest in leveraging technology to improve service delivery and workforce operations. Concerns around workforce productivity, legacy IT systems, and cybersecurity readiness remain widespread, alongside the urgent need to build internal capability for ongoing service transformation.
In this context, the 2026 Local Government Focus Day, a part of Public Sector Network’s Government Innovation Week New South Wales, provides a timely opportunity for council leaders to come together and address these shared challenges.
Through insightful sessions, practical discussions, and peer-led learning, this event is designed to support local governments as they work to strengthen operational resilience, navigate digital change, improve service outcomes, and build sustainable communities.
Join your peers in tackling the issues that matter most and shaping a stronger future for local government across New South Wales.
Sign up or Log in to Public Sector Network to register for this event
Who will be there?
Lead the transformation of financial and operational efficiency through technology and innovation:
- Utilise AI and automation to streamline financial processes, optimising resource allocation and reducing administrative burdens
- Implement digital platforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and service delivery across all departments
- Equip teams with the tools and training to drive financial sustainability while meeting the growing demands of citizens and stakeholders
Shape a future-ready workforce and cultivate a culture of innovation within local councils:
- Foster an environment where employees are empowered to adopt new technologies and embrace creativity, driving both engagement and productivity
- Lead with vision by encouraging innovation in service delivery and developing strategies to manage the risks and opportunities of digital transformation
- Elevate workplace culture by ensuring that technological advancements support employee well-being and align with the strategic goals of the organisation
Lead the charge in transforming local government operations through technology:
- Drive the adoption of AI and automation to streamline financial operations, reducing costs and increasing efficiency
- Implement cutting-edge digital platforms to enhance service delivery and ensure seamless citizen interactions
- Strengthen transparency and accountability through advanced tech tools, improving public trust and government performance
2025 Featured Speakers
2026 speakers coming soon
Dr. Tom Gao
Chief Technology and Digital Services Officer, City of Sydney
Steven Head
General Manager, Hornsby Shire Council
Ingrid McAlpin
Chief Digital & Information Officer, Wollongong City Council
Therese Cole
Chief Executive Officer, North Sydney Council
Melissa Attia
Deputy General Manager, Cumberland City Council
Meredith Wallace
General Manager, Bayside Council
Richard Sheridan
Director, City Performance, Bayside Council
Why attend?
Tackle Financial Sustainability Head-On
With budget pressures ranked as the top concern in 2025, this event is designed to help you identify smarter, more sustainable ways to manage resources, stretch funding, and future-proof your council’s finances.
Gaining Insights on Key Challenges
Acquire insights and strategies to address pressing challenges facing local government, including workforce management, customer experience, technology, and service design.
Innovate Within Tight Constraints
Doing more with less is the new normal. Learn how other councils are using digital tools, data, and streamlined processes to drive meaningful change with limited budgets.
Unlock Collective Solutions to Shared Challenges
Financial stress isn’t unique to your council. This is a rare chance to connect with peers facing the same pressures and walk away with practical, proven ideas you can apply immediately.
Vendors, boost your presence
Becoming a partner at the Local Government Focus Day New South Wales offers unique opportunities to connect with decision-makers, showcase innovative solutions, and align with transformative public sector goals. As a partner, you’ll have access to influential government leaders, providing a valuable platform to demonstrate your expertise and contribute to critical conversations on public sector modernisation.
With a focus on New South Wales’ specific needs, partnership enables you to collaborate directly with key players, co-develop solutions for the state’s challenges, and reinforce your commitment to advancing government services in impactful ways.
Top highlights from last year
To better understand the priorities, challenges, and emerging trends facing local governments across New South Wales, we surveyed attendees at the 2025 Local Government Focus Day. The polling results offer valuable insights into the current state of play, from digital readiness and financial pressures to workforce capability and service delivery. These findings highlight the shared issues councils are grappling with and provide a clear direction for where support, innovation, and collaboration are most needed.
- Strong Interest in AI, but Early in Adoption
- 92% of respondents are actively considering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve service delivery and workforce operations.
- However, most councils are still in the early phases:
- 45% are just starting to explore its potential.
- 40% have begun implementing AI and training staff.
- Only 4% are advanced users of AI across services.
- 45% are just starting to explore its potential.
- Financial Sustainability Is the Dominant Challenge
- 57% of respondents identified budget constraints and financial sustainability as the most pressing issue.
- Other notable challenges include:
- Rising community demands (28%).
- Infrastructure maintenance (9%).
- Rising community demands (28%).
- Service Delivery Pressures
- The top long-term sustainability concern is meeting increasing service level expectations from communities (37%).
- Asset maintenance and workforce productivity also remain significant areas of concern.
- Cybersecurity Preparedness Needs Work
- Only 20% of councils feel very confident in their ability to recover from a cyberattack.
- 61% are only somewhat confident, acknowledging the need to improve their incident response plans.
- 18% are either not confident or unsure about their resilience capabilities.
- Capability for Service Review and Improvement Is Mixed
- 31% are in the early stages, conducting ad hoc reviews.
- A combined 52% are either planning or delivering structured transformation programs.
- Just 16% report being in the optimisation or continuous improvement phase.
Ready to register?
Registration is free for government