Greater Sydney Councils and State Government Address Major Development and Gambling Deadlines Today

Political Activity Across Greater Sydney for March 31, 2026

Today, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, marks a significant day for local and state governance across Greater Sydney. While the City of Sydney and the New South Wales Parliament are not currently in session, several key local government areas are convening to discuss local infrastructure and planning. Simultaneously, the state government is overseeing the final hours of a major regulatory shift in the hospitality and gaming sector.

The Hills Shire and Blue Mountains Council Meetings

Two major local government sessions are scheduled for today, focusing on growth and infrastructure. The Hills Shire Council is holding its Ordinary Council Meeting at 7:00 PM at the Council Chambers in Norwest. As one of the fastest-growing regions in Sydney, the council is expected to address ongoing development applications and local infrastructure projects essential for the Norwest business precinct.

Further west, the Blue Mountains City Council is gathering for an Ordinary Meeting that includes several critical mayoral minutes. A primary focus of today's session is the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Hartley. Mayor Mark Greenhill is expected to lead discussions on advocacy efforts to the State Government to expedite the reopening of this vital transport link, which has significantly impacted local tourism and resident mobility. Additionally, the council will deliberate on a Mayoral Minute regarding a State Significant Development proposal at Narrow Neck Road in Katoomba, outlining concerns about environmental impacts and the scale of the project within the World Heritage area.

NSW Government Enforces Gambling Reform Deadline

On the state level, today is the final deadline for the Minns Labor Government’s major gambling harm minimisation initiative. Following an announcement by the Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, all outdated exemptions allowing pubs and clubs to operate gaming machines during standard shutdown hours are set to expire. As of today, March 31, the final assessments for thirteen remaining venues are being communicated. Starting tomorrow, more than 650 venues across Sydney and the state will be required to shut down all gaming machines between 4:00 AM and 10:00 AM daily, bringing them in line with standard NSW requirements aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.

Economic and Financial Oversight

Finally, the Reserve Bank of Australia, headquartered in Sydney's Martin Place, is scheduled to release the minutes of its March 2026 Monetary Policy Board Meeting at 11:30 AM. This release provides the official record of the board's recent decision to maintain the cash rate at 4.10% and offers insight into the government's economic outlook for the remainder of the year. This reporting is highly anticipated by Sydney’s financial sector as it outlines the policy considerations driving national fiscal stability.