Up until its abolition in April 2019, the office was led by its Acting Chief Executive, Mr Tim Hurst, who reported to the Minister for Local Government. The office and its antecedent agency was established in 1993, pursuant to the Local Government Act, 1993 (NSW).
The role of the office included preparing legislation, providing advice and information to the State Government and local councils, regulating financial management and monitoring financial reporting practices of councils, and improving local government performance through provision of standards and guidelines and conducting reviews and investigations (often called Section 430 investigations).
As part of a drive to locate government offices in regional areas, the office's head office was in the regional town of Nowra on the South Coast, but an office in Castlereagh Street in Sydney CBD also provides Divisional services.