Strengthening Local Government

Cost shifting survey

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) have released the results of their recent cost shifting survey for the financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Please access further information and the survey report on the cost shifting survey page.

Final positions endorsed and released

The Strengthening Local Government Task Force has provided to the LGSA its position on each of the 49 Inquiry recommendations. The positions include actions to address the recommendations and recognise work already underway. The LGSA have accepted the majority of these positions. Please access below the LGSA positions table and accompanying media release.

 LGSA positions table on LGI recommendations (170KB)

 Media release on positions table (25KB)

Positions and actions have mainly been developed by the Strengthening Local Government Task Force and its expert working groups. The development was guided by principles including:

• The positions and actions should be sectoral ones including all key Local Government stakeholders; 
• Stakeholders should work together in partnership; 
• Existing initiatives should be recognised and actively promoted in order to not duplicate efforts; and  
• Deliberations should be consensus based, open and transparent.

The LGSA, the task force and its partners greatly appreciate the efforts of all task force and working group members - councillors, academics, experts and professionals from the local government sector, social, environmental and community groups, government departments and business - and highly value the resulting, truly sectoral response to the Inquiry.

The financial issues facing Local Government are complex and challenging and therefore continue to need a joint intergovernmental and sectoral approach. It also needs to be ensured that the importance of cultural, social, economic and environmental sustainability is recognised and addressed. The positions contained in the table should thus form the basis for continued efforts by the whole sector. To facilitate an intergovernmental approach, the LGSA have submitted the positions table to the Minister for Local Government for a whole-of-government response.

Powerpoint presentation about the program

A powerpoint presentation about the inquiry, the task force and its working group can be viewed below.

 SLG Presentation Queanbeyan, 17 August 2007 (1.31MB).