Local governments (councils) play a critical role in the viability and vibrancy of local communities. It is important for state and local governments to work together to address the sustainability challenges they face. These include difficulties associated with remoteness, size, population numbers, and ability to raise their own revenue.
The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers has introduced a Financial Management (Sustainability) Guideline (2023), which it has applied to the sector since the 2023–24 financial year. The guideline considers the challenges councils face, especially in rural and remote areas, and it introduces more measures for their financial sustainability.
Who we plan to audit
- Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
- selected local governments.
This audit will be the fifth in our series of local government sustainability audits. It will examine the progress of the department and selected councils in meeting their sustainability challenges and how effectively they have addressed our previous recommendations.