Finance

Councils derive their revenue from rates, grants, user fees and charges, interest and other sources. Local Government finances are under increasing stress.

Local Government's capacity to deliver services and develop and maintain infrastructure are being challenged. This is the combined result of restricted revenue raising capacity, increasing responsibilities and rising community expectations, making finance a central focus of Local Government NSW policy.

This section provides information and links in relation to key areas of Local Government finance.

Topics covered include:

• Rating.
• Rate pegging.
• Land valuation.
• Commonwealth financial assistance grants (FAGs).
• Special purpose grants (SPPs).
• Fees and charges.
• Cost shifting.
• Infrastructure financing.
• Asset management.
• Long term financial planning.
• Pricing.
• State and Federal budgets.
• Competition and regulatory policy.

Submissions and Resources

• LGNSW Submission to NSW State Budget 2013/14, (April 2013) (PDF, 170KB)
• LGSA Submission to IPART Review Measuring and Assessing Productivity Performance in Local Government, (2011) (PDF, 102KB)
• LGSA Guidelines for a Council Rates Hardship Policy, (2011) (PDF, 94KB)
• LGSA Submission to NSW State Budget 2010/11 (PDF, 213KB)
• LGSA Submission to IPART Review of Local Government Revenue Framework - Issues Paper (PDF, 219KB)
• LGSA Submission to IPART Review of Local Government Revenue Framework - Draft Report (PDF, 148KB)