Office of Local Government
About the Office
The Office of Local Government provides policy and other advice to the Minister for Local Government on:
- the constitution and operations of the local government system, particularly the legislative framework for councils' operation
- the two statutory authorities for which the Minister is responsible
- whole of government policy and legislative frameworks affecting local government
- the constructive relationship between the state government, local councils and associated representative groups.
About local government in South Australia
Local government in South Australia is made up of 68 councils.
The following Acts create the legal framework within which local government operates:
- Constitution Act 1934
- Local Government Act 1999
- Local Government (Elections) Act 1999
These Acts can be accessed via the South Australian Legislation website.
Councils are primarily accountable to their communities in carrying out their roles and functions and achieving their objectives. The Local Government Act 1999 gives councils broad powers to make decisions and deliver services without intervention from the state government or the Minister. Councils therefore have considerable discretion in exercising their powers and responsibilities and in planning for the needs of their communities.
Local Government Reform
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government is undertaking a review of local government legislation that South Australian councils operate under.
More information is available on the local government reform page.
Local Government (Rate Oversight) Amendment Bill 2018
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, the Hon Stephan Knoll MP, introduced the Local Government (Rate Oversight) Amendment Bill 2018 into Parliament on 20 June 2018. Further information is contained in the attached Explanatory Paper (PDF 466 KB).
Minister Knoll has indicated that he will consider comments on the Bill, and amend it if deemed necessary. Comments can be sent to DPTI.OfficeofLocalGovernment@sa.gov.au
Council Boundary Change Proposal Guidelines
On 22 August 2017, the Local Government (Boundary Adjustment) Amendment Act 2017 was assented to by the Governor. The Amendment Act commenced on 1 January 2019, and significantly reforms the processes within the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act) that govern changes to council boundaries. Further information is contained within the attached Explanatory Paper (PDF 328 KB).
The procedures for council boundary changes are set out in the Local Government Act 1999 (Chapter 3, Part 2), which can be accessed via the South Australian Legislation website. The Boundaries Commission, the independent body that assesses and investigates boundary change proposals, and makes recommendations to the Minister responsible for the Act, has prepared Guidelines that detail the process by which it will receive, assess and progress council boundary change proposals.
Contact
Office address: Level 3, 77 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Postal address: GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (08) 7109 7145
Email: DPTI.OfficeofLocalGovernment@sa.gov.au
