Strengthening South Australian communities in a changing world: 'The Council of the future'

The Report followed a study into the present role and performance of local government in South Australia. Public comments were received following the publication of an issues paper and a discussion paper generated by the Panel of Experts (The Hon Greg Crafter AO, former judge Christine Trenorden and Prof Graham Sansom). The needs of local/community governance in the context of legislation, the relationships (including financial) with state and federal governments, an ageing demographic and community and other government expectations were considered. New models for community governance and community representation on councils were canvassed. The report makes recommendations for future local governance, community representation, relationships with other tiers of government, legislative and policy change, in the interests of strengthening local government in South Australia.