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Performance indicators may determine mergers

Although the majority of South Australian Councils have commenced negotiations for voluntary amalgamation with their neighbours, some still have not. Under the State Government's structural reform program, the Local Government Boundary Reform Board has the power to initiate Council amalgamations if there are clear benefits, via improved services or lower rates.

Some Councils have taken no action due to their geographic isolation. Others have struck difficulties in not being able to find partners, as their neighbours are pursuing alternative merger proposals with other Councils.

Councils that have indicated they have no intention of merging or that have made little progress may find the Board determining their future.

"Unless some Councils are willing to investigate the possibility of new levels of accountability and cost effectiveness through structural reform, the Board must make its own determinations in the best interests of affected communities," said Chairperson of the Board, Annette Eiffe.

As a result, in consultation with Councils and the Local Government Association, the Board has developed criteria and supporting indicators to assess a Council's performance via a survey. Annette Eiffe said that Councils are compelled under the Local Government Boundary Reform (Amendment) Act to complete the survey, and that Councils indicating no intention of pursuing structural reform could expect to receive one.

Performance criteria, to be collected via this survey, relate to areas including governance, finance, economic development, service provision and delivery, environment, statutory responsibilities and management.

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