LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM FUND

In reply to the Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (10 November 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): I have been provided the following information:

The increase in the grants and subsidies expenses was expenditure incurred by the Local Government Association of SA (LGA) for specific projects undertaken to support asset and infrastructure management and planning under the Local Government Reform Fund (LGRF) to improve the Asset and Financial Management and long term financial sustainability of councils.

The funds were provided to the Department of Planning and Local Government by the Commonwealth and transferred to the LGA to implement the projects under the 'National Partnership Agreement on Local Government and Regional Development—SA Implementation Plan'. Funding assisted all 68 councils in SA to undertake asset and financial management audits, obtain asset and financial management technical support and identify and build regional collaboration opportunities.