On 21st June 2019 the Minister for Local Government released final reports on three reviews on the Local Government sector conducted by IPART.

Review of the Local Government Rating System 2016

The NSW Government asked IPART to review the local government rating system in NSW. The purpose of the review was to develop recommendations to improve the equity and efficiency of the rating system, in order to enhance councils’ ability to implement sustainable fiscal policies over the long term. The review considered:

  • The valuation method used to calculate rates
  • Rating categories
  • The way in which councils’ total income increases as population increases
  • The distribution of rates across different ratepayers, and
  • The eligibility and design of exemptions and concessions.

Our recommendations are not designed to increase the average rates paid by current ratepayers, but to allow councils to collect revenue more equitably and efficiently from ratepayers.

In conducting this review, we consulted stakeholders, analysed the current rating system and assessed its performance against the key taxation principles of efficiency, equity, simplicity, sustainability and competitive neutrality.

IPART Report - Review of the Local Government Rating System - December 2016

Further information on this review can be found here.

Review of the reporting and compliance burdens on Local Government 2016

The Premier asked IPART to conduct a review to identify inefficient, unnecessary or excessive burdens placed on local government by the NSW Government in the form of planning, reporting and compliance obligations, and to make recommendations for how these burdens can be reduced. While we have identified improvements across a range of obligations, our recommendations to address issues in the areas of planning, administration and governance, as well as some systemic issues, would bring the greatest improvements in the efficiency of councils.

IPART Report - Review of reporting and compliance burdens on Local Government - April 2016

Further information on this review can be found here.

Review of Local Government compliance and enforcement 2014

The NSW Government asked IPART to examine local government compliance and enforcement activity (including regulatory powers delegated under NSW legislation) and provide recommendations to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens for business and the community. This report considers ways to improve the capacity and capability of councils, and the quality of regulatory administration.

IPART Report - Local government compliance and enforcement - October 2014

Further information on this review can be found here.

Have your say on these reports

The Office of Local Government (OLG) is currently carrying out a public consultation process on these reports. As part of this process, OLG is calling for public submissions. For more information about the consultation process, including how to make a submission and the timetable, please see the OLG website - Local Government Reports Consultation 2019.

Contact

Any enquiries should be directed to Sheridan Rapmund by email to Sheridan.Rapmund@ipart.nsw.gov.au or by phone on (02) 9290 8430.