Review of councils’ financial sustainabilityReport for Northern Territory Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services |
In November 2011 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services engaged Deloitte to review the financial sustainability of the eleven shire councils in the Northern Territory. A steering committee of local government sector representatives and senior Northern Territory Government officers assisted this undertaking.
The review included an analysis of councils' financial planning and control mechanisms such as: financial plans, budgets and financial statements for the years 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11. It also involved field visits to each shire council to obtain a deeper understanding of the financial performance by the council.
This report details the outcomes of the review including:
- A financial analysis of the councils’ financial information
- Identification of the critical issues including a risk assessment
- Commentary on council financial sustainability across core and non-core services and fee-for-service operations
- Commentary on the key issues affecting the councils.
It also recommends a framework of actions for the local government sector, the Northern Territory Government and other parties to effectively address these issues.
