LG Equip – updated Primary and Ordinary Return Guidelines

The Primary and Ordinary Returns: Council Member Guidelines and Primary and Ordinary Returns: Council Officer Guidelines resources have been updated to incorporate changes due to the commencement of relevant provisions in the Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Act 2021. The changes largely relate to how obligations are reflected within the legislation, rather than a change of substance to matters that must be disclosed. Further information is available on the LG Reform page.

Previously, the form of the Primary and Ordinary Returns was contained within Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 and the Local Government (General) Regulations 2013. Changes to Schedule 3 mean that the form is now determined by the Minister by way of publication of a Notice in the Gazette. A relevant Notice, setting out the Primary and Ordinary Returns for both council members and council officers was published in the South Australian Government Gazette (No. 79, 17 November 2022, p. 6659-6669).

To assist council members and relevant officers with submission of the required returns, word versions of the forms as published in the Gazette notice are available as follows:

• Primary Return – Council Member
• Ordinary Return – Council Member
• Primary Return – Council Officer
• Ordinary Return – Council Officer

Reminder to councils: Pursuant to section 65 of the Local Government Act 1999, all new council members must submit a primary return within six weeks after election or appointment.

For more information email governance@lga.sa.gov.au