ESCOSA releases schedule for second cycle of Local Government Advice Scheme

Established under amendments to the Local Government Act 1999, the scheme provides independent advice on councils' long-term financial plans and proposed revenue increases.

Its purpose is to give communities greater confidence that council rates are set at a level that supports the services and infrastructure they value.

The second cycle of the scheme will run from 2026–27 to 2029–30, with South Australia's 68 councils allocated to a scheme year over the four-year period.

Councils can view the schedule to see when they are required to participate in the scheme.

Download the full second cycle schedule

Informing the process

ESCOSA received 43 submissions to the consultation on the Draft Framework and Approach.

This included a submission from LGA, on behalf of councils, which outlined 11 recommendations that ESCOSA:

• develop guidelines and templates for written submissions under proposed assessment areas 1 and 2, to promote consistency, reduce administrative burden and minimise requests for additional information
• provide a definition and scope of what constitutes ‘material changes’ in context or circumstances, including the types of factors and evidence that will be considered in the assessment
• not use CPI as a benchmark measure for assessing rate setting or affordability, recognising that council cost drivers and service obligations do not necessarily align with consumer inflation
• consider opportunities to understand drivers of cost increases, including consideration of whether councils have followed legislated engagement and consultation requirements with ratepayers prior to adopting rates
• provide councils with information regarding the costs associated with cycle two assessments.

Read LGA’s submission

ESCOSA states the views put forward in those submissions have been considered when determining the Schedule of Councils for Round Two of the scheme.

Next steps

LGA is committed to supporting the sector with financial sustainability challenges, and most recently commenced work with the Local Government Finance Authority on a new Financial Sustainability Program.

ESCOSA continues to review the submissions received with regard to the other aspects of the scheme, separate to the Round Two schedule.

The final Framework and Approach is expected to be published in early August and LGA will notify councils when this occurs.

Find out more

Information on the Local Government Advice Scheme is available at: www.escosa.sa.gov.au/advice

Councils with questions about the upcoming second cycle can contact ESCOSA via email directly at advice@escosa.sa.gov.au