Opinion
Legislation slowly working its way through parliament contains the most significant changes to councils for decades. But a move to cut the number of councillors, and its impact, warrants closer observation, argues Matt Osborn.
Local
The Australian Energy Regulator says SA Power Networks has overcharged councils and the State Government for street lighting and will have to repay $13m – but the energy firm says the decision overturned previous pricing rules and set a “disturbing precedent” for business.
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Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman says it’s “eminently appropriate” for her to survey residents in her safe eastern suburbs seat about shifting the boundaries of the local council area, despite neither council affected currently backing such a move.
Outraged Adelaide councils say they will tell residents to blame the Marshall Government for rates being raised by up to an additional 1 per cent just to cover the “stealth attack” hike to the solid waste levy announced in yesterday’s State Budget.
Despite the political heat about rate-capping and evidence of mismanagement by local councils in South Australia, very few people pay any attention to the lowest rung of government. And that’s a big problem.
South Australian council CEOs enjoyed another above-inflation pay rise this year, new figures show – with the LGA defending the inclusion of Qantas Club and gym memberships in the executives’ packages.
