July-August 2016 Oceania Edition

Business View Australia - July - August 2016 9 AT A GLANCE WHO: The Local Government Association of South Australia WHAT: Amembership organization which provides quality service and leadership relevant to the needs of member Councils in South Australia WHERE: LGA House, 148 Frome Street, Adelaide WEBSITE: lga.sa.gov.au In total SA councils had an operating expenditure of $2 billion in 2014/15, and achieved a combined operating surplus of $106 million. They are responsible for $23 billion of assets including around $13 billion of infrastructure. The State’s 68 Councils had net financial liabilities including debt of $628 million - when compared to the value of their assets this net financial liabilities figure is equivalent to a mortgage of only $13,000 on a $500,000 house. These numbers underscore both the size and influence of council business and the importance of strong financial management in the sector. Toprotectandpromotetheir interests and that of their constituents, every single council in the state is a member of the Local Government Association of South Australia. With 100 percent membership, the LGA lives up to its name as “The voice of local government inSouthAustralia”. Because the state government cannot effectively communicate with every local council, the LGA acts as a mediator. The LGA is very much involved in the management of rules