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WHAT WE DO
Reports
An Examination of Alternative Approaches to Accounting for Long-life Assets Managed by Local Government Water Service Providers
September 2018
Commissioned by the LGAQ and prepared by the Asset Institute (QUT), this research provides a comparative analysis of alternative approaches to the financial management of infrastructure assets in relation to ‘standard’ accounting depreciation vs a renewals accounting approach to measure/account for consumption of water infrastructure assets. The research
- examined existing international academic literature to identify the theoretical underpinnings of both the definition and accounting treatment of infrastructure
- investigated how other jurisdictions both in Australia and internationally account for water infrastructure assets to identify current practice, and
- restated the financial accounts of a small number of Queensland local governments to determine the practical differences/ impact that using a renewals approach would have on the financial statements of those local governments.
Of particular interest was the impact of substituting the renewals approach to measure/account for consumption of water infrastructure assets. In nearly all cases the sustainability ratios/key performance indicators for councils, were improved.
LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
October 2017
The survey behind this report sought to validate the findings of previous surveys and to obtain councils' views based on real world experience of the challenges and solutions to achieving improved financial sustainability.
This Report presents key findings from the survey of Queensland mayors and senior council officers.
DIGITAL PRODUCTIVITY Report
The LGAQ conducts a biennial Digital Productivity Survey to determine current practices related to the use of technology and digital platforms.The survey and subsequent report provide useful insights regarding productivity gains from technology investments and adoption of digital engagement platforms within local councils in Queensland.
SMART CITY Study tour to Europe and the United States
January 2017
The study tour covered a range of areas such as geothermal power stations, big data, smart and connected streets and the central role that smart lighting provides; the concept of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning and how it is being applied to the local government sector; the operation and support for start-ups, incubators and accelerators to ensure that next generation jobs are created and, finally, how digital disruption is changing the nature of councils in terms of interaction with the community, business and other levels of government.
SMART STREET LIGHTING Feasibility Report
November 2016
International and Australian research shows that Smart Street Lighting can be a prudent long term investment with the capacity to drive transformative outcomes for Queensland regions and their communities.
Exploring workable solutions from around the globe including North America, South America, Europe and Asia, the Report investigates project outcomes that could be witnessed in Australia and, in particular South East Queensland.
Implemented correctly, Smart Street Lighting will be a significant transition away from business as usual in a region’s innovation economy, and a step towards another global technology base being established in South East Queensland.
SMART CITY Study tour to United Arab Emirates and Europe
November 2015
The rapid development in technology combined with the challenges of urbanisation is creating a situation where civic leaders are seeking to balance demographic changes with sustainable growth and to ensure that lifestyle are maintained and jobs opportunities created.
Councils are looking at technology to improve their operational efficiency – doing “more with less” is still a common theme. But the introduction of technology is resulting in new opportunities involving closer interactions with citizens, which is creating value in new and different ways.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft – the essential tool to enhance Local Government service capabilities
May 2016
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), commonly known as Drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), could soon be the essential tool within each Local Government’s toolkit with the assistance of a local government-wide service. The opportunities are clear and this innovative technology has the potential to significantly enhance council service capabilities across a number of operational areas in the long-term and immediate future. Assisting councils to transition quickly and effortlessly to this new technology will provide far-reaching benefits. Plus, build local government capacity to effectively respond to increasing resource demands and environmental challenges.
Queensland Economic Development Survey Findings - December 2012
In August of 2012, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) approached SGS Economics and Planning (SGS) to prepare an update to the Queensland component of the 2011 National Economic Development Survey. The survey has been developed to assess key issues facing economic development agents at the local government level.
Community Wellbeing Indicators: Measures for Local Government
LGAQ undertook this project in partnership with the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) to develop better ways to understand and measure local community wellbeing, build a robust and consistent statistics base, improve community planning, and strengthen citizen involvement. Councils are encouraged to consider using the survey template contained in this report as a key tool to source data for their long term planning.
Factors Impacting Local Government Financial Sustainability: A Council Segment Approach
This seminal, 18-month research report prepared for LGAQ by AEC/Orion Consulting goes where no previous research has in that it bundles like groups of Queensland councils together in assessing both their financial problems and the relevant solutions and paths forward. Councils are encouraged to consider the strategic and policy actions recommended for local government generally and specific council segments.
Capacity Building Needs for Non-Amalgamated Councils Report October 2009
Aimed at identifying issues impacting on non-amalgamated councils in Queensland, this research conducted by Morton Consulting Ltd for the LGAQ includes actions and initiatives that could address councils' capacity needs to provide sustainable local governance for their communities. The target for the project was the 18 non-amalgamated councils with a population of less than 5,000.
Key themes identified included:
- recruitment and retention of human resources and skill development needs;
- resource and service sharing opportunities;
- general governance issues including councillor capacity;
- the impact of legislative requirements or compliance on resources and capacity;
- financial sustainability and revenue capacity and stability;
- business systems and technology;
- the local community building role; and
- government agency roles, expectations and interaction.
Building on this work, LGAQ has participated in the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government's (ACELG's) research and work program on identifying and addressing specific governance and capacity building issues facing rural-remote and Indigenous local governments.
