Service Reviews are aimed at making council operations sustainable – fully understanding the services delivered, resources allocated and true cost of each service.
The economic effects of the Iran conflict are likely to be felt for years as damaged oil and gas infrastructure is repaired and global supply chains stabilise. Fuel prices are expected to remain elevated while supply remains constrained and markets continue to price in geopolitical risk. Until supply conditions normalise, Read more
In the commercial sector, the way financial sustainability is approached can translate effectively to local government if applied thoughtfully. Many contemporary public-sector management frameworks follow a similar sequence: In commercial organisations, financial sustainability rarely begins with revenue. It usually begins with clarity of purpose and disciplined management of the cost Read more
When governments seek to improve the financial sustainability of organisations, they typically introduce measures that encourage greater efficiency and cost discipline. These reforms often focus on improving productivity, rationalising services or restructuring organisations so that they can operate more efficiently. The Fair Go Rates system adopted a very different approach. Read more
Since around 2010, England alone has seen hundreds of swimming pool closures – estimates suggest almost 400 fewer pools in the decade following austerity-era funding cuts and rising costs. Pools have continued to close or face closure for multiple reasons, including operating deficits, ageing infrastructure, and constrained local government finances. Read more
Once the underlying business model for operating public swimming pools is examined (specifically, the factors that drive demand and those that drive costs), it becomes apparent that the prevailing service model is structurally challenged over the long term. Demand Drivers Demand for public pools is largely shaped by external and Read more
Introduction The State of Aquatic Facility Infrastructure in Australia Report, commissioned by the Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSA) in 2022, found that 500 pools across Australia would need replacing, or require “significant repairs” to the pool shell, within the next 10 years – at a cost of $8 billion. It Read more
Million-Dollar Finance Systems or Fleet Spreadsheets? Local governments invest heavily in corporate finance systems—often running into the millions—to ensure financial integrity, auditability and compliance. These systems are designed to be the single source of truth for asset valuation, cost attribution, depreciation, and capital planning. Yet when it comes to fleet Read more
Effectiveness and efficacy of service delivery can only be measured against the purpose of the service and the needs and expectations of its customers. Purpose of Service Reviews There are many reasons why a council would undertake a service review. Efficiency is not the main reason. First and foremost, the Read more
Introduction For ever and a day, council professionals have been responsible for service design and setting service standards. For services such as roads, water and drainage this continues to make sense because of the required technical input and minimum standards associated with delivery of some services. The risk associated with Read more
Increasingly the community voiced that it was no longer prepared to pay more for council services. A few years back we reached the tipping point where the community was making it clear it would consider reduction in levels of service rather than introduction of fees and charges or increases in Read more