This research suggests the sensible use of debt by local councils can address infrastructure backlogs and positively support sustainable local communities and organisation performance. The aim of the project has been to support the Australian local government sector contend with the increasingly complex financial arrangements...

Not all councils that need more revenue have the capacity to generate it from their own-sources. If more grant funds are not likely to become available then consideration needs to be given to allocating a greater share of the existing grant fund pools to councils...

This paper explores the key themes and findings for local government from recent reviews, and draws on related research.