Six more South Australian councils are facing serious financial trouble.
The Essential Services Commission has this week released a report, in which it deems Berri Barmera, Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Peterborough, Kangaroo Island and Southern Mallee District councils either potentially unsustainable, marginally unsustainable, or unsustainable.
This brings the total to nine councils now in financial strife, adding to previous warnings about other regional councils across the state.
InDaily reports that there is some positive news for Coober Pedy though – SA Water will take over the town’s aging water infrastructure by the end of this year, relieving what administrators call their greatest concern.
Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs says the the findings are “a wake up call” for irresponsible councils. He’s pushing the Federal Government to increase support, noting that funding grants have halved as a share of federal tax revenue over the past thirty years.
The Local Government Association says councils are being asked to do more than ever, picking up services traditionally handled by state and federal governments, including aged care, childcare and climate adaptation.