News

Latest news from the department.

All news

Local Government Regulations Amendment Regulations 2023

Jul 13, 2023

LG Alert

Great news for WA local government, with the second tranche of amendments to implement the Model Financial Statements gazetted on 30 June 2023.
Staff member using office equipment

Financial hardship provisions under the Local Government (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Order 2022 to end

Jan 30, 2023

LG Alert

A Local Government (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Order 2022 (the Order) was made by the Minister for Local Government and published in the Government Gazette on 24 June 2022.
Close up of a calculator and financial information on a page

Audit results report identifies financial audit issues

Sep 20, 2022

LG Alert

The Auditor General has tabled in Parliament the Financial Audit Results — Local Government 2020-21. At the time of tabling 16 audits remained outstanding.
Close up of a calculator and financial information on a page

Local Government Financial Better Practice Review Program

Aug 25, 2022

LG Alert

The Financial Better Practice Review Program is a new DLGSC initiative to strengthen the local government sector.
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Local Government (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Order 2022

Jun 30, 2022

LG Alert

The Local Government Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 enables the Minister for Local Government to make an order that modifies or suspends provisions of the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) and Regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Financial Health Indicator

Jun 23, 2022

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is reviewing the Financial Health Indicator, which is available on the MyCouncil website.
Close up of two office workers' hands looking over papers on a desk

Local Government Regulations Amendment (Financial Management and Audit) Regulations 2022

Jun 17, 2022

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (the department) is working with local government stakeholders towards the introduction of Model Financial Statements for the 2022-23 financial year.
Close up of a calculator and financial information on a page

Local Governments Financial Audit Preparedness 2021-22

Jun 15, 2022

LG Alert

With the start of the new financial year, WA local governments should ensure that they are in a position to allow the preparation of their financial statements and financial audits run as smoothly as possible.
A woman sitting at a desk using a calculator

2022-23 Budget and proposed regulatory changes

Jun 13, 2022

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is working with local government stakeholders towards the introduction of Model Financial Statements for 2022-23 financial year.
York Street the main commercial street of Albany with the Town Hall in the background.

Model Financial Statements for local governments

Sep 7, 2021
DLGSC has started work on a set of Model Financial Statements for WA’s local governments.
Image of the MyCouncil website on a laptop

MyCouncil website updated

Sep 1, 2021
Western Australian ratepayers and residents now have access to the most up to date information on how their councils are performing individually and against others.
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Accounting for Cash in Lieu of Open Space

Jun 3, 2021

LG Alert

Amendments to section 154 of the Planning and Development Act 2005 (PDA) changed the accounting treatment for cash in lieu of open space contributions received on or after 12 September 2020.
Staff member using office equipment

Amendments to Regulations applying to local governments’ 2019-20 audited financial statements

Nov 9, 2020

LG Alert

The Local Government (Financial Management) Amendment Regulations 2020 have been published in the Government Gazette (6 November 2020).

Proposed amendments to Local Government Financial Management Regulations

Oct 27, 2020

LG Alert

The proposed amendments to the Local Government Financial Management Regulations for valuation of assets from 2019-20 onwards are expected to be considered at the Executive Council Meeting of 3 November 2020.
Image of the MyCouncil website on a laptop

MyCouncil website keeps ratepayers and residents up to date on how their councils manage their money

Jul 1, 2020
Ratepayers and residents throughout Western Australia will be able to keep an eye on how their councils are performing, thanks to the latest figures provided on the State Government's MyCouncil website.
Stock image of financial graphs

WATC Financial Sustainability Modelling

Jun 26, 2020

LG Alert

Western Australian Treasury Corporation (WATC) has developed a financial model to help local governments evaluate their solvency and sustainability.
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2019/2020 Budget Review

Feb 25, 2020

LG Alert

Under Regulation 33A of the Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996 (FMR), between 1 January and 31 March in each financial year, a local government must carry out a review of its budget for that year.
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Regulation Amendment Changes to Fixed Term Deposit Investment Period

Aug 21, 2019

Ministerial Circular 4 2017

I am pleased to advise that following feedback from the local government sector, the McGowan Government has responded to requests to change the period of time that local governments can invest in fixed term deposits.
Image of the MyCouncil website on a laptop

Smart Hub now accepting Annual Financial Reports and Grants Commission Returns

Oct 24, 2017

Departmental Circular 19 2015

To reduce the reporting burden on local governments, audited Annual Financial Reports and Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission returns can now be submitted via online forms within Smart Hub.
Page reviewed 23 August 2023
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