Enhancing Efficiency in Australian Local Government: An Evaluation of Alternative Models of Municipal Governance1

1 The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Guyra Shire Council.

Abstract

Broad consensus exists in Australian policy circles on the need to enhance the efficiency of local government. However, the question of the most appropriate model for local governance remains controversial. Quite apart from larger amalgamated municipalities, a range of promising alternative options can be identified that may be able to effectively combine more efficient service delivery with vibrant local democracy, including existing small councils, ad hoc resource sharing models, Regional Organizations of Councils (ROCs), area integration and joint board models, virtual local government, and agency models. This article seeks to identify and evaluate the characteristics of these alternative models.

Keywords:

• Economic efficiency
• local government
• models of governance

Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of two anonymous referees.

Notes

1 The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Guyra Shire Council.

Various scholars have developed alternative taxonomies of models of local governance. For instance, American analyst Byron Katsuyama (2003, p. 5) contends that “of course, there are a number of alternative service delivery approaches that offer opportunities to reduce costs and improve services. These include private contracting, mutual aid agreements, shared use of facilities and/or equipment, exchange of services, intergovernmental contracting, and consolidation of selected functions.”