Home > Research

Current Research

Given the limited timeframe in which the review of the methodology took place, the Commission is aware that some aspects of the methodology are not entirely satisfactory, and that further review and research is required.

The Commission is currently considering several issues ( PDF 94 kB) and intends to undertake these tasks in a way that allows for greater consultation with councils than was previously possible.

Future Developments

Averaging

The intention is that by the end of the five-year period, the second averaging step used in the previous and current methodology will be completely phased out.

Stability

Due to the phase in arrangements for the new methodology and the gradual removal of the third averaging step, grants to Queensland councils wlll continue to fluctuate for the next three years. After this time grants should stabilise to a degree; however it is the nature of the grant that council allocations will shift from year to year. For this reason, the Commission cannot guarantee that an individual council's grant will not decrease nor can it reliably produce grant forecasts for individual councils.

DLGSR integrated database project and benefits to the Commission

Towards the end of the financial year 2002-03 the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation commenced a project to develop a database of local government information collected by the Department and streamline its survey, or data collection processes.

The Commission is the current contact point for the collection of annual financial statement information, and it is envisaged that this project will improve the efficiency and accuracy of this process.

Working with ATSI communities for better information returns

It was highlighted during the review process that more focus needs to be given to assisting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils in improving their information collection.

The Commission will be investigating alternative ways of collecting this information as well as intending to conduct workshops on the importance of the accuracy of this information.

Re-establishment of individual council visits

During 2002-03 the Commission was unable to continue with its three year rotational council visit program due to the resources required to complete the review of the methodology.

For 2003-04 the Commission recommenced its individual council visit rotation on a four yearly basis to coincide with the four-year term of elected local government members.

Last Updated: 22 January 2008