1376.0 - Local Government and ABS, 2012  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 16/03/2012   
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Added 31/10/2012
COLLECTIONS

Annual

The 2010-11 Local Government Annual financial and functional data has now been released and is available for viewing in Government Finance Statistics, Australia (cat. no. 5512.0). As a whole, Local Government Balance Sheets increased 0.32% to $313,364m. Preparations for the 2011-12 financial year are in progress with Department of Local Government or Grants Commission in each state or territory progressively sending out this years forms to councils.

Quarterly

The next Local Government Quarterly Survey forms were due for completion and submission by 9th October, and applied only to those councils selected in this sample survey. The data collected within this survey forms a timely and valuable contribution to the Quarterly Government Finance Statistics in Government Finance Statistics, Australia, Quarterly (cat. no. 5519.0.55.001).


Added 16/3/2012
COLLECTIONS

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects and publishes annual Local Government Finance data, including the amount and purpose of local government expenditure. These annual financial data are collected from the Department of Local Government or Grants Commission in each state or territory. The ABS also undertakes a quarterly sample survey of councils.

Annual

The Local Government Statistical Unit (LGSU) of the ABS is currently processing the 2010-11 Annual Data returns supplied by the Department of Local Government/Grants Commission of each state or territory. The financial and function data on these forms are edited and the output used by the ABS to compile Government Finance Statistics (GFS).

Total General Government expenses for the local government sector in Australia were $27.9 billion in 2009-10. The major contributors were expenditure on Housing and community amenities (24.4%), Transport and communications (22%), General public services (18.8%) and Recreation and culture (14.6%).


GENERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSES BY PURPOSE, 2008-09 and 2009-10

2008-09
$m
2009-10
$m

General public services
4 963
5 231
Public order and safety
575
585
Education
120
150
Health
307
298
Social security and welfare
1 500
1 573
Housing and community amenities
6 319
6 812
Recreation and culture
3 846
4 071
Fuel and energy
15
13
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
48
27
Mining, manufacturing and construction
306
301
Transport and communications
5 811
6 129
Other economic affairs
967
1 230
Public debt transactions
376
449
Other
999
1 230
Total
26 153
27 891



More financial and function data are published in Government Finance Statistics, Australia (cat. no. 5512.0) and 2010-11 data are due for release on 17 April 2012.

Quarterly

The ABS conducts a quarterly survey of financial information, from a selected sample of councils each quarter. Reminders for the next round of quarterly survey data will be despatched in the third week of March. Responses are required by 10 April 2012. Early attention to the survey forms enabling a timely return to the ABS will ensure that the financial activity of local government is accurately represented in Australia's National Accounts.

The ABS thanks councils for their cooperation in providing timely and high quality data for these collections. The information provided is used in making important policy decisions concerning the sector and it is important that accurate and timely information is returned by councils to build this data set.


VISITS TO DEPARTMENTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND GRANTS COMMISSIONS

Each year, the LGSU endeavours to meet with state/territory Grants Commissions or Departments of Local Government to review the recently completed annual collection and to commence preparations for the next cycle. These meetings are to be scheduled in accordance with the forward work program of the LGSU and are in the process of being finalised.


CONTACT

For further information or inquiries about Local Government Statistics, contact the Local Government Statistical Unit on (07) 3222 6404.