This report investigates the activities and programs seven councils have put in place to provide support for newly-arrived refugees. Read more » Published: 22/10/2015

ACELG consortium partner Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) has released a case study called Community Chef: A Case Study in Local Government Innovation.  Read more » Published: 17/07/2015

This 2nd edition of the Manual brings together advice, toolkits and templates to help councils regardless of size with assessing the services they provide for local communities. The Manual meets an increasing need from within the sector for practical guidance in undertaking service delivery reviews that are consistent with current local governance practice and processes. Read more » Published: 30/06/2015 Program: Innovation and best practice

Why Local Government Matters is a major piece of social research on community attitudes to local government. This summary document outlines the key research findings of the project. Read more » Published: 17/06/2015

This summary document outlines the Building Social Cohesion in our Communities online resource, which provides local government with a practical approach to develop strong, socially cohesive communities. Read more » Published: 17/06/2015 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This report builds on the 2013 Learning as a Driver for Change project and in particular aligns the Learning Community Framework to UNESCO's Framework of the Key Features of learning cities. Volume 1 includes a literature review with a key focus on evaluation frameworks; an in-depth case study on the city of Melton, Victoria and their evaluation practices; and background information on the development of the Measuring Impact Toolkit, designed to help local government practitioners create, adopt, and evaluate a Community Learning Plan for their LGA. Read more » Published: 29/05/2015 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This report explores motivations for, and facilitators and barriers of, inter-council learning. The study identifies how information, ideas and inspiration is accessed from peers and then taken further and embedded within their own organisations.  Read more » Published: 31/03/2015 Program: Learning in Local Government

This report identifies the factors contributing to building strong sustainable regional capitals and regions and local government's role in regional development. Read more » Published: 25/03/2015

This discussion paper canvases some of the key emerging issues in the relationship between housing and local government, and aims to start a conversation about which issues are important, where change is happening most rapidly and which topics require further thought, analysis, research and debate. Read more » Published: 11/03/2015

This manual provides practical guidance on integrated long-term planning (ILTP), particularly in the context of rural-remote and Indigenous Australian councils. The report includes case studies, templates for ILTP documentation, planning requirements for states and the Northern Territory, and an inventory of ILTP resources. Read more » Published: 24/10/2014 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

New national planning and development guidelines for child care facilities have been developed by ACELG with Federal Government Support. They enable councils to plan better for the future child care needs of their community through their strategic planning, land use planning and development assessment functions. Read more » Published: 26/08/2014

This Practice Note lays out the emerging street lighting options for Local Government in Australia; explains how these options will reduce costs, improve service levels and improve environmental outcomes; highlights key impediments to securing these potential benefits; and makes recommendations for action. Read more » Published: 01/08/2014 Program: Organisation capacity building

This guide, prepared for mayors and councillors, provides tools for improving recruitment practices, increasing retention rates and better managing performance planning for CEOs and senior staff at rural-remote and Indigenous councils. Read more » Published: 14/07/2014 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

This report outlines step-by-step framework for effectively embedding climate risk into council operations. Read more » Published: 14/05/2014 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This booklet contains the abstracts and presentation schedule for the 2014 Local Government Research Forum in Melbourne. Read more » Published: 17/04/2014 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This paper details the council-based trial of a ratings tool currently under development for sustainable infrastructure management, with a particular focus on road assets. The paper outlines the rating tool in development, the logic behind the ratings metrics used, and the problems encountered with tracking the sustainability of roads management. The paper will be useful for those with an interest in road asset management, benchmarking and sustainability best practice. Published: 17/03/2014 Program: Organisation capacity building

This companion document to the ACELG report Food safety: Maximising impact by understanding the food business context, has been developed to provide additional information, guidance and examples/case studies that will assist local government staff construct a template for developing a food safety strategy for their council. Published: 26/02/2014 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This report looks at the potential applications of managed debt to address local infrastructure backlogs and positively support sustainable local communities and organisational performance. Read more » Published: 24/02/2014 Program: Organisation capacity building

This document is a legislative and literature review of the frameworks for local representative governance as set out in the state legislation and relevant guidelines issued by the local government associations and state agencies. Read more » Published: 03/12/2013 Program: Governance Improvement

 A brief profile of the local government workforce based on data compiled by ACELG. Published: 06/11/2013 Program: Local Government Practice Unit

This paper explores the role and future of citizens` committees as vehicles for sustained community engagement, and how their function might be strengthened in view of Australian and international research. The research highlights the importance of integrating citizen committees into community governance approaches to ensure their democratic potential is realised, and the valuable role well-managed and adequately resourced citizen committees can play in local governance. Read more » Published: 19/09/2013 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This paper compares the various approaches in each Australian jurisdiction in implementing local government reforms with a particular look at requirements for strategic and corporate planning and reporting. More information » Read more » Published: 08/08/2013 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

More information Read more » Published: 02/08/2013 Program: Local Government Practice Unit

Provides a snapshot of local government review and reform processes in Australia and in New Zealand between February and March 2013. Co-published with the Local government Association of South Australia. Read more » Published: 05/06/2013

Accompanying resource to the Learning as a Driver for Change research report. Published: 03/06/2013

Published: 30/05/2013 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This paper outlines key research and initiatives around community wellbeing indicators, and includes a `community wellbeing indicators survey template` that can be adapted for use by local governments nationally to measure, analyse and assess the progress of community wellbeing. Read more » Published: 01/05/2013 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This scoping study explores the relationship between social enterprises and local governments with a particular focus on the Australian experience. The paper outlines current knowledge about local governments in Australia and overseas working with social enterprises to achieve collaborative place-based solutions to current challenges facing communities. Project information  Read more » Published: 06/03/2013

This guide is designed to facilitate a greater role for practitioners in local government research by encouraging them to develop ideas, document good practice, and share their work with a wider audience. Read more » Published: 03/02/2013 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This report considers whether rural-remote and Indigenous local governments in Australia have developed robust community engagement processes. Read more » Published: 10/10/2012 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

Drawing on independent research and a consideration of the literature on the nature of the Mayors-CEOs relationship which occurs in one form or another at all levels of government, the paper draws conclusions and comments upon how elected councillors and appointed staff can best assist individuals in these roles to establish a successful and effective working relationship. Published: 18/09/2012 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

The report provides practitioners detail about social media policy and decision-making within local government. Further project information here Published: 23/08/2012 Program: Innovation and best practice

The paper assesses the level of maturity of formal service review processes used in a variety of councils and the outcomes achieved, and makes recommendations on how such processes can be supported and enhanced in the future. Published: 31/07/2012 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This document provides background and details about the implementation of the Local Government Financial Sustainability Nationally Consistent Frameworks Assessment on-line Portal. Published: 24/06/2012 Program: Organisation capacity building

Results from a survey about capacity building in rural-remote and Indigenous councils. Published: 28/05/2012 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

This report presents the findings of the first phase of an investigation into models for the funding and delivery of local government services in remote Indigenous communities in Australia. Published: 22/05/2012 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

Supplement to the Better Practice Guide titled Innovation in Local Government: Defining the Challenge, Making the Change. Published: 22/05/2012 Program: Innovation and best practice

The Project Plan is reviewed annually by the Centre Board to address changing circumstances, needs and priorities. This 2012 Update reflects commitments made by the consortium in its proposal for Commonwealth funding, feedback from ongoing consultations, and the experience of the Centre’s first two years of operations. Published: 01/05/2012

This national review of councillor training found that there is a range of high quality, relevant training and professional development available for local government councillors. There are, however, some gaps in the training and professional development being offered, with significant differences from state to state. There is also interest and a sector-wide desire to see a nationally coordinated approach to providing accredited programs that cover the full range of knowledge and skills required to fulfil the role of councillor. Published: 19/04/2012 Program: Learning in Local Government

This paper suggests some benefits and barriers of eLearning for the consideration of training providers, councils and individual learners. It also includes a sample of existing eLearning programs and initiatives in local government across Australia and internationally, as well as an overview of web-based learning tools, software and applications, and other technological applications to develop and deliver online material. This paper provides information also available on the eLearning portal through the Learning in Local Government project. Published: 16/04/2012 Program: Local Government Practice Unit

This report documents the processes, outcomes and recommendations of the ACELG Local Government Researchers Forum held in December 2011. Published: 15/03/2012 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This report includes: A profile of rural-remote and Indigenous councils, highlighting factors that impact on local capacity; a review of background information to identify federal, state and community expectations and issues from discussions with stakeholders; and identification of further actions and research. Published: 14/02/2012 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

This report provides an overview of emerging trends in community governance through reviewing local and international literature as well as interviews with Australian local government leaders and Bendigo Bank representatives. The paper explores the implications of the research findings for new approaches to local decision making and directions for further research. Published: 01/02/2012 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This working paper was commissioned by the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government to provide a national update on what is taking place across the local government sector in relation to community engagement, and identify the ongoing challenges and questions for councils in engaging communities. Published: 01/11/2011 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

This paper provides observations about the experiences and aspirations of participants in the Learning in Local Government online survey and associated consultations. Published: 01/10/2011 Program: Learning in Local Government

This Working Paper examines the findings, recommendations and outcomes of nine major national and state inquiries into local government over the period 2001-08, and identifies eight elements of an ongoing agenda for reform and improvement. More information ... Published: 20/09/2011 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

In response to the Henry Review, this ACELG Working Paper highlights relevant issues and makes recommendations for  local government. Published: 16/06/2011 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

A series of 8 detailed case studies regarding the implementation of the Australian Business Excellence Framework (BEF) within local government - Low Res (2 MB). Published: 03/06/2011 Program: Governance Improvement

Volume 2 of the 'Options for Consolidation' report. Read more. Published: 19/05/2011 Program: Research and Policy Foresight

A summary paper of the Second International Roundtable on Metropolitan Governance held in Brisbane in August 2010. Published: 01/03/2011 Program: Governance Improvement

The strategy aims to identify key steps to build the capacity of small-remote and Indigenous councils across Australia - and especially in northern Australia - to deliver local government services to their communities. Published: 28/02/2011 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

155 Australian LG CEOs responded to a survey canvassing opinions and experiences in promoting excellence and continuous improvement. This summary reports on issues such as the use of external and commercial tools, resourcing issues, levels of satisfaction and future support needs.  Published: 08/11/2010 Program: Governance Improvement

An exploratory review of the unique and complex needs of education and professional development in Australian local government that aims to raise discussion and inform the Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government’s Workforce Development Program. [PDF-1.5MB] Published: 08/09/2010

A scoping study prepared for ACELG by Charles Darwin University (CDU).   Published: 05/08/2010 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

A scoping study prepared for ACELG by Dr Michael Limerick. Published: 05/08/2010 Program: Rural-remote and Indigenous Local Government

This paper explores untapped labour pools and investment in the recruitment and development of Australian Indigenous workers. Published: 02/08/2010 Program: Local Government Practice Unit