South Australian councils will soon be expected to employ a new behavioural management policy. 

The state’s new Behavioural Management Framework is a major component of local government reforms due to commence with the new council term in November 2022.

A key element of the framework is the mandatory Behavioural Management Policy, which all councils must adopt in accordance with the new section 262B of the Local Government Act 1999.

To support councils with the commencement of the new framework, the state’s Local Government Association has prepared a Model Behavioural Management Policy, which includes the requirements set out within the Local Government Act.

The Minister for Local Government has approved drafting of transitional regulations which will deem the LGA Model Behavioural Management Policy as each councils’ policy from commencement of the new framework until each council adopts its own policy.

 It is understood the regulations will require councils to adopt their own Behavioural Management Policy (which may be the LGA Model Policy or some other variation of that document) by a ‘designated day’, which will be determined by publication of a notice by the Minister. 

It is anticipated that these regulations will come into operation at the same time as the new Behavioural Management Framework.

The LGA says it will provide further guidance regarding the timeframe within which councils must adopt their own policy in the new council term, including the ‘designated day’ once known.