The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) and the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) have published a collaborative research study that compares the structures, operations and activities of various Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) in New South Wales and similar groups in Western Australia.

 

Entitled 'A Comparative Analysis of Regional Organisations of Councils in NSW and Western Australia', the report outlines the variety of ROCs (or council alliances) in the two States. It suggests some future directions including the greater use of ROCs by State and Federal Governments as an important channel for regional funding and consultation and as a mechanism to enhance local government performance.

 

NSROC and ACELG jointly funded the project which was undertaken by Gooding Davies Consultancy Pty Ltd. The report includes recommendations to explore appropriate legal and business structures for ROCs that allow for more efficient business operations and how ROCs could provide a greater regional consultation function.

 

Download the report here.