The South Australian Government is looking to start with a blank slate, scrapping all government boards and committees and only reinstating those which can prove their worth.

The SA Government has put 440 boards on notice, saying the axe will swing for those that cannot justify themselves in November.

Premier Jay Weatherill says $1 million would be saved each year on board fees and administration, but this is just the start of the savings.

“We need to ask ourselves whether boards and committees are the modern way of communicating with people,” the Premier told reporters.

“It's a pretty old fashioned way of getting information to people, consulting with people, modern techniques involve going directly to people.”

Parole and economic development boards will certainly be reinstated, but things are not so clear for some important agricultural, health and other advisory committees.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall has yet agreed to back the legislation allowing the cut of all committees, saying it “seems a very heavy-handed way of dealing with” the excess boards and committees.

Local governments say there are several boards and bodies that are needed for councils run properly.

Local Government Association of South Australia President Mayor David O’Loughlin says it is important look at the parallel agendas between State and Local government in support of economic prosperity.

“There are some circumstances however where such bodies are essential for accountability, engagement and collaboration and I think it will come down to being clear about the criteria for maintaining such bodies,” he said.

“For example if the Libraries Board were to be abolished we would need to establish a new process to determine how funds would be allocated to Council libraries.

“Similarly, the Dog and Cat Management Board has responsibility for significant funding from Council dog registrations,” he said.