Another way councils receive money is by charging fees for some of the services they provide [Local Government Act 1999 (SA) s 188]. Fees may be imposed to dump rubbish at the local waste depot, swim in the public pool or use other recreational facilities, register a dog, orhire community halls..

Parking fines are another source of council revenue Councils manage parking compliance on public streets, on land owned by council and private parking areas, by agreement.

Councils also receive grants and subsidies from the state and federal governments. These can be tied to specific programs or available for general use.

Each council receives an annual grant from the Federal Government. The Local Government Grants Commission makes recommendations to the Minister on the distribution of untied Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to local governing authorities in South Australia.

More information about the Local Government Grants Commission can be found on the Department for Infrastructure and Transport website.

The Councils in Focus website publishes important information about every local council’s funding, spending and financial performance.