Building long term financial viability

South Australia’s City of Onkaparinga took out the Financial Management category in the 2002 National Awards for Local Government. This award recognises and acknowledges the delivery of a high standard of financial management and accountability, with an emphasis on continuity and improvement.

Council created a Financial Directions Framework and process using a Corporate Financial Model and Council endorsed resource allocation strategies and criteria. The framework will help ensure the long term financial viability of Council and make prioritisation of proposed projects and capital works clear to the public.

The framework is a recording and decision making tool that is applicable to all Councils as they share similar financial parameters. A number of corporate initiatives, including financial modelling, strategic planning, and risk, asset and project management practices, are integrated into the Financial Directions Framework.

The process associated with the Financial Directions Framework promotes pre-planning and scheduling for projects and capital works, as well as cross departmental decision making. For further information contact Debra Just, General Manager Strategy and Policy, on (08) 8384 0649