Cost shifting
LGNSW’s latest cost shifting report was released in November 2023, highlighting a total cost shift to councils of $1.36 billion in 2021-22, which is the equivalent of more than $460 per ratepayer annually.
Read the summary and full report below.
LGNSW works hard to identify and oppose any cost shifting that impacts member councils.
Cost shifting occurs when state and federal governments force councils to assume responsibility for infrastructure, services and regulatory functions without providing sufficient supporting funding.
LGNSW conducts a periodic cost shifting survey to ascertain the extent of cost shifting by the federal and state governments on to NSW local government.
Survey results show that cost shifting continues to place a significant burden on NSW councils. Cost shifting is estimated to have imposed a cumulative burden of more than $10 billion on councils over the last decade.
Join our advocacy
LGNSW is seeking the support of all councils in calling on the NSW Government to address cost shifting onto our sector. To assist councils in their advocacy, LGNSW has prepared the following template mayoral minute and letter to the NSW Government:
Previous cost shifting surveys