The Rudd Labor Government will provide up to $2.65 million towards four urban planning and local government reform projects in South Australia.

This includes $1 million to pilot an Integrated Design Strategy for Adelaide which would identify opportunities to improve the productivity, liveability and sustainability of the city as well as plan for future growth.

This Strategy would also establish best-practice governance and a new model of collaboration between state and local governments, including the Adelaide City Council and the six neighbouring councils.

This urban design vision for Adelaide will integrate urban planning and infrastructure management across the major metropolitan councils to pilot a better approach to planning our cities in the future.

The remaining $1.65 million would support three local government reform projects to assist South Australian councils in the management of their infrastructure and other assets and improve their financial sustainability.

These will help establish regional collaborative networks and joint service partnerships to improve the way that local governments serve their communities.

As part of this collaborative reform between the three levels of government, a range of comprehensive audits will be conducted of council operations to identify best improvements and opportunities to build capacity.

We will deliver funding for these projects through our $25 million Local Government Reform Fund.

This Fund, which is part of the Government’s new partnership with local government, is aimed at fast-tracking improvements to local government infrastructure asset and financial management and encourages cooperation between councils.

We are also delivering record funding to local governments through the $1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The Rudd Labor Government is working with local and state governments to improve infrastructure and services in local communities across the nation.

States and territories have submitted proposals in partnership with local government associations.