The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the representatives of more than 50 councils during five interstate hearings in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia next week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.
The Committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government and its workers who provide infrastructure and deliver services to residents of regional and urban communities in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. It also wants to listen to issues faced by councils trying to meet the demands of rapidly growing commuter areas near Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Perth.
Committee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said “The Committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, potential solutions to current challenges, and the impacts of rising demands on the sector’s workforce.”
Hearings will begin in Launceston on Monday 24 August where the committee will hear from local government representative bodies, unions, metropolitan councils and regional councils, including from King Island. The Committee will explore a range of issues including workforce issues, and labour market conditions across Tasmania.
The Committee will then travel to Adelaide for a hearing on Tuesday 25 August to listen to councils as diverse as the City of Adelaide, Kangaroo Island Council and the Mildura Rural City Council in Victoria, as well as from local government associations for the Northern and Yorke, Murraylands and Riverlands, Limestone Coast and the Southern and Hills regions. The Committee will hear from the Essential Services Commission of South Australia and members of the Australian Services Union too.
Port Lincoln in South Australia will be the next hearing venue on Wednesday 26 August for the Committee to listen to the range of challenges faced by rural district councils across the Eyre Peninsula, along with the larger city councils in Port Lincoln and Whyalla.
The Committee will then travel to Perth for a hearing on Thursday 27 August to explore a wide range of issues including grant distribution processes. It will hear from state government officials, councils in metropolitan, regional and outer‑urban areas, unions, and other stakeholders such as the WA Local Government Association, the Local Government Professionals WA and the Local Government Elected Members Association.
The Committee’s final hearing in Western Australia will be in the wheatbelt town of Northam, on Friday 28 August. Discussions will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce and infrastructure challenges, as well as the broader pressures facing local government across regional WA such as providing rural health services.
Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.
Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.
Public hearing details
Date: Monday, 24 August 2026
Time: 8.30 am – 3.20 pm
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Time: 8.40 am – 4.45 pm
Location: Parliament of South Australia, Kingston Room, Adelaide, SA
Date: Wednesday, 26 August
Time: 8.30 am – 1.30 pm
Location: Port Lincoln Yacht Club, 1 Eyre Street, Port Lincoln, SA
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Time: 9.00 am – 4.25 pm
Location: WA Legislative Council, Committee Room 1, 2 Parliament Place, West Perth, WA
Date: Friday, 28 August 2026
Time: 9.00 am – 4.30 pm
Location: Bridgeley Community Centre, Avon Auditorium, 91 Wellington St, Northam, WA
Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.
Details for upcoming public hearings and more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is also available on the inquiry webpage.
Media enquiries
Mrs Fiona Phillips, MP
Media Adviser: Katrina Condie
0437 662 967
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 2232
[email protected]
