5502.7.55.001 - Local Government Finance, Northern Territory, Electronic Delivery, 1998-99  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/07/2001   
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MAIN FEATURES

TOTAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE - NORTHERN TERRITORY - 1998-99

graph - TOTAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE - NORTHERN TERRITORY - 1998-99



REVENUE

During the period 1994-95 to 1998-99 total revenue for NT local government increased by $69.2m (37.6%), the largest proportional increase being for the Barkly Region with $3.2m (53.4%) and the smallest proportional increase being for the Alice Springs Region with $9.4m (22.0%).

During the period 1997-98 to 1998-99 total revenue for NT local government increased by $31.3m (14.1%), the largest proportional increase being for the East Arnhem Region with $7.8m (21.6%) and the smallest proportional increase being for the Barkly Region with $0.75m (8.8%).

This growth in revenue reflected a steady increase in the levels of rates applied by municipalities and charges applied by communities for services rendered to residents, as the result of the local government sector assuming more service responsibilities and adopting the "user pays" principle.


EXPENDITURE

During the period 1994-95 to 1998-99 total expenditure for NT local government increased by $69.6m (41.7%), the largest proportional increase being for the Barkly Region with $3.3m (65.4%) and the smallest proportional increase being for the Katherine Region with $10.3m (38.6%).

During the period 1997-98 to 1998-99 total expenditure for NT local government increased by $20.4m (9.5%), the largest proportional increase being for the East Arnhem Region with $4.5m (13.3%). The Katherine Region recorded a decrease of $1m (2.7%), consistent with large outlays during the 1997-98 year as a consequence of the Australia Day 1998 floods.

The overall growth in expenditure can be attributed to local government having assumed responsibility for increased services to residents, especially in Indigenous communities in areas such as housing, water supply, electricity and transport.


BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

During the period 1994-95 to 1998-99 total assets for NT local government increased by $675.5m (197.4%). This was almost entirely attributable to implementation by the local government sector of Australian Accounting Standard 27 (AAS27) which changed the accounting basis from cash to accruals and caused municipalities to bring assets into their accounts on an accruals basis. For example, Palmerston City Council's total non-current assets increased from $20m in 1996-97 to $75.5m in 1997-98 as the result of inclusion of Stormwater Pipes and Road Pavements on an accruals basis.

Total liabilities increased by $1.4m (3.1%) for the period 1994-95 to 1998-99. During this period total liabilities first declined (from 1994-95 to 1997-98), as the result of debt-reduction policies, before recording an increase of $4.3m (10.5%) from 1997-98 to 1998-99. This latter increase is mainly attributable to an increase in debt for the Alice Springs Region of $2.7m (39.3%) as the result of improved accounting records in Community Government Councils for such items as provision for unfunded superannuation.

REGIONAL AREAS, Local government regions
map - REGIONAL AREAS, Local government regions


LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCALITIES
map - LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCALITIES




NOTES


USING THIS PUBLICATION

Care should be taken when analysing the information contained in this publication. The Explanatory Notes and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the data.


SYMBOLS AND OTHER USAGES

n.a. not available
n.e.c. not elsewhere classified
.. not applicable
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)


ROUNDING

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of component items and totals.


ABBREVIATIONS

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics
CDEP Community Development Employment Program
CGC Community Government Council
DLG NT Department of Local Government
GFS Government Finance Statistics
IIA Identified Incorporated Association
LGA Local Government Authority