The Turnbull government sees the ‘City Deal’ as a way for ‘smart cities’ to drive innovation and growth. But what is the value proposition behind this UK concept and how might it work in Australia?
A metropolitan government’s essential features would be democracy, autonomy and accountability.
AAP/David Crosling
Roberta Ryan, University of Technology Sydney e Su Fei Tan, University of Technology Sydney
If local councils are bigger and councillors represent more residents, it is important that they focus on understanding their communities’ needs and aspirations, rather than on day-to-day operations.
Those opposed to forced municipal mergers have reason to be sceptical of NSW Premier Mike Baird’s promises that it will improve councils’ performance.
AAP/Paul Miller
If forced amalgamations proceed, we may well see hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer and ratepayer funds squandered simply because policymakers preferred dogma to empirical evidence.
An upbeat Pravin Gordhan, South Africa’s finance minister (left) arrives to deliver his 2016 budget address to parliament in Cape Town.
Reuters/Mike Hutchings
Cutting the bloated public service wage bill, as the finance minister is doing, is critically important economically. But it is sure to be unpopular with the governing ANC’s powerful labour allies.
Mayor R.T. Rybak surveys the 2007 Interstate 35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
u.s. Coast Guard/Wikimedia
What do U.S. mayors worry about? A recent survey finds that aging infrastructure is a top concern – and many mayors say state and federal agencies hinder their efforts instead of helping.
With South African local government elections coming up later in 2016, Jacob Zuma and his governing ANC must ensure that citizens still look to them as a party of hope.
Gateway to downtown Flint, Michigan.
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr
Successive governments have promised to give more power to local councils but so far all have fallen short on delivery.
Almost four years since the process of restructuring local government began, the Baird government faces many challenges in finalising its plans.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Bligh Grant, University of Technology Sydney e Roberta Ryan, University of Technology Sydney
Wherever governments have merged local councils, they have faced a political backlash. New South Wales is no exception and, nearly four years into the process, many challenges lie ahead.
Cuts to councils continue where they left off from the last parliament.
OccupyMCR/flickr
The plan is to devolve powers from Whitehall, giving local authorities more freedom and flexibility in the way they collect and spend money in their areas - but will it work?
A new study of more than 2000 Australians has found we care deeply about local councils, and overwhelmingly want governments – not private contractors – to deliver local services.
West Ham: higher score.
Premier League by Shutterstock