Councils can’t keep spending faster than the economy grows

Councils have a large footprint across the economy when it comes to the assets they control. (Image: Supplied)

Wed, 08 Oct 2025

With local authority elections around the corner, it’s timely to look at some broad local authority financial metrics. Some councils have less flexibility than others, but what follows are some aggregated figures. Councils have a large footprint across the economy when it comes to the assets they control.Deficits, debt, unsustainable rate rises and infrastructure needs portend tough trade-offs. Councils play an important role in society and the economy. However, councils cannot continue to expect their income and expense lines will r...

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