LGA SA releases review into council culture

A South Australian leadership and behavioural review of local council members has identified 10 key findings and 35 recommendations to improve behaviour and wellbeing across the sector.

The findings outlined in the Local Government Leadership and Behavioural Management Review, commissioned by LGA South Australia, follow a Parliamentary motion in June 2025 by Connie Bonaros MLC calling for an inquiry into bullying and harassment in local government.

The independent review, conducted by organisational psychosocial and research experts at Flinders University, examined council member experiences of culture, leadership and behaviour on council, drawing on 252 survey responses and 53 in-depth interviews from mayors, councillors, council CEOs and key staff in metropolitan and regional councils across the state.

The review identified 35 recommendations across three key areas including:

• system-level improvements to governance frameworks, behavioural management processes and sector-wide support mechanisms
• council-level actions to strengthen leadership, culture, psychological safety and organisational practices
• individual-level initiatives focused on leadership capability, behavioural expectations, education and professional development.
   

LGA President Heather Holmes-Ross said the review provided the most comprehensive evidence base ever developed on leadership and behavioural management in South Australian local government.

“This review confirms what many of us already know — councils across South Australia are filled with dedicated people who care deeply about their communities and work every day to deliver positive outcomes for residents,” she said. “The review also confirms that poor behaviour, while not representative of the sector as a whole, can have serious impacts on individuals, councils and communities when it occurs.

“Bullying, harassment and harmful behaviour are unacceptable in any workplace, including local government. Any behaviour that undermines wellbeing, health and safety, effective governance or democratic decision-making cannot be tolerated.

“We commissioned this review because we wanted an independent, evidence-based assessment of leadership and behavioural management across the sector. We are pleased to release the findings and recommendations, because transparency matters and meaningful improvement starts with honest conversations.”

Holmes-Ross said strong participation in the review demonstrated the sector’s willingness to critique its performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

“This review reflects the experiences, insights and improvement ideas of people working across local government and provides a roadmap for strengthening leadership, governance and council culture into the future,” she said.

LGA South Australia said it will now engage with its members to further consider the review findings and recommendations, acknowledging that this needs a system change that strengthens wellbeing and supports chambers to have respectful and constructive discussion on behalf of their communities.

Acting Commissioner for Equal Opportunity Kara Wiseman said South Australians deserve respectful, inclusive workplaces that are free of bullying and harassment.

“It’s especially important that South Australians have confidence that those institutions holding leadership positions in our community — be it the legal profession, state Parliament or, in this case, local government — are not only delivering vital services, but are doing so while supporting their workforce accordingly,” she said. “I commend the Local Government Association for taking this first step to a more positive, inclusive workplace, and look forward to working with them as they implement measures aimed at delivering on this review’s findings.”

Visit Leadership and Behavioural Management Review for more information and to access the report.

Image credit: iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen