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The Optimal Size of Local Government, with Special Reference to New South Wales

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  • Peter Abelson

Abstract

The paper discusses the major criteria for determining the optimal size of local government, and advances an evidence-based critique of the New South Wales Government's program to reduce the number of local councils.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Abelson, 2016. "The Optimal Size of Local Government, with Special Reference to New South Wales," Agenda - A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics, vol. 23(1), pages 31-46.
    • Handle: RePEc:acb:agenda:v:23:y:2016:i:1:p:31-46
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    File URL: http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n2264/pdf/analysis02.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Callanan & Ronan Murphy & Aodh Quinlivan, 2014. "The Risks of Intuition: Size, Costs and Economies of Scale in Local Government," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 45(3), pages 371-403.
    2. Joseph Drew & Brian Dollery, 2014. "The impact of metropolitan amalgamations in Sydney on municipal financial sustainability," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(4), pages 281-288, July.
    3. William A. Niskanen, 1994. "Bureaucracy And Public Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 333.
    4. Peter Abelson & Roselyne Joyeux, 2015. "New development: Smoke and mirrors--fallacies in the New South Wales government's views on local government financial capacity," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(4), pages 315-320, July.
    5. Adam Found, 2012. "Economies of Scale in Fire and Police Services in Ontario," IMFG Papers 12, University of Toronto, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance.
    6. Brian Bell & Brian Dollery & Joseph Drew, 2016. "Learning from Experience in NSW?," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 35(2), pages 99-111, June.
    7. Laura A. Reese, 2004. "Same Governance, Different Day: Does Metropolitan Reorganization Make a Difference?," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 21(4), pages 595-611, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dollery, Brain & Piper, Donella, 2020. "Council cooperation in New South Wales: Why have some councils not joined joint organisations?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 125-136.

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