{"id":"outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009","name":"Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009","slug":"outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106198,"registerId":"sa-outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009","content":"South Australia\nOutback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009\nAn Act to establish the Outback Communities Authority and to facilitate the administration and management of outback communities; to repeal the Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978; and for other purposes.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n2\tCommencement\n3\tInterpretation\n4\tObjects of Act\nPart 2—Outback Communities Authority\nDivision 1—Establishment\n5\tEstablishment\n6\tFunctions and objectives\nDivision 2—Administration\n7\tMembership\n8\tConditions of membership\n9\tApplication of Public Sector Management Act\n10\tProceedings\n11\tCommittees\n12\tStaff\n13\tDelegation\nDivision 3—Management practices\n14\tPublic consultation policy\n15\tStrategic management plan\n16\tAnnual business plan and budget\n17\tCommunity affairs resourcing and management agreements\n18\tAnnual report\n19\tPublication of documents\nPart 3—Application of certain Acts\nDivision 1—Preliminary\n20\tInterpretation\nDivision 2—Local Government Act\n21\tRates on land—asset sustainability levies and community contributions\n22\tAnti-pollution measures\n23\tOrders\n24\tAuthorised persons\n25\tMiscellaneous powers\nDivision 3—Other Acts\n26\tRegulations may apply other Acts\nPart 4—Miscellaneous\n27\tRegulations\nSchedule 1—Repeal and transitional provisions\nPart 1—Repeal\n1\tRepeal of Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978\nPart 2—Transitional provisions\n2\tFirst members of Authority\n3\tFirst annual business plans and budget of Authority\n4\tBudget\n5\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009.\n2—Commencement\nThis Act will come into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.\n3—Interpretation\nIn this Act—\nAuthority means the Outback Communities Authority established under section 5;\noutback means the area of the State outside council areas under the Local Government Act 1999, excluding any area declared by regulation not to be part of the outback;\nrates means the asset sustainability levy and the community contribution—see section 21.\n4—Objects of Act\nThe objects of this Act are—\n\t(a)\tto provide for efficient and accountable administration and management of outback communities; and\n\t(b)\tto promote participation of outback communities in their administration and management; and\n\t(c)\tto raise revenue for public services and facilities in the outback.\nPart 2—Outback Communities Authority\nDivision 1—Establishment\n5—Establishment\n\t(1)\tThe Outback Communities Authority is established.\n\t(2)\tThe Authority is the same body corporate as the Outback Areas Community Development Trust established under the Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978.\n\t(3)\tThe Authority—\n\t(a)\thas perpetual succession and a common seal; and\n\t(b)\tis capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name; and\n\t(c)\thas all the powers of a natural person that are capable of being exercised by a body corporate.\n\t(4)\tThe Authority is an instrumentality of the Crown and holds its property on behalf of the Crown.\n\t(5)\tThe Authority is subject to the control and direction of the Minister except in relation to—\n\t(a)\tthe enforcement of this or any other Act; and\n\t(b)\tthe preparation of reports under this or any other Act.\n\t(6)\tIf a document appears to bear the common seal of the Authority, it will be presumed, in the absence of proof to the contrary, that the document was duly executed by the Authority.\n6—Functions and objectives\n\t(1)\tThe functions of the Authority are—\n\t(a)\tto manage the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities; and\n\t(b)\tto promote improvements in the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities; and\n\t(c)\tto articulate the views, interests and aspirations of outback communities.\n\t(2)\tIn performing its functions, the Authority is—\n\t(a)\tprimarily to foster and support the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities by community organisations, including by making grants and loans to such organisations; and\n\t(b)\tto consider long‑term requirements for maintenance, replacement and development of infrastructure for public services and facilities for outback communities; and\n\t(c)\tto consider State and national objectives and strategies that are relevant to outback communities; and\n\t(d)\tto seek ongoing collaboration with local, State and national governments in the planning and delivery of public services and facilities to outback communities; and\n\t(e)\tto ensure that there are systems in place to further its understanding of the views, interests and aspirations of outback communities; and\n\t(f)\tto facilitate decision making by others on a basis that is well informed in relation to the views, interests and aspirations of outback communities, including by participating in appropriate local, State and national forums; and\n\t(g)\tto provide services with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness, manage resources effectively, prudently and in a fully accountable manner and maintain and enhance the value of public assets.\nDivision 2—Administration\n7—Membership\n\t(1)\tThe Authority consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor of whom at least 4 are to be members of different outback communities.\n\t(2)\tIn selecting a member of an outback community for appointment to the Authority, nominations for appointment must be sought by notice in a newspaper circulating generally throughout the outback and on the website of the Authority.\n\t(3)\tAt least 1 member of the Authority must be a woman and 1 a man.\n\t(4)\tThe Governor will appoint 1 of the members to be the presiding member of the Authority.\n\t(5)\tThe Governor may appoint a person to be the deputy of a member of the Authority and the deputy may act as a member of the Authority during any period of absence of the member.\n\t(6)\tAn act or proceeding of the Authority is not invalid by reason only of a vacancy in its membership or a defect in the appointment of a member.\n8—Conditions of membership\n\t(1)\tA member of the Authority will be appointed on conditions determined by the Governor for a term, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the instrument of appointment and will, at the expiration of a term of office, be eligible for reappointment.\n\t(2)\tThe Governor may remove a member of the Authority from office—\n\t(a)\tfor breach of, or non‑compliance with, a condition of appointment; or\n\t(b)\tfor misconduct; or\n\t(c)\tfor failure or incapacity to carry out official duties satisfactorily.\n\t(3)\tThe office of a member of the Authority becomes vacant if the member—\n\t(a)\tdies; or\n\t(b)\tcompletes a term of office and is not reappointed; or\n\t(c)\tresigns by written notice to the Minister; or\n\t(d)\tis disqualified from managing corporations under Chapter 2D Part 2D.6 of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth; or\n\t(e)\tis removed from office under subsection (2).\n\t(4)\tA member of the Authority is entitled to fees, allowances and expenses determined by the Governor.\n9—Application of Public Sector Management Act\nA member of the Authority will not be taken to have a direct or indirect interest in a matter for the purposes of the Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 1995 by reason only of the fact that the member has an interest in a matter that is shared in common with members of an outback community or a substantial section of members of an outback community.\n10—Proceedings\n\t(1)\tA quorum of the Authority consists of 4 members.\n\t(2)\tIn the absence of the presiding member from a meeting of the Authority a member chosen by those present will preside at the meeting.\n\t(3)\tA decision carried by a majority of the votes cast by the members at a meeting of the Authority is a decision of the Authority.\n\t(4)\tEach member present at a meeting of the Authority has 1 vote on a matter arising for decision and, if the votes are equal, the member presiding at the meeting may exercise a casting vote.\n\t(5)\tA conference by telephone or other electronic means between the members of the Authority will, for the purposes of this section, be taken to be a meeting of the Authority at which the participating members are present if—\n\t(a)\tnotice of the conference is given to all members in the manner determined by the Authority for the purpose; and\n\t(b)\teach participating member is capable of communicating with every other participating member during the conference.\n\t(6)\tA proposed resolution of the Authority becomes a valid decision of the Authority despite the fact that it is not voted on at a meeting of the Authority if—\n\t(a)\tnotice of the proposed resolution is given to all members of the Authority in accordance with procedures determined by the Authority; and\n\t(b)\ta majority of the members express concurrence in the proposed resolution by letter, telegram, telex, fax, e‑mail or other written communication setting out the terms of the resolution.\n\t(7)\tNotice of a proposed resolution for the submission of a strategic management plan, annual business plan or budget or a variation of a strategic management plan, annual business plan or budget to the Minister must be given to all members of the Authority, together with a copy of the proposed plan, budget or variation, at least 21 days before a vote is to be taken on the resolution.\n\t(8)\tA meeting of the Authority is to be open to the public unless the Authority considers it to be necessary and appropriate to close the meeting to the public in order to receive, discuss or consider in confidence any information or matter of the kind that could lead to the closure of a council meeting under the Local Government Act 1999.\n\t(9)\tThe Authority must have accurate minutes kept of its proceedings and, subject to the exclusion of matters considered in a meeting closed to the public, make them available for inspection free of charge on a website and at its principal place of business during normal office hours.\n\t(10)\tSubject to this Act, the Authority may determine its own procedures.\n11—Committees\n\t(1)\tThe Authority may establish committees to assist it in the performance of its functions.\n\t(2)\tA committee may consist of or include persons who are not members of the Authority.\n\t(3)\tSubject to direction by the Authority, a committee may determine its own procedures.\n\t(4)\tThe Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 1995 applies to a member of a committee in the same way as to an advisory body member within the meaning of that Act (as if a reference to the relevant Minister were a reference to the Minister responsible for the administration of this Act).\n12—Staff\nThe Authority's staff consists of Public Service employees assigned to assist the Authority.\n13—Delegation\n\t(1)\tThe Authority or the presiding member of the Authority may delegate a function or power under this or any other Act to—\n\t(a)\ta particular person or committee; or\n\t(b)\tthe person for the time being performing particular duties or holding or acting in a particular position.\n\t(2)\tIf a person to whom a function or power is delegated is not a member of the Authority or a member of the staff of the Authority, or a committee to which a function or power is delegated includes a person who is not a member of the Authority or a member of the staff of the Authority, the prior approval of the Minister must be obtained to the delegation (but failure to obtain the approval will not make the delegation invalid).\n\t(3)\tA function or power delegated under this section may, if the instrument of delegation so provides, be further delegated.\n\t(4)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be by instrument in writing; and\n\t(b)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(c)\tdoes not derogate from the power of the delegator to act in any matter; and\n\t(d)\tis revocable at will.\nDivision 3—Management practices\n14—Public consultation policy\n\t(1)\tThe Authority must prepare and adopt a public consultation policy for use in connection with—\n\t(a)\tstrategic management plans (see section 15); and\n\t(b)\tannual business plans and budgets (see section 16); and\n\t(c)\tcommunity affairs resourcing and management agreements (see section 17); and\n\t(d)\tthe making of decisions or the taking of action by the Authority under a provision of the Local Government Act 1999 applied by this Act that requires the following of a public consultation policy (see Part 3 Division 2); and\n\t(e)\tthe making of regulations applying the provisions of an Act (see Part 3 Division 3); and\n\t(f)\tthe making by the Authority of decisions of a kind prescribed by the regulations.\n\t(2)\tThe public consultation policy—\n\t(a)\tmust provide interested persons with a reasonable opportunity to make submissions on the matters subject to consultation and require the Authority to consider submissions made in accordance with the policy; and\n\t(b)\tmust comply, in respect of the making of decisions or the taking of action by the Authority under a provision of the Local Government Act 1999 applied by this Act that requires the following of a public consultation policy, with any applicable requirements of that Act as if it were a public consultation policy of a council; and\n\t(c)\tmay provide for any other matter considered appropriate by the Authority; and\n\t(d)\tmay provide for processes that vary according to the classes of decisions that are within the scope of the policy.\n\t(3)\tThe Authority may, from time to time, vary or substitute the public consultation policy.\n\t(4)\tHowever, before the Authority adopts, varies or substitutes a public consultation policy, the Authority must—\n\t(a)\tprepare a document that sets out its proposal in relation to the matter; and\n\t(b)\tmake the document publicly available (including on a website) and invite submissions to be made within a specified period (of at least 1 month); and\n\t(c)\tconsider submissions made in response to the invitation.\n\t(5)\tThe Authority is not required to do so for a variation or substitution that the Authority determines is of only minor significance that would attract little (or no) community interest.\n15—Strategic management plan\n\t(1)\tThe Authority must submit to the Minister for approval a strategic management plan for the period of 5 financial years commencing on 1 July next following commencement of this section and for each subsequent period of 5 financial years.\n\t(2)\tThe first strategic management plan is to be submitted as soon as practicable after the commencement of this section.\n\t(3)\tThe second and each subsequent strategic management plan is to be submitted on or before 30 April in the financial year preceding the first financial year to which it relates.\n\t(4)\tA strategic management plan must be prepared in consultation with outback communities in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14).\n\t(5)\tA strategic management plan must include—\n\t(a)\ta statement of the Authority's objectives for the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities for the 5 year period; and\n\t(b)\ta clear indication of the extent to which the Authority has given consideration to State and national objectives and strategies relevant to outback communities; and\n\t(c)\tan assessment of—\n\t(i)\tthe extent or levels of public services and facilities that will be required to be provided to achieve its objectives; and\n\t(ii)\tthe extent to which infrastructure for public services and facilities will need to be maintained, replaced or developed to achieve its objectives; and\n\t(d)\ta statement of—\n\t(i)\tthe principal activities that the Authority intends to undertake to achieve its objectives; and\n\t(ii)\tthe means by which its activities are to be carried out, including the extent to which it is intended that public services and facilities will be provided to outback communities by community organisations; and\n\t(e)\ta statement of the extent to which the Authority intends to collaborate with local, State and national governments in the planning and delivery of public services and facilities to outback communities; and\n\t(f)\ta long‑term financial plan; and\n\t(g)\ta long‑term plan for the maintenance, replacement and development of infrastructure for public services and facilities for outback communities; and\n\t(h)\tany other matter prescribed by regulation.\n\t(6)\tA strategic management plan or a component of a strategic management plan may relate to a period beyond the 5 year period to which the plan relates.\n\t(7)\tThe Minister may approve a strategic management plan submitted under this section with or without modification.\n\t(8)\tIf a strategic management plan is not approved by the Minister (with or without modification) before the commencement of the period to which it relates, the Authority may proceed as if it were approved (but is bound by any modification subsequently required by the Minister).\n\t(9)\tThe Authority may review its strategic management plan at any time, but must undertake a review of its long‑term financial plan as soon as practicable after approval by the Minister of its annual business plan and budget for a financial year.\n\t(10)\tA variation of a strategic management plan (other than a variation consequential on an annual business plan and budget) must be prepared in consultation with outback communities in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14) and be submitted to the Minister for the Minister's approval (and the variation may be approved with or without modification).\n16—Annual business plan and budget\n\t(1)\tThe Authority must, on or before 31 May in each year, submit to the Minister for approval a business plan and budget for the next financial year.\n\t(2)\tThe plan and budget must be prepared in consultation with outback communities in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14).\n\t(3)\tThe plan must include—\n\t(a)\ta statement of the Authority's objectives for the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities for the financial year; and\n\t(b)\ta statement of—\n\t(i)\tthe activities that the Authority intends to undertake to achieve its objectives; and\n\t(ii)\tthe means by which its activities are to be carried out, including the extent to which it is intended that public services and facilities will be provided to outback communities by community organisations; and\n\t(c)\tan assessment of the financial requirements of the Authority for the financial year and a summary of its proposed operating expenditure, capital expenditure and sources of revenue having regard to those requirements; and\n\t(d)\ta statement of the rates proposed to be declared for the financial year; and\n\t(e)\tan assessment of the impact of the rates on outback communities; and\n\t(f)\tany other matter required by the Minister or prescribed by regulation.\n\t(4)\tThe budget must—\n\t(a)\tbe prepared in accordance with any requirements prescribed by regulation; and\n\t(b)\tbe submitted to the Minister for approval in conjunction with the Authority's annual business plan; and\n\t(c)\tbe approved after the annual business plan is approved.\n\t(5)\tThe Minister may approve an annual business plan and budget submitted under this section with or without modification.\n\t(6)\tIf an annual business plan is not approved by the Minister (with or without modification) before the commencement of the financial year to which it relates, the Authority may proceed as if it were approved (but is bound by any modifications subsequently required by the Minister).\n\t(7)\tThe Authority must not, without the consent of the Minister, make any expenditure that is not authorised by an approved budget.\n\t(8)\tThe Authority may, at any time, and must, if the regulations so require, submit a variation of its annual business plan or budget to the Minister for the Minister's approval (and the variation may be approved with or without modification).\n\t(9)\tA variation must be prepared in consultation with outback communities in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14).\n17—Community affairs resourcing and management agreements\n\t(1)\tThe Authority may enter into a memorandum of understanding (a community affairs resourcing and management agreement) with an incorporated body representing an outback community relating to any or all of the following:\n\t(a)\tthe financial and other support to be provided to the outback community by the Authority;\n\t(b)\tthe provision of public services and facilities by community organisations and the governance of those organisations;\n\t(c)\tthe participation of community organisations in an insurance scheme arranged by the Authority;\n\t(d)\tprocedures to be followed by community organisations claiming reimbursements from the Authority;\n\t(e)\tthe authorisation of community contributions for a specified purpose (see section 21);\n\t(f)\tany other matter related to the management and administration of the outback community.\n\t(2)\tA community affairs resourcing and management agreement remains in force for the financial year specified in the agreement.\n\t(3)\tA community affairs resourcing and management agreement may be varied or substituted from time to time.\n\t(4)\tHowever, before a community affairs resourcing and management agreement is entered into, varied or substituted, the Authority must consult with the outback community concerned in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14).\n18—Annual report\n\t(1)\tThe Authority must, on or before 30 September in each year, present a report to the Minister on the Authority's operations during the previous financial year.\n\t(2)\tA report under this section must include, in relation to the financial year to which the report relates—\n\t(a)\ta summary of the activities undertaken by the Authority; and\n\t(b)\tan assessment of those activities against its business plan for that financial year; and\n\t(c)\tan audited statement of the income and expenditure of the Authority, together with details of the items of income and expenditure; and\n\t(d)\tany direction given to the Authority by the Minister.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must, within 12 sitting days after receipt of a report under this section, cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament.\n19—Publication of documents\nThe Authority must ensure that a copy of its current public consultation policy, strategic management plan, annual business plan and annual budget, its latest annual report and each current community affairs resourcing and management agreement are available—\n\t(a)\tfor inspection free of charge on a website and at its principal place of business during normal office hours; and\n\t(b)\tfor purchase on payment of a fee fixed by the Authority.\nPart 3—Application of certain Acts\nDivision 1—Preliminary\n20—Interpretation\nProvisions of an Act applied by this Part are applied together with any definitions contained in the Act of terms used in those provisions.\nDivision 2—Local Government Act\n21—Rates on land—asset sustainability levies and community contributions\n\t(1)\tThe Authority may impose—\n\t(a)\tasset sustainability levies on land in the outback to raise revenue for the maintenance of public services and facilities in the outback; and\n\t(b)\tcommunity contributions on land in an area of the outback to raise revenue for the purposes of planning, carrying out, making available, supporting, maintaining or improving an activity that is, or is intended to be, of particular benefit to the outback community in that area or to visitors to that community.\n\t(2)\tAn asset sustainability levy is to be imposed in the same way as a council imposes general rates on land in its council area, except that the levy must be based on a fixed charge approved by the Minister.\n\t(3)\tA community contribution is to be imposed in the same way as a council imposes separate rates on land in its council area, except that—\n\t(a)\ta contribution may only be imposed if it is authorised by a community affairs resourcing and management agreement; and\n\t(b)\ta contribution must be based on a fixed charge approved by the Minister.\n\t(4)\tThe fixed charge approved by the Minister for an asset sustainability levy or community contribution may vary according to the use of the land, the locality of the land or any other factor (but not one based on a valuation of the land).\n\t(5)\tThe Minister must not approve a fixed charge for an asset sustainability levy for a financial year that will result in an increase in the levy from the previous financial year (other than a CPI increase) unless—\n\t(a)\ta notice of the proposed fixed charge has been laid before both Houses of Parliament, together with an explanation of the reasons for the increase; and\n\t(b)\tafter 6 sitting days (which need not fall within the same Parliament or the same session of Parliament) no resolution has been passed by either House of Parliament prohibiting the approval.\n\t(6)\tFor the purposes of this section, Chapter 10 Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999 applies as if it formed part of this Part, subject to the following modifications:\n\t(a)\ta reference to a council is to be read as a reference to the Authority;\n\t(b)\ta reference to the area of a council is to be read as a reference to the outback;\n\t(c)\ta reference to local government purposes is to be read as a reference to the purposes of the Authority;\n\t(d)\ta reference to a general rate is to be read as a reference to an asset sustainability levy;\n\t(e)\ta reference to a separate rate is to be read as a reference to a community contribution;\n\t(f)\ta reference to the chief executive of a council is to be read as a reference to the presiding member of the Authority;\n\t(g)\tany other modifications prescribed by regulation.\n\t(7)\tThe revenue raised from asset sustainability levies and community contributions in respect of a particular financial year need not be completely expended in that year.\n\t(8)\tThe first asset sustainability levy notice for a financial year must be accompanied by—\n\t(a)\ta summary of the Authority's business plan for the financial year; and\n\t(b)\tan assessment of the activities of the Authority against its business plan for the previous financial year.\n\t(9)\tAsset sustainability levies and community contributions cannot be challenged on a ground based on non‑compliance with this section, or on a ground based on the contents of a plan, budget or assessment prepared under this Act.\n\t(10)\tIn this section—\nCPI increase means an increase reflecting the all groups consumer price index for Adelaide published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.\n22—Anti-pollution measures\nChapter 11 Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 applies as if it formed part of this Part, subject to the following modifications:\n\t(a)\ta reference to a council is to be read as a reference to the Authority;\n\t(b)\ta reference to a public road is to be read as a reference to an area that is open to or used by the public and is developed for, or has as 1 of its main uses, the driving of motor vehicles;\n\t(c)\ta reference to local government land is to be read as a reference to land vested in the Authority;\n\t(d)\tany other modifications prescribed by regulation.\n23—Orders\nChapter 12 Part 2 of the Local Government Act 1999 applies as if it formed part of this Part, subject to the following modifications:\n\t(a)\ta reference to a council is to be read as a reference to the Authority;\n\t(b)\ta reference to the area of a council is to be read as a reference to the outback;\n\t(c)\ta reference to this Act (meaning the Local Government Act 1999) or this Part (meaning Chapter 12 Part 2 of the Local Government Act 1999) is to be read as a reference to this Act or Part, respectively;\n\t(d)\tsection 257 is to be read as if subsections (4) and (7) were deleted;\n\t(e)\tany other modifications prescribed by regulation.\n24—Authorised persons\n\t(1)\tThe Authority may appoint authorised persons as if it were a council and those persons may administer and enforce this and any other Act that applies in relation to the Authority or the outback as if the Authority were a council and the outback its council area.\n\t(2)\tFor that purpose, Chapter 12 Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 applies as if it formed part of this Part, subject to the following modifications:\n\t(a)\ta reference to a council is to be read as a reference to the Authority;\n\t(b)\ta reference to this Act (meaning the Local Government Act 1999) is to be read as a reference to this Act;\n\t(c)\tany other modifications prescribed by regulation.\n25—Miscellaneous powers\nSections 294, 295, 297 and 298 of the Local Government Act 1999 apply as if they formed part of this Part, subject to the following modifications:\n\t(a)\ta reference to a council is to be read as a reference to the Authority;\n\t(b)\ta reference to the area of a council is to be read as a reference to the outback;\n\t(c)\tany other modifications prescribed by regulation.\nDivision 3—Other Acts\n26—Regulations may apply other Acts\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may, by regulation, declare that specified provisions of an Act that apply in relation to a council or council area apply to the Authority or the outback as if the Authority were a council and the outback its council area, subject to any specified modifications.\n\t(2)\tA regulation may not be made under this section unless the Authority has—\n\t(a)\tprepared a report for public consultation setting out the substance and effect of the proposed regulation; and\n\t(b)\tconsulted on the report in accordance with its public consultation policy (see section 14).\nPart 4—Miscellaneous\n27—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may impose fines, not exceeding $5 000, for offences against the regulations.\n\t(3)\tThe regulations may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general application or vary in their application according to prescribed factors;\n\t(b)\tprovide that a matter or thing in respect of which regulations may be made is to be determined according to the discretion of the Authority or the Minister.\nSchedule 1—Repeal and transitional provisions\nPart 1—Repeal\n1—Repeal of Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978\nThe Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978 is repealed.\nPart 2—Transitional provisions\n2—First members of Authority\nOn the commencement of this clause, the members of the Outback Areas Community Development Trust vacate their offices so that fresh appointments may be made to the Authority.\n3—First annual business plans and budget of Authority\nIf this Act commences on a date that makes it impracticable or impossible to comply with a requirement of this Act to submit an annual business plan and budget for a period commencing on 1 July next following that commencement, this Act is to be read as requiring the plan and budget to be submitted to the Minister for that period as soon as practicable after that commencement.\n4—Budget\nUntil the first budget is approved under this Act, a reference in section 17(4) to an approved budget includes a reference to a budget approved under the Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978 repealed by this Act.\n5—Regulations\nThe regulations may make other provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of this Act.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nPrincipal Act\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n2009\n75\nOutback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009\n10.12.2009\n1.7.2010 (Gazette 24.6.2010 p3156)\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"source":"grok-batch-everything"},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown beyond the narrower community-development focus of the repealed 1978 Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act. While s 5(2) continues the same body corporate, the 2009 Act expands scope by introducing mandatory five-year strategic plans that must address State and national objectives (s 15), formal revenue-raising via asset sustainability levies and community contributions (s 21), application of local government enforcement tools (ss 22-25), and regulation-making power to import provisions of any other Act (s 26), thereby shifting from a trust model to a more comprehensive quasi-council governance regime with enhanced accountability, planning and community-participation requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy cross-referencing and modification of multiple chapters and sections of the Local Government Act 1999 (e.g. Chapters 10, 11, 12)","Layered planning and consultation obligations across strategic management plans (s 15), annual business plans (s 16), and community agreements (s 17)","Detailed procedural rules for meetings, delegations, public access to documents, and Minister approvals with fallback provisions if approval is delayed","Transitional and savings provisions in Schedule 1 combined with broad regulation-making powers (ss 26-27) that can apply entire other Acts with modifications"],"plain_english_summary":"**This law creates a dedicated government body to run services in remote parts of South Australia and lets it charge land fees to pay for them.**\n\nThe Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009 sets up the Outback Communities Authority. This Authority looks after 'outback' areas – basically all of South Australia not inside a normal local council boundary. Its job is to provide public services and facilities (like roads, community halls or water supplies), listen to what remote communities want, and plan for the long term.\n\nLand owners in these areas must pay two types of fees: an 'asset sustainability levy' to keep services running, and optional 'community contributions' for special local projects. The Authority must create five-year strategic plans, yearly business plans, and budgets, all after talking to the communities (through a public consultation policy). It can also apply certain local council rules to the outback, such as anti-pollution measures and orders to fix problems on properties.\n\nThe law replaced an older 1978 trust with this new structure to make administration more accountable, give communities more say, and raise money for services. It matters to people living far from cities because it aims to improve facilities, stop services from falling apart, and ensure decisions reflect local needs rather than being run entirely from Adelaide."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is the original Act as enacted in 2009; no later amendments are included. Its scope is consistent with its original purpose to establish the Outback Communities Authority and provide for administration and management of outback communities."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references multiple parts of the Local Government Act 1999 with modifications","Contains several defined terms and interpretive provisions","Includes conditional and discretionary powers (e.g., Ministerial approvals, delegation)","Has transitional and savings provisions in Schedule 1","Covers both administrative structure and substantive rate-making powers"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the **Outback Communities Authority**, a government body that manages public services (like roads, water, and community facilities) in remote areas of South Australia that are outside local council areas. The Authority can raise money by charging **asset sustainability levies** (for maintaining infrastructure) and **community contributions** (for specific local projects) on land in those areas. It must plan ahead with a five-year strategic plan and an annual business plan, and consult the community before making major decisions. The Act replaces an older law (the Outback Areas Community Development Trust Act 1978) and gives the new Authority stronger powers to coordinate services, make grants, and work with community groups."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Unable to assess whether scope changed from original intent, as the legislative text was not retrievable. The Page Not Found error prevented any meaningful analysis of the Act's current provisions versus its original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Actual legislative text was not available for analysis — a Page Not Found error was returned instead of the Act","Analysis is based on general knowledge of the Act rather than its current text, limiting accuracy","The Act itself, based on general knowledge, involves intergovernmental service delivery and governance structures which carry moderate complexity","Potential for amendments since original enactment cannot be assessed without access to current text"],"plain_english_summary":"**What happened here?**\n\nThe link provided did not return the actual text of the *Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009* (SA). Instead, it returned a **Page Not Found** error from the South Australian legislation website, likely due to a broken or outdated URL following a website update in March 2026.\n\n**What is known about this Act generally?**\n\nThe *Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009* is a South Australian law that establishes a framework for governing remote and outback communities in South Australia. It generally:\n- Creates an **Outback Communities Authority** (a government body) to oversee the administration of unincorporated (meaning not formally organised under local council structures) outback areas\n- Provides mechanisms for delivering services to residents of remote communities who would otherwise have no local government representation\n- Sets out how community consultation, funding, and management responsibilities operate in these areas\n\n**Who does it affect?**\nPrimarily residents of remote South Australian communities outside normal council boundaries, as well as the government body responsible for managing those areas.\n\n⚠️ **Important caveat:** Because the actual legislative text was not retrievable, this summary is based on general knowledge of the Act and may not reflect amendments or current provisions. You should verify current content at [legislation.sa.gov.au](https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au) or contact OPCWeb@sa.gov.au."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009","history":"/api/acts/outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009/history","analysis":"/api/acts/outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/outback-communities-administration-and-management-act-2009/documents"}}