Western Australia’s local governments continue to navigate the challenge of delivering more with less. As frontline service providers, councils are balancing rising community expectations, constrained budgets, and the demands of maintaining ageing infrastructure, while working to modernise operations and strengthen organisational resilience.

Insights from the 2025 Local Government Focus Day highlighted that while many councils recognise the transformative potential of AI, most remain in the early stages of adoption. Financial sustainability continues to be the primary concern, alongside the need to become more data-driven, streamline processes, and build workforce capability to meet a rapidly evolving service environment.

In 2026, the imperative to rethink how councils deliver services, manage assets, and engage communities has never been greater. Embracing innovation, digital tools, and cross-sector collaboration will be critical to unlocking more efficient, responsive, and sustainable operating models.

Join us at the 2026 Local Government Focus Day, part of Public Sector Network’s Government Innovation Week Western Australia, to explore practical strategies and real-world case studies from across the sector. This action-oriented forum brings together local and state leaders to share insights on improving productivity, strengthening financial sustainability, and leveraging technology, including AI, to deliver better outcomes for communities.