South Australian Current Acts South Australian Current Acts187B—Investigation by Ombudsman
(1) The Ombudsman may,
on receipt of a complaint or on his or her own initiative, carry out an
investigation under this section if it appears to the Ombudsman that a
council's declaration of any rate or service charge under this Part may have
had an unfair or unreasonable impact on a particular ratepayer.
(2) The Ombudsman may,
in carrying out an investigation under this section, exercise the powers of
the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1972 as if carrying out an
investigation under that Act.
(3) If at the
conclusion of an investigation under this section the Ombudsman makes an
adverse finding against the council, the Ombudsman must prepare a written
report on the matter.
(4) The report may
make recommendations to the council.
(5) The Ombudsman must
supply the council with a copy of the report, and may also publish the report,
a part of the report, or a summary of the report, in such manner as the
Ombudsman thinks fit.
(6) If the report
makes any recommendations as to action that should be taken by the council,
the council must, within 2 months after the receipt of the report, provide a
written response to—
(a) the
Ombudsman; and
(b) if
relevant, the person who made the complaint.
(7) Without limiting
the operation of any other section, a council may grant a rebate or remission
of any rate or service charge, or of any charge, fine or interest under this
Part, if the Ombudsman recommends that the council do so on the ground of
special circumstances pertaining to a particular ratepayer.
(8) This section does
not limit other powers of investigation under other provisions of this or
another Act.