Published on Friday, 24 April 2026 at 10:34:03 AM
The Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku has entered into a new partnership with CouncilFirst as its enterprise resource planning (ERP) provider, marking an important step in strengthening council operations and supporting the long‑term delivery of services across its remote communities.
Covering almost 160,000 square kilometres and supporting ten Aboriginal communities across the Central Desert region of Western Australia, the Shire operates in one of the most geographically vast and unique local government environments in the country. With no formal townsites and a highly dispersed workforce, the Shire requires systems that are reliable, connected and fit for purpose in a remote setting.
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving day‑to‑day operations and supporting its staff, the Shire identified the need to modernise its core systems. Legacy technology and fragmented processes were creating administrative inefficiencies and limiting visibility across key corporate functions.
Through the partnership with CouncilFirst, the Shire is transitioning to a fully integrated, cloud‑based ERP platform that will bring key systems, such as finance, payroll and records, into a single, central environment. The new system is expected to streamline workflows, strengthen governance and compliance, and improve access to accurate, timely information across the organisation.
CouncilFirst was selected following an assessment of the Shire’s operational needs, with a strong focus on finding a solution designed specifically for Australian local government. The Shire also placed high value on working with a provider that understands the challenges faced by regional and remote councils, including limited resourcing, workforce dispersal and the need to clearly demonstrate accountability for public funds.
Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku Chief Executive Officer, David Mosel, said the partnership would support both operational efficiency and better service delivery outcomes.
“Delivering local government services across such a large and remote region presents unique challenges,” Mr Mosel said. “This partnership with CouncilFirst gives us a modern, integrated system that supports our staff, reduces administrative burden and improves how we manage information across the organisation.
Importantly, it strengthens our governance and reporting capabilities, which is critical in a funding‑dependent environment, and ensures we are making responsible, transparent use of public resources for the benefit of our communities.”
The Shire will work closely with CouncilFirst throughout the implementation process to ensure a smooth transition and to embed systems that reflect the realities of operating in remote Western Australia.
CouncilFirst's Story
Download PDF Media Release
Back to All News