The Local Government Price Index (LGPI) provides a measure of price movements faced by Local Government in South Australia in respect of their purchases of goods and services.

The LGPI rose by 0.3 per cent in the March quarter 2013. In comparison, the Adelaide Consumer Price Index was unchanged from the December quarter.

Looking at changes over the year, the LGPI in the March quarter 2013 was up 2.5 per cent compared to the March quarter 2012, while the Adelaide Consumer Price Index was up 2.2 per cent over this period.  Such “year-on-year” comparisons for quarterly performance can miss important price movements that are relevant to those who are concerned with annual growth for the year as a whole.  For instance, looking at the current financial year to date, the average LGPI for the first three quarters to March 2013 was up 2.9 per cent compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year, while the Adelaide CPI was up 2.0 per cent between these periods.