Council leaders will meet tomorrow to find solutions that better shield property owners from steep rate rises caused by spikes in real estate values.

On the eve of a special meeting of the Local Government Association (LGA) State executive committee, LGA President John Legoe said he would be pushing to have any required amendments to State legislation in place before councils consider their 2005/06 budgets.

"There are concerns and we are committed to finding solutions," said Councillor Legoe.

"I am looking for a response to these issues, which will incorporate both immediate legislative action and a more considered review of the pressures on local government finances. "We will also want to consult with Councils, the State and others on the proposals identified today."

While the relationship between property values and council rates - and the introduction of rolling three-year valuations as a possible cushion to sharp increases - is high on the agenda, other matters to be considered include:

• An independent enquiry into local government finances;
• Cessation of unfair cost-shifting to councils from other levels of government;
• An independent audit of councils' rating processes and practices; and
• Inequitable Commonwealth funding to councils in South Australia.

"We will consider all proposals to improve and make council revenue collection as fair and affordable as possible," said Cr Legoe.

"We will work with councils, the State Government and the community to consider recommendations that come out of the workshop. We want to make sure that ours is the best possible system, that there is no other system that could do a better job without disadvantaging communities or restricting economic growth.

"We want to achieve a just system for all."