Northern Beaches Council required a system upgrade to keep pace with the evolving needs of a diverse and expanding community.
Running operations on outdated legacy technology created significant challenges for the Council as it worked to modernise its systems and implement a leading cloud-based ERP platform while keeping essential services running.
To deliver such a significant transformation, the Council engaged KPMG for their deep sector experience, practical insights and proven capability in guiding complex public sector programs. Together, we built a structured approach that supported immediate delivery while laying the foundation for the Council’s long-term digital future.
The successful first release has boosted confidence across the organisation, created greater alignment between teams and laid the groundwork for a modern, proactive way of working.
About the client
Client: Northern Beaches Council
Project: Digital modernisation and cloud-based ERP implementation support
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sector: Local government/public sector
Services: ERP implementation partner, program governance and risk mitigation, data migration, test management, capability uplift, training, change and operating model guidance
What was needed
What we did
Working alongside the team at Northern Beaches Council, KPMG provided clarity and structure to a complex technology upgrade. Our focus was on enabling informed decision-making, building capability and creating shared accountability across teams, including:
- meeting the Council where they were in the journey – complementing their capability, not replacing it
- integrating a team of experienced technical specialists who worked seamlessly with Council staff
- transitioning away from outdated legacy platforms while keeping essential services running
- providing clear, strategic guidance and seamless execution across a complex multi-phase program
- applying deep local government experience and lessons learned
- adapting support as the program evolved, allowing for continuity and responsiveness
- building a long-term relationship with the Council based on shared accountability and aligned priorities.
What we delivered
- A successful first release go-live, lifting confidence across the program for future releases.
- Guidance and support in delivering a leading cloud-based ERP solution with best practice functionality.
- Capability uplift and a scalable digital foundation that will support the Council well beyond program completion.
- Empowered teams with stronger capability and modern tools.
- A shift from reactive to proactive ways of working.
- A unified team mindset, with a long-term roadmap focused on delivering better services and value to the community.
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Key contacts
- Paul Morris
- Jenny Arrand
- Scott Farrell
FAQs
KPMG provided a clear structure for the transformation and helped the Council break down a complex program into manageable stages. Their team brought experience from other councils, offered practical guidance and kept governance, risk and decision making aligned. This clarity helped Council teams stay focused on outcomes while maintaining essential community services.
Beyond the technical work, KPMG played a key role in building capability and strengthening collaboration within the Council. They worked closely with internal teams, shared sector insights, and helped create a ‘one team’ culture around the program. Their support improved confidence across the organisation and helped the Council shift from a reactive way of working to a more proactive and aligned approach.
The KPMG/Council relationship helped lay the foundation for a modern, scalable digital environment that will support Council for many years. By uplifting capability, embedding clearer processes and helping staff understand new ways of working, KPMG helped the benefits extend well beyond the first release. The council now has stronger governance, clearer priorities and a roadmap that supports long-term community outcomes.
Modern systems allow Council to deliver services more efficiently, provide better information to residents and make faster, more informed decisions. With smarter technology and more empowered teams, the organisation can focus on what matters most – delivering consistent high-quality services and improving outcomes for the Northern Beaches community.
