In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Alderman Dave Elliot, President of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory.
There have been a number of organisations formed over the recent past aimed at developing Northern Australia. Apart from those that were very specific in their objectives, and generally project based, there has been little to celebrate. However, I believe the North Australia Forum established under the direction of Senator Ian MacDonald is one of the better strategies for general development and improved implementation.
Primarily this is because it has not been established as a ‘provider’ but as a vehicle for those with similar circumstances and difficulties to come together, cooperate and seek to find appropriate strategies or solutions. As part of this new forum’s activities, a number of Councils across Northern Australia are keen to establish a North Australian Local Government Alliance. The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) has offered to host the first meeting of this alliance.
The concept is for a loosely formed association that will pursue specific issues simultaneously with various organisations, the relevant Ministers and elected members in both the State and Federal Governments. The meeting will serve as an ideas and information exchange forum.
In the April edition of Local Government Focus there was a four page spread on the NT Department of Local Government, which highlighted many issues in relation to the operation of Local Government in not only the Northern Territory but across the whole top end of Australia. If you missed it and are interested in this area I think it well worth a read.
LGANT, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government (NTG), has been pursuing a program of reform and partnership agreements in Local Government for several years. The current NT Minister for Local Government, Dr Richard Lim, is assisting LGANT and several Councils with the development of partnership agreements, and is personally involved in the reform agenda.
The Stuart Highway runs like a spine from South to North, or North to South, depending on your stance, through the centre of the NT. Along its length is the NT’s communication, supply, social, governance and commercial activity centres. It has two major arms, the Barkly and Victoria Highway, connecting us to our neighbours in Northern Queensland and Western Australia.
Apart from the climatic differences, most people from the major centres of Australia readily assimilate with the major municipal centres of Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin/Palmerston. The commercial activities, financial, Local Government and other services of these centres, with some minor differences, reflect those of similar sized communities anywhere in the country. Even the very small communities that exist along this spine and arms have a fairly ‘normal’ economic existence, that is, they exist as they are because of a certain level of financial viability, like small communities anywhere in the country.
However, the majority of the LGANT membership is small community centres, mainly comprising ‘traditional’ Aboriginals, which have fairly limited economical prospects. They are very dependent on programs such as the Community Development Employment Programs (CDEP) and subsidies to maintain their viability. Aboriginal communities particularly, exist in the remotest parts of the country with limited services and very awkward transport connections. Several have developed their own airlines, partially for tourism but primarily for their own transport as the ROADS (Ruts Over Australia – Drive in if your Stupid) are quite often impassable, sometimes for the whole year.
To help complete the concept of these communities and how they developed, the article written by Department of Local Government, CEO Bob Beadman, in the April 2001 supplement is well worth a read. (This is available online at www.lgfocus.com.au/2001/april/ceodesk.htm).
In reforming Local Government in the NT, we do not only have to look at the improvements in efficiency, as has occurred in other parts of the country, but also at the overall economic activities of the communities. In this regard they need the understanding, and, when appropriate, the assistance of the whole Australian community. Several strategies are occurring to assist in some areas of efficiency such as resource sharing, common accounting services and practices and cooperative ventures or service delivery between Councils.
There are also currently three models of regional governance in place in the North, the Torres Strait Regional Authority; the Pilbara Regional Council; and the recently inaugurated Tiwi Assembly. The Tiwi model, a unique experiment, which may suit other distinct Indigenous groups, is too complex to go into in this article. It was recently agreed to by all the communities on the Tiwi Islands and will bring all aspects of local governance including aspects of the Tiwi Land Council administration under one organisational umbrella, one accounting and one management system.
In the short term at least, I believe that for other parts of Northern Australia, the Pilbara Regional Council model or an adaptation of the model, will provide the most benefit for the majority of communities. Initially this would not reduce the number of Councils but increase them by formalising the Regional Organisation of Councils (ROCs) into umbrella organisations that would look after the provision of common services to the region.
This could include accountancy, regional cemetery or dump site(s) and represent the combined interests of the member Councils in developing their regions’ economic potential and growth.
Unfortunately, many of the communities are suffering badly from social problems and in some cases, a lack of effective ongoing leadership. The reform strategies being discussed and implemented will not be meaningful if the alcohol, drug, petrol sniffing and other social issues are not being responsibly addressed at a community level.
I recommend that those involved in this area, particularly in Northern Australia, read the article on Noel Pearson in the Bulletin of 10 July 2001. With his commitment to his people, and the North of Australia in general, I will be seeking to invite him to address the first North Australia Alliance Forum or the next LGANT General Meeting in October 2001.
