Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Housing, Gavan O’Connor, has signalled the release of a major new Local Government policy before the next Federal election. He said Labor started launching policies for Local Government and urban renewal last year.
“Those commitments should be seen as a down payment on a comprehensive Labor Local Government policy, which will be launched before the next election,” he said. “My door will always be open to those who have concerns or are willing to contribute to the further development of those policies.”
The Shadow Minister said the previous Labor Government’s Local Approvals Review Process (LARP) – stopped by the current Government in 1996 – was a good example of the Commonwealth and Local Governments working constructively together.
“It is Local Government that knows and understands local communities and their environment,” he said.
The Shadow Minister said that Councils should be more involved in disaster preparation and planning, particularly in rural, regional and outer metropolitan areas threatened by bushfire. He said recommendations in A Nation Charred, the national bushfire report, should be implemented. This includes a joint National Bushfire Strategy including Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local Governments.
“We need a national approach to emergency management data,” Gavan O’Connor said. “Some State laws are still making it difficult for Councils to disallow housing in fire prone areas.”
