Each edition we feature the views of a State Local Government Association President. The following is from Mayor Ron Yuryevich, President of the Western Australian Municipal Association.
The last few months since my election as WAMA President have been both challenging and exciting. There is such a lot happening in Local Government that it is important that we keep focused on the really important issues.
No issue could be more important to Local Government than the current discussion on the introduction of the ‘New Tax System’ and the impact that those changes will have on the long term financial relations that Local Government has had with both the State and Federal Governments.
Local Government must be vigorous in advocating its position, as the people that we represent will surely suffer if we don’t get the best deal possible for Local Government.
The trickle down impact of the changes to the intergovernmental financial arrangements must have a dramatic and long term impact on our sector of government. It’s up to us to make sure that this is a change for the better.
I believe that this issue and all of the ramifications of the detail will extend over the next several years. It really will be like a marathon race. We must be focused on finishing and at the start we will go a bit quicker than the steady pace we will need to maintain our position for the majority of the distance.
We may need to put in a bit of an extra spurt every now and again and we must have something in reserve for the sprint to the line. On a State basis there is an extensive legislation program that is in the pipeline that will impact on Local Government.
Already legislation is in parliament to amend the Local Government Act, the Town Planning and Development Act, and the Health Act. Local Government has a number of issues with much of this legislation relating to ‘cost shifting’ by the State and delegation of some tasks that the State would rather not do.
Next year looks even busier with legislation on a consolidated Planning Bill, a new Library and Culture Act, and a discussion paper out on new Building legislation, being just a few. WAMA is also advocating strongly for recognition of Local Government in the State Budget for ‘Community Wellbeing in the New Millennium’.
The major thrust of the WAMA submission is to pick up on the additional load the ‘baby boom’ generation is going to have on the services and infrastructure that Local Government supplies.
Key elements are more money to assist Local Government to plan for the ‘babyboomers’, fix up the ageing stock of public swimming pools, and improve the bookstock in public libraries. WAMA is also arguing for a rural incentives program to attract and retain professional people and allied services in country towns.
As well, WAMA is advancing the arguments for the payment of rates by Government Trading Enterprises and the restructuring of the State’s Agreement Act approach for major resource developments.
Finally, I am proud to say that the WAMA road safety program RoadWise launched the White Ribbons for Road Safety during December. This is a particularly important and worthwhile initiative and I would encourage all Local Governments wherever you may be to really put an emphasis on road safety in your community.
If you’d like to know more about any of the items I’ve covered I’m sure you’ll find more material on the WAMA website at www.wama.wa.gov.au.
