At a time when the relationship between Councils and other spheres of Government are under some strain in other parts of the country, the Northern Territory Government and the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) have signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding.
The Memorandum was signed at Alice Springs in May by Mick Palmer, Territory Minister for Local Government, and Cr Peter Kavanagh, President of LGANT. Organised by the Department of Housing and Local Government, the MOU provides the basis for a cooperative relationship in dealing with the many unique issues facing the Territory.
“Through this partnership, both levels of Government can overcome the problems of a vast land mass and sparse population in the delivery of those services,” said Mick Palmer. He noted that the MOU was in keeping with the Territory Government’s commitment to recognising Local Government in the Constitution.
“Local Government plays a vital role in providing services to the community and it is important that role is recognised,” he said. “In many other parts of Australia, the two tiers of Government are in a state of conflict and argument, but here in the Territory, the relationship is a much more cordial one.”
