The world is transforming into a networked, collaborative society, and Local Government needs to align itself with the global push for reform and increased productivity.
The 10th anniversary National Summit of the Future of Local Government addresses the challenges that Local Government needs to face in the future.
Local Government is under growing financial stress; it needs to do more with less and take an active role in the decisions it needs to make, or risk having change imposed upon it.
The choice is simple: the low road, remaining stuck in old habits, or taking the high road achieving sustainable councils.
Maintaining ‘business as usual’ leads to rapidly rising costs and simple tasks being done in many different ways, leaving many councils unsustainable.
The strategic challenges of change are not addressed, and the public perceives Local Government as providing poor value for money, potentially resulting in forced amalgamation as a quick fix.
With the growing scope of Local Government activities, ad hoc collaboration and a reactive business model, local identity could be lost.
Sustainable councils see 24/7 services, local priorities and core services identified and funded, and more support for those in greatest need under a new infrastructure funding model.
With real collaborating and efficiency councils can take the high road: do more with less, protect local democracy, strengthen local say and forge better relations with all levels of government.
Local Government can create the capacity to move to a new economy: adaptive community cultures.
The National Summit of the Future of Local Government will be held on May 21—22 2014 at Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition Street.
For online registration and conference details, go to www.mav.asn.au/events, click on upcoming events and scroll down to May 21.
If Local Government does not lead the charge on the future, others will do it for us.
*Copy supplied by Municipal Association of Victoria
