Legislation enabling the reform of Local Government in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory was passed by the NT Parliament in May. The new Local Government Act includes the creation of the eight shires on 1 July 2008 that will provide services to more than
90 per cent of the Territory.
While large town councils in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine will remain unaffected by the reforms, there will be a significant impact on Indigenous communities from the South Australian border to the Tiwi Islands.
The Act was passed after lengthy debate in the Territory’s single house Legislative Assembly, with Indigenous Government MPs hailing its benefits for their communities.
Introducing the debate on the final amendments to the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister Marion Scrymgour, who comes from the Tiwi Islands, said the Bill provided a strong and confident framework for delivering a long awaited, strong and sustainable system of Local Government across the Territory.
Arnhem MLA Malarndirri McCarthy said the move towards a new shire model was an exciting direction for the future.
“It is a very reformist model,” she said. “It is about the bringing together of all people across the Northern Territory to have a voice – an effective voice – of governance about their future.”
Alison Anderson, whose electorate of MacDonnell takes in a large swathe of desert and pastoral communities, said the legislation was about giving people hope that they could work together to better the Northern Territory.
“For too long we have been separated, with the mining industry in one corner, the pastoral industry in one corner and the Aboriginal people in another one corner,” Alison Anderson said. “We have tended to fight and argue with each other and this Bill gives us the ability to come back together.
“As you know with the history of the Northern Territory, Indigenous people and the pastoral industry have always had a tremendous relationship, working together and helping each other. With this Bill being passed today – and that is why I have always believed in this reform – it gives us the opportunity and the chance to think outside the square.”
Under the reform model adopted by the NT Government eight new shires will manage the delivery of services to more than 50 Indigenous communities, replacing the former Community Government Councils and association councils.
The shire system comes into effect on 1 July, with elections in October for the eight shires, which have been divided into Wards. Each shire will return 12 members to its council, with elections to be conducted by the NT Electoral Commission.
The NT Government will conduct a campaign in the run up to the elections encouraging people to vote, and to run for office as Councillors.
