The Local Government landscape over the past 12 months has experienced unprecedented challenges and change. The global financial crisis, extreme consequences of climate change, structural reform and the ability of councils to service their communities has galvanised Local Government leaders to re-invent and re-invigorate the way they think and do business.
Reflecting on the Black Saturday bushfires and the Australian Government’s commitment to Local Government reform, ‘Regeneration: New Beginnings’ is the theme for the 2010 LGMA congress, to be staged in Adelaide from 16 to 19 May.
This theme will capture the challenges and opportunities facing Local Government in the current environment of major climatic events, impacts of the global financial crisis on local economies and Local Government’s capacity to deal with existing and future events. These challenges will be met under three key congress platforms: recovery, resilience and resources.
Recovery
Covering challenges faced by Local Governments in assisting communities recovering from crisis brought about by climate change and the effects of the global financial crisis, concurrent sessions will include stories on fires, floods, water shortages, rebuilding community confidence and the lessons learnt from these events.
Resilience
Covering planning and preparation for the challenges that individuals and communities face as a result of world events, including climate change and the global financial crisis, concurrent sessions will include presentations from the Red Cross on bushfire and emergency preparedness, reducing the risk of climate change, and councils and the not for profit sector working together on building community resilience and creating leadership.
Resources
Building on the capacity of Local Government to meet ever growing community expectations, this session will include issues around customer service, women in the workplace, change management and exploring different ways of working.
Year of Women in Local Government
2010 celebrates the Year of Women in Local Government. A number of national congress sessions will focus on celebrating women’s contribution to Local Government and achieving greater diversity in the Local Government workforce.
Combined with associated social and networking opportunities, this is one event on the calendar that you, your officers and elected officials cannot afford to miss.
Register before 10 April to receive the early bird discount. Download a full program and registration brochure, or register online at www.lgma.org.au/nationalcongress.
