In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor John Rich, President of the Local Government Association of South Australia.
The 2006 Council elections are over, Councillors have been sworn in and the business of Councils in South Australia is under way again for the next four years. Most sitting members were returned but the turnover was higher than the usual at 30 per cent. Voter turnout was disappointing at around 32 per cent. We are discussing with State/Local Relations Minister, Jennifer Rankine, an elections review and have commissioned surveys of all candidates and of the community to help understand what occurred and how to improve approaches in 2010.
I was pleased to support the Australian Local Government Association’s report on financial sustainability compiled by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and based on the South Australian and other State inquiries.
The Roads to Recovery programs have made a huge difference in the capacity of communities to maintain vital transport infrastructure. Other community infrastructure, from senior citizen’s centres to libraries and sporting facilities, is in dire need of renewal. Given much of this infrastructure was built or expanded with Commonwealth funding, it would be appropriate for the Commonwealth to play its part in local renewal.
I was honoured during the ALGA National General Assembly to be presented with a National Local Government Award by Federal Minister Jim Lloyd for the 2005 independent Financial Sustainability Inquiry in SA. It was a bold move – but one that we could not take without the support of every Council in SA.
The LGA has developed an implementation program and recently hosted a meeting of interstate associations to share information about our various initiatives in this area. State Associations are sharing approaches and tools developed to assist Councils and applying them as appropriate in each State.
I am particularly pleased about some early work we are undertaking with Standards Australia with a draft governance handbook and other draft handbooks. The achievement of Australian Standards in governance and financial sustainability are examples of Local Government responding to community accountability.
It will be typical of the dedication and commitment of local Councils across Australia if we are able to use very challenging financial circumstances to deliver best practice for our communities – whatever level of resources are available to us.
