Last month from July 19 to 25, 80 Queensland councils hosted community focused events as part of Local Government Week, an annual event aimed at creating a better public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Local Government.
The theme for the week was Local Government – Building our Communities. Local Government Association of Queensland acting president, Councillor Paul Bell, said today councils provided many of the facilities and infrastructure in which the community lives, worked and played.
“Councils do what they can to improve residents’ quality of life by helping to build communities that are cooperative, sustainable, healthy and innovative,” Councillor Bell said. “It’s an opportunity for councils to create a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Local Government, allowing people to see first hand how the work of councils and the employees involved assist in building communities.”
Some of the activities staged included council open days, Local Government career scholarships, bike riding tours, clock tower climbing tours, community festivals and youth council debates. Several councils coordinated web site competitions, radio quizzes and mystery bus tours.
This diversity of activities reflects the localised nature of Local Government Week and the unique relationship each council has with its own community.
“It is encouraging to see so many councils taking an active role in making the community more aware of the wide range of services councils provide,” Councillor Bell said.
Visit www. lgw.lgaq.asn.au to view councils’ Local Government Week 2004 events Local Government Week 2004 was coordinated by the LGAQ and sponsored by the Year of the Built Environment, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Bushmans Tanks, Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation, Dial Before You Dig and Local Government Focus.
New citizens boost Local Government Week launch
Local Government Week 2004 was officially launched on Wednesday 21 July in Surfers Paradise by Local Government, Planning and Women minister, Desley Boyle, as part of a Gold Coast City Council’s citizenship ceremony. Launching Local Government Week 2004 in conjunction with a citizenship ceremony provided an excellent opportunity to highlight a service not commonly associated with local government.
Over 300 were addressed by Gold Coast Mayor and Olympic legend, Councillor Ron Clarke and Local Government Association of Queensland Acting President, Councillor Paul Bell, before witnessing the ceremony, and finally, attendees sampled traditional Australian cuisine including lamingtons, meat pies, Anzac biscuits and vegemite sandwiches.
Residents unravelled the mystery of Caloundra
Hundreds of Caloundra City Council residents enjoyed a fun day out at the Out There and Active Festival held 18 July as a lead in to Local Government Week. The festival featured wacky races, live music, a pet expo, BMX and skateboarding competitions and cooking demonstrations. Residents also had the opportunity to have their pets microchipped at special rates.
Year of the Built Environment Local Government Week colouring competition
Rhiannon Ford, a grade seven student from My Kilcoy State School, in the Kilcoy Shire and Jessica Burrell, a grade three student from Collinsville State School in the Bowen Shire were the winners of the Year of the Built Environment Local Government Week 2004 State Colouring Competition.
“The award winning entries were chosen from thousands of entries received from students in metropolitan, regional and rural areas across the state,” Local Government Association of Queensland acting president, Cr Paul Bell, said.
Students in grades one to three were required to colour in a picture, which was themed to recognise regional communities. Students in grades four to seven were required to colour in the picture and also identify council services that differed in regional and city areas.
“This year the competition attracted thousands of entries, indicating that young citizens are taking the opportunity to learn more about their local council,” Cr Bell said.
