With elected members having more responsibility placed on them with amalgamation, overhead cabling, and so forth, the need for them to have necessary information on these important issues to make informed decisions for their community is vital.
To assist with this, an Elected Members Network has recently been established in South Australia. Working under the auspices of the Local Government Association of South Australia, the network will provide elected members with a source of information to help in their decision making.
A Working Party, currently formalising the Network structure, is mindful that it should not overlap with the role of the LGA, specifically it will not embark on policy development or lobbying.
The Working Group has indicated that the Network’s role would include the following.
- Working with the LGA, enhance the role of elected members throughout the State in becoming more professional
- Developing a database of elected members with their expertise and contact numbers so as to broaden the opportunity for elected members to seek advice on areas of common interest
- Providing an opportunity to talk with elected members throughout the State facing similar issues
- Conducting seminars for elected members to discuss the issues affecting elected members, including guest speakers
- Providing a newsletter that could be distributed to members of the Association/Network
- Rotating meetings of the group throughout various Council areas
- Direct mailing to elected members with information.
Working Party Members include the following.
- Mayor Mary Ridley – Barmera
- Cr Don Levitt – Elizabeth
- Cr Bob Tanner – Meningle
- Cr Alan Amezdroz – Noarlunga
- Cr Alan Reynolds – Port Lincoln
- Cr Rita Bileschke – Port Pirie
- Cr Anne Irving – Salisbury
- Cr Mike Hudson – Unley
- Cr John Deakin – Victor Harbour
- Cr Keith Losser – Victoria Harbour
- Cr Colin Dunnett – Willunga.
For further information on the Elected Members Network, contact Cr Alan Amezdroz, telephone (08) 8326 2436.
