The first Regional Organisation of Councils to be formed in the Northern Territory includes six Councils from the northern area of the Territory. It has the acronym TOPROC or Top End Regional Organisation of Councils.
Regional groupings are clearly a more difficult proposition in the Territory where few Councils share common borders and huge distances inhibit resource sharing. A voluntary organisation, TOPROC enables member Councils to deal with regional issues. These Councils include Darwin City, the Town of Palmerston, the Shire of Litchfield and the Cox Peninsula, Bellyuen and Coomalie Community Government Councils.
“Formed three years ago, the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest has resulted in better decision making,” said Gerry Wood, Shire President of Litchfield and member of TOPROC. “By presenting as a larger body, Local Government can more effectively lobby other spheres of Government and other organisations.”
TOPROC representatives meet regularly, usually once every two months. While they originally met in Darwin, they are now planning future meetings at the other centres. Among issues they consider are areas of common interest, such as Darwin Harbour, the state of fisheries and mangrove areas and the Port Development.
Since its formation, TOPROC has set up a regional waste management program. This monitors dangerous waste and commercial waste management. Shared resources for greater economies of scale and cross Council staff training, improving skill levels across the board, are other benefits of this cooperation.
For further information contact Allan McGill, telephone (08) 8982 2511.
