Fifty Leading Practice projects were funded through the National Office of Local Government in 1998-1999.
The Federal Minister for Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, announced funding for these projects to assist Local Government in addressing social, cultural and economic priorities and community well-being. A sample of the new projects follows.
- Applying available information technology to establish a uniform system for the processing of development and building applications – Tasmania.
- Development of software for an integrated asset management system – Victoria.
- An integrated approach to planning the roads and transport needs of the south east of South Australia.
- The development of a comprehensive framework for the structure and system for identification, establishment and operation of Key Performance Indicators in Tasmania.
- A Queensland programme to raise awareness and build capacity in councils to identify risk and better assess disaster mitigation requirements of their communities.
- The development of an Organisational Assessment Tool, through the Victorian Office of Local Government, to enable councils to examine their performance against a number of key elements identified as underpinning effective management practices, using the Australian Quality Council’s ‘Framework for Excellence’.
- The development of a strategic transport plan for the next 20 years for the south coast of NSW.
- The development of culturally appropriate form of regional Local Government in Jawoyn traditional lands in the Northern Territory.
- The establishment of an organisation in Western Australia comprising the Shires of Roebourne, East Pilbara, Ashburton and the town of Port Hedland to improve resource sharing, improve communications and training, and generate local employment and long-term regional development.
- The establishment of a Resource Centre in Ravensthorpe Western Australia to improve access to information about farming practices leading to increased productivity and greater economic and employment growth.
- The enhancement of the NSW Local Government & Shires Association’s Internet site, Towards Best Practice, as a National resource.
- The development of the Australian Capital Region Agricultural Strategy to enhance agricultural and food processing industries development and exporting potential.
- The establishment of model systems for state of environment reporting and procedures for assessment and management of Ecologically Sustainable Development at both regional and local levels. This ACT/NSW project will produce a stand-alone CD-ROM to disseminate the outcomes of the project.
With the completion of the Local Government Development Programme, the Federal Government has earmarked $7 million funding for a new programme for Local Government called the Local Government Incentive Programme.
