Four Councils in the Top End of the Northern Territory have been meeting monthly to develop strong partnerships and improve services to their communities.
The Jabiru Town Council, Coomalie, Pine Creek and Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Councils were successful in obtaining Local Government Development Program (LGDP) funding from the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services for this joint Council project named the Top End Triangle LGDP.
The four Councils are located in what is commonly referred to as the Darwin Rural Region. They are separated by distances, which vary, from 50km to 326km apart. Tourism and mining are key industries common to each Council.
The Councils have engaged a Darwin based company, Network 99, to facilitate meetings. This has ensured the actions and recommendations from each meeting are attended to promptly.
The initial meeting adopted a strategic process to identify key issues to be addressed. Clear objectives were set and an action/outcome oriented approach used.
Issues identified in order of priority are as follows.
- Communications
- Resource sharing
- Regular Regional Forum
- Domestic Animal Management
- Joint Purchasing
- Management Development & Education
- Environmental Management
- Recreation, Arts & Culture
- Health & Safety
- Regional Register of Plant & Equipment.
The project commenced in October 1999. Already there are clear indicators that the Councils have been able to work together to improve the range and quality of services being delivered and achieve cost savings.
There has been considerable impact in the areas of resource sharing and joint purchasing where audit services, asset valuations, engineering services and insurance have been negotiated on a regional basis.
Establishing good working relationships on a project oriented basis has strengthened the commitment of Councils to the concept of a regional approach to Local Government in the Northern Territory.
The overall objective of the project is to facilitate social and economic development in the region, improve the range and quality of services delivered and strengthen the role of Local Government in the region.
The project is in accord with the NT Local Government Reform Agenda, which has identified that Councils should pursue options to consider resource sharing to improve their effectiveness and efficiencies.
For further information contact Town Clerk, Town of Jabiru Tony Tapsell, telephone (08) 8979 2230
