The National Office of Local Government has commenced a series of leading practice seminars to be staged at various locations around Australia. The seminars are designed to provide as many Councils as possible with the opportunity to learn about leading practice examples presented by a range of Councils from different states.
These examples are drawn from entries in the 2000 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government The first seminar was held in Launceston, Tasmania on 26 February.
“The seminar went extremely well,” said John Power, Manager of the Programme Administration Unit of the National Office of Local Government. Feedback was positive with all delegates getting something out of the seminar.
“We work with a host Council inviting three to four speakers to address delegates from the surrounding Councils.”
At the Launceston seminar, 21 delegates provided representation from about a dozen Councils. Presentations were made by Business Entry Point; the Parkes Inland Marketing Corporation; Whittlesea City Council on their GPS Fire Prevention system; and Inverell Shire on Inverell Online.
Attendees obtained extensive information covering what, how, the costs and contact details for each project,” John Power said.
The seminar series promoted innovation that is putting Australian Councils at the cutting edge of leading practice, and supplements the information that has been published about the entrants in the Awards.
The National Office of Local Government provides funds for a Council, regional group of Councils or State Association to host a seminar. The host organises a venue and publicity, while the National Office arranges the speakers. It is hoped that as many as 12 seminars will be staged in 2001.
Similar events were jointly hosted by Armadale City Council and the Western Australian Municipal Association on 8 March, and Cairns City Council on 16 March. Further seminars are planned for Moonee Valley in Victoria on 9 April and Illawarra, New South Wales on 10 May.
For further information contact John Power, telephone (02) 6274 8194.
