Other States and Territories showing interest in this Australian first
The Northern Tasmanian Municipal Association (NTMO) and the State Government have signed a regional Partnership Agreement. Comprising the Councils of Break O’Day, Dorset, Flinders, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands and West Tamar, this is the first such agreement covering a region. A number of bilateral agreements between the State Government and individual Councils are already in place.
“The Agreement is the culmination of several months of negotiations between NTMO and the Government, including extensive community consultation,” said NTMO Chairperson, Councillor Robert Legge.
A first for Australia, the Partnership Agreement Program was introduced by the Bacon Government to enhance cooperation between Local and State Government. The primary objective is to identify opportunities where the two spheres can work together to achieve improved social and economic outcomes for local communities.
“The regional Agreement will be officially signed on 18 July in Launceston,” Councillor Legge said. “This initiative by the State Government is to be applauded and, as an indication of its success, representatives from the South Australian Local Government Association will shortly visit and hold discussion with NTMO about how it is operating.
“Here is the mainland coming to Tasmania to see how it is done.”
The Northern Territory Government is also currently investigating a similar partnership program.
Tasmanian Premier, Jim Bacon, said that the NTMO Agreement is the first time a group of Councils has worked with the State Government to address issues that cross Council borders and cannot be adequately dealt with through individual bilateral agreements.
This Agreement includes the development of a Regional Economic Plan that will investigate business growth and development, tourism opportunities, local marketing and a regional brand.Regional environmental issues include coastal, waste and natural resource management, forestry, air quality, and better planning and approval processes.
IT and e-commerce initiatives will provide improved access to government.The development of a regional IT strategy will enhance data sharing between the two spheres of government and lead to easier access for the community and tourists to regional information.
A regional Cultural Strategy and community development initiatives, covering youth issues, crime reduction and community safety, are also part of the Agreement.
