From the Pilbara to Boonah, from Tumut to Alice Springs, from Whittlesea to Parkes, Local Government representatives have been getting together to hear about the positive things that leading councils have been busy doing around the country. Since the Leading Practice Seminar Series started in 2000, winners of the National Awards for Innovation in Local Government have shared their experiences with 111 other Councils around Australia.
The seminars are run as a partnership between the Department of Transport and Regional Services’ National Office of Local Government and host councils, regional organisation of councils or Local Government associations.
You could host a seminar in your region. The winners of the 2001 Awards are ready to come and talk to you, to share their experiences and to answer your questions.You may want to hear from Casey City Council in Victoria, about their Skills for the Future program.
The City of Casey brokered an innovative arrangement with industry, state government and schools to build a future for the city where a groundbreaking programme to develop the IT skills of young people and create long term employment opportunities is being pioneered.Or maybe you would like to hear how in South Australia the Coorong District Council developed the first reported community-based regional telecommunications network which involved building an alternative telecommunications infrastructure, including microwave towers and Voice over Internet Protocol technology.
Casey City Council and Coorong District Council were the overall winners for the 2001 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government, but there are category winners whose projects you can ask to hear more about.
For instance, when the Business and Regional Development Rural Award Winner for 2001, Cabonne, Orange and Blayney Shire Councils from New South Wales got together they came up with an audacious project to provide gold for the Sydney 2000 Olympic medals they also capitalised on this to promote their region. And they achieved outstanding results, including a 40 per cent increase in tourism, which will provide continuing opportunities for promotion, tourism and economic development.
You might not have gold for Olympic medals, but you might have a great idea to promote your region that could benefit from an awareness of the Business and Regional Development Rural Award Winner for 2001.
Maybe your council has been trying to encourage a greater engagement and interaction with your community.
The City of Joondalup might be able to help by giving you some pointers. Joondalup won the 2001 Organisational Practices Award for their Community Connections project which aimed to unite their communities by sharing resources and fostering respect for their shared social, civic and environmental rights and responsibilities.
If the Leading Practice in Local Government Seminars have not come to your region or a region near you yet, you only need to ask.
The National Office of Local Government financially supports host councils and covers the cost of the speakers.
Want to know if there’s a Seminar being planned in your region?
Give Kathleen Brigdale a call on (02) 6274 6036 or email her at kathleen.brigdale@dotars.gov.au for more information.
