A regular feature, this edition profiling an elected member from the Northern Territory
Mayor Fran Kilgariff,
Alice Springs Town Council,
Northern Territory.
Q. Can you tell us about yourself?
I was born in Alice Springs and after periods away for education and travel returned to live here in the 70s. I have had a varied work and educational background, including initial training as a radiographer, a degree in archaeology, working as a geography teacher for 11 years and now part way through a qualification in management while I am a full-time Mayor.
I also have five grown up children, the youngest of whom has just turned 18. I am part of several community bodies apart from Council including the National Council of the YMCA and St John Ambulance. Keeping fit is important to me in managing a busy life and I swim a kilometre most days in summer and attend fitness classes in our cold but sunny winters.
Q. Describe your Council and community – what makes it unique?
The Alice Springs Town Council is a relatively new Council having come into existence in 1971. The Council comprises of a Mayor and 10 Aldermen and we serve a community of 27,500 people.
However, at any one time the Town’s population is likely to be much more than that, as we are a busy tourist town and also the service centre for communities from a large area reaching into South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. Isolation is obviously one of the features of the town as the nearest city is 1,500 kilometres away. This can pose challenges but also promotes a spirit of innovation and self reliance in the town.
Alice Springs sits in a valley of the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges and even though situated in a desert, it is ironic that flooding is the natural hazard we most have to prepare for. Approximately 25 per cent of the population of Alice Springs is indigenous and Alice Springs is the first urban area in Australia that has had native title granted over the municipality.
Q. When and how did you first get involved in Local Government?
I was elected as an Alderman in 1994 and after six years in that position decided to stand for Mayor in May 2000. I have been Mayor of Alice Springs for just over two years. I entered local politics because I wanted to be more closely involved in community affairs and decision making and had been involved at a community level with several local issues.
Q. What are some of your high points in Local Government?
Because of Alice Springs’ geographical isolation it is necessary to work effectively with other groups and levels of government in town and to build networks. Alice Springs Town Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with one of the largest aboriginal organisations in town, Tangentyere Council. This has been an extremely positive relationship and has enabled cooperative business ventures, employment outcomes and joint decision making on many issues. We also work closely with the NT Government and are strongly involved in initiatives such as Desert Knowledge Australia, which seeks to capitalise on unique knowledge in the arid zone.
Council has also been involved in major community events such as the Yeperenye Federation Festival and I chaired a steering committee which was able to win the major Year of the Outback event called Outback Central 2002-Songlines for the Alice, which will take place in August this year.
The ALGA’s decision to hold this year’s Assembly in Alice Springs as a gesture to Year of the Outback has also been very much of a highlight and I look forward to that event with great anticipation.
Q. What are the issues of importance to you regarding Local Government?
Current issues which are impacting on us are the effect on community groups of public liability payouts, changes to Federal Assistance Grants, Local Government Reform in the NT and maintaining a vibrant economy.
Q. With this being the Year of the Outback, how important is it for Local Government and Australia as a whole, to recognise outback communities and for those communities to promote themselves to the nation?
This is a passion of mine, as you would imagine! I see it as an opportunity to get rid of dated stereotypes about ‘the bush’. Over 80 per cent of Australians live in our six capital cities. Those of us who choose to live in the sparsely settled rest of the country need always look to promote economic development and show the rest of the country that we can and do live rich fulfilling lives.
Rural communities have special challenges, such as depopulation and land tenure issues, which require creative and innovative solutions. The Year of the Outback is a chance to show the rest of Australia that we are finding solutions based on the knowledge economy, improved relations with indigenous Australians and an eye to sustainability.
Q. What do you see as key to being a good Mayor/Councillor?
I suppose this varies according to the community you live in. I would say that there are some basics, such as dedication to the interests of the community, energy, commitment, the ability to compartmentalise your life and an ability to foster networks. A willingness and ability to work with other levels of government and groups in the community is essential.
Q. How can you encourage people to participate more in community matters or Local Government?
I’ve found that the most effective way, but not the most comfortable, is to have a controversial issue which fires people up! Many people stand for election for just such a reason.
I guess the other way is to make sure that the voting system is fair and equitable to all members of the community and does not discriminate against minorities, and to actively canvass community input on Council bodies, such as advisory committees. The ideal is to promote a climate where people in the community feel valued and listened to but that is not always plain sailing.
