The Local Government Managers Australia – New South Wales Division staged its 2002 conference in Newcastle from 31 July to 3 August. In welcoming delegates, President Gerry Brus said that LGMA was pleased to be meeting in one of Australia’s premier cities.
Referring to the enormous changes that have occurred since last year’s conference she said communities around the globe are facing huge challenges and, in response, it is vital for Local Government to stay close to its communities.
“Our conference theme, ‘Sustain Your Energy’, reflects the need to continually reinvent ourselves to meet changing demands,” Gerry Brus said. “Dramatic changes since our last conference in the form of governance failures, corporate collapses, the public liability crisis and September 11 indicate just how quickly and extensively public confidence can be damaged. Yet against these actions of self interest, Councils are coming to the front in helping their communities to deal with the immediate and long term consequences. The resolve of New York City Council is a prime example.”
Gerry Brus said Local Government managers must keep their Councils vigilant, to prepare and position their Councillors in lobbying for the resources and legislative change to meet these challenges.
“We need to put in place effective partnerships with a growing number of organisations. We must deal with inevitable conflicts of interest and sustain the energy required to keep Local Government relevant and capable,” she said. “The Cost Shifting Inquiry recently announced by the Federal Minister Wilson Tuckey has the scope to achieve a rationalisation of the roles and responsibilities of Local Government. Will this be an opportunity or more a blame shifting exercise across Federal, State and Local Government?”
She referred to the fact that the Private Members Bill addressing the issue of unfunded Local Government mandates introduced into State Parliament last year by Richard Torbay, Member for Northern Tablelands, only secured the support of three MPs. With 10 former Mayors now holding seats in State Parliament, Gerry Brus said that this is, once again, a case of political and personal interests being put before the interests of local communities. She believes that ineffective legislative processes and structures are creating increased public cynicism. In his address at the conference, NSW Minister for Local Government, Harry Woods, agreed that recent events show just how vulnerable our communities and way of life can be.
“The public liability crisis is a wake up call for all levels of government,” he said. “I welcome the input from Local Government, being the hardest hit by this crisis.”
He said that although the Carr Government is committed to the concept of ratepegging, the door is open for further discussion on this as Councils grapple with the challenges confronting them. The Minister also raised concerns about the Cost Shifting Inquiry given that the Federal Government has stipulated that any outcomes must be budget neutral to itself.
“In times of crisis, local communities need to have a steadying hand,” he said. “This does not mean no change, rather well planned certainty about change.”
‘Creating Better Local Government’ is a discussion paper prepared for LGMA – NSW by Graham Sansom, Director UTS Centre for Local Government . This paper was used as the basis for the conference panel session titled ‘Confronting Critical Issues’. The paper advocates that it is important to avoid the preconceived idea that the answer for all reform is the amalgamation of Councils. It asserts that the debate needs to centre on what has been achieved to date, and what more needs to be done. It calls for Local Government to:
- Take a broad strategic view
- Be influential, credible and respected
- Generate community involvement
- Communicate well and establish partnerships
- Offer accountable, transparent governance
- Attract high calibre elected members and officers
- Be financially sustainable.
Panel member, Dr Martin , Associate Professor Centre for Urban and Regional Planning at RMIT University believes that the Cost Shifting Inquiry is a great opportunity for Local Government, but he warns that it may not achieve much if the States do not respond because they see it as a ‘political sham’.
“The Federal Government does not have the data to measure what Local Government does, however, the States do,” he said.
He challenges every General Manager and CEO to undertake an analysis of three or four of their Council’s services.
“Look at how service delivery has changed over the past decade and what have been the revenue implications,” he said. “It would not take that long and through this Local Government would be able to assemble a whole range of case studies.”
Currently, he believes Local Government does not have this vital information to be in a position to respond adequately.
The 2002 LGMA/Sydney Morning Herald Management Excellence Awards were announced at the conference dinner. From the 28 entries received from Councils the following awards were presented. For rural Councils, the Gold Award for Management Innovation was won by Oberon Shire, with Tumut Shire taking out the Merit Award. The Management Innovation Overall Gold Award was won by Liverpool Council, while Hornsby and Penrith Councils both received Merit Awards. Young Manager of the Year was won by Gail Connolly, Director Planning and Environment at Campbelltown City Council. Michelle Byrne, Communications Manager at Newcastle City Council won the Merit Award.
