In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Lynn Mason, President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
During the 1990s the philosophy of sustainability became the guide for organisations and community groups throughout the country; or so the optimists in us would believe.
It is a matter of some concern that there are still so many areas of government where the notion of ensuring that what is being done will be able to produce the same or greater opportunities for future generations is subsumed by the need to respond right now, or the lack of perceived need to respond at all.
Here are two examples from different areas of responsibility. They both apply to at least some Councils in Tasmania – but maybe nowhere else in the country?
Infrastructure
Lack of provision of adequate and safe exercise space for a variety of age groups and abilities. A frightening number of people are not exercising sufficiently, and some of this responsibility lies with Local Government. Even something as simple as allowing enough places where residents can take their dogs for a run, preferably without having to get the car out to find the place, can make a huge difference to both health and wellbeing. But it’s often easier to ban dogs than to provide for them and their owners.
Funding
Not putting the rates and charges up enough to cover maintenance, depreciation, and new investment. Tasmania does not have ratecapping imposed by State Government. However, there is often reluctance on the part of elected members to recognise actual costs in both infrastructure and service provision. This is not sustainable practice.
The difficulty is to build up a culture of forward thinking in every Council in the country, and to also build in the confidence to lead communities towards a pattern of sustainable decision making. Will the decision I make today still look okay in 20 years’ time? I’m working on it!
