Nowadays there is much talk about the need for capacity building in Local Government. Unfortunately the tyranny of distance can often lead individual Councils to feel isolated in their struggle to do more with less. The Australian Government’s commitment to Local Government, through the National Awards for Local Government and associated Leading Practice Seminars, gives you the opportunity to share the knowledge and successes you are achieving across your diverse range of responsibilities.
In the four years since the inception of the Leading Practice Seminar series, hundreds of Local Government bodies across Australia have benefited from the opportunity to learn from and share with Councils who have been entered in the National Awards for Local Government.
In 2004, Hobart City Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, and the Perth Area Consultative Committee combining with the South West Group of Councils, have all made use of these valuable learning opportunities.
In February 2005, the City of West Torrens in South Australia will also be hosting a Strengthening Diversity Leading Practice Seminar.
You too can be inspired by the passion of the presenters, learn about the pitfalls as well as the good aspects of successful projects and make connections with your Local Government colleagues across Australia. All are crucial elements of the capacity building process.
The Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) will cover the costs for presenters to travel to your area and participate in your Seminar. The Seminars are a partnership between DOTARS and host Councils, Regional Organisations of Councils or Local Government Associations.
For further information about hosting a Seminar, contact Maxine Hartwig, Local Government Section, Department of Transport and Regional Services on (02) 6274 8170 or email maxine.hartwig@dotars.gov.au
The next Seminar could be at your Council, all you have to do is ask!
‘Showing off’ future communities and services – Eurobodalla
For Eurobodalla Shire Council, hosting a Leading Practice Seminar has become an annual event. In June 2004, it held its third Seminar in three years at Batemans Bay, on the south coast of NSW. General Manager of Eurobodalla Shire Council, Jim Levy, is the driving force behind his Council’s unprecedented level of involvement in the Leading Practice Seminar series, inspired by his Council’s participation in the National Awards for Local Government.
Jim Levy is a strong believer in the value of sharing the information gained from these Seminars, and encourages the participation of his staff from all over the organisation. In excess of 50 people attended the Seminar which addressed the theme ‘Local Government and Future Communities and Services’. Participants came from as far afield as Wollongong City Council to the north and Bega Valley Shire to the south.
Ian Abernethy from Launceston City Council made an inspiring presentation on his Council’s Riveredge project, a proactive public/private partnership, generating major economic, social and environmental gains for all concerned.
The City of Whittlesea’s Regional Growth through Clusters project was also featured in the presentations. John Francis explained how the concept of clustering is designed to strengthen existing businesses and the innovative role Councils can play in facilitating the success of industry clusters.
Suzy Stiles gave a lively and entertaining presentation on Marion City Council’s new Cultural Centre, inspired by the desire to put a ‘heart’ into the City of Marion, which was without a main street or town square.
A passionate presentation was made by Wendy Greenslade on the City of Onkaparinga’s Creating Places project, which targets young people aged 10-19 years through a series of projects to help them gain valuable vocational skills.
The Department of Family and Community Services, the Australian Government Sponsor of the ‘Social and Community Engagement’, ‘Youth Engagement’ and ‘Strengthening Indigenous Communities’ categories of the National Awards for Local Government, also made presentations at the Seminar.
According to Jim Levy, all the presentations covered the depth and breadth of information he was expecting, and much more. Not only did they honestly address the pros and cons of the projects, they were presented by practitioners “who knew what they were on about”.
Hobart – ‘showing off’ leading practice in cultural diversity
“Your community is your greatest asset,” the then CEO at the Shire of Kojonup (WA), Wally Lenyszyn, told the first leading practice seminar in Hobart devoted to addressing the important issue of cultural diversity.
Hobart City Council hosted the seminar in June 2004 to expand its understanding, increase skills in cultural diversity issues and to lead developments in strengthening diversity within Tasmania.
The Shire of Kojonup won the inaugural Strength in Diversity – 2003 National Award for Local Government (for a rural project) for the way it brought the community together. Kojonup’s community ‘took charge’ and worked together to realise Kodja Place, a community reconciliation project and a pivotal expression of Kojonup’s identity.
“At the end of the project every body knew each other by name,” Wally Lenyszyn said.
Hobart City Council invited officers from local councils from all around Australia who were either Award winners/entrants or establishing projects supported by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) to present at its seminar in June.
Over two days at the Australian-Italian Club, a fitting venue for hosting the seminar, presentations on various experiences fostered the beginning of future connections and networks. The national presenters shared their project experiences to 60 attendees representing Tasmanian local councils, peak Local Government authorities, and local ethnic community organisations. It was clear from all who were experiencing this first seminar that there was much support and encouragement.
Dalal Smiley, Coordinator Multicultural Affairs, at Darebin City Council in Victoria presented a diverse communication and change strategy that is practical, slow and steady, and more importantly long term. She reassured the attendees that change does not happen immediately. However, Darebin City Council’s approach has managed to systematically change its culture to meet the diverse needs of its community. During the breaks, seminar attendees provided feedback to the hosts, Hobart City Council and presenters, including “Inspirational presentations”, “Good ideas to take away” “Opportunity to look outside of the square – valuable hints and tips.”
There were loads of great ideas … and real practical solutions such as Cabramatta’s community consultation for its ‘Common’ project.
Paul Graham, Cultural Planner City Outcomes, at Fairfield City Council in New South Wales showcased a down to earth approach to community consultation. Council drew out the proposed Common’s plan to life size scale on a car park level coinciding with a community event located nearby. The community was able to ‘be in it’ and ask questions in the serviced information tent. This unique community consultation has proved to be a hit!
Community consultation were expressed by many ‘how to’ models. Presenters shared ‘how to’ welcome ethnic groups into the mainstream community and ‘how to’ include ‘community’ voices into policy development. In short, providing ways on how to include the Council’s entire community and to harness its energy and truly reflect the cultural diversity of its region.
The Seminar provided other tangible benefits such as forming networks – informal and identifying already existing formal ones, sharing personal and professional goals and establishing the support network with colleagues in similar situations to assist with these goals – receiving confirmation that there is support within the Local Government community.
