Tasmanian Premier, Paul Lennon, told delegates at the recent Local Government State Conference that community optimism, confidence and the economy of Tasmania has never been better. Commenting on the conference theme, ‘A breath of fresh air’, the Premier said that this describes State and Local Government relations.
“Nearly all Councils have signed, or are in the process of signing, bilateral agreements with us,” the Premier said. “Local Government is seeing real benefits from working together. The Federal Government is now looking closely at this model with people sick of the finger pointing and blaming of other spheres of government. Our partnership agreements with Local Government is yet another example of Tasmania leading the nation.”
President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Councillor Lynn Mason, said that Local Government has certainly played its part in turning things around in the State compared to five years ago.
“We don’t always agree with everything the State does, but at the same time we don’t expect the State Government to bow down to everything we want or they would never be off the ground,” she said.
The Premier concurred with this.
“There will be times when we don’t agree but it is far better to work in areas where we can agree and get on with it,” he said “Similarly with COAG, the Prime Minister and other Premiers have captured the idea of cooperation with a very productive recent meeting on health reform and ways to address our skills shortages.”
Paul Lennon said that with Tasmania’s unemployment rate is now closing in on the national average, the State’s growing population with fewer young people needing to leave to find work, inroads on reducing long term unemployment and a 25 per cent increase in investment in 2004 over the previous year, working together has delivered the results.
Nicole Campbell from the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) outlined to delegates how the Authority is building on what is internationally recognised as the greenest, most sustainable games ever.
“We have a holistic vision incorporating social, economic and environmental elements to build a new town around what was the athlete’s village,” she said. “It will be a smart community – a learning community, healthy community, sports town and a creativity and events town. Based on sustainable design and sustainable industries, this is a new model for urban development – a city within a city where people live, work, learn and recreate.”
The aim is to establish a town centre to meet residents’ needs so they have no need to travel. Accessibility, recycling and energy conservation are vital. By 2025 the township will be home to 25,000 people and as a learning centre will host 20,000 students per day as well as 25,000 visitors.
In addition to her role as Manager, Environmental Policy for SOPA, Nicole Campbell is also a Councillor with Ryde City Council. She believes that Councils undertaking the journey for sustainability should adopt the following:
- set targets and report your process, linking actions to all your management plans
- identify State and Federal Government funding initiatives
- work with your Local Government Association and other Councils so as to not reinvent the wheel
- showcase your Council and participate in environment awards locally, nationally and internationally.
