Keynote speaker, Jim Soorley, former Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Council urged Councils to look at partnerships as a means to achieve their goals. Using the Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) as a prime example, he said that Local Government has for many years been good at forming partnerships.
“ROCs have enabled smaller Councils to bulk up in terms of power and influence,” Jim Soorley said. “Remember that no partnership will ever be perfect, there will be strengths and weaknesses, but the good will always outweigh the bad.”
Local Government is in a very strong position to develop partnerships with the other spheres of government, neighbouring Councils, the private sector and other service providers.
Jim Soorley outlined the following elements Councils need take on board in forming partnerships.
- you must have a sense of conviction that it is better to do it in partnership than on your own
- it will be hard work, you must be prepared to do the hard yards
- be ready for the critics who will put up barriers and resistance including the local media
- open up to competition by asking is this the cheapest, best value for money
- you need to be a salesperson and continually explain the benefits and values, particularly to the media
- look for a partner with broader experience and what skills and resources they can bring to the partnership.
He said that with planning issues start working with developers.
“Some actually know what works and understand sustainable development,” he said. “Seek out the best communal/environmental developer. Make them pay for the process while you retain the final decision. Ensure the values are right. The majority of developers want to make it work because they know this is how they will make money.”
He said with service delivery partnerships, the ideal is Council providing the staff while the private sector has the money and technology, then manage it together.
“This is not outsourcing but a new management structure with new capital and resources to improve capacity and better serve your community,” Jim Soorley said. “If you come up with the right idea you will get the money you need. Take risks and accept you will have some failures along the way.Local Government has always been the key to leadership and change in our communities. Start pushing the boundaries with new partnership arrangements and remember there is no clear cut model. It’s up to you to make it work.”
