Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we are featuring two Councillors from the Northern Territory.
President Bob Bagnell, Elliott District Community Government Council, Northern Territory
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been a Council member for 17 years, with nine of those as Council President. In March I was re-elected for a further three years.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
My involvement in Local Government was a natural progression from being involved with various committees and organisations within the community – it really just snowballed from there.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Our Local Government area is only 3.5 square kilometres with non contiguous boundaries. It covers the township of Elliott, including two special purpose leases occupied by Aboriginal housing, the historic township of Newcastle Waters and an excision adjacent to the town known as Marlinja community.
Elliott has a combined population of approximately 400 residents, Newcastle Waters around 10, and Marlinja a little over 100.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
Attracting qualified staff to Elliott has been a significant issue due to our remote location and lack of housing. We have been fortunate to have held our current CEO for four years at a time when the Northern Territory average is less than one year.
Funding has also decreased over my time on Council, with one off grants or special purpose funding now harder to come by.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
Our Council has made an application to the Northern Territory Local Government Minister to increase our boundaries from the current area to nearly 200,000 square kilometres. This doesn’t require amalgamation with another Council, but would encompass pastoral properties that are currently unincorporated into Local Government areas. Consultants have drawn up a draft business case and management plan and information meetings are to take place after the current wet season.
Another issue we need to work through is the financial collapse of a local Aboriginal corporation. The Territory and Federal Governments have indicated that funding for their programs will now come via our Council. Considerable work needs to be done to enable us to deliver the programs.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Good Councillors need to be prepared to volunteer their time and to put in the hard yards to do their constituents justice. Regular contact with the electorate is also a necessity. There are considerable rewards though, in seeing issues through and with projects coming to fruition.
Councillor Narelle Williams, Deputy Shire President, Litchfield Shire Council, Northern Territory
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been a South Ward Councillor at Litchfield for five years. I am currently three quarters of the way through my second term.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I wanted to have a say in Local Government. Litchfield was developing quickly, with land being clearing and many people moving into rural areas. I was involved in land care, water watch and a native vegetation management project, which had made me aware of issues of which many people are not usually aware.
I turned to Local Government as a way of continuing to learn and put my views across, especially about caring for the environment.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Established in 1985, Litchfield Shire is a relatively new Shire when compared to most Australian Councils. Located 50 kilometres south east of Darwin, we look after an area of just over 3,000 square kilometres. We have an ever growing population that has just exceeded 20,000 people.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
From a personal point of view, a prominent challenge was gaining confidence to face crowds of people. From a Councillor perspective, I have had to brush up on Northern Territory Government procedures, dealing with Ministers and the way things work. I have also had to develop an effective way to approach problems.
More specifically, roads in my Ward are largely unsealed. In the wet season there are many potholes and we receive many phone calls regarding their condition. There is a need to continually push for funding for my Ward at budget time. Over the past few years, I have learnt when to push and when it is our turn.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
It has been an ethos of Council to keep services to a minimum to ensure that rates are kept low. Our regional waste site was recently closed when the Northern Territory Government did not renew our lease. Council is now facing high costs associated with carting rubbish to the Shoal Bay waste site in Darwin. We have also had to change procedures with rubbish collectors, work on a new contract, change equipment, make bins smaller for more economical transport, and look at a means of compressing the garbage.
Overall it is a huge expense and ratepayers have been told it will cost more. We have had lots of letters to the editor in local papers, many letters to Council and anxiety about how high rates will be.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Do your homework! Make an effort to know what you’re talking about. Do as much finding out as you can before you start forming your opinions and always keep your chin up.
