Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we are featuring two Councillors from the Northern Territory.
Councillor George Parker, President, Shire of Northampton, Western Australia
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been on Council since March 1987. I was Deputy President for three years and have been President for the last eight years.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I was persuaded to become involved in Local Government by a retiring Councillor for my local ward. He said it was about time I stopped whinging about things, got on Council and did something about it.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Northampton was originally known as the Mines District, as it started out as a lead and copper mining area in the early 1850s. Northampton was officially declared a townsite in 1864 and was named in honour of Governor Hampton.
The first government railway in Western Australia was opened in 1879, running from Geraldton to Northampton. It serviced the mines and the growing pastoral industry. Mining grant No 1 still exists at Galena on the Murchison River.
Today, the Shire of Northampton covers 12,650 square kilometres. Most of the Shire is farming country devoted to wheat, lupins, canola and barley. Sheep and cattle are also run. About 200,000 tonnes of grain are received at two receiving points in the Shire each year. About another 100,000 tonnes are delivered directly to the Port at Geraldton.
In the past ten or so years, there has also been a drift into horticulture, with the main crops being rockmelons, watermelons and grapes. Mangos and citrus are also being grown with some crops exported directly to south east Asia.
Our coastal towns of Horrocks, Port Gregory and Kalbarri are not only keenly sought after holiday destinations, but are very important ports for the Western Australia rock lobster industry. Kalbarri is surrounded by a 240,000 hectare National Park, which is justly famous for its scenic river, coastal gorges and magnificent array of wildflowers.
Q. What challenges have you faced in Local Government?
The biggest challenge of being on Council is when a Councillor is not prepared to accept that majority vote rules. Most Councillors accept it graciously, but when someone says very little during Council meetings, but creates complications behind the scenes, they can be quite difficult to deal with.
Q. What specific issues are currently facing your Council?
The biggest headache for our Shire is the painfully slow responses from State Government Departments. Some letters take years to get a reply, if they bother to reply at all. Also with their offices and staff in Perth, a lack of knowledge and appreciation of country areas generally makes the reply worthless when it does eventually turn up.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
I believe that a good Councillor needs to be brutally honest with residents. If they have a good idea, you tell them so. But if they want you to do something that you don’t believe is feasible, you need to have the courage to tell them why. The quickest way to end an argument is to tell them to have a go on Council themselves.
Councillor Glenys Godfrey, Mayor, Belmont City Council, Western Australia
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was first elected to the City of Belmont Council in May 1997 and became Mayor in May 2005. I was pleased to take on the leadership role, as I believe that women in Local Government need to step up and be counted.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I have always been interested in community issues and have worked in Local Government, mainly in the area of rates, since 1998 both at Belmont and at the City of Perth. I have lived in Belmont for 16 years and see my involvement with Council as an ideal way to nurture opportunities in the area both now and for generations to come.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
The City of Belmont is a vibrant community located six kilometres from Perth’s central business district, along eleven kilometres of Swan River frontage. The municipality of Belmont has a population over 30,000 and covers an area of 40 square kilometres. The area has traditionally attracted families, but more recently is also becoming a popular location for executives, singles and retirees. Recent years have seen unprecedented growth in the City of Belmont, with significant commercial and residential developments, and the establishment of a number of new industries in the City. Close proximity to major transport routes and easy access to Perth make Belmont an appealing option for businesses. The City of Belmont is widely known as ‘a City of Opportunity’.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
One of the main challenges that I face is one faced by many Councillors in the modern day. Being a Mayor or Councillor is no longer a part time job. Communities are demanding greater access to their Councillors, more accountability and a higher level of responsibility. To meet the changing and increased needs of our community, Councillors have to be 100 per cent committed to their role on Council, with their time and focus. It is definitely a full time job.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
At present, the City of Belmont has an issue involving one large corporate citizen, but which has the capacity to impact on every ratepayer in our community. The Perth airport, managed by Westralia Airports Corporation, is located within the City of Belmont. It is refusing to pay its full rates equivalent to the City. The airport land makes up one third of Belmont’s land area, and it is the largest ratepayer. This leaves our community budget short and is a worry for our City in the future. Since the airport’s privatisation ten years ago, Westralia Airports Corporation has leased the land and paid the rates each year. We are currently calling on the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services to enforce Westralia Airports Corporation’s lease so our community is not out of pocket.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
I have found one of the key aspects of being a good Councillor is being approachable. Being available and willing to listen to different views helps me to stay in touch with issues and to understand different views present in our community. I find this valuable when involved in decision making for the City of Belmont and also when acting as a voice for my community on wider issues.
