In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Genia McCaffery, President of the New South Wales Local Government Association.
The Local Government Inquiry, which was released in May this year, found that unless there are changes to the way Councils are governed, managed and funded, one quarter of them aren’t sustainable: So what now?
The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW set up the Independent Inquiry into the Sustainability of Local Government. Chaired by former State Treasurer, Professor Percy Allan, the inquiry looked at the operation of, and challenges facing, Local Government. The final report was published on 3 May, and can be viewed at www.lgi.org.au In response, the Associations formed The Strengthening Local Government Taskforce, which has been charged with sifting through the 49 recommendations contained in the inquiry, and by consensus, work out exactly what can be done to improve the sustainability of Councils.
Other key stakeholders on the Task Force include the NSW Local Government Managers Association (LGMA); the NSW Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA); and Professor Graham Sansom of the UTS Centre for Local Government.
The NSW Department of Local Government is involved as a permanent observer.
The Task Force will also:
- raise awareness about the role of, and issues facing, Local Government in NSW
- promote the Allan Report findings and recommendations
- communicate the agreed on remedies among Councils, local communities, the Federal and State Governments and other stakeholders.
A series of working parties, made up of representatives from Local Government stakeholder groups, have been formed to assist the task force, and have already begun meeting to research specific recommendations and issues. Roundtable meetings are also being held in the community, industry and business sectors to work out what changes are needed where, and who they will impact on. Support from other levels of government will be crucial in this review process and for the sustainability of Councils to improve, particularly in increasing our revenue raising capacity, assisting with programs to overcome a growing infrastructure renewal backlog (now $6.3 billion), and making sure Local Government is consulted on issues and policies that affect its communities.
The need to establish open and timely communication between us and both the Federal and State Governments is obviously important. As a result of the intergovernmental agreement signed off earlier this year between the Federal and State Governments and the Australian Local Government Association, I am confident we can have a similar agreement at a State level.
Many of the recommendations in the inquiry talk about the need for this, and in response the LGSA has sent a draft to the State Government and the Opposition for consideration and response.
In an open, transparent manner, Councils in NSW are facing up to existing and future challenges, and we are leading the way in bringing other spheres of government on board to create solutions. Local Government should not be in a position where it has to choose between providing adequate infrastructure or appropriate community services. Rather, Councils should have the revenue raising capacity to provide its residents with a high standard of living – from adequate roads, to up to date libraries and support for cultural activities.
