Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we feature two Councillors from the Northern Territory.
Councillor Jodie Locke, Katherine Town Council, Northern Territory
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was elected to the Katherine Town Council in a by election in November 2004.
Q. Why did you become involved in Local Government?
I have been involved in the political environment through family connections for many years. This involvement aroused my interest in Local Government and I decided to run. I wanted to do more to support the Katherine community than just attending local events. I also saw the need for a younger voice on Council and a better representation for the younger population base.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Katherine is a relatively small Local Government area with a diverse community and an incredible cultural heritage. We are fortunate to have the Katherine River on our doorstep, supplying our area with not only a great and constant water supply, but also a range of recreational and economic activities. The main industries of agriculture, horticulture, tourism and mining are thriving in the Katherine Region and of course with the mighty Nitmiluk Gorge these all combine to create a lifestyle that I believe is second to none.
Q. What are some of the challenges that you have faced in Local Government?
During the last few years Council has had to assume responsibility for an increasing number of services. At times these services conflict with the core service provision of the Council. Having transitioned from a ratepayer to a Councillor, I am aware of the unrest that unpopular decisions can create within the community and the important leadership role that an elected member provides.
I have had the pleasure of being involved in many community groups in the region and have accepted the challenge of assisting in successful fundraising efforts as continued Council funding has declined. One of the biggest challenges has been learning about the way Local Government decisions are made in respect to the Katherine community and accepting that we, as a Council, can only act as representatives of the people and in the best interests of the whole community.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
I believe that the most contentious issue facing our Council is regionalisation into Shires. As distance increases and more areas are incorporated into Local Government funding levels, service levels could be affected in the short term. A lack of adequate funding for road repairs in our Local Government area has led to a decline in the standard and therefore the safety of many of our roads. All weather access to some remote communities is unavailable and this places restrictions on access to services for many people. Public safety is another issue facing many Councils and as a mother I am concerned for the future enjoyment of the Katherine region for our children and families.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
I believe that the keys to being a good Councillor are:
- the ability to remain positive and in touch with the community that we are elected to represent
- having a good support network of family and friends, enabling me to immerse myself in community activities as they arise without feeling that I am affecting the quality of my home life
- a willingness and ability to represent and serve in the best interests of the community
- a continued commitment to improving the services available to the Katherine region.
Councillor Mark Joraslafsky, President Mataranka Community Government Council, Northern Territory
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have just completed 15 years on the Mataranka Council, after winning a hotly contested by election in 1991. I have been President for the last six years.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I first became interested in Local Government after moving to the area in 1990. It soon became apparent that as a small community, Council was a major corner post of the town, supplying most of the day to day needs to residents, such as waste management, a library, town maintenance and sporting facilities.
Q. Can you tell me about your local Government area?
Mataranka has a population of approximately 400 people. Located in the Top End region of the Northern Territory, the town is 420 kilometres southeast of Darwin and 107 kilometres south of Katherine. The Mataranka Local Government area covers the land immediately surrounding the township and extends south to take in the Elsey Cemetery. The total Council area covers approximately 232 square kilometres.
Mataranka is one of nature’s special places, with clear bubbling springs, thermal pools, long reaches of blue water and green pandanus, an untouched ecology and a host of outback characters.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
One of the major challenges facing our Council has been improvement of health care in the region. We were heavily involved in changes to the system provided by the Federal and Territory Governments to ensure adequate cover was provided. This followed threats of closure of the local health clinic in the early 1990s. Since then a new clinic has been built and staffing numbers have increased.
The provision of postal services was also a long term problem, with the nearest post office located at Katherine, some 100 kilometres away. This issue was overcome with the construction of the first Federally funded Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) in the Northern Territory. This facility now provides a host of services such as postal services, Centrelink and tourist information, and also houses the Council administration staff, who also operate the RTC.
Council has also heeded demand and implemented a service to provide meals and care services to the growing number of older people in the area, as well as providing a bus for transportation where necessary.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
The specific issues that we are currently facing as a Council are the lack of government funding, a small rate base, as well as anti social behavioural issues and increased fuel costs, both of which impact on tourist numbers. The Northern Territory Government is currently implementing a regionalisation process to reduce the number of Councils in the Territory. This could have a major impact on the structure of Local Government for Mataranka.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Having an open mind, listening to your electors, keeping electors up to date with Council decisions and how these decisions were arrived at. Showing leadership by representing Council at public functions, both local and in surrounding areas, is also important.
