Staging its annual conference in the Blue Mountains, the New South Wales Local Government Association (LGA), together with the NSW Shires Association, has called for a formal partnership with the State Government.
“There is nothing new about an intergovernmental agreement,” said LGA President, Councillor Genia McCaffery. “In most other States, the partnerships between Local and State Government are already governed by a formal agreement setting out roles and responsibilities of the parties to consult, to inform and to act openly. It is clear that IGAs work. They are an essential component of a workable and mature partnership between governments.”
In her President’s Address to the conference, Councillor McCaffery said that the Local Government and Shires Associations’ Report on the financial sustainability of NSW Councils (Allan Report) broke new ground for Local Government.
“The Allan Report confirmed what we had suspected about the financial sustainability of Councils,” she said. “Now we have the facts – the cold, hard information to back up our suspicions. We know the true state of our industry, and so do our communities, ratepayers, stakeholders and the State and Federal Governments. If any sector is under pressure it is Local Government itself. The Allan Report has exposed us to open and transparent scrutiny – warts and all. We must lead, we must change and we must take our communities with us if we are to meet their needs and expectations.”
A task force, with assistance from community and business working groups, has been formed by the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA) to review and respond to the 49 recommendations of the Allan Report. Known as the Strengthening Local Government Task Force, its website was launched at the annual conference.
www.StrentheningLG.lgsa.org.au will be updated regularly, and contains:
- the inquiry, associated resources and publications
- background on the task force and working groups
- information on activities and projects of the task force and working groups
- media releases, newsletters and fact sheets on local government issues.
Councillor Joyce Wheatley, a member of the task force, launched the site.
“The Strengthening Local Government Task Force website will make sure the Local Government sector, business, community, and industry groups can keep up to date with what the task force and working groups are doing to improve the lot of Councils in NSW,” Councillor Wheatley said. “We want these stakeholders to get involved in the process, because some of the initiatives will require changes to the way Councils raise revenue, are funded and managed in NSW which will impact on the sector. Local Government in NSW is facing serious challenges and is in financial crisis – the task force is taking the lead on finding solutions.”
The LGSA’s Policy Platform for the March 2007 State election was also launched at the conference. Using the themes autonomy and intergovernmental relations, community and environmental wellbeing, financial sustainability and transparency and accountability, the Policy Platform has been designed to be used by Councils to ensure all candidates have a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing Local Government.
“State elections provide important opportunities for us,” said LGA President Genia McCaffery. “Let’s work together the ensure the next State Government understands its responsibilities to Local Government and the communities we represent.”
One of the key platform messages Councils are urged to make clear to candidates is that Local Government is providing 21st century services from a 19th century revenue base.
The LGSA will be issuing a regular report card on Local Government policies as they are released by the major and minor parties.
