The Local Government boundaries for the nine new Northern Territory Shire Councils and four Municipal Councils have been announced and will come into effect on 1 July 2008.
Northern Territory Minister for Local Government, Elliot McAdam, said this follows six months of consultation with the Local Government Advisory Board, Transitional Committees and local communities.
“These boundaries will deliver strong Councils with low rates and better services,” Minister McAdam said. “There have been several changes to the proposed boundaries released earlier this year to accommodate specific requests from stakeholders and community members. The announcement of the boundaries provides certainty for residents and allows all Shire business plans to be finalised.
“Recruitment for new CEOs and Corporate Services Directors began recently and they are expected to be in place early in 2008.”
One of the main boundary movements, at the request of the Katherine Town Council, is the expansion of the Shire by 40 kilometres north and south of the town to allow for future growth. There has been minor realignment of the East and West Arnhem boundaries and Central Desert and Barkly Shires to align outstations with their service centres. Mataranka, Larrimah, Jilkminggan and Daly Waters have also moved into the East Katherine Shire to align with health and other service delivery arrangements.
“After consideration of proposals to include the Cox Peninsula as part of the Darwin City Council, the Government has decided not to support the proposal,” Minister McAdam said. “The Cox Peninsula, including Wagait and Belyuen, is at a similar stage of development as the Top End Shire. This would not be a suitable fit to the highly regulated Darwin City environment. In line with decisions already taken for rates in the Top End Shire, Cox Peninsula and Belyuen, household rates will be set at $300 for 2008/2009 and will be capped to inflation for three years.”
For further information on Local Government reform in the Northern Territory visit www.localgovernment.nt.gov.au/new or call the reform hotline on 1300 654 368.
