The 30 April meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has set the path for Local Government to play a key role in reviewing Australia’s emergency management arrangements, and in future planning for Australia’s major cities.
President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Councillor Geoff Lake, said he is pleased this agreement has been reached.
“Leaders unanimously supported the inclusion of Local Government as a member of the COAG working group to improve Australia’s coordination arrangements for natural disasters,” Councillor Lake said. “This decision recognises the vital role that councils have played in dealing with the recent Victorian bushfires and the Queensland floods and in pandemic planning in response to the global outbreak of swine flu.
“Councils all over Australia are at the forefront of disaster mitigation, preparedness and response. This has been recognised by the Prime Minister, State and Territory leaders by their agreement to give Local Government a key role in future emergency planning.
“Local Government supports the development of a telephone based early warning emergency system. However, there are technical issues that still need to be resolved before a system can operate effectively. We think councils can bring a valuable perspective to how an early warning system might be rolled out effectively at the local level, and we are pleased to be able to bring that perspective through the COAG working group.”
Councillor Lake also welcomed Local Government’s inclusion on the COAG Taskforce to examine future planning for Australia’s cities, and in developing a best practice approach to shaping city development.
“Local Government has for some time advocated for increased Australian Government involvement in planning for our major cities,” he said.
“Our cities are vital to the economic, social and environmental future of our nation and we look forward to developing a smarter partnership between the three levels of government in building a brighter future for Australian cities.”
ACLG membership
With the next Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) summit involving all Mayors and Shire Presidents scheduled to take place in June, more regular meetings have commenced with a smaller group, comprising the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Executive, and representatives from other key stakeholder groups.
ACLG’s Chair is the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, while the Deputy Chair is ALGA President, Councillor Geoff Lake.
Other members State by State include the following.
New South Wales
- President of the New South Wales Local Government
Association, Councillor Genia McCaffery - President of the Shires Association New South Wales,
Councillor Bruce Miller - Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore
- City of Botany Bay Mayor, Ron Hoenig
- Lismore City Council Mayor, Jenny Dowell
- • Director Centre for Local Government at the University of
Technology Sydney, Associate Professor Graham Sansom
Northern Territory
- President of the Local Government Association of
Northern Territory, Alderman Kerry Moir - Chairperson of West Arnhem Shire, Councillor Ronald
Lami Lami
Queensland
- President of the Local Government Association of
Queensland, Councillor Paul Bell - Brisbane Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman
- Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Val Schier
- Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Allan Sutherland
South Australia
- President of the Local Government Association of South
Australia, Mayor Joy Baluch - President of Local Government Managers Australia, Ray
Pincombe - City of Victor Harbor Mayor, Mary-Lou Cocoran
Tasmania
- President of the Local Government Association of
Tasmania, Mayor Michael Gaffney
Victoria
- State President of the Australian Local Government
Womens Association, Councillor Pam McLeod - National Secretary of the Australian Services Union, Paul
Slape - Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle
- Latrobe City Council Mayor, Lisa Price
Western Australia
