There is an old Chinese curse: ‘May you live in interesting times.’
In the lead article for this month’s edition, we have identified 10 complex and inter-related issues that confront Local Governments across the country.
Each of these problems is a wicked one, there are no simple solutions, certainly no quick fixes.
Interesting is an understatement.
Even moving to solve them can create other pressures and dilemmas, but complexity is no excuse for inertia.
Local Government needs to see itself as a national force that can shift perceptions, create agendas and develop ideas across the country.
LG FOCUS applauds the move by the South Australian Local Government Association to begin a major public awareness campaign in the lead up to a proposed referendum to clarify Federal funding for communities through Councils in the Australian Constitution.
This is the type of leadership required to move Local Government into the 21st century.
Constitutional recognition is an important starting point for the future, but it is really only a first step.
Skills shortages, greenhouse gas emissions and financial sustainability are pressing and difficult issues. It is not a time for the faint hearted. But neither is it a time for despair.
Local Governments must begin to realise the enormity of the task ahead of them and also realise that the future is going to be far more challenging than ever before.
The sector should not believe that the problems facing it are insurmountable.
Organisations such as ALGA need to play a stronger lead role in addressing the solutions.
They need to continue to provide the leadership to push Local Government’s agenda.
It promises to be an exciting time, but it is no curse.
