As we settle into the new working year, Australia’s state and territory local government associations tell us what’s on the horizon for their member councils in 2017.
Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) – Greg Hallam, Chief Executive Officer
Disaster funding certainty, a fairer industrial relations system and the financial sustainability of councils loom as urgent issues facing Queensland local governments in 2017.
We will continue lobbying the Federal Government to pay councils more than $8 million in owed Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements funds and commit to reimbursing councils that use their own plant and equipment and day labour in recovery efforts.
Our campaign for a single local government industrial relations award will continue, despite the State’s introduction of new Industrial Relation legislation.
We will also work with councils to address financial sustainability issues raised by the Auditor-General.
Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) – Councillor Lynne Craigie, President
WA Councils will first be focused upon the March State elections. An expected tight campaign offers the sector a rare opportunity to leverage key policy commitments, one we will eagerly grasp.
Our election campaign includes securing a new State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement; opposing the introduction of rate capping; establishing a meaningful Partnership Agreement with government; and a commitment to extending poll provisions to give communities a say on any amalgamations.
We will also continue to support and represent members across key issues including emergency management response and recovery, Development Assessment Panels, regulations for the Regional Subsidiaries Bill and maintaining bipartisan support for a Container Deposit scheme.
Local Government Association Tasmania (LGAT) – Katrena Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer
2017 will see Tasmanian councils continuing to respond and implement the major reform agendas of the State Government. This includes continuing to undertake and respond to the findings of feasibility studies into resource sharing and amalgamations, implementing changes to the Local Government Act and implementing significant changes to land-use planning and building legislation.
Additionally, many councils will be continuing their recovery after widespread and destructive flooding in 2016 as well as readying themselves to be more resilient to natural disasters going forward. LGAT will support councils through these change processes and work with them to showcase their accessibility, diversity and innovation in delivering vital community infrastructure and services to communities across the State.
Local Government Association South Australia (LGA SA) – Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg, President
With the next state election in March 2018, and a Liberal Party committed to implementing a rate-capping policy, the next twelve months will be crucial for South Australian councils to demonstrate they are the most efficient sphere of government, and have the support and understanding of the communities they represent while actively seeking opportunities to engage and improve. SA councils also face challenges with assisting those hurting from an economy in transition, while escalating government levies and reductions in federal grants are putting pressure on budgets and services.
Municipal Association Victoria (MAV) – Councillor Coral Ross, Interim President
In 2017 several big issues will challenge Victorian councils – rate capping; modernisation of the Local Government Act; cost shifting and the State loading up councils with additional red tape.
The Minister is again expected to adopt a rate cap set to the Consumer Price Index, rather than reflecting councils’ input costs; and it remains unclear if the State will simplify its onerous and costly rate cap variation process to make it more accessible to smaller shires.
An overhaul of the sector’s guiding legislation proposes additional burdens on councils despite the Government’s commitment to reduce red tape. A number of proposed State reforms could also impose new unfunded responsibilities on councils, and the sector will need to continue united advocacy to fend off further cost shifting.
Local Government Association Northern Territory (LGANT) – Mayor Damien Ryan, President
The National Partnership on Remote Indigenous Housing is currently under review with recommendations expected to be delivered to the Commonwealth government during 2017.
Territory councils are interested in seeing more place-based arrangements operating in the areas of tenancy management, repairs and maintenance and the construction of new houses so that there is potential for cost reductions, more local Indigenous employment and greater responsiveness to local needs.
Putting together realistic asset management plans is also an ongoing task for Territory councils, as is potential boundary review changes. Northern Territory local government elections are being held in August this year.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW )– Councillor Keith Rhoades, President
Local government in New South Wales is emerging from a volatile period of upheaval following a number of forced amalgamations, and the goal for 2017 will be to restore local democracy to all residents and ratepayers as quickly as possible.
Our member councils are firmly focused on identifying and delivering the most beneficial outcomes for the communities they serve. Rate pegging and cost-shifting – the twin barriers between many councils and financial sustainability – will remain squarely in our sights. And we will continue to work to ensure residents and ratepayers have a significant and meaningful voice in their communities and their day-to-day lives.
