About LGANT  > Newsletters and Media Releases  > Media Releases  > Councils want Territory Government to be up front on local government reforms

Councils want Territory Government to be up front on local government reforms

The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory today put 172 burning questions to the Department of Local Government relating to the proposed reform agenda for local government in the Northern Territory. Over 100 delegates travelled to Darwin from all corners of the Territory, demonstrating the importance councils are placing on finding out directly from their Minister answers to their issues.

LGANT President, acting Lord Mayor Kerry Moir said “delegates who had travelled so far to try and get the ‘real story’ expressed their profound dismay that the membership of the advisory board had not been announced, nor had firm details for the reform plan, agenda and timelines for change.”

Rumours and leaks are circulating unnecessarily raising the levels of anxiety, the President said. Resourcing the process of change was also a major issue on which clarity and commitment was sought but not provided by Department officers when they attended the second day of the meeting. Instead, they indicated that they would attempt to answer all the questions by the end of December 2006. Delegates expressed concern that the compact between the government and LGANT in relation to consultation had been broken in that the Association has had no direct input into the actual plans which are apparently before Cabinet.

Delegates were appreciative of the Minister funding the workshop, the President said. “I will seek an urgent meeting with the Minister upon his return from leave to directly hand him questions raised by delegates at the workshop and to express members’ concerns about the lack of clarity over the process for reform. An opportunity was missed to engage councils with a clear message and unfortunately this was not provided. I will also be inviting the Minister to our next General Meeting to address members.”

Delegates emphasized that local government is an essential element of our democratic system of government in the Northern Territory. Its primary responsibility is to serve communities, not just be an arm of either of the other two spheres of government. Delegates from right across the Territory revealed that people do not know what is happening and want direct communication about implementation plans, resources, boundaries and service provision. They want to hear straight answers from the Minister as opposed to vague assurances from NT Department officials or from newspaper reports on Australian Government intentions in relation to the reform of local government.

Delegates indicated that current support for the reform process could rapidly evaporate if the model and process for reform is not made public as soon as possible so councils can have meaningful input and know what they have to do. Ends

8 December 2006

Contact: LGANT President Alderman Kerry Moir 0419 303 378

Manager Communications Phil Maynard8936 2890 0429 090 833