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LGANT welcomes announcement of Local Government Reforms
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Media Release:31/01/2007
Local Government Reform boundaries
LGANT President, Kerry Moir today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Local Government, Elliot McAdam on the boundaries of the proposed nine shires as part of the government’s reform agenda. ‘At last we have something concrete to analyse and comment on’ the President said. ‘Consultation with member councils on the indicative boundaries nominated by the government will be important and LGANT is well represented on the Local Government Advisory Board which will be advising the Minister on this important part of the reform package.’
‘Reform of local government has been on the NT Government agenda for over ten years. This announcement today signals change is actually going to happen. Whilst the Association and its members support reform, the challenge for all of us is to analyse the government’s proposal to ensure it is the most workable arrangement’ the President said.
‘The Minister has set up a strong advisory board under the able leadership of Patrick Dodson. The board includes local government representatives currently working in all regions of the NT and within the Local Government Association itself. They have first hand experience of the actual problems confronting local government outside municipal areas’ the President said.
‘As a major service provider to local government the Association will be keen to maintain its interests in service delivery with its member councils’ the President said.
‘A large part of our efforts in recent times has been directed towards delivery of services in partnership with various councils. We are about being a voice for local government as well as a service provider and clearly we want to continue with both roles as local government associations in other states do.’
‘This proposal will see our membership reducing significantly from 63 councils to 13, but experience interstate shows the Association will play a very important role into the future as the voice for the sector’.
‘Whilst everyone agrees major change to local government is necessary if it is to fulfil its role as the third sphere of government, lines on a map will not automatically bring change for the good of all Territorians. The structure being created must suit the services local government is expected to provide and the new arrangements have to be sustainable in the long term.’
‘Everyone wants improvements and bigger councils will have more capacity to deliver services and potentially be stronger advocates for their communities as well as becoming more financially sustainable’ the President said. ‘We need now to focus on achieving these outcomes.’
To view the new Local Government boundaries - click here
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Contact:
LGANT President, Alderman Kerry Moir - 0419 303 378
LGANT CEO, Tony Tapsell - 8936 2888
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