2019 OGM | Joy Baluch Award | GAROC appointments | Federal election | Waste and recycling | Boundary Reform Forum No Images? Click here Vol 4: Issue 8 - Tuesday 16 April 2018 It was fantastic to see so many of you at our Showcase and OGM last Thursday and Friday at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. With the notable exception of a three-hour blackout on Friday morning, the event ran very smoothly, and attracted a record turnout of more than 300 mayors, councillors, staff and exhibitors. Craig Reucassel’s keynote presentation on Thursday was one of the highlights, as he painted a national picture of waste and recycling, and where Australia is heading in this space. It was great to hear Craig referencing the submissions made by the LGA on behalf of members. The Federal Election is now less than five weeks away, so it’s time for our sector to mobilise and let all parties and candidates know about the priorities for our communities. LGA President Sam Telfer 2019 OGM outcomesDespite the fact that it was mostly conducted without electricity, we had a very productive Ordinary General Meeting last Friday morning. The full minutes will be up on our website soon, but some of the motions passed saw councils asking the LGA to:
Joy Baluch AwardIt was my pleasure to present Orroroo Carrieton Chair Kathie Bowman with the Joy Baluch Award at our Conference Dinner last Thursday night. This award is named after former Port Augusta Mayor and LGA President Joy Baluch, and recognizes the contribution of women to our sector. The first female chair of her council, Kathie has provided strong leadership to her community for many years, and especially over the past 18 months as local farmers and businesses have been impacted by the severe drought conditions affecting regional Australia. Congratulations Kathie on this well-deserved award! GAROC appointmentsI am pleased to advise that, following the counting of ballots last Friday, Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans and Marion Deputy Mayor Tim Pfeiffer have been elected to fill two casual vacancies on GAROC. We had ten nominations from metropolitan councils to fill these positions, and it’s great to see such strong interest from members in serving on this committee, and providing strategic advice to our Board. Federal ElectionThe writs for the 2019 Federal Election were issued last week, with Election Day set for Saturday 18 May. The following five weeks present an opportunity for the LGA and councils to strongly advocate for funding that will benefit our State and its communities. While we were pleased to see supplementary road funding for South Australia extended for two years in the recent Federal Budget, we’re now looking to secure commitments from all parties for a long-term solution. We are also supporting ALGA’s call for an increase in the total value of Finance Assistance Grants, as well as additional priorities outlined in their All Politics is Local election platform. Waste and recyclingThe strong feedback we’re receiving from councils preparing their 2019-20 budgets is that they are facing increased waste and recycling costs as a result of China’s National Sword Policy. The LGA is asking the State Government to release funding from the $34 million per year councils provide to the Solid Waste Levy, to help shield ratepayers from these increased costs. I would encourage you to highlight these additional cost pressures you’re facing as you consult on your annual business plans and budgets. Driving downward pressure on council rates is a shared responsibility, and the LGA will continue to advocate for more support for councils to address our current waste and recycling challenges. Finally, a reminder that the LGA will hold a Waste Essentials workshop for elected members at LG House on 2 May, which will which will explain what happens to our waste after it’s picked up from the roadside, and provide you with the knowledge you need to confidently make important business decisions about waste services. Boundary Reform Forum A new process for initiating and reviewing council boundary reform proposals came into effect on 1 January 2019. The Boundaries Commission is an independent body that assesses and investigates boundary change proposals, and makes recommendations to the Minister for Local Government. The role of Boundaries Commission has been included within the responsibilities of the existing Local Government Grants Commission. The Commission has prepared Guidelines that detail the process by which it will receive, assess and progress council boundary change proposals. The LGA understands there is significant interest from councils about the role of the Commission and how this new process will work. We are pleased to be partnering with the Boundaries Commission to present a Boundary Reform Forum for member councils that will explain the role of the Commission, give an overview of the Guidelines, and provide plenty of opportunities to ask questions. The Forum will be held in the LGA Boardrooms at Local Government House from 1pm – 3 pm on Thursday 2 May 2019. This will follow the Waste Essentials training for elected members. Participation in the Forum will be available via livestreaming for members who are unable to attend in person. To register your attendance either in person or via our video conferencing system, please complete the registration form. There is no cost to member councils to attend the Boundary Reform Forum. Governance toolsFollowing the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption’s recent elected member forum, the Commissioner’s office has informed us of a number of areas of ongoing interest to council members. The LGA produces a number of resources which can provide you with advice and guidance on these issues, which are outlined below:
If you have other governance questions, or require further advice, please don’t hesitate to contact the LGA on 8224 2000. Vale Steve WilkinsonWe recently lost a long-term member of our local government family, when Mid Murray Councillor Steve Wilkinson was tragically killed while cycling at Younghusband on Friday 5 April. For more than three decades Steve was a staff member at three different councils, and an elected member at two. He worked for Mid Murray Council from 2000 to 2014, before rejoining the council as a councillor at the 2014 council elections. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends, the staff and elected members at Mid Murray Council, and his community. For further information or to submit |