President's Update - Solid Waste Levy | State Planning Commission | Labor Local Government Reform Bill | Elected Member leadership sessions | State Tourism and Planning Awards | LGASA Mutual Award Winners No Images? Click here Vol 3: Issue 42 - Monday 12 November 2018 Congratulations to all members who have been elected to represent your communities for the next four years, and my sincere commendation and respect to everyone whose service on council has come to an end. I have had a strong and effective working relationship with many of you, and I look forward to this being the case with the new representatives. We had a turnout of 394,805 South Australians casting their vote in this year’s council elections - around 38,000 more voters than in 2014. There was also a twenty-year high in nominations which I believe is evidence of the high level of interest in councils and local representation. There have been a diverse group of elected members and mayors voted in to councils around the State. At this stage there are 15 councils still to select a chairperson or mayor from within, but both the new and continuing mayors include a broad range of skills and experience which I believe will only serve to strengthen the performance of local government. As happens following any general election there will be some changes to the membership of SAROC and GAROC and the LGA Board of Directors. Details about the process for filling the casual vacancies under our new Constitution will be circulated to the affected councils and regional LGAs shortly. LGA President Sam Telfer Solid Waste Levy – Where is the money going?The State Government recently launched a home battery scheme, offering rebates of up to $6,000 as well as low interest loans. I’m sure it will be of interest to councils and ratepayers to know that this cost saving measure has been funded through the Green Industry Fund, which is comprised of revenue raised through the Solid Waste Levy. The Green Industry Fund currently has a balance of around $120 million – about one third of that has been contributed by local government. The Government’s battery program is expected to cost around $150 million over the next four years. This raises questions about whether there will be any money available for local waste and recycling initiatives during this critical time of change in how councils deal with waste. South Australian councils will contribute around $34 million through the Solid Waste Levy in 2018-19. At the same time, the cost for councils to process their kerbside waste is expected to increase by around $8.8 million this year as a result of China’s National Sword Policy. Now is the time for increased investment in waste and recycling projects that will support councils and communities during this period of recycling industry transition, and the LGA will continue to advocate for funding to be released from the Green Industry Fund for this purpose. State Planning CommissionTwo new members have been appointed to the State Planning Commission following the recent resignation of members Janet Finlay, Fairlie Delbridge and Matt Davis. These resignations follow the departure of the inaugural Chair Tim Anderson QC, who was replaced by current Chair Michael Lennon in October 2018. The new Commission Members are Craig Holden and Helen Dyer. Craig is a Director of Forme Projex and an executive member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA Division) and the SA Property Council. Helen is currently the Managing Director of consulting firm Holmes Dyer, and is a former local government Chief Executive Officer. It is important that local government has a strong and productive relationship with the Commission as the Government’s planning reforms and rolled out across the State. As your Association President I will be looking at ways to build this relationship, and ensure that local government has a stronger voice on important planning issues. Labor Local Government Reform BillSA Labor introduced their local government reform Bill into the Legislative Council last month, and you can download a copy of the Local Government (Ratepayer Protection and Related Measures) Amendment Bill 2018 here. We understand that the Labor Party will bring this Bill on for debate in the Legislative Council on Wednesday this week, and we are disappointed that we have not had the opportunity to properly consult with our members and finalise a position before the first vote. However, we have some clear policies about local government reform, and the LGA has been in discussions with political parties about Labor’s proposals and the number of policy and technical matters that would see local government held to higher standards of accountability and oversight than other levels of government. Elected Member Leadership Day SessionsThe LGA is offering two new and highly engaging leadership day sessions to set both new and continuing mayors and councillors up for success. These sessions will be facilitated by leadership development specialists from HCI Think and the LGA, and both sessions will be held at Local Government House in Adelaide. For further details on the Councillor Leadership Day on 23 November click here. For further details on the Mayors/Chairs Leadership Day on 30 November click here. To view and/or enrol in sessions from the Elected Member Leadership Development Program (which includes the four modules that constitute South Australia’s mandatory council member training requirements) click here. For bookings please contact Emma Urvan at emma.urvan@lga.sa.gov.au or on 08 8224 2035. State Tourism and Planning AwardsFriday night I attended the State Tourism Awards in Adelaide, and was pleased to present the Local Government Award for Tourism to the City of Holdfast Bay. Local government plays a key role in supporting tourism and tourism businesses and this award recognises the important contribution councils make. The Planning Industry Association SA Awards were also held Friday night, and the LGA presented two awards. Port Adelaide Enfield’s Carina Sidwell received the Young Planner of the Year Award, while the Adelaide Hills Council’s Gumeracha Main Street Project won the Public Engagement and Community Planning Category. All award categories showcased the excellent work being done by councils to create great places to live, work and visit. Congratulations to all of these winners, as well as all of the award nominees. LGASA Mutual Award WinnersAt our AGM Dinner a few weeks ago, newly appointed LGASA Mutual Chair David Holston presented a number of awards for the Mutual Liability and Workers Compensation Schemes. The winners were:
It’s fantastic to see such innovation coming out of our sector, and all the great work that is being done to make our councils and communities safer. You can view a short video highlighting the award winners here. For further information or to submit |