LGA resources and training | Code of conduct | Queen's Birthday Honours | Productivity Commission Inquiry No Images? Click here Vol 4: Issue 12 - Tuesday 11 June 2019 I was disappointed to read the Minister’s comments today about proposed council rate increases for the coming financial year. Many councils are consulting on their lowest rates increases in years, and the information that has been collated shows the average proposed increase across Adelaide is around 2.5%, which is less than the 2.9% cap that was proposed by ESCOSA. It’s also well below the 5% average increase to State Government fees and charges for next year. Driving downward pressure on rates is a shared responsibility, and both state and local government need to work together to deliver cost of living savings to South Australians. LGA President Sam Telfer LGA resources and training Council meetings work best in an environment that supports healthy debate and gives the community confidence that their best interests are front of mind when important local decisions are being made. Behavior within our sector is generally pretty good, especially when compared to other spheres of government. However, conflicts can play out in public, and distract from the great work councils do every day. The LGA is here to help our members in any way we can, and I encourage you to contact us should you have any questions, or need support. Our Director Governance and Legislation Alicia Stewart can answer general questions you might have around local government legislation, as well as conflict of interest provisions and the code of conduct. Alicia can also direct you to the Local Government Governance Panel, which has been set up by the LGA to provide an independent and cost effective option for investigating code of conduct complaints. The LGA’s Sector Development Director Rowena McLean can work with your council to facilitate discussions around leadership and the team dynamics that support good decision making and better results for communities. Our new Human Resources Manager Deirdre Albrighton is available to provide confidential advice on HR issues affecting council administrations. LGA Training offers an Elected Members Leadership Development program, and will run an Elected Members Leadership Session at LG House on 19 August. LGA Training can also provide these types of sessions at regional hub locations, or in-house at your councils. Code of conduct The LGA is also working closely with the State Government on their local government reform process, with improving and strengthening the code of conduct a key focus. The Minister has publically acknowledged the LGA’s positive approach to the reform process and the range of good ideas for reform that we have put on the table. The proposals we’ve provided the Government include:
The system that we’ve got isn’t working as well as it should, and this is our opportunity to partner with the Government and Parliament to fix it. Queen's Birthday Honours Congratulations to Regional Council of Goyder Mayor Peter Mattey, who yesterday received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to local government and his community. Mayor Mattey has given more than four decades of his life to his community and our sector, and also currently serves as an LGA Board Member and regional LGA Chair. Congratulations Mayor Mattey! Productivity Commission Inquiry into Local Government The South Australian Productivity Commission has released a methodology paper for its inquiry into local government costs and efficiency. It is a very technical paper so we have asked local government efficiency expert Dr Joseph Drew from the University of Technology Sydney to review the proposed approach and provide advice on the potential advantages and pitfalls. The Commission has asked for feedback on the methodology paper by 12 July and we are in discussions about a briefing session for councils that will provide an opportunity to ask questions about and provide feedback on the methodology and inquiry report. Please keep an eye on the LGA Circulars for more information.
New waste and recycling funding Last Friday Minister Speirs announced $12 million in new funding for waste and recycling over the next four years. This announcement includes $2 million for the EPA, and $10 million in grants for councils and the industry. While we welcome increased investment in waste and recycling, this won’t help shield ratepayers from the immediate impacts of China’s National Sword policy. In the event that all of this funding goes to councils it will total around $2.5 million per year, which is less than 10% of the $35 million our sector will contribute through the Solid Waste Levy next financial year. Meanwhile, the cost of processing recycling in SA has increased by $8.8 million per year since China’s National Sword policy was implemented. The LGA will continue to advocate for increased support and partnerships that will ease cost pressures around recycling, and drive downward pressure on rates. Coastal protection We’ve been advocating strongly for more money for coastal protection, and the State Government has committed to increasing the funding available to councils by $1 million per year for the next four years. This is a good step, and a significant increase on the $350k per year currently available in grants, but more needs to be done. Maintaining our State’s coastline is a shared responsibility, and we need partnerships between all three tiers of government to protect our natural resources for future generations. We’ll be closely monitoring the State Budget when it’s handed down next Tuesday to identify any impacts – positive or negative – for our sector and communities. New Shadow Federal Minister for Local Government The Hon Jason Clare MP was recently announced as the new Federal Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Housing and Homeless. Jason has represented the Sydney electorate of Blaxland since 2007, and held a number of ministerial portfolios between 2010 and 2013. I look forward to working with Jason to ensure our sector – and State – gets a fair share of federal funding. The LGA will partner with PIRSA to deliver four two-day regional youth leadership forums during July and August. These forums will build on the success of our Regional Youth Traineeship Program (RYTP), and are open to current and past program participants, as well as other young people aged between 17 and 24 that are currently employed by regional councils. The focus will be providing participants with a range of professional and leadership skills that will support their continued development, and benefit our sector and communities. Workshops will be held in the Eyre Peninsula, Limestone Coast, Barossa Valley and Fleurieu Peninsula, with invitations to be sent out in the next few weeks. More information can be found here. For further information or to submit |