Breaking Parliamentary News | Boundary Adjustment Reform | Mobile Food Vendors No Images? Click here Special Edition from the LGA President Breaking Parliamentary News - Wednesday 9 August 2017 Dear Mayors and CouncillorsTwo new pieces of legislation that will impact on councils passed through Parliament’s Upper House yesterday afternoon. See details outlined below. LGA President Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg Local Government (Boundary Adjustment) Amendment Bill 2016 The first of these – the Local Government (Boundary Adjustment) Amendment Bill 2016 – is welcomed and is something the LGA has worked hard on in order to provide a more transparent and independent process for councils and communities that wish to consider changes to their boundaries. This legislation is welcomed as it enables evidence-based and independent assessment of boundary reform proposals to ensure that outcomes are driven by the community’s best interest, and not by political or interest group agendas. The LGA will continue to support the sector by working closely with the State Government and Grants Commission to develop clear guidelines and policies to provide certainty, transparency and confidence to communities and councils. We wrote to the Liberal Party earlier this year seeking assurances they wouldn’t again try to introduce rate capping amendments through this Bill in the Upper House as they did in the House of Assembly, and I’m pleased to report the Bill went through the Legislative Council without them again attempting to introduce these amendments. Local Government The second Bill that passed is the Local Government (Mobile Food Vendors) Amendment Bill 2016, which will unfortunately force all councils to grant permits to an unlimited number of food truck vendors and develop and maintain yet another statutory plan. Disappointingly, to date we have been denied the opportunity to consult with all councils on the Regulations that will be required to give effect to the changes introduced through this Bill. These Regulations will mean additional work and compliance for councils, for which they will not be adequately compensated. We welcome the support of the Liberal Party in recognising the additional red tape and complexity for councils that will be created by these amendments, and that they will impact on council's role in catering to individual community needs. As these new requirements are set to become law, the LGA will now develop draft location guidelines that will assist councils to implement the new system. If you require further information on either of these Bills please contact Lisa Teburea on 8224 2068 or email lisa.teburea@lga.sa.gov.au For further information or to submit feedback please email: LGA President or call 08 8224 2000. |