Local Government Reform in NT

Jane Clark, Mayoral Candidate for Alice Springs commented today on the new Local Government Bill, "The new Local Government Bill which reflects the amalgamations of community government councils into shires presents issues which are both good and bad for the future of Local Government in the NT. In my role on the executive of LGANT I have been involved in negotiations as the bill has been rewritten many times in response to community consultation."

Jane Clark said, "As Mayor I will continue in my LGANT Executive role to work together with Councils, the NT Government and Minister for Local Government to ensure the best outcomes for good governance across the Territory. I have seen opportunities for Alice Springs Town Council to pass on benefit to the region by delivering services on a fee-for-service basis. The business centres for the Central Desert and MacDonnell shires will be located in Alice Springs and this means there will be new opportunities for regional cooperation - for example in the provision of library services. This is an opportunity to work on bringing the Territory together with good urban planning, good governance and communication. "

In a summary of the main points of the bill, Clark indicated her take on the merits of the Bill,
"Good aspects

• More money coming into the Shires for Information and communications technology service infrastructure ($6.4M federal funds under Clever Networks)
  
• Acknowledgement of Local government as the third tier of government in the preamble
  recognition that local government services must be in harmony with the laws of traditional owners
  
• requirement of each council to have a municipal or shire plan that must contain a strategic plan, a service delivery plan and a long term financial plan
  
• regional management plans for the 3 large regions (North, Central and South) that will become statutory instruments and have a term of 4 years
  
• requirement for every council to adopt a code of conduct
  
• The introducion of local boards which will advise the shires on community plans and local service delivery priorities
  
• Provision of elected member training

The not so good aspects

• The introduction of rate capping
  
• The introduction of reviewable decisions which effectively removes the binding nature of Council decisions
  
• Lack of assurances from the NT Government that there will be sufficient funding for the new shires who rely heavily on government grants "
  

Clark added, "I am confident that I have the negotiation skills to make this bill work for the benefit of Alice Springs both socially and economically."

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Authorised by D Schild 12 Mills St Alice Springs