(Location of Corporate Commonwealth Entities) Order 2016
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Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Location of Corporate Commonwealth Entities) Order 2016 Background: Edward River Council was proclaimed on May 12, 2016 following an amalgamation announced by the NSW Government of the former Deniliquin Council and Conargo Shire Council. It is in the NSW Murray region covering an area totalling 8881 square kilometres with a population of approximately 8,970. The major centre is the town of Deniliquin which is surrounded by productive agricultural land. Withdrawal of Government Services: Deniliquin is a major regional centre in the NSW Murray region and has been the regional headquarters of numerous Federal and State Government Departments and Agencies across a broad range of services. However, during the 1990s there was a significant withdrawal of these services as part of an economic rationalist approach by Governments. The first major impact was relocation away from Deniliquin of the CSIRO Rangelands Research Centre, which was a major employer in the town. This was followed by closure or downsizing of various other Government Departments, the consequences of which were highlighted by then Deniliquin Council General Manager Ian Burfitt in a report to the Grants Commission in August 1999 titled ‘Disability Factors Peculiar To Deniliquin’. Impact of withdrawal of Government Services: Mr Burfitt’s report estimated 165 Government jobs had been withdrawn from Deniliquin in the previous four years at an economic cost of $20 million to $30 million per year. These had come primarily from health services, transport infrastructure services, energy supply, and land and water services. In presenting his report Mr Burfitt said: “The continual decline and withdrawal of services and personnel from Deniliquin has depleted the flow-on effect of higher level positions with the government employment sector.” In the years following Mr Burfitt’s report there was further removal of Government services from Deniliquin which included rationalisation of NSW Agriculture and closure of the Murray Valley Field Station where research work was undertaken. Recent times: In more recent times many Government Departments have developed a greater recognition of the need to have a presence in regional communities. We have seen some stabilisation of health services and an expansion of community and emergency services. However, Edward River Council believes there are numerous services provided by other Government Departments and Agencies which could be more effectively delivered from a local office. These especially, but not exclusively, relate to implementation of water and agriculture policy. For example, it seems incongruous that the office of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is located in Canberra with no staff presence in the township of Deniliquin which is a focal point of Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s implementation. Edward River Council’s view is that locating Government Departments and Agencies in regional centres provides a win:win – the local community benefits from the increased population and economic activity, and the Government Departments and personnel involved benefit from being given the opportunity to work more closely with the community, thus increasing their ability to provide services that align with community expectations. Council believes it is usually not a case of relocating a head office to a regional centre, but more often establishing a satellite or local office. Impact of Government decisions on our community: There has been a succession of Government decisions, at Federal and State level, which have had an adverse impact on the Deniliquin economy. It started with the aforementioned withdrawal of Government services, which was followed by closure of the region’s timber industry when forests were declared National Parks in 2010, then removal of water from productive use under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Successive Governments have failed to acknowledge the flow-on effect to the community from these decisions, nor provide adequate structural adjustment support. A return of Government Departments to Deniliquin would provide a significant economic boost to replace some of the lost employment opportunities. Re- establishing these Government Departments not only provides additional revenue in the community, but also a boost to numerous sporting groups and other local organisations which benefit from an intellectual injection which the personnel often bring with them. What have we done? The Edward River Council community has been proactive in attempts to prosper, despite adverse effects of Government policy and decisions, although this was made particularly difficult during the Millennium Drought when the surrounding agricultural industry, on which the community relies, was severely impacted. In 1999 a meeting was organised by Deniliquin Council and the local Chamber of Commerce to try and establish a new event or festival that would bring people to the town. The result was the inaugural Deniliquin World Record Ute Muster, which has grown into one of Australia’s leading rural festivals attracting more than 20,000 people and generating upwards of $12 million into our community each year. Local Government has actively pursued development opportunities, and as a result we have a significant development at the re-opened Deniliquin Abattoir and we are confident work will start in 2017 on a large ethanol plant. Both were declared Projects of State Significance by the NSW Government. Edward River Council also has a Memorandum of Understanding with Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport to establish a freight hub servicing south-eastern Australia with direct links to Asia. Council is presently working with Governments to obtain funding required for an airport upgrade which this project requires. Edward River Council has a dynamic economic development and tourism department which continually seeks new opportunities and has been successful in building our visitor economy. We are confident Deniliquin has a bright future as a revitalised regional centre, and this can be further enhanced with a stronger presence of Government services and personnel. Conclusion: Edward River Council believes Governments should take all necessary steps to support rural and regional communities, and the relocation of appropriate Government Departments and Agencies from capital cities to regional areas would be a proactive move that would both support these communities and be a sign of faith by Government in the future of rural and regional Australia. In particular, Edward River Council believes Government Departments and Agencies involved in agriculture and water policy should be relocated to towns which are impacted by policies and implementation. Council reiterates the point made previously that in the majority of cases this is likely to involve a regional or satellite office, rather than relocation of a head office. The communication technology at our disposal can support Government Departments and their personnel in regional centres such as Deniliquin. Further, many costs associated with operating an office are less expensive in a centre such as Deniliquin, compared to a capital city. This especially applies to rental office accommodation, but also housing for staff whether this is rental or purchase. Centres such as Deniliquin also offer an outstanding rural lifestyle for families incorporating schools, waterways and sporting facilities. Edward River Council believes relocation of Government Departments and Agencies should not be limited to larger regional centres. It is important that smaller regional centres such as Deniliquin are considered in any relocation discussion. This ensures Government personnel involved in policy and implementation, especially those in agriculture and water policy, are working closely with the communities that are affected by their work and decisions. Edward River Council would welcome a hearing of your Inquiry in Deniliquin where we can provide a first-hand account of the benefits of locating more Government Departments and Agencies in our community. .