P06 P08 LOCAL ECONOMIES Local Governments Working Together
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Western Councillor ISSUE 109 | AUG/SEP 2020 INFRASTRUCTURE WA THE IMPACT OF A STRONGER TOMORROW COVID-19 ON P06 P08 LOCAL ECONOMIES Local governments working together. At LGIS, protecting our local government members is what we do. We make sure our members have the right cover to suit their needs. If disaster strikes, our local government specialists help get them, and their community, back on their feet as soon as possible. It’s our members who make Western Australia such a great place to live – their roads get us around, we meet in their libraries and recreation centres, they manage our waste, and provide connection for the elderly. Every day they provide the countless services and support which makes us a community. We believe that’s worth protecting. To find out how you can get the most out of your LGIS membership, visit lgiswa.com.au or call 9483 8888. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Peer Support Team BRINGING CLARITY TO A practical way to provide mediation and conciliation support to Local Governments COMPLEXITY in Western Australia. The Peer Support Team is of confl ict and reduce the need for an initiative between the WA formal investigations or enquiries. The team will meet with the affected Australia’s Local Government sector. Local Government Association (WALGA) and Local Government Councillors and staff individually, as Our team of highly experienced lawyers strive for clarity and well as in a group setting, allowing Professionals WA. excellence in our legal advice to our clients. all parties to freely express their The team was formed to provide views in a neutral environment. conciliation, negotiation and The team will then assist the Local manage and solve the legal issues that face your Local mediation support to Local Government to develop outcomes Government. Governments that identifi ed issues and a path forward that is suitable for of relationship confl ict between all involved. An international Councillors, or between Councillors So, to head off possible confl ict or and senior staff. Contact us today member of for the best resolution in situations The key objective is to assist Local where it already exists, call one of the For any queries, contact Governments resolve these issues team on the Hotline Numbers below. [email protected] ph: 9200 4900 LOCAL Nick Sloan Candy Choo GOVERNMENT CEO CEO PEER SUPPORT WALGA LG Professionals WA TEAM HOTLINE Tel 9213 2025 Tel 9271 1136 > www.civiclegal.com.au NUMBERS Contents ISSUE 109 | AUG/SEP 2020 02 From the CEO's Office 02 President’s Report 03 State Of The State – From The Minister 03 From The Shadow Minister DANDARAGAN 04 National Award Winners 06 A Stronger Tomorrow 07 150 Years of Local Government 08 The Impact of COVID-19 on Local Economies 10 Around the Nation 12 Around The State In Pictures 22 Queen's Birthday Honour Recipient 24 Local Government Act Review Panel Report 26 LGIS Update 27 Procurement Update 28 Solar Wins in the City of Rockingham 29 WALGA Training Update 29 State Council Briefs Welcome to Issue 109 of Western Councillor COVER: The City of Armadale, Come See Us campaign GREATER GERALDTON MOUNT MAGNET of the legislation and welcome the and State Recovery Controller Government’s commitment to consult Sharyn O’Neill, the important on the Green Bill. role of our sector in stimulating WALGA has been working hard economic development and to engage with Members on the supporting local employment is recommendations outlined in the acknowledged. Review Panel Report. The Local At a the recent WALGA webinar Government Minister’s attendance with Federal Minister for Local at our recent State Council meeting, Government, the Hon Mark where these issues were discussed, Coulton confirmed his intention serves as a strong endorsement for to ensure Local Government has Local Government’s leadership and a significant level of influence role in ensuring a new act is fit for in the new structure, which is purpose and realises the significant Mayor Chief Executive Officer welcome news. Nick Sloan capability and potential of the sector. Tracey Roberts JP I imagine that the ongoing process Also ALGA has been liaising to develop a new Act; our joint with Former Director General FROM THE approach to economic recovery and PRESIDENT’S of our Department of Premier the impending State Elections in a and Cabinet Peter Conran on CEO’S OFFICE little over six months will all feature in REPORT his review of the former COAG the discussions during our upcoming Councils and Ministerial Forums We recently met with the Local Political Forum and AGM, to be held As our nation continues in its to ensure participation for the Government Leadership Group as on Friday 25 September. response and recovery from Local Government sector part of our ongoing engagement COVID-19, our national body In addition to these political events, across Ministerial Councils into under the State/Local Government continues its advocacy to we will be holding a breakfast the future. Partnership agreement. Both event with former Dockers player maintain a voice for the Local the Premier Mark McGowan It’s great to see such a and South Fremantle coach Paul Government sector, both during and Local Government Minister collaborative approach in Hasleby, a special lunch to recognise this emergency period and David Templeman extended ensuring sector representation and celebrate this year’s Honours beyond. The announcement their appreciation to the Local at the national level, and I have recipients and a social sundowner to of the dissolution of the Council Government sector for its role in also seen this reflected locally as round out the day. I am very much of Australian Governments and supporting the community. I have been engaging in Member looking forward to being able to continuation of National Cabinet visits throughout the regions over Through this forum, the State reconnect with many of you in as the primary method of the past few weeks. Government reinforced their person once again, as I have also intergovernmental relations has commitment to the Partnership been able to do recently in visiting meant direct Local Government WALGA CEO Nick Sloan and I agreement and together we share Member Councils in the regions representation is now only have been warmly welcomed a view that a refreshed agreement with the President. included in an annual National through our travels and it has should focus on areas of common This is an extremely worthwhile Federal Reform Council meeting. been great to see first-hand strategic priority for both spheres the ongoing hard work being initiative, with feedback received and The Australian Local Government of government. undertaken to support local issues discussed quite varied, but Association has been advocating I was able to share the economic always appreciated, and we will be communities. analysis work we have been for greater opportunity for the endeavouring to carry out as many Local Government sector to We received positive feedback undertaking and sharing with Member visits as our diaries will allow have input to Federal issues, on WALGA’s support to members on the impacts of in the coming months. For those of highlighting that excluding Local members during COVID-19, that COVID-19 at the local level. I took you looking for a break in coming Government from the ongoing included ongoing webinars and the opportunity to highlight the local months, I can highly recommend economic development strategies National Cabinet framework will communication processes as a Dowerin and Quairading as great standout feature. released by the City of Swan and places to stop and recharge. only make the tasks of response the Shire of Broome as examples of and recovery more difficult. It is clear that across the sector And finally, it is with great regret that the excellent work being undertaken we are working as a team and I announce our Executive Manager In one example provided by across the Local Government sector. it is impressive to see just how Strategy, Policy and Planning Mark ALGA President, Mayor David We continue to collect examples of deep everyone is digging in Batty has resigned and will be O’Loughlin, many of the current both economic development and leaving the organisation in November. complexities around border order to support their local broader recovery strategies and I Over the past 14 years with the controls could have be identified communities and hear their encourage all Members to share organisation, Mark has made an if ALGA had been involved in success stories. theirs with WALGA to assist in our impressive contribution to not only the planning process, given In line with that theme, I am advocacy discussions in the future. his policy area but also the strategic their long-standing advocacy pleased to advise that the City of Progress towards a New Local direction of the organisation and he for policies to be considered Nedlands has resolved to return Government Act continues with the will be sorely missed. Personally, I’m in the context of local regional to WALGA as a Member – which release of the Local Government indebted to mark for his support in communities rather than results in 100% membership Review Panel’s final report. The guiding the policy portfolio through statewide applications. across the WA sector. I would Minister has confirmed the the organisational restructure - with like to extend a warm welcome Government’s commitment to work Councils provide support to COVID-19 as a back drop. Mark to the City of Nedlands and look with the sector in the development is fiercely loyal and protective of local communities across a forward to working with them in of a Green Bill for the new Local the Association, his team, and the range of areas, which enables the future.