President’s Message Councils Discuss Local Government Reform

\ NUMBER 05/15 – 10 April 2015

Mayor Barry Jarvis LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Dorset Council CONFERENCE SPONSOR

President’s Message Councils Discuss
Local Government Reform
I hope everyone had a great Easter and was able
to spend some quality time with family and friends, Mayors and general managers from Northern Midlands,
and to recharge the batteries, as the next six to West Tamar and Meander Valley Councils met on 1 April
eight weeks will be a busy time for Local to discuss Local Government reform, having had
Government. To meet Minister Gutwein's timeframe individual discussions regarding voluntary
for any council wishing to investigate amalgamations and resource-sharing with Minister Peter
amalgamations or shared service models, the next Gutwein MP in February. The councils agreed that the
month will be needed to formalise those process should first commence with a benchmarking
arrangements. The media has reported that some exercise of financial and service delivery measures for
councils are looking seriously at various models and each council using an independent consultant with
I understand privately that other councils are close Local Government experience.
to making some announcements which, no doubt,
our communities will be very interested in. All three mayors have said it is unlikely that their Councils
would support voluntary amalgamations but have
This timeframe also fits in with your General agreed to enter into more formal discussions about
Management Committee (GMC) starting the identifying strategic, shared service opportunities.
process of finding a replacement for the CEO's
position. McArthur has been selected to help the West Tamar Council Mayor Christina Holmdahl said,
GMC run the process and you will see “If shared service delivery is the way to proceed,
advertisements start in regional papers this benchmarking will provide us with the opportunity to set
weekend, alongside a national search which will goals and determine which services should be
also will commence this weekend. considered."

As I mentioned in my last column, our sector will be Meander Valley Council Mayor Craig Perkins said,
watching with keen interest the Regulator's decision "Whatever changes we make, or don’t make, must be in
around the ability of TasWater to pay us, the the best interests of our ratepayers and our greater
owners, a dividend. This decision apparently will be communities."
made public at the end of this month. I must
remind those that like to take a swipe at Local Northern Midlands Mayor David Downie said, "We are
Government through the media, that councils have three similar sized councils, operating on a lower cost-
suffered some financial loss through the freezing of base compared to city Councils. Our ratepayers have
Financial Assistance Grants. Another hit through similar expectations of service delivery, making it easier
the loss of some dividends will either mean less to benchmark and identify resource-sharing
services, or rate rises so we can continue to provide opportunities.”
the level of service our communities expect. The
dividends provide only a small return on the value All mayors have received an invitation to discuss
of assets that TasWater manage on behalf of its amalgamations from City of Launceston Mayor Albert
council owners. van Zetten and are yet to meet to discuss their Council’s
positions.
2015 Local Government
Awards for Excellence Community Engagement Forum

The Local Government Association of Tasmania City of Hobart residents, ratepayers, city workers and
invites nominations for the 2015 Local Government students are encouraged to attend the second of two
Awards for Excellence, proudly sponsored by MAV community forums, being held from 6.30pm on 23 April,
Insurance. The awards promote outstanding at the Mount Stuart Hall, as part of developing new
achievement and inspire leading management channels for proactive and regular engagement with
practice and continuous improvement among the community. The forum will not only provide an
Tasmanian councils. This year, there are two award opportunity for community members to be informed
categories – Delivering Excellence – Smaller about important issues but to be able to raise issues of
Councils (populations up to 15,000) and Delivering importance with Council. Council intends to trial the
Excellence – Larger Councils (populations over Community Engagement Forum model, following which
15,000). Category winners each receive a trophy an evaluation will be undertaken with a view, if
and $1,000 prize money. Entries close on 1 June. successful, to making them a regular mechanism to
Find out more on the LGAT website. engage with the community. More information can be
found on the City of Hobart website.

Former Local Government Representatives Recognised in the Sue Smith Margot Smart OAM
Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women
Two former Aldermen have been inducted onto the Tasmanian
Honour Roll for Women - Life Member of the Local Government
Association of Tasmania, Sue Smith, and former Launceston City
Council Alderman, Margot Smart OAM. Sue Smith was the President of
LGAT from 1994 - 98, was elected to the Ulverstone Council in 1981 and
served as the first female Mayor of Central Coast Council from 1993 -
98. Former Launceston City Council Alderman from 1992 - 2007,
Margot Smart OAM was nominated by the Australian Local
Government Women’s Association Tasmania, of which she is a Life
Member, and was Tasmanian Branch Secretary from 1996 - 98. Margot
has been an enthusiastic mentor for ALGWA’s WomenCan campaign
by encouraging and supporting women standing for Local
Government. Details of all the inductees can be found here.

Placemaking Survey
Place Partners is currently undertaking research on how local councils across Australia perceive the importance of
placemaking, via a 10-15 minute survey targeted at professionals employed within Local Government. The survey
aims to position the current practice of placemaking at the local level, as well as its current relevance throughout
different council departments. It will also determine the level of staff’s individual placemaking knowledge and the
results will be made available to all participants. People involved and not involved in placemaking work are invited
to participate. Respondents will have the chance to win a seat at the next Place Partners placemaking training, or
one of ten copies of Future City Solutions. Click here to complete the survey which closes on 13 April.

Grants

Make Your Mark
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is calling for applications from councils interested in running youth
art projects in their area, focused around electronic media. TMAG is offering financial assistance to employ a
professional artist to run workshops, helping youth to develop individual or group artworks which will be displayed in
their own community and in an exhibition at TMAG. This is part of the Make Your Mark partnership program, which
will involve up to six councils. The deadline for applications is 27 April. Full information and application forms
available here.

National Library of Australia Community Heritage Grants
Community Heritage Grants of up to $15,000 are available to assist in preserving cultural heritage collections of
national significance. Not-for-profit organisations such as historical societies, regional museums, public libraries and
Indigenous and migrant community groups are encouraged to apply. Applications close on 1 May. Click here for
details.

Community Heritage Grants
Submissions are now being accepted for the Community Heritage Grants program which aims to identify Australian
cultural heritage collections that are publicly accessible, locally held and nationally significant. Cash grants of up to
$15,000 are provided to assist in the preservation and access to these collections. Organisations may apply for more
than one project, provided the combined value is no more than $15,000 and can be completed within one year.
The program is funded by the Australian Government and managed by the National Library of Australia. Submissions
close on 1 May. Applicants must read the guidelines prior to submitting an application.

2015 Dr Edward Hall Environment Grants Now Open
Do you want to do something about energy efficiency, air quality, water quality, community food gardens, reducing
waste, climate change, urban sustainability, sustainable transport, community awareness or local biodiversity? The
City of Hobart’s 2015 Dr Edward Hall Environment Grants are now open. The grants are open to schools, community
groups and businesses, with grants of from $500 to $5,000 available. The grants are open until 8 May, with grant
recipents being announced on World Environment Day - 5 June. Applications can be downloaded from the City of
Hobart’s website and can be obtained from Council's Customer Service Centre.

Conferences, Seminars & Workshops

Managing Contracts in Local Government
A one-day training course on Managing Contracts in Local Government will be held in Hobart on 20 April to assist
procurement practitioners and staff with contract management responsibilities to improve their understanding and
practice in all aspects of contract management. The training, coordinated by LGAT, will be facilitated by
experienced consultants in the procurement area who deliver similar programs to Local Government authorities
throughout Australia. Register by 10 April. Cost is $440 (incl. GST). Click here for details, and here to register.

ACELG Seminar Series - Why Local Government Matters
The next seminar in the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) From Government to
Governance seminar series will focus on community attitudes toward Local Government and how this might inform
its evolving role. This free, evening seminar, to be held in Sydney on 20 April, will review recent comprehensive
research into community attitudes toward Local Government in Australia. The research explores areas such as
community views about what they value about where they live, how they want to engage in decision-making,
service delivery preferences, what role they would like to see Local Government play, and what they think about
amalgamations. Download the event flyer here and register here.

Fostering Entrepreneurship in Rural Communities and Regional Economies
Fostering Entrepreneurship in Rural Communities and Regional Economies - an entertaining and informative Q&A
session facilitated by Peter Kenyon, will be held from 5.00pm - 8.30pm, on 21 April, in Geelong. A panel of five high-
achieving, rural entrepreneurs will deliver some very interesting insights. This event will focus on the importance of
entrepreneurism and entrepreneurs in rebuilding the future of rural communities and local economies. Cost is $35
per person. Click here to download brochure and registration details.

Local Government and Timber Industry Conference
The National Timber Councils Association, along with the Municipal Association of Victoria is pleased to invite you to
the second, biennial Local Government and Timber Industry Conference in Melbourne, from 29-30 April. This
conference aims to give councils an insight into all stages of the industry, focusing on the many opportunities for
collaboration between Local Government and the forest and wood production industry across Australia. This two-
day conference will provide challenging keynote presentations, highly participative discussions, engaging thought
provocation and the opportunity to learn from and share experiences. To register, please click here.

General Scene Management Training
The second session, General Scene Management, in the EPA and Local Government Training program will be
offered in Devonport (28 April), Launceston (29 April) and Hobart (7 May). The day-long session will provide a
general overview of investigation skills required to undertake regulation and compliance and is aimed at council
officers who are required to undertake environmental regulation/compliance activities. A session has also been
scheduled for late May in each of the regions on Environmental Nuisance. For further details and registration, please
refer to the LGAT website.

Small Town Sexy – the Art of Revitalising Small Towns and Communities
On 8 May, Village Well and the Municipal Association of Victoria will be holding a one-day workshop in Melbourne,
entitled Small Town Sexy – the Art of Revitalising Small Towns and Communities, with internationally-renowned, rural
developer, Kim Huston of the USA. She will be joined by Gilbert Rochecouste of Village Well, a world-leading place-
maker who has helped re-vitalise hundreds of small towns, main streets and communities over the last 25 years. Entry
is $265 (includes GST). Click here to download brochure and click here to register.

National Local Government Human Resources Conference
Registrations are now open for the National Local Government Human Resources Conference, to be held in
Melbourne, from 11-13 November. An Early Bird Discount is available. Details of this biannual event, supported by all
State Local Government Associations, can be found here.

What's New on the LGAT Website and Extranet - www.lgat.tas.gov.au

• The 2015 LGAT Annual Conference will be held at The Tramsheds in Launceston, from
22-24 July. For details on booking your accommodation, or securing a sponsor or trade
package, visit the LGAT website.

• Get to know your Local Government Leaders in the April edition of LGAT News, available on
the LGAT website.

• Following the recent training sessions by Page Seager on the LGAT Workplace Behaviour
Toolkit, the Powerpoint presentations , Implementation Guide and Contact Officer Skills
Manual are now available on the LGAT Extranet.

Local Government Events 20 April
28 April
Managing Contracts in Local Government 29 April
General Scene Management Training, Ulverstone 29April - 1 May
General Scene Management Training, Launceston 30 April
LGMA National Congress, Darwin 30 April
General Meeting, Glenorchy 7 May
General Management Committee Meeting, Glenorchy
General Scene Management Training, Hobart

Local Government Association of Tasmania
326 Macquarie Street, Hobart. GPO Box 1521, Hobart, TAS 7001
Ph: (03) 6233 5966 Fax: (03) 6233 5986 Email: [email protected]