5/8/06
A healthy local government sector is vital to the effective functioning of local communities and every effort must be made to ensure the sustainability of this important sector into the future, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Jon Ford said today.
Officially opening the 2006 Local Government Week Convention at Burswood, Mr Ford said that while each individual local government faced a different set of circumstances and there could be no blanket solution to all - there was no doubt that more co-operation and sharing of assets or services was the way of the future for many local governments.
A recent report into structural and electoral reform of local government had examined the issue of sustainability in more detail and the State Government was still assessing the feedback and public comment received on the report.
There had already been more than 340 public submissions made and 23 local governments had also contributed to the process. Mr Ford urged communities and councils to keep their submissions coming in.
"The release of the State Government's report into local government sustainability has created an important public debate on the future viability of local government," the Minister said.
"A new Connecting Local Governments funding program totalling $3million has been established to help local governments collaborate on resources and services which create greater efficiencies and cost-savings, while enhancing services to the community.
"I am pleased some councils are already accessing this program, such as the South East Avon Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils (SEAVROC), which has been awarded $10,000 from the fund."
SEAVROC is a group of councils comprising the shires of Cunderdin, Brookton, Beverley, Quairading and York.
These councils have identified resource-sharing initiatives which have the potential to improve the capacity and efficiency of local government services within the area.
A new Wildflower Regional Local Government consisting of the Shires of Carnamah, Coorow, Mingenew, Morawa, Mullewa, Three Springs and Perenjori, was also formed earlier this year and Mr Ford said he welcomed the initiative and co-operation shown by these local governments to support resource sharing.
"Local governments deliver many similar services and experience has shown that, by joining forces, they can often make economies of scale," the Minister said.
"Examples of sharing resources can include key staff, administration infrastructure, IT, services and equipment."
Mr Ford commended WALGA for its organisation of the 2006 Local Government Week, which was a significant annual event bringing metropolitan and regional representatives together in a valuable learning and networking context.
Minister's office: - 9213 7200
