Local gov't co-operation could help Kimberley & NT communities

21/11/98

Co-operation between local governments in the Kimberley and the Northern Territory could be an effective way to improve the delivery of services to people in those areas, Local Government Minister Paul Omodei said today.

Mr Omodei was speaking at a joint meeting of the Kimberley Ward of the Country Shire Councils' Association and the Northern Territory Local Government Association being held in Darwin this weekend.

The two groups hold one combined meeting each year, alternating between a Territory and a Kimberley venue.

Mr Omodei said he had put a lot of effort into encouraging Western Australian local governments to explore the benefits of sharing staff and other resources in a bid to improve the quality of the services they delivered.

The natural links that existed between local governments across the Top End presented a good argument for similar cross-border co-operation in resource sharing.

After attending the conference in Darwin today and tomorrow, Mr Omodei will visit Melville Island tomorrow to discuss the benefits of community government with local community leaders.

"I am interested in seeing how this form of local government brings benefits to Aboriginal communities, and perhaps identifying a few ideas for some of our own communities which might feel isolated from their local government," he said.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9213 6700