Local government adapts to changing times

Strong economic growth is delivering benefits to many Western Australian local governments which are currently facing the challenge of growth at a local level. Local Government Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today spoke about the issue at the Annual General Meeting of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) at the 2007 Local Government Convention.

(PressZoom) - Strong economic growth is delivering benefits to many Western Australian local governments which are currently facing the challenge of growth at a local level.

Local Government Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today spoke about the issue at the Annual General Meeting of the Western Australian Local Government Association ( WALGA ) at the 2007 Local Government Convention.

Ms Ravlich said the growth of the State�s economy had seen strong local governments become more efficient and deliver a higher level of support and community amenities.

The Minister said a host of innovative solutions and partnership arrangements developed by local governments highlighted both their adaptability and readiness to meet those challenges.

Partnerships between the State Government and local governments have led to some major new initiatives that will benefit local communities as well as have a flow-on effect to surrounding areas, she said.

Ms Ravlich said she was pleased to see a range of voluntary resource-sharing initiatives being implemented between individual local governments, such as the town centre revitalisation for the City of Wanneroo and a range of infrastructure improvement projects in Maddington-Kenwick.

The formation of the new City of Geraldton-Greenough and Shire of Northam has ensured that one strong and responsive council is better equipped to serve its community, she said.

The shires of Albany, Cranbrook, Denmark and Plantagenet have formed the Rainbow Coast Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils to resource-share waste management, a regional saleyard and regional abattoirs.

The Minister said she was impressed that WA�s local government sector had shown itself to be capable of adaptability and change in order to create a modern, responsive workforce that was service-oriented.

I am proud of the efforts of many local governments to encourage diversity in their workforces and encourage more women and indigenous people to join the sector, she said.

Ms Ravlich said that major changes introduced to local government elections this year would encourage a wider range of candidates to take part.

Local government elections would now be based on the preferential and proportional voting system consistent with the State and Federal electoral system rather than the first-past-the-post system previously used. Elections would now be held in October, rather than May.

I believe local governments in WA are rising to the challenge of becoming a more efficient and accountable sector that is prepared to face the future with confidence, Ms Ravlich said.

Minister's office - 9213 6800

as posted on PressZoom

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Little Response ...

... a week ago I sent an email similar to the post below,
to each of the COG councilors, to date I have received only
one response (from the Deputy Mayor), given that some councilors
"don't use" email (yet their email address is advertised on the
COG website), it is a very dismal response, but unfortunately it
is the response that I expected.

peter evans

Please comment ...

Hi I am asking for your opinion/feedback as residents and ratepayers.

Recently I received a letter from staff advising me of Amendment No. 75 to TPS No.6, this amendment is "... Modify the boundary of the Local Open Space Reserve on Towncentre Drive, Thornlie and rezone a portion of Lot 9005 Towncentre Drive, Thornlie from "Residential R30" and "District Centre" to "Residential R80".

Firstly I would like to say that it is ridiculous to propose a R80 zone in this area, but I will discuss this matter at a later date.

My first concern is the amendment to modify the boundary, I say NO, but then again it has already happened!!

We have houses being built, and houses already built on land currently zoned as Local Open Space, how can this be, you ask? I would like to hear your opinion on this, either by commenting on this post, or send me an email to webyter@gmail.com.

I would like to note that the meetings of 13th April 1999 and 13th July 1999, give a partial answer to how this situation has occurred, and I hope that you will take the time to look into this matter and advise me of your thoughts.

The main point I am trying to point out is that we the public are being asked to comment on this amendment to modify the boundary, after the event, and no it is not a simple mapping error that needs to be corrected, the minutes I have previously mentioned clearly point this out.

I look forward to hearing your spin on this situation, would you be interested in signing a petition to stop the rezoning?

peter evans

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