What does the future hold for local government in NSW? Can councils play a stronger, more effective role to support local communities? Can they all survive financially? Will they need to change their focus, structures or boundaries to meet the changing needs of their communities?


These are some of the questions the Independent Local Government Review Panel will be asking councils and community members over the next two months as the Review’s first round of consultation begins. To mark the start of the discussions, the Panel has launched a new website and released a consultation paper for public comment.


The Independent Review Panel was appointed by the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Don Page MP, earlier this year following an approach from the Local Government and Shires Associations.


Under the chairmanship of Professor Graham Sansom of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government, the Panel will spend the next 12 months holding discussions with the widest possible range of people and organisations throughout New South Wales, reviewing and commissioning research, and assessing a variety of local government models. The two other members of the Panel are Ms Jude Munro AO and Mr Glenn Inglis.


Several rounds of consultation are planned, commencing with a month-long “listening tour” from July 23.


“This first round of consultation is deliberately broad,” Professor Sansom said. “The Minister has made it clear that “everything is on the table” for this review and we want to honour that by allowing people to raise all the issues that are important to their councils and communities. This will help us to refine key concerns and options for our research and for further consultation.


“The Panel is an independent body and we approach this process with an open mind and open ears. We really want to hear what people have to say about the future of local government in this State.


“Councils play a vital role in community life,” Professor Sansom continued, “so we will be taking our time to carefully explore all the issues raised. We need to come up with the best possible framework for local government over the next 20-30 years to meet the future challenges facing NSW communities. Our final report will be presented to the Minister in July 2013.”


Some of the key issues the Review will explore include:

  • Councils’ ability to support the current and future needs of their communities
  • Councils’ capacity to deliver infrastructure and services in a timely and efficient manner
  • The financial sustainability of local councils
  • The need for effective local representation and decision-making
  • Barriers and incentives for voluntary boundary changes and the scope for increased regional cooperation between councils.

 


The consultation paper provides a number of key questions to open the discussion, with an opportunity to respond via an on-line feedback form, email, or written submissions.

The program includes visits to all regions and meetings in: Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Jerilderie, Guyra, Newcastle, Taree, Tamworth, Ballina, Kiama, Orange and Dubbo, as well as several centres across Sydney.


Further information is available on the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s website at www.localgovernmentreview.nsw.gov.au