When the end of the year rolled to a close we all knew where things stood with the NSW Government’s reviews of local government.
The compelling, well-researched and scholarly final report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel had been submitted to the Government in October 2013 and publicly distributed. We all knew what was being proposed and, after committing resources like this, surely the Government would have to do something.
Similarly, the Local Government Acts Taskforce submitted their proposals for a new Local Government Act and Review of the City of Sydney Act around the same time - on 16 October, to be exact.
Both reports and their comprehensive recommendations had followed an intensive period of consultation with local government organisations, unions and the community. It was clearly time to do something - even for a Government constrained by a policy prior to the last election opposed to compulsory amalgamations.
Well, it’s been three months, how have things progressed since October?
Like this?
Maximum speed a few centimetres a day
Or like this?
Maximum speed 0.3kph
Or even like this?
Maximum speed 1.9 kph
On 8 January 2014 Minister for Local Government Don Page announced to everyone that he was “pleased to advise that the final reports of the Independent Local Government Review Panel and the Local Government Acts Taskforce have been released.” This was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph (although the Telegraph was unable to find a reason to bag climate science, which was a bit of a surprise) and for those of us on holidays at the time and reading the paper, the reports sounded very familiar.
The reason they were familiar was that, as pleased as the Minister might be, what he had released were the reports we all had since October.
It’s hard to know exactly what’s happened in that three months but the Government has announced that the Division of Local Government will be receiving written submissions now until Friday 7 March. We thought everyone had had a go.
One of the problems about opposition parties winning government is that often they don’t really know how to govern. The embarrassing inaction of the O’Farrell Government in a climate where everyone wants something done about drunk blokes cowardly punching innocents, is one example of the malaise that can affect a government lacking the confidence to do something.
But the problem about being the government is that you have to do something.
Clearly if the NSW Government is going to do something about reforming local government, in a climate where everyone expects it and the overwhelming majority will welcome it, they should do it a bit quicker.
Unless, like a good chess player, they are playing 17 moves ahead. Give everyone a few more months, then a few more months of consideration and, before you know it, there will be an election in New South Wales and the Government can change its policy about compulsory amalgamations and get on with it.
Want to feel as good as Adam?
The depa Union Picnic Day Golf Day is on again this year at Blackheath Golf Course on Friday 14 March 2014.
We have already had calls from impatient golfers and people looking for a good walk in a nice location with people they work with, so we know there is a high level of interest from the usual participants. And we remember there being a high level of commitment at the end of the day last year for people to come back and wrestle the cup away from North Sydney.
This is a great opportunity for members to get together with other members from their own Council or with friends from other councils and come and enjoy one of the most picturesque golf courses in the Blue Mountains - or anywhere else for that matter.
We get teams from Bega and Shoalhaven as well is metropolitan councils and no one goes away disappointed.
And you could walk away with the prestigious depa Cup and, invariably, a presentation to the successful team from the Mayor or General Manager of the winning Council.
Remember also, so you don’t have to ring up and ask, this day is restricted to financial members of depa. As if that would be a surprise to anyone, although it sometimes is.
Send your team or your expression of interest to
Like to be one of our representatives on the NSW Food Regulation Forum?
The Food Regulation Forum operates as a consultative mechanism between NSW Health, the Food Authority and local government. depa has two representatives and we are looking for volunteers.
This is an opportunity for an enthusiastic EHO to represent us in having a say about food regulation with all costs paid by NSW Health. Let the good times roll.
But first, a warning. There is a high correlation between being our representative and getting a job outside the industry or getting pregnant, so statistically there are some risks involved.
Interested?
