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eNewsletter of the Urban Local Government Association of Queensland

Issue 4  -  June 2007

 Date Claimer  

2008 ULGA Conference

Gympie 23-25 July

2007 Conference

Click here for Conference Minutes

 Local Government Reform Process

The Minister for Local Government, Andrew Fraser, was met by 60 disgruntled Council workers before addressing conference delegates on the first day of the conference, Thursday 17 May 2007.

LGAQ President, Paul Bell, described the state government’s reform process as a “cut price discount amalgamation process built on deceit”.

“It is a divisional, deceitful submission writing process of just 20 working days.

“This is bad public policy I thought was dead and buried in the 1970s,” Cr Bell told delegates.

“Two years into the proposed five year (SSS) program we have been betrayed.”

But not all delegates agreed with Cr Bell. Delegates were divided about the effectiveness of the SSS process. Whilst it was said to be “going nowhere” in some shires, it was hailed as a great success in others.

After a lively debate, the following Executive motion was considered and endorsed by delegates.

“That the ULGA regrettably notes the implementation of legislation enforcing local government reform via the appointment of a Commission of Review, and urges ULGA member councils to cooperate proactively in the process to achieve the best outcomes available.

However, the ULGA condemns the manner in which the reform process has been initiated and urges reconsideration of the time frame in which the reform process is to take place.”

ULGA Future Direction

The conference delegates endorsed the ULGA Executive motion for a new future directions strategy for the Association and, to facilitate the provision of this strategy, adopt a revised fee structure of $1,296 per vote per annum with annual increases in line with CPI.

The Executive of the ULGA held an Executive Strategic Workshop, facilitated by a Consultant, in an endeavour to determine an enhanced future direction that would maximise benefits to its member Councils.

Without meaning to state the obvious, ULGA focuses more on urban cities and shires as opposed to rural communities. Urban councils cover two thirds of the state’s population but only receive a small percentage of funding which is disproportionate to its population.

The overwhelming theme to emerge from the workshop centered around a strategy which would see increased funding for the urban councils.

Although it is easy to become involved in every issue that emerges, the ULGA would be better served by identifying a small number of key areas where it can have an influential role.

Ensuring this tight focus will allow ULGA to effectively deploy resources to achieve outcomes for its members.

The following issues were identified as relevant to the ULGA’s focus of effort -

1. there is no doubt that infrastructure delivery and funding is a critical issue. The ULGA’s targeting of this issue via its “Infrastructure Now” campaign needs to be continued into the future to drive for improved funding outcomes for urban communities.
    

2. fair and equitable funding for urban communities needs to be addressed. Presently urban authorities receive comparatively less funding than other local authorities in Queensland. ULGA Councils, representing approximately 80% of Queensland’s population, receive no more than 30% of Federal Assistance Grants.
   
   ULGA can advocate for reforms to the funding structure so that there is a more direct funding arrangement between the Commonwealth Government and local authorities.
    

3. Social Capital formation in urban environments has been flagged as an issue which the ULGA can play an agenda setting and policy leadership role.
    

To complete the following recommendations on the future directions for the ULGA, it has been determined that the association, though its Executive, is under-resourced to complete the goals and gain funding resources for its member councils.

At present, the Executive has limited resources and is unable to facilitate the necessary consultancy and advisory required to deliver the results.

In mapping out the required resources, the result is that member Council fees would be required at $1,296 per vote of each member council.

Based on the outcomes of the strategic direction workshop, the following are recommended to take the ULGA forward over the next three to five years -
 

1. ULGA reaffirms its core business a being an advocacy organisation
    

2. ULGA adopts the focus of policy development and advocacy to -

1. Promote the "Infrastructure Now" agenda

2. Develop and promote a funding reform agenda that seeks to address structural and equity issues in funding.

3. ULGA aggressively pursues its funding agenda during 2007 in the lead up to the Federal Election

4. ULGA adopts an Agenda Setting objective of promoting issues associated with the Social Capital formation in urban environments to its members through research papers, seminars and conferences

5. ULGA proceed towards a "hybrid model" for delivery of its services which incorporates consultants, the private sector and its own resourcing

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ULGA Policy Statement

The draft ULGA Policy Document was endorsed at the Annual Conference in May 2007.  The document can be found on our web site or view a copy here.

The document is divided into two parts.  The first is a 'preamble', and broadly sets out issues such as the ULGA's vision, how it does business, what underpins it relationships with the various levels of government and how the Association interacts with them.  The remainder of the document is the 'policy annex' which has 'statements of principle' on issues raised by member councils.

The document supports the objectives of the Association by providing a comprehensive record of the fundamental principles and position of Urban Local Governments on a diverse range of issues.

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ULGA Certificate of Service

Certificates of Service and pins were awarded to 41 Councillors from

14 ULGA member councils at the Annual Conference in May for service to Local Government and their Community.

ULGA President, Cr Tony Mooney presented the certificates and pins, with our congratulations, to the Councillors who attended the conference.

Worthy of special mention, is our President Cr Tony Mooney who has shown his dedication to local government and his community of Townsville by serving on the Council for 30 years.

Eligible councillors need to have served at least ten years of service.  If you want to receive a certificate and pin next year an application form will be sent to member councils in June 2008 and will be presented at the annual conference in Gympie, 25-28 July 2008. Contact Trish Davey on 4727 9207 or contact@ulga.qld.gov.au for further details if required.

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