Well, we are told that the end of the process that has been under way for the better part of the last four years is drawing near. (more…)
The QPR Blog
…local government stuff you never even thought to ask about…
Local Government Reform (Update 11/14)
The NSW government has now responded to the Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP) recommendations by releasing its Fit for the Future (FFTF) blueprint for the reform the NSW local government sector. This program requires each council to effectively prepare a business plan for its future, based on the recommendations of the ILGRP. The ultimate goal is to give communities confidence that their council is financially sound, operating efficiently and in a strong position to guide community growth and deliver quality services. (more…)
Local Government Funding
At the risk of sounding like I’m making a political statement in the shadow of the federal budget, but following on from the posts of recent months, I thought I’d provide an overview of the regular sources of funding that allow council to carry on its business. Of course it’s budget time for council too, so the following information is also topical in that respect. All quoted figures are from council’s most recent (2012-2013) Audit Report. (more…)
Local Government Reform (Update 03/14)
This is a bit of a dry subject, but I thought it might be worth providing a bit of an update at this point. The final report from the Independent Local Government Review Panel was released in January. (more…)
Constitutional Recognition
This item is now only of historical interest. With the nomination of 7 September 2013 as the date for the Federal Election, the statutory time requirements for the announcement of a referendum cannot be met, so the proposed referendum cannot be held at this time.
The referendum would have sought endorsement to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise the existence of local government. (more…)
Local Government Reform
In 2012, the NSW government established the Independent Local Government Review Panel (Review Panel) to undertake a review, and to formulate options to improve the strength and effectiveness of local government. The Review Panel has released several discussion papers, the most recent last week, entitled Future Directions of NSW Local Government—Twenty Essential Steps. (more…)
Financial Sustainability in NSW Councils
In December 2011, the Department of Local Government engaged TCorp to assist with the development of the NSW government’s Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme (LIRS). The LIRS initiative seeks to assist in addressing Councils’ ‘Infrastructure Backlog’ by providing Councils with an interest rate subsidy on borrowings from the private sector for the funding of qualifying projects. (more…)
Much Ado About Nothing
Generally considered one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, the title of this post seemed quite appropriate given both the matter at hand and The Bard’s use of pun in the title of his play. In Elizabethan times, the words “nothing” and “noting” were homonyms (they were pronounced the same way), and while “nothing” retains its same meaning today, “noting” was a reference to gossip, rumour and overhearing. As with many Shakespearian works, the play loses little relevance with the passage of time. (more…)
Unwanted Noise
I was approached ‘indirectly’ by a resident in a rural residential area who was having trouble with motorbike noise on an adjacent property. The response provided by Council’s planning staff might be of interest to others. (more…)
Palerang Community Voice
There were three primary issues that I wanted to address when I came to Council just over a year ago. These issues all centred on improving Council’s approach to community engagement, through adopting a more service oriented approach to decision making, making more effort to communicate with the wider community, and being more transparent with its decision making processes. (more…)