A View from Day 1 of the Local Government NSW Annual Conference
A View from Day 1 of the Local Government NSW Annual Conference
Submitted by Geraldine O'Connor on 24th October 2014
The atmosphere started building at Sydney airport as councillors from across NSW assembled for the last flight to Coffs Harbour on Sunday afternoon 19th October. The delegates, observers, council staff and sponsors gathered at the Coffs Harbour Ex-services Club for the 2014 Conference. Uncle Mark Flanders performed the Welcome to Country, and welcomes from Cr Denise Knight Mayor of Coffs Harbor City Council and Cr Keith Rhoades LGNSW followed.
Councillors reconnected, shared stories, and settled into animated conversations over pre-dinner drinks. Topics centered on how councils are currently collaborating, other ways of working, how Water County Councils have been overlooked, and the process of preparing responses for 'Fit for the Future'.
Individual council representation varied, with councils variously sending the mayor, general manager, councillors and staff. Other councils sent only one councillor as an observer, commenting that 'our councillors are just not interested in local government policy'.
Day 1 opened with an address by Premier Baird. Comments such as 'local government is bleeding $1 million a day' and not ruling out forced amalgamations fired up the day. The panel discussion in the afternoon reviewed the State government's 'Fit for the Future' response. The Premier's comments were mentioned and flaws in the approach were argued, including problems with dividing councils based on size, the emphasis on financial sustainability needs over the quadruple bottom line, and the view that incentives for struggling councils were 'penalizing' councils that are financially solid. Unfortunately, the panel discussion and questions raised did not really shed any new light on 'Fit for the Future'.
The Conference Business session consumes most of the day, with moments of tension reported from the delegates in the room. Being a delegate seems to make a difference to the time spent in the auditorium, the 'nerve centre' of the conference, judging by the number of observers scattered round the club. The sessions are broadcast so everyone can keep up with what is happening, but the tension in the room is something best experienced in person. I am off to the conference dinner for around 900. I plan to experience the 'nerve centre' on Day 2.
Geraldine O'Connor is a Senior Programs Officer at the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.
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Submitted by Geraldine O'Connor on 24th October 2014
The atmosphere started building at Sydney airport as councillors from across NSW assembled for the last flight to Coffs Harbour on Sunday afternoon 19th October. The delegates, observers, council staff and sponsors gathered at the Coffs Harbour Ex-services Club for the 2014 Conference. Uncle Mark Flanders performed the Welcome to Country, and welcomes from Cr Denise Knight Mayor of Coffs Harbor City Council and Cr Keith Rhoades LGNSW followed.
Councillors reconnected, shared stories, and settled into animated conversations over pre-dinner drinks. Topics centered on how councils are currently collaborating, other ways of working, how Water County Councils have been overlooked, and the process of preparing responses for 'Fit for the Future'.
Individual council representation varied, with councils variously sending the mayor, general manager, councillors and staff. Other councils sent only one councillor as an observer, commenting that 'our councillors are just not interested in local government policy'.
Day 1 opened with an address by Premier Baird. Comments such as 'local government is bleeding $1 million a day' and not ruling out forced amalgamations fired up the day. The panel discussion in the afternoon reviewed the State government's 'Fit for the Future' response. The Premier's comments were mentioned and flaws in the approach were argued, including problems with dividing councils based on size, the emphasis on financial sustainability needs over the quadruple bottom line, and the view that incentives for struggling councils were 'penalizing' councils that are financially solid. Unfortunately, the panel discussion and questions raised did not really shed any new light on 'Fit for the Future'.
The Conference Business session consumes most of the day, with moments of tension reported from the delegates in the room. Being a delegate seems to make a difference to the time spent in the auditorium, the 'nerve centre' of the conference, judging by the number of observers scattered round the club. The sessions are broadcast so everyone can keep up with what is happening, but the tension in the room is something best experienced in person. I am off to the conference dinner for around 900. I plan to experience the 'nerve centre' on Day 2.
| Geraldine O'Connor is a Senior Programs Officer at the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government. |
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