LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (14:57): Can the Minister for State/Local Government Relations advise the house what the state government is doing to support and encourage local government to better consult and involve their communities?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Volunteers, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting in Early Childhood Development) (14:58): As the member for Mount Gambier so rightly pointed out, he amended the legislation. So, there is now a requirement for local councils to, in fact, consult with their communities—particularly on matters of their business plans and budget allocations. It is a very good way of involving their communities and making the process much more inclusive, and that process is currently underway around South Australia at the moment. I encourage all those who have an interest in their communities to take up this opportunity. I know the member for Light is very interested in programs that better involve our communities in the decision-making processes of local councils.

I have also asked the Office for State and Local Government Relations to work with the Local Government Association to undertake a project focusing on best practice in local government community engagement. As part of the project, examples of community engagement across councils in South Australia were documented. This involved 25 councils providing case studies, seven from country South Australia, highlighting innovative and practical ways of engaging with their communities. I am told the feedback from councils and from community stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive and appreciative of the showcase that has been produced.

More recently a handbook has also been produced to assist local government in planning for more effective community involvement and consultation. Playford, Campbelltown, Mount Barker and Whyalla councils road-tested the handbook through its various stages of development, and I would like to thank them for their assistance.

The handbook is a practical 'how to' guide for councils which is easily adapted to local circumstances. It seeks to clarify consultation requirements of the Local Government Act and the Development Act, provide a method for the selection of an appropriate level of community consultation, demonstrate ways of providing feedback to communities on their input and inform decision-making processes. I am sure the handbook will be a valuable tool for all councils. I have sent a copy of the handbook to all members of parliament, and the Local Government Association is distributing it to councils throughout South Australia.

This is another example of the cooperative relationship that exists between the state government and local government and how we work together to assist both councils and their communities. The revocation of—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: We hear the member for Finniss barking over there. He is sitting there waiting to inflame things. We heard the silly comments he made in this house last week. After 17 years in local government, you would think he would know better. The revocation of community land is also an area that can be contentious and one in which communities are entitled to have a say. I have consistently encouraged councils to inform affected residents and to make every effort to publicise their intentions to the community in a manner that is easily understood and the land easily identified.

In order to facilitate this and other elements of the community land revocation process, shortly I shall be sending out the new electronic guide to all councils which outlines clearly the revocation process and highlights the importance of clear and unambiguous consultation on any such proposals.

As Minister for State/Local Government Relations, I will continue to support councils in South Australia to develop creative and innovative approaches to consultation and engagement with their communities and to highlight and promote best practices in this area for all levels of government to consider and learn from.