LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMALGAMATIONS

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about local government.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: During the past week Lord Mayor Michael Harbison has been reported as suggesting the creation of three super councils across Adelaide. Mr Harbison labelled the existing system of 19 separate metropolitan municipalities as a hindrance to South Australia's progress. My questions are:

1. Does the minister agree that the current regime of 19 separate metropolitan municipalities is a hindrance to South Australia 's progress?

2. If so, will the government encourage council amalgamations, and does the minister consider that the state government has a proactive role in facilitating council amalgamations?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:34): Again, I appreciate my first question in relation to this particular portfolio responsibility. I have not yet had the opportunity to be briefed on the respective portfolio areas—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Have a crack!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Don't worry, sit back and relax; I will. Nevertheless, I will attempt to address the detail on which I have been advised. For instance, I know that, as recently reported in the local media, the Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide and the Mayor of the City of West Torrens have had private discussions about the possible merger of those two particular councils. It has also been reported that neither mayor has necessarily raised the idea with his respective council—or, for that matter, with the state government.

There have also been press reports regarding a Salisbury councillor who intends to raise the idea of a possible merger between the Salisbury and Tea Tree Gully councils, although I am advised that the Tea Tree Gully mayor is reported as saying that councils should be looking at sharing services rather than amalgamating.

The mayor of Salisbury said that an amalgamation was not in the council's immediate future. I have been advised that the Port Adelaide Enfield mayor wished to hold informal merger discussions with neighbouring councils, particularly, I understand, Charles Sturt. The mayor indicated that, as there has been increasing speculation of a new round of council amalgamations, the Port Adelaide Enfield Council risked becoming a backwater if it were left out.

It is not the state government's intention, I understand, to pursue the forced amalgamation of councils. Rather, I believe, particularly at this time, it is better to favour the development of joint initiatives between councils that in fact promote economic development and the region in a more strategic and effective way. Forging partnerships and sharing resources, etc. would seem to me to be the initial way to proceed.

I have been advised that the government will support the voluntary amalgamation of councils where it can be clearly demonstrated that local communities will benefit from such an initiative and, in light of the government's Strategic Plan population target and regional boundaries initiatives, there is a convergence of local government service delivery interests at the regional level and governance-related planning and coordination issues.

A number of councils across the state have initiated moves to explore the benefits of cooperation and collaboration in order to promote economic development in their region, and I commend them for that. The initiatives are indeed supported by the state government, and we are working with these councils to ensure that local government will be well placed to respond to future growth in the key regional areas.

That is the issue: these regions do not stand still. We need to meet current needs, but we also need to have plans to meet future developments and directions, and I think it is a good thing that councils are entering into discussions and negotiations to consider better ways to work cooperatively, forge partnerships and work collaboratively with other councils to be more efficient and effective in the delivery of their services.