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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-18 Daily Xml
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT (BOUNDARY REFORM) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 14 May 2009. Page 2771.)

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (11:25): The member for Fisher has called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry, to be known as the Metropolitan Councils Boundaries Reform Commission, to inquire into and report on the appropriate number and configuration of metropolitan councils in South Australia. The government does not support this bill.

The government considers that there are more important things for state and local government to focus on at the present time. This government is engaged in the most significant range of planning reforms that the state has seen in decades. These reforms will provide strong, sustainable direction for the future growth and development of Adelaide and the regions.

We need to plan for population growth and change, residential development, economic development and, more importantly, sustainability. The state is looking to local government to be a strong and strategic partner in this process and to participate on a regional basis. A key component of the planning reforms is—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Finniss!

Mr PICCOLO: Mr Speaker, the member for Finniss came to this place promising so little and has delivered even less, so what he says does not really worry me.

A key component of the planning reforms is the proposed 30-year plan for Greater Adelaide. Consultation undertaken as part of the development of the plan included a series of workshops between state and local government. The workshops held with groups of local councils were positive and constructive, with councils ready and willing to work together to develop regional perspectives, as well as bringing to the table their local knowledge and priorities. The state will continue to work with councils on a regional basis to drive the planning strategy and coordinate the joint implementation of infrastructure and services. I emphasise, Mr Speaker: to coordinate the joint implementation of infrastructure and services.

The member for Fisher has acknowledged that there is already a significant amount of collaborative activity between councils at the operational level, and I am happy to note that this is increasing. I am confident that, at this time, more effective resource sharing between councils and across the local government sector will continue to be a strong focus.

In summary, for the state and local government to focus at this time on a review of the structure and number of metropolitan councils, as proposed by the Hon. Bob Such, is a distraction from the important work that is already taking place. We need to concentrate on the main agenda, that is, we need to plan for the future of our state and manage growth by setting a long-term plan for metropolitan Adelaide.

Our metropolitan councils understand this and are willing partners in the process. They are taking a mature and responsible approach to the big picture issues facing our state today and into the future, and they are embracing strategies to work cooperatively and collaboratively together. The government does not support the bill.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Pengilly.

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