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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-07-01 Daily Xml
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OUTBACK AREAS TRUST

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about the new Outback Areas Trust.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Our state covers a huge area and contains some of the most sparsely populated areas in Australia. Will the minister update the chamber on the new arrangements for the new outback areas authority?

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 for the City of Adelaide) (14:55): I thank the member for his most important question. I am pleased today to be able to tell the council about the inception of our new Outback Communities Authority. The new authority will replace the Outback Areas Community Trust as the governing authority for more than 30 outback communities: those communities which do not fall within an incorporated area and which are not serviced by a council. The authority, like the trust, will service a vast region covering, I understand, 65 per cent of the state and containing around 3,800 people.

Under the new governance arrangements, outback residents will have a greater say in shaping the future of the outback, with the opportunity to put forward views on a five-year strategic management plan, annual business plan and also a budget.

The new authority will work in consultation with each community to develop these long-term plans for the development of community infrastructure and service delivery. These plans will set the priorities and guide the level of spending on defined projects over successive years, as well as the amount of asset sustainability levy, which can be introduced at a later date to help infrastructure and other service needs.

The new authority will retain continuity and the corporate memory of the previous body through the continuing involvement of Mr Bill McIntosh, who lives near Blinman and who has been the chair of the trust since 1996 and a member since 1988, and Ms Pat Katnich, who has been a deputy member of the trust—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No, I unfortunately have not had the pleasure of visiting. After advertising widely for expressions of interest in the outback areas, I am pleased to see the calibre and quality of those who put their names forward for consideration as members of the authority. Each member appointed brings unique experience particularly relevant to life in the outback in fields, including community governance and engagement, strategic planning, financial management, business, environmental management, health and medicine, land use, youth services, tourism and farming.

All seven members have strong connections with people who live in and service the outback, and four of the members come from different outback communities, thoroughly equipping them to engage with communities and supporting them to respond to infrastructure and service demands.

I am especially pleased that the former chair of the Outback Areas Community Development Trust, Mr Bill McIntosh, has been appointed as the chair of the new authority. Mr McIntosh's leadership as the chair of the trust and membership of the Regional Communities Consultative Council, SA Arid Lands NRM Board, SA National Parks and Wildlife Council, and the new State Bushfire Coordination Committee is a clear indication of his unwavering dedication to improving life in the outback. His leadership will help to ensure a smooth transition to the new governance arrangements. Other members appointed include:

As previously mentioned, Ms Pat Katnich, a tourism development consultant, who has been a deputy member of the trust since 2005. Pat has strong ties to Andamooka, as a past member of the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association, and she has extensive experience with tourism development in the outback.

Ms Toni Bauer, a Marree-based student, who is currently completing a bachelor degree in urban, rural and environmental planning, through LaTrobe University. Her work experience includes membership of an Aboriginal cultural awareness committee and experience in the New South Wales judicial system. She has also helped to mentor teenagers and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ms Frances Frahn, a pastoralist and participant in state and national leadership forums for young pastoralists. She also has had experience working with young people, and she developed the trust's youth development strategy.

Ms Jennifer Cleary, a Port Augusta-based senior research development manager at University of South Australia's Whyalla campus, responsible for investigating regional and community development opportunities and sustainability issues. As chair of the RDA Far North board, and having had a number of other senior positions in state government, she brings a wealth of skill.

There is also Ms Margaret Heylen, a strategic and social planning consultant based in Aldgate, who has undertaken work for state/local government over a number of years, specialising in community engagement. Margaret currently holds a number of positions on government and non-government boards and committees, and she also worked as a consultant to the trust in 2008 to facilitate and report on the outcome of community forums which tested future governance arrangements for the outback.

Lastly, Mr George Beltchev, an executive consultant in SA Health, has had a key role in developing key performance indicators for small, community-based organisations funded by government. Mr Beltchev has also held a position as chief executive, Country Health SA, and since 1985 has held a number of executive positions in health, human services, mental health and correctional services portfolios.

The authority will be supported by state government staff based primarily at Port Augusta. I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the previous trust members. Since it was established more than 30 years ago, the trust has had 31 passionate advocates who have supported outback areas in delivering a range of improvements, such as rainwater tanks, airstrips, public toilets—the list goes on. They have many achievements of which they should be proud. I would particularly like to thank the serving members of the trust who have paved the way to strengthen those governance arrangements for the outback which will operate from today.

The outgoing members are: Mr Gary Fuller, Ms Bernadette Giles, Ms Joy Baluch, Mr Stuart Knox and Ms Julie Mould. I am sure members of this chamber would also want to acknowledge the dedication and work of these community members and pay tribute to their efforts.

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