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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-10-19 Daily Xml
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PROVINCIAL CITIES ASSOCIATION

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about the Provincial Cities Association.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: I understand the minister recently attended a meeting of the Provincial Cities Association. Can the minister advise the chamber on the purpose and outcome of this meeting?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:44): I thank the member for his very important question. I recently attended the 48th meeting of the Provincial Cities Association of South Australia as a guest of the chairperson, mayor Joy Baluch. The Provincial Cities Association of South Australia comprises the regional city councils of Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Pirie and Murray Bridge. My ministerial colleague from another place, the Deputy Premier and minister for planning, also accepted an invitation from the association to attend the meeting.

The minister for planning discussed with members issues associated with the anticipated mining and resources development across various regions of South Australia. The minister spoke about the significant regional planning challenges ahead and how the state government and councils might work together in accommodating the infrastructure demands within the affected areas and communities. Members also reported back to the planning minister and myself on the specific challenges facing the regions, including social infrastructure and service provision, road networks and transport services.

It was resolved by the meeting that the Provincial Cities Association consolidate the issues relevant to their regions so that they can be raised at the Government Planning Coordinating Committee (GPCC), which is represented by the chief executive of every state government department. The provincial cities group, through the Department of Planning and Local Government, will be able to make recommendations to the GPCC, which can then receive attention from a whole-of-government perspective. It is anticipated that country councils will also be able to raise matters through their regional Local Government Association branch.

I think it is important that regional councils which share similar opportunities and similar pressures have an ongoing dialogue with the state government about the issues that are at the forefront of their agenda. It is imperative that we continue to work closely together as state and local governments as development opportunities for our communities emerge.

I also had the opportunity to address the meeting and take questions on a range matters relevant to the local government sector and, in particular, regional city councils. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Provincial Cities Association for their ongoing commitment to regional representation and policy development.

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