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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-10-19 Daily Xml
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REGIONAL COUNCILS

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:12): Thank you, sir—it's their time. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about regional councils.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Thank you, sir.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: It's all right, Mr President, I can stand here for another 12 minutes.

The PRESIDENT: You can sit down, too.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: I can stand here for another 12 minutes.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Gazzola. The Hon. Mr Stephens will take his seat.

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: He was sitting down because of the disruption in the chamber caused by the Hon. Mr Ridgway.

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: It's no good arguing about a popularity contest in here because I would win it hands down! The Hon. Mr Gazzola.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Thank you, sir. I understand that the minister recently joined the South Australian Local Government Grants Commission on a visit to Port Augusta and the Flinders Ranges regional councils. Can the minister advise the council on the purpose and outcomes of the visit?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his important question. As I have previously advised the chamber, I believe that an important part of my role as Minister for State/Local Government Relations is to try to meet as many representatives from councils across the state and, where possible, by the end of this year. I want to find out firsthand from mayors, councillors and council staff about the specific challenges they face in the region or area.

Last month, I joined the Local Government Grants Commission on a visit to the councils of Port Augusta, Orroroo, Carrington and Peterborough. Upon arriving in Port Augusta, I also received a tour of the Outback Communities Authority's headquarters, located in Tassie Street.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: It's beautiful, yes; very good. Members would be aware that the functions of the authority are to manage the provision of and promote improvements in public service and facilities for outback communities and to articulate the views, interests and aspirations of these communities. The authority is supported by seven personnel, including the general manager, Mr Mark Sutton, who manages the daily operations for the OCA at a strategic level.

I then joined the Local Government Grants Commission chair, Ms Mary Patetsos, and visited the Port Augusta council at the chambers. This was an excellent opportunity to find out firsthand from the councillors and council staff about specific challenges facing the region, as well as outlining how I intend to work with local government.

The Hon. J.M. Gazzola interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I think you'll be right. The council meeting also provided an opportunity for Grants Commission staff to discuss the latest rounds of financial assistance grants payments with councillors and council staff.

In 2011-12 the Port Augusta city council received just over $2.8 million (or $192.40 per capita) in general purpose grants; just over $270,000 in identified local road funding; and just over $120,000 in supplementary local road funding. In total, the council received just over $3.2 million (or $218.83 per capita) in 2011-12.

The next morning I met with the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton. Staff of the Grants Commission were also in attendance and again were able to brief the council on the latest round of financial assistance grants payments. For 2011-12 the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton received $838,159 (or $900.28 per capita) in general purpose grants (members will note that almost half the council's budget comes from local government grants); $236,251 in identified local road funding; and $105,609 in supplementary local road funding.

Council also has a joint project approved under the special local roads program for 2011-12, with the District Council of Mount Remarkable, for sealing the Booleroo to Pekina road, for which $768,000 will be provided. Excluding the joint funding, the council received $1,180,019 (or $1,267.47 per capita). The District Council of Orroroo Carrieton has less capacity than the average council to raise revenue and a greater than average expenditure need, and its general purpose grant has increased by 9 per cent for 2011-12.

Later that day I met with the District Council of Peterborough, mayor Ruth Whittle and the CEO of the council, Mr Terry Barnes. Once again, I was accompanied by the grants commission, which briefed the council on financial assistance grants and the status of the council's application for funding under the Local Government Disaster Fund. For 2011-12 the District Council of Peterborough will receive nearly $1.3 million (or $659.27 per capita) in general purpose grants; $229,167 in identified local road funding; and $102,442 in supplementary local road funding. In total, the council received $1,629,719 (or $827.69 per capita)—

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: If the member wants to ask me a question he can do it when I am finished. He is not even attempting to whisper. I would appreciate his getting up and asking me a supplementary question and I will be happy to answer the question.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The honourable minister should direct his remarks through the chair.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Meeting with these councils was an extremely valuable experience for me personally to be able to learn more about the shared and individual issues facing our councils across the state, and I look forward to working with these councils in the future.

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