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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-27 Daily Xml
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:34): I rise to draw honourable members' attention to the achievements and value of our local government sector. Sections 8(b) and (h) of the Local Government Act require that, where a service is a legislative requirement of councils or is provided by local choice, a council must be 'responsive to the needs, interests and aspirations of individuals and groups within its community' and it must 'seek to ensure that council resources are used fairly'. I believe local government councils in South Australia fulfil these requirements to an exemplary degree, and I want to applaud them for their efforts throughout the year.

During my tenure as minister for state/local government relations, I felt privileged to be able to visit a large number of local councils and to hear about their achievements and plans for the future. People think of local government as being concerned with matters such as rubbish, roads, gutters, pools, parks, libraries and planning development assessments, and so they are.

In South Australia, our 68 councils collectively expend approximately $1 billion per year, about half of which is allocated to these services, but I think it is important for the community to be more aware that our local councils achieve much more for them in addition to those important facilities, amenities and services I have mentioned, all of which have evolved over time to enhance our environments and promote harmonious relations between neighbours.

Members present this afternoon are, of course, familiar with a large number of these, and many at very close quarters. When I was minister, I often saw the Hon. John Dawkins at many of the meetings out in country areas. Consider the ways in which councils engage with all sectors of the community every week of the year. Here is a taste of just a few, and the variety is amazing.

Retired Australian and state cricket champions will play Naracoorte's best at T20 cricket at Wortley Oval next weekend, thanks to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council. The Fishing Line Recovery Scheme has been rolled out recently by the Alexandrina Council in collaboration with Wildlife Welfare Organisation (SA) and the Victor Harbor Natural Resource Centre.

Encouraging literacy in our young, Marion council will be hosting a children's Summer Reading Club over the school holidays. The City of Holdfast Bay has announced changes to traffic conditions to safeguard visiting and local revellers on New Year's Eve. The City of Charles Sturt has engaged consultants, planners and designers to develop designs to improve safety and amenity in the streets adjacent to Welland Plaza.

The City of Victor Harbor has launched a consultation to find out what the community thinks about the economic development and tourism services it presently provides. Light Regional Council has announced its Australia Day celebrations at Freeling. The solar array at the Kangaroo Island Airport Visible Solar Project, which was commissioned just this month, tracks the sun throughout the day, increasing annual output by more than 30 per cent, compared to a fixed north-facing solar PV system, and producing more than 100,000 kilowatt hours each year.

Kingston in the South-East took home a series of awards at the 2013 KESAB Sustainable Communities Awards, including the coveted award of Overall Winner 2013. The Unley Symphony Orchestra first played in the Unley Town Hall in 1948. Nearly 70 years later, its current members performed works by Beethoven, Schumann and Rossini in a concert at St Augustine's church last Wednesday. Berri Barmera Council will host Olympic coach Laurie Lawrence at its Kids Alive—Do the Five pool open day on 20 November, promoting swimming safety and providing those attending with an opportunity to comment on pool revitalisation options.

On 3 December, International Day of People with Disability, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield will recognise the contributions of people with disabilities at a special event at Enfield Community Centre. A number of councils are collaborating with Surf Life Saving SA and offering 'On the same wave: beach safety for young new arrivals, migrants and international students'. All 68 South Australian councils have signed up to a national campaign to reduce the environmental impact of Australian food waste and reduce the amount of food that ends up in Australian landfills.

These examples are but a snapshot of the multiplicity of ways in which local councils interact with their communities to the benefit of all. The state government enjoys an excellent relationship with our councils, and the refreshed 2012 State-Local Relations Agreement (with which I was closely involved) established a high-level partnership with particular reference to an agenda for annual priorities and shared management of legislative change.

Similarly, councils are represented through their peak body, the Local Government Association, on the Council of Australian Governments and 13 separate ministerial councils. It is incumbent upon us to support the organisations that most closely interact with our constituents. That is why as minister I gave my support at the 2012 ministerial council—the sole voice, I must say, among my state and territory colleagues—for financial recognition for local government. That is why I will continue to work towards the recognition of local government in our commonwealth Constitution.

In closing, I want to congratulate all those involved with local government, council members, employees, volunteers and communities.

Time expired.

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