United Nations Headquarters, New York, Conference Room 2

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Seventh Session
New York, 21 April – 2 May 2008
Panel Discussion: ‘Managing Indigenous Local Governments: balancing traditions with emerging challenges’

Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission of Australia,
23 April 2008

(extract only)

“In the time available, I am going to discuss some of the existing local government models in Australia and the challenges and opportunities they create for Indigenous peoples. I will also do so by reflecting on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Of particular relevance to the discussion are Articles 3 – 5 and 18 of the Declaration. These provide for a right of self-determination; including a right to self-government in matters relating to local and internal affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions; rights to maintain and strengthen distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions; and rights to participate in decision making, including through representatives chosen by themselves. “

Full text at

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/PFII/local_govt.html

In case you missed this in WCC media release:

“… to register interest in the review of the Engagement Framework Policy … residents can contact the Community Engagement Coordinator on 4227 7096 or email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au .”

Getting some recognition and resources for community advisory groups (NCs, LAMs etc) is an important small step along the longer reform path which will change WCC into something new and effective.

WCC – MODERN FORM OF ORGANISATION – OBSOLETE

What we really require is a review of Wollongong City Council itself as a form of organisation. My own position is that Wollongong City Council itself (like all forms of modern organisations) is obsolete as a community governance vehicle.

For some of my recent thoughts (Word documents) on some short and intermediate scenarios see:

1. http://cid-7a4d9b74955d2f57.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/New%20paradigm.doc

and on the longer term scenario

2. http://cid-7a4d9b74955d2f57.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/New%20epistme.doc

Not to say anything written there will come to be – just my take on things from a different perspective to that which orginates within the present dominant culture at Council.

Bruce Reyburn

WEDNESDAY, 23 APRIL 2008. WCC Media release ISSUED BY THE WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY DIVISION Web http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Residents are encouraged to have their say on the range of services, facilities and projects Wollongong City Council is proposing to deliver over the next five years as part of the draft Management Plan 2008-12.

Council’s Administrators tonight endorsed the draft Plan for public exhibition, giving the community 28 days to comment on Council’s proposed activities, services and five year budget allocations, before a final Plan is reviewed and adopted in June.

The General Manager, David Farmer, said through the Plan, Council has made a commitment to long term financial sustainability by reinvesting substantial funds into the city’s basic infrastructure, rather than embarking on major debt funded projects.

Read the rest of this entry »

Media release ISSUED BY THE WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY DIVISION

Web http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au, WEDNESDAY, 23 APRIL 2008

Wollongong City Council’s Administrators tonight (Wed 23 April) voted to review the organisation’s community engagement approach through a comprehensive evaluation of the Community Engagement Framework Policy and the Community Engagement Options Report adopted by Council in 2006.

Council also agreed to implement interim community engagement options while the review of the Framework is completed and the results reported to the June Council meeting. It was also highlighted at tonight’s meeting that Council would consider establishing an Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel as part of the development assessment process.

Council’s General Manager, David Farmer, said tonight’s decision to review the Engagement Framework is timely and an indication of Council’s commitment to improving and enhancing the way we engage with the community.

Read the rest of this entry »

2020 Governance Forum
Charter of Rights

2020 is a summit about ideas; on of the biggest idea we can devise is a Charter of Rights. This Charter should be a statement of our fundamental values and protect our rights and freedoms. It would serve as the ultimate expression of our democracy.
State legislatures have started to enact laws, but this is a piece-meal, limited and legally problematic
approach. A national Charter, born of discussion, consultation and consensus is needed both practically and symbolically to unify, harmonise and safeguard our shared experience.
The Charter must also take into account Australia’s Indigenous history and peoples. It must take both a
contemporary and long-term view, to ensure that it codifies appropriate rights and freedoms, in the context of Australia’s Constitution, history and obligations under international law.

Politics and the new technology revolution

A contemporary healthy democracy relies on an engaged citizenry who not only inform but also actively create our political reality. Apart from the periodic opportunity to vote, for too long we have been excluded from the processes that inform the key decisions we make as a nation. Inclusive and deliberative processes will break down these barriers to political engagement.
Sincere financial and political investment is required in accessible means to allow multi-channel pathways to engagement. This can best be achieved by employing new and online technologies to engage the broadest constituency at the deepest level. This allows the free flow of information both ways between the government and the governed, but also the formal integration of community consultation in the decision-making process.
New technology has revolutionised the way we do everything from shopping to communicating. Now it is also revolutionising the way we do politics. A transparent and accountable online interface between the governed and our governors will be essential to a vibrant democracy and our shared 2020 future.

————————

GETUP! – 2020 Ideas Forum

These contributions are based on ideas and comments taken from GetUp’s 2020 Ideas Forum. 4500 comments and ideas, 30,000 unique visitors and 85,000 ratings.
They reflect the intent of the contributors – but not necessarily GetUp!
Read the full discussion at www.getup.org.au.

From ABC website:

“Opposition lambasts ‘spin-obsessed’ Iemma

The New South Wales Opposition says the State Government is spending excessive amounts of taxpayer money on media monitoring.

A tender document for media monitoring services shows 55,000 text messages and 25,000 media summaries are sent each month to ministers, their staff and government departments.

NSW Deputy Opposition Leader Jillian Skinner says it shows the government is obsessed with spin.

“You’d think that if they had such up-to-date monitoring of the media, they’d be doing a better job of it,” she said.

…

But a spokeswoman for Mr Iemma says the volume of media alerts is not excessive because all government agencies and departments receive them.

She says there would be hundreds of recipients for media alerts and it would not just be ministers and their staff who use the services.

She also defended the extra amount of money the State Government has for media services compared to the Opposition, saying monitoring the media is essential for hearing community issues.”

Full text:

Opposition lambasts ‘spin-obsessed’ Iemma http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/28/2228910.htm

Read the rest of this entry »

ORDINARY MEETING OF WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2008

PRESENT Administrators Dr C Gellatly (in the Chair), G Kibble AO and R McGregor AM

ITEM 9 – REVIEW OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND POLICY AND PROPOSED INTERIM OPTION (SU25965) – REPORT OF MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS  AND STRATEGY (GD) 10/04/08

97 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that Council –

1 Review the Community Engagement Framework and Policy and the
Options Report and report back to Council on 24 June 2008.

2 Implement a revised range of Community Engagement Options until the
review of the Engagement Framework, Policy and Options Report is
complete.

Media Release  Thursday 24 April 2008

The South Coast Labour Council has welcomed the decision of last night’s Wollongong Council meeting to review the decision which would have otherwise led to the demolition of the Wollongong Town Hall.

South Coast Labour Council Secretary, Arthur Rorris, said:

“This is good decision by the Administrators and offers hope to the community that common sense may prevail and that the Town Hall will be restored to operate as a civic centre for the City as originally intended.”

“The focus on acoustics, heritage aspects and public amenity is also a good sign that the Administrators are prepared to consider community interest and not just the financial bottom line.”

“The South Coast Labour Council will work with the community groups who have been campaigning tirelessly to save the Town Hall in order to provide additional relevant information to assist the Administrators in their review and to continue the campaign.”

The South Coast Labour Council  imposed a Green Ban on the Town Hall site last month after the matter was referred to it by the Australian Workers Union and CFMEU.

Contact:        Arthur Rorris: 0409 223 029

ITEM 9
REF: CM56/08
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND POLICY AND PROPOSED
INTERIM OPTION
Report of Manager Communications and Strategy (GD) 10/04/08 SU25965
PROGRAM City Leadership
FUNCTION Community Engagement
STRATEGY Undertake a review of the Community Engagement Framework and Policy

PRECIS
This report provides background to Council’s Community Engagement Framework, Policy and options Report (2006). This report recommends the review of these documents and proposes a range of interim engagement options until the review has been completed.

RECOMMENDATION
1 Review the Community Engagement Framework and Policy and the Options Report and report back to Council in July 2008.
2 Implement a revised range of Community Engagement Options

CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION
This report proposes that an extensive engagement strategy be undertaken with internal and external stakeholders, using the abovementioned options, and a discussion paper. Any proposed amendments would be placed on public exhibition.

OPTIONS
1. Maintain existing arrangements while the review is conducted.
2. Introduce interim arrangements while the review is conducted.

(see Proposed Interim Options)

Read the rest of this entry »

The accepted principle that the polluter pays does not apply in Wollongong. The Carr government sold the publicly owned Tallawarra Lands (600 hectares  and nearly six kilometres of Lake Illawarra frontage)  for 3 million dollars up front in a secret deal.  Some more  money due later when they made a profit.

Conditions for this bonanza were that the buyer had to build a gas fired power station and some of  the lands could be sold for further employment opportunities and the rest  kept as environment conservation.

The China Light and Power Company  known as TRUenergy in Australia bought the Lands. They knew that the Wollongong Council was weak and  corrupt. We, the Concerned Residents of East Dapto, have obtained Council documents which show that they had an accurate view of the  Council Planning Dept. and highlights the very cosy relationship some of them came to have with TRUenergy officials. This led to a plan for a huge housing estate at Tallawarra only to be revealed when the Wollongong Draft LEP is put on public display some time later  in 2008.

Read the rest of this entry »