I came across this in looking at some of the materials which went to the last “Council” meeting – a summary of a submission from NF5 regarding the Management Plan for 2011-2014. Note the Council response.

Good work NF5! We have to make sure the new Council has ears which can properly hear community voices coming via these means.

The 2011-2014 Management Plan has now been adopted (with minimal changes from any of the submissions received.)

————
23 Submission from NF5

dft Management Plan 2011-14 – Community Engagement – pge 9

A submission that Council needs to develop objectives and strategies to ensure there is effective community consultation and community engagement. In addition a policy statement needs to be developed to
include:

• Council will develop processes and structures to enable community participation to occur
• Consultation processes will include mechanisms that enable members of the community to actively participate in developing policies, plans, services and infrastructure.
• Processes will include the establishment of specific working groups and forums around particular issues, and the use of existing community committees/forums.
• Participation can include the establishment of community committees of management and advisory structures in which representatives of the community undertake decision making and/or management of services on behalf of Council. Such structures usually have terms of reference from the Council which defines the decision making powers of the community management/advisory structure.

Divisional Response

Council’s Community Consultation will be reviewed later this year. Your suggestions will be taken into consideration as part of this Review and Neighbourhood Forums will be a key stakeholder in the Review.

With respect to active community participation in developing plans and services, the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework will support this to happen. The Community Engagement Strategy for the development of the Community Strategic Plan will implement engagement methods and techniques to reach all stakeholders; and ensure that the views, visions, aspirations and priorities of the community are heard.

Posted on June 21, 2011 Joint Media Release

Attorney-General
Hon. Robert McClelland MP

Minister for Regional Australia,
Regional Development and Local Government
Hon. Simon Crean MP

The Gillard Government today announced former Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court, the Honourable James Spigelman AC, will lead an expert panel on recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution.

Today’s announcement coincided with Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean’s address to the 2011 National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association in Canberra.

Mr Crean said the Assembly was the first major gathering of Australian mayors and councillors this year and was a great chance to reflect on the opportunities for local government.

“The Conference provides an opportunity to progress the question of recognising local government in the Constitution, a commitment that successive Labor governments have never wavered from,” Mr Crean said.

“The Gillard Government, just like the Whitlam and Hawke governments, believes in recognising local government in the Constitution – our foundational document.

“Under the guidance of Justice Spigelman, the new expert panel announced today has been asked to look into the level of support for constitutional recognition of local government and to identify possible forms that recognition could take.

“The Panel will comprise representatives with a range of expertise and will consult with stakeholder groups and the community on options for recognising local government in the Constitution.”

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Justice Spigelman is a strong candidate to chair the Panel and will bring considerable experience to the position.

“Changes to our Constitution have, and always will be, the prerogative of the Australian people which is why consultation on possible options is an important step,” Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.

“The Expert Panel will consult widely and the outcomes will help shape any proposal to put to a referendum.”

The Gillard Government’s commitment to establishing the Expert Panel is reflected in its agreement with the Greens and Independent MP Tony Windsor.

The Panel will report back to the Government by the end of the year. Its Terms of Reference are attached and more information is available at http://www.regional.gov.au/local/crlg/

Expert Panel Terms of Reference
Context

The Government has committed to pursue recognition of Local Government in the Australian Constitution.
Purpose

The Government has decided to establish an independent Expert Panel to consult with stakeholder groups and the community on the level of support for constitutional recognition of local government and to identify possible forms that recognition could take.

The Expert Panel will report to Government in December 2011.

Terms of Reference

The Expert Panel should, report on and make recommendations regarding:

* the level of support for constitutional recognition among stakeholders and in the general community; and

* options for that recognition.

The Expert Panel will have regard to the benefits and risks of the different options as well as outcomes that may be achieved for key stakeholders through constitutional recognition of local government.

In conducting its inquiry, the members of the Expert Panel will consult :

Local governments and their representative bodies, including the Australian Council of Local Government and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA);
State and Territory governments;
Federal parliamentarians;
Subject matter experts, such as constitutional reform, local government and regional government experts; and
Interested members of the Australian community.

The Expert Panel will be supported by a secretariat within the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.

2011 National General Assembly of Local Government
Discussion Paper
Growing with Our Community – Place, Position and Partnership

Prepared by the Australian Local Government Association to help councils develop motions for the 2011 National General Assembly for Local Government
19 – 22 June 2011 National Convention Centre, Canberra

Preamble
The theme for the 2011 National General Assembly for Local Government (NGA) is:
“Growing with our Communities: Places, Position and Partnership‟. The issues discussed in this paper aim to assist councils to develop motions for the 2011 NGA. This paper will discuss a limited range of key policy issues that emerge from international literature and are
of direct relevance to local governments in Australia. While the topics under the themes are not mutually exclusive, they are discussed separately to help focus attention on specific initiatives that could assist local government to address the challenges of meeting the growing demands of local communities. It is anticipated that motions for the 2011 NGA will outline credible ideas and policy initiatives that will strengthen local government’s capacity to respond to the social, economic and environmental challenges facing Australia.

http://nga.alga.asn.au/event/2011/2011_DISCUSSION_PAPER.pdf

David Brown to run for Wollongong lord mayor
by Nicole Hasham
Illawarra Mercury
10 Jun, 2011

Stunned and betrayed by the Wollongong City Council corruption scandal, David Brown took a step back from civic life.

But yesterday, the former Labor councillor moved back into the spotlight, announcing his intention to run for Wollongong lord mayor.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/david-brown-to-run-for-wollongong-lord-mayor/2191016.aspx

Note by reformwcc

David Brown was on 97.3FM confirming that he would be standing irrespective if he is selected by the ALP or not.

Never let it be forgotten that David Brown was the ALP Councillor who lead the attack when the ALP unilaterally abolished the WCC Neighbourhood Committees (and did not then introduce the Precinct Committees which were part of the report to improve on Neighbourhood Committees). He seemed to be particularly loathsome in regard to the hard working community members who were critical of the ALP Council. He is representative of old Wollongong.

David Brown for Lord Mayor – no way!