Local government facilitator presentation to the Australian Government
During 2005, the local government facilitators undertook a series of state forums to get input on how effectively local government was engaged in the regional NRM model. On November 29 2005 the local government NRM facilitator network presentated the findings of their state forums to the Australian Government. The presentation gave a background on local government, highlighted the constraints and opportunities of the current programs and provided some ideas for future programs.
Local government and natural resource management: A history of successful involvement, a future of exciting possibilities
A brief background paper prepared by the Local Government Facilitator Network
November 2005
See also: 
MS PowerPoint presentation (PPT 1.4 MB)
Purpose
This paper provides the background for the local government natural resource management (NRM) facilitators' presentation to the Australian Government. The Local Government Facilitators (LGF) recently delivered state and territory based local government NRM forums funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT), to investigate options and opportunities for strengthening local government involvement in regional NRM delivery. The purpose of the presentation is to advise the Australian Government of the collective outcomes of the forums.
Introduction
Local government is the legitimate third tier of government closest to the community. Local government has a long and accomplished history of involvement in environmental and natural resource management in Australia and continues to actively work with its local and regional community to appropriately respond to recurring and emerging environmental and natural resource management issues. The sector delivers significant investment for NRM and environmental management and undertakes a range of responsibilities that directly influence NRM outcomes. Greater recognition of the sector's NRM contribution and stronger representation in the regional NRM model is essential for NRM objectives to be realised.
Local government responsibilities
Local government has a diverse array of roles and responsibilities in serving its local and regional community. These include:
- Land use planning, development control and building services which can directly influence NRM outcomes
- Public land management including native flora and fauna and pest plant and animal control
- Infrastructure and property services including local roads, drainage, waste collection and management. Local government nationally owns and manages assets worth more than $172 billion (2003/04) (See: About ALGA)
- Provision of recreation facilities
- Health and community services
- Water and sewage services.
Local government activities and experience in NRM delivery has significantly increased. However, the degree of NRM involvement varies between councils and is influenced by expertise, resources and capacity. Principally, local government wishes to formalise and strengthen its participation in future NRM arrangements.
Local government facts
There are 673 local governments nationally of which 80% are rural or regional councils/shires. The sector invests approximately $17 billion per year on infrastructure, economic and community services. Local government employs around 160,500 people and there are approximately 6,600 elected council members. In 2002/03 the Australian Bureau of Statistics identified that nationally, local government investment in environmental and natural resource management activities was $4.1 billion.
Local government in Australia is represented by a network of associations at the regional, state and national level that represents the interests of councils and shires.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is a federation of state/territory LGAs representing all councils across Australia. ALGA's responsibilities include; representing local government on national bodies and ministerial councils, raising the profile and concerns of local government at the national level and providing the appropriate forum for local government to guide the development of national local government policies. The state and territory associations are the peak representative bodies for their constituent councils and reflect the activities of ALGA at the state level.
Regional LGAs/Regional Organisation of Councils (ROCs) are partnerships between groups of councils/shires that agree to collaborate on matters of common interest. They are based on voluntary membership, have a constitution or some other formal set of objectives and have an executive board. Regional LGAs/ROCs can play a pivotal role in supporting regional NRM by providing a mechanism to consider and best deliver NRM to constituent councils/shires in a region.
State of local government involvement in NRM
The level of formal representation by local government in the current regional NRM model is not commensurate with the sector's level of NRM involvement and investment. Local government faces a number of constraints to effective engagement and participation in the current regional NRM programs including but not limited to; limited capacity of NRM bodies to understand the core roles and responsibilities of councils and lack of available resources and expertise in facilitating collective NRM outcomes.
Several key recommendations from the state/territory forums were identified to improve this situation:
- Local government having a guaranteed 'seat at the table' at all levels of regional NRM arrangements.
- Formal agreements between NRM bodies/authorities and local government to provide clarity of roles and responsibilities and enhanced communication.
- Improved resources and capacity for local government to successfully deliver NRM outcomes.
The local government facilitator network
Local government facilitators work to support and encourage local government engagement and involvement in regional NRM delivery. The facilitators' activities extend to regional bodies, state and territory government departments and agencies with a responsibility for NRM and other stakeholders to represent and extend engagement by local government in regional NRM.
In conclusion
Local government wishes to strengthen its involvement in regional NRM and seeks other key stakeholders in NRM to work with it in achieving long term strategic partnerships. There are a wealth of opportunities and successes to be gained with stronger local government involvement in regional NRM which will in turn contribute significantly to local, regional, state and national NRM objectives and outcomes.
The LGF network wishes to extend its gratitude to the Australian Government for the opportunity to undertake this valuable project and present its findings and considered thoughts. The LGF network works cooperatively to progress local government involvement in regional NRM and considers this opportunity to be an important and pivotal part of our work and strategic objectives. The LGF network trusts that the input and advice provided will better inform future Australian Government NRM policy initiatives with respect to strengthening and consolidating local government involvement.
