Transcript Presentation to Local Government Review Panel 1st August 2012

RIVERINA AND MURRAY
REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF
COUNCILS (RAMROC)
PRESENTATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REVIEW PANEL
WEDNESDAY 1ST AUGUST 2012
RAMROC POPULATIONS
Albury
RAMROC Councils, NSW
Total Area 126,595 sq km – Total Population 168,643
51,359
Balranald
2,438
Berrigan
8,618
Carrathool
2,938
Conargo
1,678
Corowa
11,818
Deniliquin
7,591
Gr. Hume
10,423
Griffith
26,001
Hay
3,315
Jerilderie
1,658
Leeton
11,932
Murray
7,347
Murrumbidgee
2,558
Narrandera
6,291
Urana
1,251
Wakool
4,362
Wentworth
7,065
RAMROC REGION PROFILE IN BRIEF
– RAMROC - represents the interests of eighteen (18)
member councils
– RAMROC has brought together the former Murray ROC
and RIVROC
– RAMROC region has an area of 126,595 sq km with a
population of 168,643
– Principal population centres are Albury pop. 51,359 and
Griffith 26,001
– Region has mix of regional centres, medium sized towns
and urban shires, through to rural shires large in area but
small in population.
– Strong agricultural and horticultural sector, based on
traditionally reliable climate and extensive irrigation.
Agriculture related industries employ 50,000 people
STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLAN
2011-2015
VISION
RAMROC Councils collaborating to enhance the economic,
social and environmental capabilities of their communities so
as to ensure their long term resilience and sustainability
PURPOSE
To assist in the efficiency and effectiveness of member Councils
through networking, lobbying and sharing of resources, and to
enhance regional economic, social, environmental and
community development
STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLAN
2011-2015
POLICY AREAS
Relating to lobbying, advocacy, strategic alliances, research,
policy, planning and management for the RAMROC region and
communities
OPERATIONAL AREAS
Relating to the carrying out of functions by Member Councils
through the Executive Officer, General Managers, Professional
Officer Working Groups and Special Committees
Organisation Structure
RAMROC BOARD
RAMROC
(MAYORS OF 18 MEMBER
COUNCILS)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(Chair, Deputy Chair &
Secretary/Treasurer)
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RAY STUBBS
(Full time Position)
MURRAY WASTE
GROUP COORDINATOR
RIVERINA WASTE GROUP
COORDINATOR
NIGEL TAYLOR
(Full time Position)
JOHN CRAIG
(Part time Consultant)
RAMROC – PROFESSIONAL OFFICER WORKING
GROUPS
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•
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•
•
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•
•
•
GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP
ENGINEERS GROUP
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND PLANNERS GROUP
FINANCE PROFESSIONALS GROUP (PART OF RIVERINA)
MURRAY REGION WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP
RIVERINA REGION WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP
GOVERNANCE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP
INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING GROUP
HUMAN RESOURCES GROUP
RISK MANAGEMENT AND OH&S GROUP (PART OF RIVERINA)
LG REVIEW PANEL - KEY ISSUES RAISED FOR
TODAY’S WORKSHOP DISCUSSIONS
ISSUES
• WHAT DRIVES PROSPERITY IN THE RAMROC REGION
• KEY PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION
• CURRENT CHALLENGES FACED BY THE REGION
• EMERGING CHALLENGES FACED BY THE REGION
• OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES
1. WHAT DRIVES PROSPERITY IN THE REGION
• WATER SECURITY AND AVAILABILITY– THE LIFEBLOOD OF
THE RAMROC REGION’S AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
• FOOD, FIBRE AND WINE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
• MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN LARGE URBAN CENTRES
• TOURISM – LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, NATURE, SPORT, ECO, ETC
• TRANSPORT – ROAD AND RAIL NETWORKS
• COMMUNICATION NETWORKS – BROADBAND ETC
• HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES
• EDUCATION – SECONDARY, TAFE (2) AND UNIVERSITIES (2)
• AIRPORTS – REGIONAL SERVICES AND RELATED INDUSTRIES
WHAT DRIVES PROSPERITY IN THE REGION
(CONTINUED)
• CENTRALLY LOCATED WITH ACCESS TO PORTS AND MARKETS
• STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF COMMUNITIES TO COPE
WITH DROUGHTS, FLOODS AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS
• COMMUNITY CAPACITY - WIDE RANGE AND DIVERSITY OF
ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
• AVAILABILITY OF LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT AT COMPARATIVELY FAVOURABLE PRICES
• RELIABLE AND COMMITTED WORKFORCE AND EMPLOYEES
• STRONG PRESENCE OF DEFENCE FORCE ESTABLISHMENTS
• NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND RAIL NETWORKS LINKING CAPITAL
CITIES – OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SPEED INLAND RAIL
2. KEY PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
RAMROC REGION
• SUBSTANTIAL WATER SYSTEMS – MURRAY,
MURRUMBIDGEE, LACHLAN AND DARLING RIVER SYSTEMS
• WATER STORAGES – DARTMOUTH, HUME, MULWALA,
BURRINJUCK, BLOWERING, WYANGALA AND OTHERS
• TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE – LAKES AND RIVERS, SPORT,
SNOWFIELDS, WINERIES, HISTORY AND HERITAGE, REDGUM
NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS AND WETLANDS
• DIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE – DRYLAND AND IRRIGATION
AND ABILITY TO MATCH CROPS WITH WATER AVAILABILITY
• A HISTORY OF GENERALLY PREDICTABLE CLIMATE
• TRANSPORT – ROAD, RAIL AND AIR NETWORKS
KEY PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
REGION (CONTINUED)
• THE NUMBER OF LARGE AND SPARSELY POPULATED RURAL
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
• BORDER LOCATION ALONG MURRAY VALLEY – CROSS
BORDER URBAN CENTRES AND BORDER ANOMALIES
• LINKS TO NEW SOUTH WALES AND VICTORIAN ROAD, RAIL
AND AIR NETWORKS
3. CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE
REGION
• LACK OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
• REDUCED WATER AVAILABILITY – PROPOSED MURRAY
DARLING BASIN PLAN AND POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE
• POPULATION DECLINE - YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR
• ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL AND
RURAL AUSTRALIA
• WITHDRAWAL OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM REGIONS
• SKILLS SHORTAGES – ATTRACTION OF KEY PROFESSIONALS
• LACK OF FINANCE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
• DEMAND FOR IRRIGATION MODERNISATION ON / OFF FARM
CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION
(CONTINUED)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
LACK OF MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES IN SMALL CENTRES
LONG LEAD TIME FOR NBN FIBRE OPTIC ROLLOUT
LACK OF REVENUE CAPACITY TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS
DIFFICULT TO COMPETE WITH VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT
INCENTIVES FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IMPACT OF BORDER ANOMALIES – e.g SMALL BUSINESSES
GOVERNMENT INACTION ON PLANNING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE e.g MURRAY RIVER CROSSINGS
HUGE REGIONS FOR LOCAL FEDERAL AND STATE
REPRESENTATIVES – POLITICAL DECISIONS IMPACT POORLY
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE BACKLOG – ROADS, BRIDGES
CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION
(CONTINUED)
• DECLINING COMMUNITY ROLE AND VOLUNTEER BASE TO
ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO THEIR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES
• RAPIDLY INCREASING COSTS OF ENERGY
• DIFFICULTY OF FINANCE FOR MAJOR INVESTMENT IN
INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRY, RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY
• LIMITED ACCESS TO AIR SERVICES TO SMALLER TOWNS
• LIMTED AREAS OF NATURAL GAS AVAILABILITY
• LOSS OF REDGUM TIMBER INDUSTRIES IN CENTRAL MURRAY
AND MURRUMBIDGEE REGIONS
• LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN SOME
COMMUNITIES
Local Government Area
2001
2011
Change
Albury
Balranald
Berrigan
Carrathool
Conargo
Corowa
Deniliquin
Greater Hume Shire
Griffith
Hay
Jerilderie
Leeton
Murray
Murrumbidgee
Narrandera
Urana
Wakool
Wentworth
TOTALS
45621
2773
8138
3316
1823
10785
8333
10537
24604
3599
1922
11925
6156
2662
6739
1431
4929
7214
162507
51359
2438
8618
2938
1678
11818
7591
10423
26001
3315
1658
11932
7347
2558
6291
1251
4362
7065
168643
+5738
-335
+480
-378
-145
+1033
-742
-114
+1397
-284
-264
+7
+1191
-104
-448
-180
-567
-149
+6136
4. EMERGING CHALLENGES FACING THE
REGION
• FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN IRRIGATION WATER AVAILABILITY
FOR FOOD AND FIBRE PRODUCTION – FLOW-ON IMPACTS
• TRANSPORT HAULAGE – LIMITS ON ACCESS TO MARKETS
• POPULATION DRIFT TO CITIES AND LARGE REGIONAL
CENTRES
• INCREASING COSTS OF ELECTRICITY AND OTHER UTILITIES
• LACK OF PLANNING AUTONOMY FOR LOCAL COUNCILS
• ABSENCE OF ‘WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT’ APPROACH –
DISJOINTED GOVT POLICY MAKING AND PROGRAM
FUNDING
• OVERGOVERNING OF COUNCILS BY FEDERAL / STATE GOVTS
EMERGING CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION
(CONTINUED)
• AGEING POPULATION AND LOSS OF YOUNGER PEOPLE
• LACK OF POLITICAL REPRESENTATION – ELECTORATE SIZES
GROWING AS RURAL POPULATIONS DECLINE AND LITTLE
UNDERSTANDING OF REGION BY GOVERNMENTS
• LACK OF CERTAINTY AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN REGION
• CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• THREAT TO COUNCIL WATER AND SEWERAGE FUNCTIONS
• UNCERTAINTY ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES FOR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
• GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND IMPACTS ON REGION
• ABILITY TO ATTRACT PROFESSIONAL AND KEY PERSONNEL
5. OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES
• DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS
POPULATION, WATER, FOOD AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• INCREASED GOVT EMPHASIS ON DECENTRALISATION –
INCENTIVES BY GOVERNMENTS FOR INDUSTRY ATTRACTION
• CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
– ASSURED FUNDING SHARE OF NATIONAL TAXATION POOL
• FUNDING OF SPECIAL REGIONAL / RURAL ECONOMIC ZONES
• REMOVAL BY STATE GOVERNMENT OF LG RATING CONTROLS
• REMOVE COST SHIFTING OF FUNCTIONS BY OTHER GOVTS
• REMOVAL OF RED TAPE AND CESSATION OF INTERFERENCE
FROM CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS
OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES
(CONTINUED)
• ENSURE WATER AND SEWERAGE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL
REMAINS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNCTION
• FAIRER SYSTEM OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA
(RDA) FUNDING – FOR SUB REGIONAL AND LOCAL PROJECTS
• VOLUNTARY AND BENEFICIAL (EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE)
CHANGES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES
• INTENSIVE FOCUS ON RESOURCE SHARING OPPORTUNITIES
AMONGST COUNCILS (STAFF, PLANT, PROCUREMENT ETC)
• INCREASED FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN
AGRICULTURE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRIES
• FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY CLOSE TO PRODUCT SOURCE
LG PANEL - TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES
1. THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE
NEEDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES
•
•
•
COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLANNING DEMONSTRATE A
GROWING EXPECTATION BY COMMUNITIES FOR COUNCILS
TO PROVIDE NON TRADITIONAL AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES
THERE IS A MISMATCH BETWEEN REVENUE RAISING
CAPABILITY OF COUNCILS VERSUS THE CURRENT
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS OF SERVICE LEVELS
SOME ‘FUTURE NEEDS’ MAY BE UNKNOWN AT THIS STAGE –
BUT WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO GROW
LG PANEL TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES
(CONTINUED)
2. THE ABILITY TO DELIVER SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
EFFICIENTLY, EFFECTIVELY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER
•
SHORTAGE OF PROFESSIONALS FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN
AND ENGAGEMENT SKILLED CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE WORKERS CAN SOMETIMES BE AN ISSUE
FOR BOTH PRIVATE AND COUNCIL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN
MANY REGIONAL AND RURAL AREAS
LG PANEL TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES
(CONTINUED)
3. THE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF EACH LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AREA
• REVENUE SOURCES CONSTRAINED BY STATE REGULATION
AND PROCESSES
• LACK OF CERTAINTY REGARDING FUTURE SOURCES OF
COUNCIL FUNDING SOURCES
• FINANCING OF INFRASTRUCTURE BACKLOG IS A MAJOR
ISSUE
• DEMANDS FOR COUNCILS TO FUND NON TRADITIONAL
SOURCES (COST SHIFTING FROM OTHER GOVTS) IS AN
ONGOING PROBLEM
LG TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES
(CONTINUED)
4. THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE LOCAL REPRESENTATION AND
DECISION MAKING
• REINFORCE THE ROLE OF COUNCILLORS AS LOCAL
COMMUNITY LEADERS AND AS POLICY DECISION MAKERS
•
COUNCILS ARE GENERALLY POLITICALLY ISOLATED –
DIFFICULTY OF INFLUENCING FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS
OF GOVERNMENT IS OFTEN DEMONSTRATED
•
COMMUNITIES ARE SEEKING STRONG LEADERSHIP AND
HIGH LEVELS OF INTEGRITY FROM LOCAL COUNCILS
LG TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES
(CONTINUED)
5. THE BARRIERS AND INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE
VOLUNTARY BOUNDARY CHANGES
• ONE SIZE CERTAINLY DOESN’T FIT ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
• MUST BE DEMONSTRABLE LONG TERM GOALS AND
ACHIEVEMENTS (TEST THESE AGAINST THE PREVIOUS
CHALLENGES OUTLINED – WOULD THEY BE IMPROVED)
• LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE BEST PLACED TO DECIDE – NOT
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED GOVERNMENTS
• GEOGRAPHIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS
• REMOVE OTHER BARRIERS TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
• LOCAL EXPERT PANELS TO INVESTIGATE PROS AND CONS ??