Background
On the 31st January 2008 election roles close for Queenslanders to vote in the up coming local government elections on the 15th March 2008. Queenslanders will vote in 73 local government areas. Of these 38 are existing councils, 31 are new councils and 4 are existing councils with changed boundaries. In total, people will vote for 73 mayors and 480 councils a significant reduction from the previous 157 local government areas and 1250 councillors.
On the 31st January 2008 election roles close for Queenslanders to vote in the up coming local government elections on the 15th March 2008. Queenslanders will vote in 73 local government areas. Of these 38 are existing councils, 31 are new councils and 4 are existing councils with changed boundaries. In total, people will vote for 73 mayors and 480 councils a significant reduction from the previous 157 local government areas and 1250 councillors.
Regional Councils are Born
The amalgamation process has created a new type of council for
The shear logistics of canvassing votes for independent local candidates in regional council areas almost certainly means the end of apolitical councils and the beginning of future affiliations to political parties in order to access organisational support for campaigns.
For a discussion on the key challenges for new Regional Councils see Place-based Enterprise
What should be a Place-based Enterprise policy platform for Regional councillors?
Times of change provide the best opportunities to set new directions. So if candidates were interested in creating better places for their communities what might be the foundation for their policy platform.
This policy challenge is in the context that the Regional Councils have been established by the State Government primarily to help deal with the challenges of growth in a more sustainable manner at the local level.
Here’s my suggestion:
- A vision of fair growth. Even in the good times, local government needs to be proactive and facilitate enterprise that builds a sustainable community. Use the power of growth to heal the local weaknesses and create a strong framework for the future.
- A commiment to manage growth. Growth requires considered management if it is to build a stronger community. It can be as destructive to local places as the lack of growth. Be ware, be smart, and benefit.
- A passion for the future of places shaped by growth. Not to be apologetic and offended by the inconsistency of growth benefits but to actively seek ways that this energy can be channelled to build a stronger community.
- Appreciate the natural forces of transition in healthy places. Actively protect the viability of local interests whilst helping transition to more profitable futures rather than a paternal approach with compensation.
- Knowing not all growth is good (for places).Taking the time to understand what growth can build a stronger community as well as rob the community of a future.Development is only a means to an end. It is a tool for change. How growth is directed is more important than whether it exists!
- Blocking or facilitating change is not the issue. It is how change is allowed to express itself. You can’t stop it but, you can harness it’s energy for good.The real challenge is knowing the consequences of stopping or facilitating change. Are you building a stronger local community or planting the seeds of its destruction?
A Place Enterprise
The focus needs to be sharp and simple. The implementation needs to be strategic and networked. The keys to delivering outcomes will come from initiatives in:
- What matters locally is Community Lifestyle
- How to guide change that protects lifestyle is a Governance role
- Focus on change that increases Local Wealth
- Use the fast track tool of Catalyst Infrastructure
