Council Comment

with Charlie Cox

Changing government relations

Accompanied by the General Manager, I represented Council at the recent National Congress of Local Government in Canberra. This annual gathering of representatives from every State and Territory was addressed among others by the Prime Minister, some Ministers and the now Leader of the Opposition, Mark Latham.

One of the most interesting developments was a report from the House of Representatives Economics, Finance and Public Administration Committee, which recommends a major shake-up of Federal-State-Local Government relations.

The report is unique in that this inquiry into cost-shifting onto Local Government is unanimous in its findings that Local Government is being short-changed, particularly by the actions of State Government.

Basically, cost-shifting means that more functions are being expected of local Councils such as Richmond Valley but no or insufficient funds are being provided to undertake them.

One given example in our State affecting local Councils is that rate capping has been surpassed by the increase in the Fire Brigade Levy - the NSW Fire Brigade Levy has an average annual increase of 6.9% compared with the average rate increase capped at just 2.6%.

The inquiry has heard that State Governments are now responsible for cost shifts onto Local Governments of between $500 million and $1 billion per year.

The inquiry committee findings are significant in that it has bi-partisan support and recommends full support be given at the national level towards ensuring a fair and equitable flow of funds to the grass roots, Local Government.

Mobility map

If experience is learning and doing leads to understanding, then our General Manager, our Manager of Works and I got a coalface look at what it is like to negotiate the Casino CBD in a wheelchair last Tuesday.

Having to manoeuvre through pedestrian traffic, to negotiate gutter and road crossings and attempt to access business houses brought home the reality that being wheelchair-bound isn't all that easy.

Our wheelchair trip followed the launch of the Casino Mobility Map. The map, sponsored by Richmond Valley Council and the Disability and Aged Information Service, is designed to assist disabled and impaired persons move more freely through the Casino CBD. The emphasis is on access to paths, designated parking areas, public buildings and facilities.

In our wheelchair tour, it became obvious that access to many of our commercial buildings could also be improved.

The attractive mobility map is the result of considerable efforts by the Richmond Valley Access Committee, assisted by Council's Community Projects Officer. The Committee meets regularly in their efforts to improve access throughout the Richmond Valley Council Area and can be contacted through our office (6660 0300).

Mobility maps for Casino, Coraki and Evans Head are available from our offices and the Casino Visitor Information Centre.

Green work

Environmental Training and Employment Inc. (EnviTE NSW) are looking for 10 young women and men (17 to 20 years of age) from Casino to participate in a 6-month environmental project.

The Casino based Green Corps project starts on 27 January 2004. The team of 10 will work with the Bungawalbin Catchment Management Group, Southern Cross University, Wetland Care Australia and property holders such as tea tree, sugar cane, dairy and cattle farmers to restore wetland and riparian habitat and protect threatened species.

Project activities include liaison with property holders, conducting wetland assessments, preparing action plans that determine where fencing and weed control are required, tree planting and constructing walking tracks and bird hides.

The Green Corps program is funded by the Commonwealth Government and participants receive a training allowance and accredited training in First Aid, OH&S and project specific modules such as plant identification and nursery practices.

Contact Vanessa Ekins at EnviTE NSW on 6621 9588 and find out how to join the Bungawalbin Green Corps team.