Intro
Communique
The State Local Government Partnership Agreement Leadership Group met on the 30 October 2019 to discuss matters of mutual interest and to progress its strategic agenda. The meeting was chaired by the Premier, Hon Mark McGowan and attended by the Hon Ben Wyatt, Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Energy; Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson, Minister for Environment, Disability Services, Electoral Affairs, Hon David Templeman, Minister for Local Government and Culture and the Arts, President Lynn Craigie, Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), Deputy President Tracey Roberts, WALGA, President Ian Cowie, Local Government Professionals WA (LG Professionals WA ), and executive staff.
The Premier and the Presidents of WALGA and LG Professionals WA, spoke of the shared commitment and goodwill of both levels of Government to work across a broad range of issues important to West Australians.
The strategy provides the State with a strategic framework for managing waste and guides the Waste Authority in delivering its programs and development of advice to government. Minister Dawson thanked local government for its collaboration and reported that government was on track with targets.
The State has announced a plan to create five million hectares of new national parks, marine parks and other conservation reserves across Western Australia.
The initiative will see new and expanded parks from the Kimberley in the north, across WA's Midwest rangelands, through areas from Perth to Bunbury, to the South West forests and a potential new marine park along the southern coastline.
The expansion plan will create more opportunities for Aboriginal joint management and on-country jobs and provide conservation and nature-based tourism benefits.
A comprehensive consultation process will now start with traditional owners, the resources sector, pastoralists, commercial and recreational fishers, conservation groups, local government and other key stakeholders and interest holders.
Minister Dawson encouraged local government feedback on the Green Bill and Policy paper current out for consultation.
Minister Dawson commented on the collaborative engagement with local government regarding the Container Deposit Legislation. WALGA highlighted that local government has been supportive of the container deposit scheme for a long time and were embracing the roll out of the scheme. Minister Dawson explained that various models were being considered in Western Australia to ensure the success of the Scheme.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage will deliver the Aboriginal Heritage Act review through a four-staged approach, which includes three consultation phases. The review is currently in stage two with the release of a discussion paper. Minister Wyatt thanked WALGA for its comprehensive submission. A Green Bill will be published for public consultation next year.
The Leadership Group acknowledged the inquiry into Local Government Fees and Charges by the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA). A Terms of Reference has been accepted.
Minister Templeman spoke about the increasing role of Local Government in Culture and the Arts. He acknowledged the need to partner with Local Government, particularly the use of existing State Performing Arts Centres.
Local government representatives raised several other items for discussion including;
The Leadership Group agreed on the following presentations for future meetings;
The PLGC is next scheduled to meet on 24 March and the 1 September 2020. Further information on the State Local Government Partnership Agreement is available on the DLGSC website.
Wednesday 30 October 2019, Dumas House, West Perth.