LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2030
LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2030
A Strategy For A Strong, Responsive, Well-Governed Local Government Sector
FAQs
What is LG 2030?
The Local Government 2030 Strategy, or LG2030, articulates a long term vision for a strong, responsive, well-governed local government sector and the pathway to getting there.
Who is driving LG 2030?
The concept of LG2030 originated at the November 2019 LGANT conference. It was developed further with local government elected members, CEOs and LGANT. The then Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development, and now Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet partnered with LGANT in this work. Development of the strategy is being guided by a Steering Committee of local government nominees, supported by LGANT and the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet. The Strategy is driven by the local government sector and a draft strategy will be circulated for comment from November 2021 to February 2022.
Why do we need LG 2030?
Local Government is the government closest to the community and councils play a broad and evolving role in promoting the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their local communities. The sector in the NT faces many challenges including limited own source revenue, lack of economies of scale, inadequate infrastructure, the tyranny of distance and workforce skill, recruitment and retention challenges. There are many immediate issues that are being worked on. At the same time, the Strategy is intended to provide a longer term, strategic pathway forward to develop, grow and sustain the sector.
What is the background to LG 2030?
The project was initiated at the LGANT meeting in November 2019. A Steering Committee of local government representatives was convened and a project plan was approved by LGANT and the then Minister for Local Government in December 2019. Progress was interrupted by COVID 19. The current Minister for Local Government approved the continuation of the plan in October 2020. The project was reactivated in April 2021 with the formal commitment of the new LGANT executive. The Steering Group reconvened in July 2021 and released a draft strategy for initial consultation. A second round of consultation is now being undertaken involving new councils formed by the recent local government elections.
Who are the stakeholders in LG 2030?
LG 2030 is driven by the local government sector. However there are many stakeholders that have an interest in a strong, sustainable, well-governed sector. The Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet regulates the sector and LGANT represents and advocates for the sector and both are involved in supporting LG2030. Cooperation and coordination between the three spheres of government has been identified as a key issue in supporting community outcomes; the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government are also key stakeholders and participants in this work. It is intended that other peak bodies, Land Councils, key Aboriginal organisations, and community organisations will be provided the opportunity for input in developing the Strategy.
How can I provide input to the strategy?
A consultation draft will be released at the LGANT November Conference in Alice Springs. Each council is invited to provide feedback, and engage its community and stakeholders as it considers appropriate. Feedback will be coordinated by LGANT and CM&C, who will also consult across government and with NT wide stakeholders. Comments can be provided to Linda.weatherhead@nt.gov.au and joann.beckwith@lgant.asn.au.
When will consultations close?
The first round of consultations will close on Friday 17 December 2021. A further draft will be released for consultation early in 2021 with consultations to close on Friday 25 February 2022. However, the Strategy is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed regularly.
Once the strategy is finalised, what happens next?
All feedback will be considered and the Strategy finalised through the Steering Committee. The final draft will be provided to the sector for a shorter period for final feedback before it is considered by LGANT and the Minister for Local Government. It is intended that a final strategy will be launched at the LGANT April meeting.
How will we evaluate the strategy and what it has achieved?
An initial 3 year plan will be developed to guide actions under the strategy and progress will be evaluated with a review at the end of three years. A second stage implementation plan will be developed and reviewed at the end of a further three years. A final review will occur in the last 12 months of the Strategy with the intention of informing the development of a new strategy.