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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.

Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030

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.

Plan for parks

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.

Container Deposit Legislation

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.

Aboriginal Heritage Act

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. 

Fees and charges

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.

Culture and the arts

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.

Other matters

Local government representatives raised several other items for discussion including;

  • Development Application and Strategic Planning Referrals Survey
  • Performance Monitoring Report — Planning and Building functions
  • Climate Resilient Councils Project
  • Coastal Erosion Hotspots Report
  • Private Certification
  • Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants
  • State Local Government Public Library Agreement

The Leadership Group agreed on the following presentations for future meetings;

  • Outcomes of the 2019 Elections
  • Aboriginal acknowledgement in local government areas.

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.

State Local Government Partnership Agreement Leadership Group attendees

Wednesday 30 October 2019, Dumas House, West Perth.

Members

  • Hon Mark McGowan, Premier of Western Australia (Chair)
  • Hon David Templeman MLA, Minister for Local Government and Culture and the Arts
  • Hon Ben Wyatt, MLC, Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Energy; Aboriginal Affairs
  • Hon Stephen Dawson, MLC, Minister for Environment, Disability Services Electoral Affairs
  • Cr Lynne Craigie, President, Western Australian Local Government Association
  • Mr Ian Cowie, President, Western Australian Local Government Professionals WA

Invited participants and observers

  • Cr Tracey Roberts, Deputy President, Western Australian Local Government Association
  • Mr Gary Hamley, Chief of Staff, Office of the Hon. David Templeman, MLA 
  • Mr Duncan Ord, Director General, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
  • Mr Mike Rowe, Director General, Department of Water and Environmental and Regulation
  • Ms Candy Choo, Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Local Government Professionals WA
  • Mr Mark Batty , Executive Manager Environment and Waste , Western Australian Local Government Association
  • Mr Nick Sloan, Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Local Government Association
  • Mr Roger Martin, Chief of Staff, Office of the Hon. Ben Wyatt, MLA
  • Ms Emma de Jager, Policy Advisor, Office of the Hon. Rita Saffioti, MLA
  • Ms Tarnya Widdicombe, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Hon. David Templeman, MLA
  • Ms Louise Holding, Chief of Staff, Office of the Hon. Stephen Dawson, MLA
  • Mr Richard Farrell, Chief of Staff, Office of the Hon. Rita Saffioti, MLA
  • Ms Yvette Peterson, Local Government Policy and Engagement, Department of Local Government,
  • Sport and Cultural Industries (Executive Officer)

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Page reviewed 27 February 2023