Issues affecting the Northern Midlands could take the stage at a national meeting for local governments.
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At Monday’s meeting, the municipality’s council will start brainstorming issues relevant to the region to present to the Australian Local Government Association Conference.
The issues also have to be relevant to other Australian councils.
The council will also consider any state-based issues to present to the Tasmanian association in July.
Mayor David Downie said he did not think the region had any “pressing issues”.
“We will try to stimulate the council to come up with any issues that the Northern Midlands Council can take to the two meetings,” Cr Downie said.
“We’ve taken ideas in the past and been successful in raising them, but some of the issues are still around, like tyres – for example – and weed management.
“We took both of those to Canberra and we got all of the local councils supporting us. That’s an example of what you can achieve.”
Cr Downie said the importance of the motion was key.
“It has to be relevant. It’s no good just taking any issue because it might not even get put on the agenda,” he said.
The ideas discussed at the meeting will then be taken to a workshop, or council staff will prepare presentations.
Motions for ALGA need to be submitted by March 30, with LGAT’s deadline being May 15.
Cr Downie said regional representation at both meetings was “important”.
“Local government is the third tier and the tier that is closest to the people,” he said.
“In Canberra, local government is recognised as being a very important part of the government of Australia.”
ALGA is a “great venue” for regional Australia to have its voice heard, Cr Downie said.
“It’s interesting to see the diversity of all the communities throughout Australia – you get to meet a lot of people from a lot of different places and we do have common problems.”
Cr Downie said one the most common issues was infrastructure funding.
“The councils can’t fund all the infrastructure that is required for people to live in these regional areas,” he said. “A lot of the economy of Australia is driven from regional areas.”
The council’s agenda recommends Cr Downie and deputy mayor Richard Goss to attend the ALGA Conference between June 17 and 20.
The LGAT conference can be attended by up to six councillors from each region and will be held on July 25 in Hobart.
There is no fee for the council to submit a motion, however a registration must be paid for each councillor. ALGA registrations cost between $969 and $1290 per attendee, with the cost considered in each annual budget.