Annual Report 2004 - LGANT€¦ · Independent Audit Report to the Members of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory 43 Statement of Financial Position as at 30

ANNUAL REPORT

strong, efficient and responsive local government...

NORTHERNTERRITORYNORTHERNTERRITORY

GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENTLOCAL

THETHEASSOCIATION OF

2003 - 2004

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Official publication of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory ©

About this Report 1

About the Association 2

Vision, Mission, Core Values and Goals 3

Membership 2003 – 2004 4 & 5

Local Governing Bodies in the Northern Territory 6

Executive Committee Members 7

Executive Profiles 8 & 9

Staff 10 & 11

Organisational Structure 12

Service Providers & Sponsors 13

President’s Report on Behalf of the Executive 14 - 23

Chief Executive Officers Report 24

Strategic Plan Achievements 2003/2004 25 - 41

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2004 42

Independent Audit Report to the Members of the Local

Government Association of the Northern Territory

43

Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2004 44

Statement of Income and Expenditure for the Year Ended 30

June 2004

45 - 49

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 30 June 2004 50

Notes to, and Forming Part of, the Financial Statements for

the Year Ended 30 June 2004

51 - 55

Local Government Association of the Northern Territory

2003/2004 Actual Versus Budget to 30 June 2004

56

Pie Chart – Breakup of Total Actual Expenditure for the

2003/2004 Financial Year

57

Pie Chart – Breakup of Total Actual Income Received for the

2003/2004 Financial Year

57

Pie Chart – Source of Funding for the 2003/2004 Financial

Year

58


1

Members of the Association This report is the 13th Annual Report of the Local Government Association of the

Northern Territory and it is for the financial year 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004.

This report is primarily for members of the Association but it also serves as

information for other persons and bodies that have an interest in the affairs of the

Association. The report details the financial position and performance of the

Association for the financial year, as well as background material on local

government in the Northern Territory, the Association’s membership, directions and

achievements during the year.

Clause 10 of the Association’s Constitution requires this report to be part of the

agenda for the Annual General Meeting. This meeting will be held in the function

room of the Darwin City Council on Thursday 14 October 2004.

If anyone has any queries about the report they can contact the Association. Contact

details are as follows:

Telephone: (08) 8936 2888

Facsimile: (08) 8941 2665

Fran Kilgariff

PRESIDENT

July 2004

2

The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (the Association) was

first incorporated in 1992 as the single peak body representing local government in

the Northern Territory. The Association is established as an incorporated body by

section 224 of the Local Government Act of the Northern Territory.

Membership of the Association is voluntary and open to all local governing bodies

eligible to receive Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants. These are grants

paid to local governments throughout Australia. LGANT is also able to admit

associate members under Clause 6.4 of its constitution. During 2003 – 2004 the

Association did not have any associate members.

The office of the Association is housed on the first floor of the CML Building, 59

Smith Street, Darwin.

The Association provides a wide range of services of benefit to councils in the

Northern Territory, the details of which are included in this report.

The Executive and staff reviewed the Association’s strategic plan in February 2004

and this report includes feedback on achievements against the plan.

The Association, along with other State Local Government Associations and the

Government of the Australian Capital Territory form the Australian Local

Government Association.

The Association is a member-driven organisation. All policies and actions taken are

circulated to members on a regular basis largely by email (‘This Week at LGANT’) or

through the dissemination of Executive Committee minutes. Between meetings the

eight (8) person Association Executive elected by members has power to make

decisions.

The Chief Executive Officer has delegated authority for staff matters and reports

through the Executive and also general and regional meetings. A policy manual has

been prepared and is regularly updated.

The Association has chosen not to invest in property or significant assets and has no

loans outstanding.


3

Vision

Our vision is for constitutional recognition of local government with jurisdiction over

the entire land mass of the Northern Territory and providing efficient, effective and a

sustainable range of agreed services for the entire population.

Mission

To provide a voice for, and services of benefit to, member councils and to facilitate

the development of strong, efficient and responsive Local Government in the

Northern Territory in partnerships with other spheres of government.

Core Values

To achieve the mission and vision identified, the guiding principle of the Association

is to be responsive to the needs of its members and, in doing so, the broad values to

be applied shall be:

Professionalism

Innovative

Transparency

Progressive

Honesty

Open Minded

Accountability Consultative

Goals

The Association’s goals are in its strategic plan. They are:

to develop and maintain strong, efficient and responsive local government in the Northern Territory

to effectively advocate for and represent member councils to promote communication amongst our members and between our members

and the community

assist members to deliver more responsive local government ensure the effective and efficient management of the Association’s resources

and services

pursue an equitable distribution of all forms of funding to local government.

4

There are 63 local governing bodies in the Northern Territory which were eligible to

join the Association as full members. Three councils were not financial for the

2003/2004 year.

Financial Members as at 30 June 2004:

Aherrenge Association Inc

Ali Curung Council Association Inc

Alice Springs Town Council

Alpurrurulam Community Government Council

Angurugu Community Government Council

Anmatjere Community Government Council

Aputula Housing Association

Areyonga Community Inc

Arltarlpilta Community Government Council

Belyuen Community Government Council

Binjari Community Government Council

Borroloola Community Government Council

Coomalie Community Government Council

Cox Peninsula Community Government Council

Daguragu Community Government Council

Darwin City Council

Elliott District Community Government Council

Galiwinku Community Inc

Gapuwiyak Community Inc

Imanpa Community Inc

Jabiru Town Council

Jilkminggan Community Government Council

Katherine Town Council

Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Council

Lajamanu Community Government Council

Litchfield Shire Council

Ltyentye Apurte Community Government Council

Maningrida Council Inc

Marngarr Community Government Council

Mataranka Community Government Council

Milingimbi Community Inc

Milyakburra Community Council

Minjilang Community Inc


5

Nauiyu Nambiyu Community Government Council

Nganmarriyanga Inc Council

Ntaria Council

Numbulwar Numburindi Community Government Council

Nyirranggulung Mardrulk Ngadberre Regional Executive Council

Nyirripi Community Inc

Palmerston City Council

Papunya Community Council

Peppimenarti Community Council

Pine Creek Community Government Council

Ramingining Community Council Inc

Tapatjatjaka Community Government Council

Tennant Creek Town Council

Thamarrurr Community Government Council

Timber Creek Community Government Council

Tiwi Islands Local Government

Umbakumba Community Council Inc

Urapuntja Council Aboriginal Corp

Walangeri Ngumpinku Community Government Council

Wallace Rockhole Community Government Council

Walungurru Council Inc

Warruwi Community Inc

Watiyawanu Community Government Council

Yirrkala Dhanbul Community Association Inc

Yuelamu Community Inc

Yuendumu Community Government Council

Yugul Mangi Community Government Council

Number of Local Governing Bodies in the Northern Territory as at 30 June 2003

Municipalities 6 Community Government Councils 30 Incorporated Associations 26 Special Purposed Towns 1 TOTAL 63

6

Local Governing Bodies in the Northern Territory


7

Clause 13.4 of the Constitution requires the Association’s Executive to be made up of

eight (8) members. Seven members are elected and one is appointed by the Darwin

City Council. Three members are elected and, along with one appointed member,

make up the representation from municipal councils and one special purpose town.

The other four members are elected from community government and association

councils.

As at 30 June 2004 the Executive consisted of the following members:

President Mayor Fran Kilgariff

Alice Springs Town Council (from June 2004)

Vice President Councillor Gibson Farmer

Tiwi Islands Local Government

Executive Members Alderman Kerry Moir

Darwin City Council

President Ray Wooldridge

Pine Creek Community Government Council

Councillor Vic Stow

Cox Peninsula Community Government Council

Councillor Peter Gunner

Urapuntja Council Aboriginal Corp.

Two positions were vacant.

Profiles of Executive members appear on pages 8 and 9 of this report.

The following members of the Executive vacated their positions during the year:

Councillor John Ingram

Coomalie Community Government Council

Executive Member to February 2004

Mayor Jim Forscutt

Katherine Town Council

Executive Member to May 2004

Alderman Cecil Black

Darwin City Council

LGANT President to May 2004

8

Mayor Fran Kilgariff

President of the Association’s Executive Committee

Fran was an Alderman on the Alice Springs Town Council for six

years before becoming Mayor in 2000. Fran was re-elected as

Mayor in May 2004. Fran was chair of several of Council’s

committees as well as being Deputy Mayor from 1999 to 2000.

Currently as a full time Mayor, Fran represents Council on many

committees and is heavily involved in the Alice Springs community.

Fran is also a member of the Northern Territory Local Government

Grants Commission.

Councillor Gibson Farmer

Vice-President of the Association’s Executive Committee

Gibson was a past President of the Milikapiti Community Government

Council. Gibson is now in his first term as an elected member of the

Tiwi Islands Local Government.

Gibson was Deputy Chair of the Tiwi Health Board from 1999 – 2000.

He has over thirteen years work experience and training in various

positions within the Department of Conservation and four years

constructing and repairing houses at Milikapiti and other communities.

Gibson lives at Milikapiti with his wife and family and enjoys hunting and fishing on

the traditional lands of the Tiwi people.

He ran with the Olympic flame at Nguiu in June 2000 and enjoyed the experience. He

is widely known and respected in the Tiwi Islands and the Darwin area.

President Ray Wooldridge

Ray served for two and a half years as a councillor with the Pine

Creek Community Government Council and is currently in his

second term as President. Ray has served on the Association’s

Executive since 2002. Ray is a chartered Chemist and principal of

North Australian Laboratories Pty Ltd in Pine Creek

.


9

Alderman Kerry Moir

Kerry has been elected to serve on the Darwin City Council for 4 terms. In that time

Kerry has been Deputy Lord Mayor as well as Chairman of the Corporate Services

Committee.

Kerry has served on many committees including: Corporate and

Economic Development; Town Planning; Sister Cities Management;

Anchorage Community; CBD Car Parking Advisory; Disability

Advisory; Japan Sister City; Development Consent Authority NT;

Local Government Association of the NT; NT Settlement Planning and

Coconut Grove/Nightcliff Land Use Objectives.

Kerry is a strong supporter of local government because it is the closest to the

people it represents and can serve to persuade the Territory and Federal

governments to act in the interests of the community.

Councillor Vic Stow

Vic was elected to the Cox Peninsula Community Government

Council on 11 September 1999 at a bi-election following the

resignation of two council members. He has since been re-

elected to Council in the June 2001 and June 2004 elections.

Vic currently serves as the Council’s delegate on a number of local community

committees involving youth, school children, health and community sporting groups

and he is the current Chairman of the Cox Finnis Crime Preventative Committee.

Vic was elected to the Executive in May 2003.

Councillor Peter Gunner

Peter has been a member of the Urapuntja Council since 1990 and has

served as the Chairman for eleven years. During this time Peter also

served as the ATSIC Regional Councillor.

Peter has been a strong supporter of the Association during his time

on Council and is a regular attendee at General Meetings.

10

The Association employs a Chief Executive Officer, four divisional managers and 20

other professional staff as indicated in the organisational structure diagram on page

12.

In addition, there are consulting arrangements for the delivery of some services and

an affiliation agreement for the provision of the employee relation service to

members.

Tony Tapsell

Chief Executive Officer

Tony has been working in the Northern Territory since 1972 having served

in a range of fields, finance and senior manager position with the

Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments. Tony was the Chief

Executive Officer of Jabiru Town Council from 1993 – 2001. He was joint

Chief Executive Officer for the Jabiru and Kunbarllanjnja Councils from

1999 – 2001. Tony holds qualifications in Aboriginal Affairs, Accounting,

Local Government, Information Systems and Urban and Regional Planning.

Jill Hunt

Manger Human Resource Support & Development

Jill came to the Territory in 1997 and has worked in local government in two States

for over 20 years. Jill worked eight years for the Local Government

Association of South Australia with the latter couple of years being in the

industrial relations area and in particular assisting councils with

enterprise bargaining agreements and undertaking organisational reviews.

Jill worked for four years as the Human Resource Manager for Darwin

City Council.

Currently working for the Association, Jill’s responsibility is to supply human

resource support and development to all the councils in the Territory.


11

Louise Fuller

Programs & IT Manager

Louise came to Darwin in 1985 with a background in sales and

marketing to work in the building industry. This expertise was then

linked with community group environmental project work when she

was appointed as Executive Director of the Keep Australia Beautiful

Council of the Northern Territory. Following the arrival of the first

of her 2 children, Louise accepted an invitation to join the Board of

KAB and has remained a Board Member for in excess of 12 years.

Her long term interest in environmental issues and knowledge of the Territory has

enhanced her ability to link Commonwealth policies to remote conditions and

resources of local government, and to develop networks to benefit stakeholders in

the NT. In 2001 Louise was appointed to also manage the Association’s information

technology projects.

Phil Maynard

Manager Information Services

Phil came to the Territory in 1955 and was educated at Darwin Primary

and Darwin High School. From 1967 to 1992 Phil travelled the

Territory as a surveyor with the Commonwealth and later the Northern

Territory Government. In 1992 Phil worked for a short stint as

Community Liaison Officer with the Katherine Town Council which gave

him a taste of local government. He then worked as a Field Officer with

the Department of Local Government in Katherine until July 1995 when he joined the

Association to fill the position of Aboriginal Policy Officer.

Peter McLinden

Manager Transport & Infrastructure

Peter has had 20 years experience working in local government in

Northern Australia. He has worked for the Nguiu Council, Bathurst

Island and Port Keats before being recruited to the Association from

the Christmas Island Shire Council, eight years ago. Peter’s

responsibilities at the Association are to lobby for funds and assist

members with issues relating to transport and infrastructure.

Peter is married with three children and lives on a rural block in Howard Springs.

12

As at 30 June 2004

Personal AssistantEve Chaloupka

CONSULTANTS

Manager InformationServices

Phil Maynard

Manager Transport &

InfrastructurePeter McLinden

Manager Programs and IT

Louise Fuller

Manager HR Support & Development

Jill Hunt

NTN ProjectConvergence

IR/TrainingWorkplace Solutions

NT ArchiveProject

Perry Morrison

Accounting & Payroll

Maree McLinden

Project Manager NT Connect

Juli Ann Menzies

Education, Training & Support

Debbie Curran

Executive AssistantSheridan Barnes

HR OfficerLeanne Rigby

CONSULTANTS

CONSULTANTS

CONSULTANTS

Network Desktop Support

Amanda CousinsJosh KraghtSanjay Muir

Finance OfficersAnnie Rees

Frank CampbellGeorgina SlessarMichelle BanksNarelle TaylorSimone CutlerStuart Rhee

AccountantsDean Tipping

Ray McDermottSusan McKenzie

Information ResearchOfficer

John Malley

WebmasterVenjie Diola

LGANT Member Councils

LGANT Executive Committee

Chief Executive OfficerTony Tapsell

Appoint

General MeetingsAnnual General Meeting

Special Meetings

Elect

Nominate delegates to


13

Auditor

Kevin Blacker & Associates

PO Box 38170

WINNELLIE NT 0821

Bankers

Westpac Bank

Smith Street

DARWIN NT 0800

Insurance

Jardine Lloyd Thomson

PO Box 2321

FORTITUDE VALLEY BC QLD

4006

Association Sponsors

The Association offers thanks and acknowledges the assistance provided to it

by its four major sponsors in the 2003/2004 year.

14

Dear Members,

As your President I welcome the opportunity to report on the Association's principal

activities during the 2003/2004 financial year.

Before alerting you to some of the major achievements the Association has

undertaken for the financial year, I would like to pay tribute to the work of Alderman

Cecil Black and Mayor Jim Forscutt. Cecil was your President until 31 May 2004

when he was declared unsuccessful in the Darwin City Council elections and Jim

decided not to seek election for the Katherine Town Council. Both served on the

Association's Executive until the above date.

Cecil and Jim have given significant contributions to local government. Altogether

they have served more than 40 years which is testament to their commitment and

resilience. There would be few who could match these efforts. On behalf of all

members I wish them all the very best for the future.

The Executive decided not to fill the above two vacant positions due to the closeness

of the next elections in October 2004. The Association's constitution requires that

vacancies on the Executive be filled at a General Meeting of the Association. As the

Association only holds two such meetings during the year and one month’s notice is

required in any case, the Association decided to leave the positions vacant until the

October 2004 elections.

At the April 2004 General Meeting in Alice Springs the Association elected Chairman

Peter Gunner, Urapuntja Council Aboriginal Corporation, to fill the position left

vacant by the resignation of Councillor John Ingram of Coomalie Community

Government Council in February 2004.

In many ways the 2003-2004 financial year was a milestone for the Association in

terms of achievements. During the year the Association delivered services to its

members in ways that exceeded previous years’ efforts. This was particularly so

with information and communications technology services and human resource

management and training.

The following pages contain some of the highlights for the year.


15

Continued

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Using funds provided under the Commonwealth’s Networking the Nation program, the Association has:

• provided broadband infrastructure involving satellite or ISDN connections to 47 councils

• deployment of local information technology infrastructure in the form of personal computers and server network hardware to 47 councils

• developed Web page services for 37 councils (with 20 others in varying stages of development)

• provided a common business system (IT Vision) to support financial management in the Councils of Tiwi Islands, Cox Peninsula, Jabiru,

Urapuntja, Galiwinku, Mataranka, Pine Creek, Borroloola, Tennant Creek,

Alpurrurulam and Timber Creek including essential training and the use of

a centralised server in Darwin

• provided a customer service ‘helpdesk’ to support infrastructure, Web services and business systems (56 employees trained)

• provided information technology training in Email, Internet and Internet banking applications for 20 councils and communities (I’ve Got Email

Program)

• managed network services to full production mode handling 3000 emails per day for over 650 users.

Using funds provided by the Northern Territory Government the Association has:

• established community digital archives for the purpose of preserving and recording local community histories and cultures for the Councils of

Thamarrurr, Milingimbi, Elliot, Pine Creek, Borroloola, Anmatjere,

Arltarlpilta, Yirrkala, Ramininging and Pirlangimpi Councils.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT

Using funds from member subscriptions, user charges and a grant provided by the

Northern Territory Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural

Affairs, the Association provided human resource management and support services

and organised industrial relations services for member councils.

• provided recruitment services (including advertising, position descriptions, acknowledgements, recommendations, interview panel, interview

questions, reference checks, negotiations, notifying unsuccessful

candidates, drafting contracts) for 82 council positions

• carried out probationary assessments and performance appraisals for ten Chief Executive Officers of councils

16

Continued

• provided 311 contacts to councils over a range of industrial relations issues through the Western Australian Local Government Association (on

behalf of this Association)

• provided human resource management services (including organisational reviews, position descriptions and selection criteria, employment

contracts, Australian Workplace Agreements, performance management

and employee relations advice) to councils that do not employ personnel

with this expertise.

ROADS PROJECTS

• Assisted councils to project manage their Commonwealth Roads to Recovery Programs.

• Expended $590,000 of Commonwealth financial assistance grants on maintenance of the 2,172 km of roads the Association is responsible for.

• Expended $247,672 under the Commonweath Roads to Recovery Program on roads in the Borroloola, Katherine and Tennant Creek regions.

• Represented councils on the Northern Territory Road Safety Black Spot Committee of which five submissions were successful to the value of

$193,000.

ELECTED MEMBER AND STAFF TRAINING

Using funds from user charges and a grant provided by the Northern Territory

Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs, the Association

organised elected member and staff training for member councils.

• 40 participants attended a workshop on ‘performance appraisals for CEOs’

• 150 participants attended 14 courses run by the Western Australian Local Government Association in a range of competency areas including:

letters and report writing in local government (twice) strategic planning policy development preparing agendas and minutes in local government (three times) change management (twice) customer service and complaints handling teamwork, communication and conflict getting started –newly elected members (twice) project management

• 30 participants attended a course on ‘dealing with the media’ in April 2004


17

Continued

• induction courses for persons considering nominating for the May 2004 municipal council elections were held in Darwin, Palmerston, Litchfield,

Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs (twice) during March 2004

• developed material for a one-day, on-site course on ‘elected member – your role’ and since December 2003 delivered the course for 110 participants incorporating learning outcomes to do with:

elected government in Australia roles and responsibilities of elected members and staff a code of conduct for elected members and staff how to work out conflicts of interest (utilising the video for some

courses ‘In Whose Best Interest’ from the NSW Independent

Commission Against Corruption on recommendation of the NT

Ombudsman)

and

why meetings are important.

• courses were held for the Yuendumu, Walungurru, Marngarr, Yirrkala, Angurugu, Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak, Umbakumba, Tiwi, Jabiru, Binjari,

Jilkminggan, Yugal Mangi, Daguragu and Lajamanu Councils.

MEETINGS AND NETWORKING

The Association uses meetings to action issues of relevance to member councils as

well as providing them with opportunities for networking. The most prominent

meetings the Association either facilitated, or participated in, are listed below.

• Attended all four Executive meetings of the Australian Local Government Association with outcomes to do with budget, corporate

strategy, National General Assembly, policy, as well as national agenda

to do with a host of matters including cost-shifting and Roads to Recovery

• attended the Federal Minister for Local Government’s ‘Roundtable’ meeting in Canberra in April 2004 with ALGA representatives and State

Local Government Ministers and delegates which resulted, amongst

other things, in the cost-shifting inquiry moving forward

• held monthly Executive meetings dealing with a full agenda of issues relevant to member councils and the Association, with minutes

circulated to members by email

• held general meetings in Darwin in October 2003 (90 delegates from 34 councils) and in Alice Springs in April 2004 (84 delegates from 28

18

Continued

councils) which included conference elements and resolutions on a wide

range of agenda items with minutes circulated to members

• held a regional meeting in Alice Springs in September 2003 (24 delegates from 11 councils) with outcomes recommended to the

Executive

• held two meetings of municipal councils, one in August 2003 at Darwin City Council and one in February 2004 at Litchfield Shire Council with

minutes circulated to members and outcomes recommended to the

Executive.

• met with the Minister for Local Government, the Hon John Ah Kit, MLA at Parliament House in May 2004 and discussed library funding,

partnership agreement and the review of the Local Government Act.

• met with Treasurer, the Hon Sid Stirling MLA, at Parliament House in April 2004 and discussed payment of rates and charges by

PowerWater.

REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY

The Association is represented in various forums in order to work on matters that

impact on local government activities. Highlights from the work of committees are

listed below. The Association also puts formal submissions to other spheres of

government. Matters dealt with by Association through committees and advocacy

work (with outcomes included in the agendas for meetings), include:

Transport and Infrastructure

• NT Transport Plan – submission completed September 2003. • Hosted workshop on Housing Management Systems and scoped council

system requirements – submission completed (IHANT) November 2003.

• Certificates of Occupancy – submission completed November 2003. • 50 Km Default Speed Limit – submission completed November 2003. • Roads of Regional Significance – survey completed June 2004.

Representation - Committees

Swimming Pool Grants Program Committee – met to plan for the construction

of swimming pools in remote areas.

Local Roads Committee – contributed to the organising of the 2004 National

Local Roads Congress.

Road Safety Council – met to plan road safety measures to reduce road toll.


19

Continued

Environment

• Natural Resource Management Facilitator – submission completed May 2004.

• Review of Landcare – submission completed July 2003. • Environment Protection Objective – submission completed August 2003. • Waste Oil Management Strategy – submission completed September

2003.

• Native Animal Pests – submission completed March 2004.


Landcare – met to plan for natural resource management.

Legislation

• Container Deposit legislation – submission completed August 2003. • Amendments to the Local Government Act – submissions completed

October and December 2003.

• Review of Swimming Pool Fencing Act – submission completed January 2004.

Local Government Finances

• Community benefit fund – submission completed September 2003. • Member subscriptions – survey completed November 2003. • Public Benevolent Institution status – submission completed March

2004.

• Tax preferred entities – submission completed May 2004. • Review of National Competition Payments – submission completed June

2004.


Australian Local Government Association - met to advance recommendations

from the Federal Government’s cost-shifting inquiry.

Local Government Grants Commission – met to recommend grant allocations.

20

Continued

Information Technology

• National Local Government Community Services Conference – Digital Archives – presentation given at Townsville in July 2003.

• Business systems proposal for remote Indigenous Queensland councils – submission completed October 2003.

• IT Vision Users Conference –NT Connect Project – presentation given at Perth in March 2004.

• Telecommunications infrastructure upgrade between Wadeye and Daly River – submission completed May 2003.

Representation

Local Government Online Service Delivery Advisory Committee - met with

key outcome being information exchange of project materials between ALGA

and State/Territory Local Government Associations.

Governance

• Associate membership of the Association – survey completed November 2003.

• Indigenous Governance Conference - presentation Learning from Local Government Reform – Lessons from Interstate Jurisdictions – presentation given at Jabiru in November 2003.

• Draft partnership with Northern Territory Government – submission completed December 2003.

• Appointment to NT Grants Commission – submissions completed October 2003 and March 2004.

Representation

Top End Rural Region Steering Group - arranged for dissemination of

discussion paper on proposed boundary changes for Nauiyu Nambiyu, Pine

Creek and Coomalie Councils.

Employment

• Indigenous Employment Forum – Indigenous Employment in Local Government – presentation given at Darwin in September 2003.

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND POLICIES

The Association disseminates information to its members through a number of

mechanisms including email and Web pages. The Association also reviews policies


21

Continued

regularly at General and Executive Meetings. The Association’s main information

products, and policies reviewed and approved during the year, are as follows:

Information Products

1. This Week at LGANT – weekly email service to member councils and other interested parties which includes information of relevance to local government

in the Northern Territory.

2. So you want to be on Council? – publication prepared for prospective candidates for local government elections.

3. 2004 Directory of Local Governing bodies- provides contact and representation details for all 63 local governing bodies in the Northern

Territory.

4. Local Government Association of the Northern Territory, Annual Report 2002-2003 - provides details of achievements, strategy, staffing and annual financial statements.

5. Press clippings – weekly email service to member councils containing a summary of newsworthy items pertaining to local government.

6. Association Website – updated content management.

7. Media Releases 2003/2004

25/08/03 Need for partnership

25/11/03 LGANT comment on Cost-Shifting Report

13/01/04 Connecting Local Government Conference

22/01/04 More dollars for Territory roads

16/02/04 Local Government welcomes extra $1 million for local roads

18/02/04 Simplified pool laws

23/02/04 New law a threat to local government autonomy

23/02/04 LGANT welcomes commitment to Constitutional Recognition

17/03/04 Pine Creek to launch community digital archive project

21/05/04 Remote councils forced to continue to support community

policing

22

Continued

8. Power Point Presentations 2003/2004

Aboriginal Community Police Officers

National Packaging Covenant

Local Government Reform

Numerous I.T. Issues

Operational Subsidy

Public Benevolent Institutions

Payment of Rates by PowerWater

Roads to Recovery

NT Road Alliance

Policies reviewed and adopted

1. Partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Government

2. Association committees

3. ALGA representation

4. President as signatory to an intergovernmental agreement between the three spheres of government

5. Association councils

6. Incorporation of the Northern Territory into local government areas

7. Regional development plans

8. Regional authorities

9. Housing programs

10. Public library services

11. Remote zone rebates

12. Local roads transferred to local government

13. Roads alliance

14. Roads to Recovery

15. Telecommunications

16. Native animal pests

The above highlights show that the Association has been active on many fronts.


23

Continued

The Association often has to pursue matters with other spheres of government,

sometimes this results in outcomes being achieved in a timely manner and other

times it is a ‘long drawn out’ process. The cost-shifting inquiry (with

recommendations that local government receive a ‘fair share’ of taxation receipts)

commenced in 2002 and is not likely to be concluded for some years yet.

The Association put a submission to the Northern Territory Government on its

review of the NT Planning Act in June 2003, yet it is unlikely legislation will be in

place before 2005. On the ‘big picture” items like local government finances, there

is no doubt the Australian Local Government Association has played a significant role

in helping this Association (as well as others) to ‘win ground’ on difficult

intergovernmental issues like cost-shifting and Roads to Recovery. As members

would know, these are vital issues for local government and warrant wholehearted

acknowledgement.

As my predecessor, Alderman Cecil Black reported last year, structural reform in

local government is perhaps the most pressing issue facing local government in the

Northern Territory. The Association considers the trend towards amalgamation of

councils is inevitable and the Association will be doing its best to assist councils to

plan for this change. The Association considers this development of plans is crucial

for councils to successfully make the transition to larger council activities.

Lastly, I want to thank you, the members, for your involvement and commitment to

the work of the Association. Your willingness to engage and participate in activities

is very much appreciated and goes a long way to making the Association perform and

be accountable.

Fran Kilgariff

PRESIDENT

24

Mayor Fran Kilgariff

President LGANT

PO Box 4502

DARWIN NT 0801

Dear Madam President

I am pleased to present this 2003 – 2004 Annual Report to the Executive and member

councils.

The financial position and performance of the Association (both at 30 June 2004 and

for the financial year) are pleasing in that they confirm the Association’s capacity to

pay its debts as they fall due and generate a surplus from operations.

As with the 2002 – 2003 financial year, the surplus this financial year is largely made

up of ‘carried forward grants’, that is, grants that are committed. Most of the surplus

therefore, is made up of funds that are ‘tied’ to specific purposes. This is confirmed

on page 55 of this annual report. The Association estimates that its ‘true’ surplus

was in the order of $50,000.

The graph on page 58 of this annual report provides stark evidence of the

Association’s dependence on external funding from the Territory and Commonwealth

governments. It is very grateful for this support.

The Association recruited additional staff during the year to enable it to meet its

obligations with information and communications technology as well as human

resource management services for councils.

I congratulate staff on their efforts throughout the year. The results were

commendable and testimony to their professionalism and teamwork. The support and

guidance from the Executive was also much appreciated, especially from a political,

policy and strategic perspective.

The Association’s consultants once again provided valuable expertise in areas the

Association was not able to adequately cover from its own human resources. My

thanks go to Convergence, Collins Anderson, Maree McLinden, Dr Perry Morrison

and the Western Australian Local Government Association for their wonderful

support.

Tony Tapsell

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


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GOAL 1: TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN STRONG, EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Objective: 1.01 Ensure that appropriate support is provided to councils pursuing

structural reform

What is the Strategy? What was achieved? What is planned for the future?

1.01.01 Provide input to the establishment of larger councils

•Funded and distributed a discussion paper on proposed amalgamations for the Top End Rural Region group of councils •Provided specific briefings at meetings on the trend and justification for establishing larger councils

•Assist councils to develop management plans for amalgamations •Support efforts to obtain financial resources from other spheres of government to allow plans to be developed

1.01.02 Assist councils in addressing structural reform issues

•Assisted the Timber Creek Council to establish a regional roads committee and take responsibility for the regional roads that were managed by LGANT •Circulated to members and delivered at meetings LGANT presentation on Learning from Local Government Reform – Lessons from Interstate Jurisdictions

•Provide ‘checklists’ of activities that need to be undertaken in order to better progress the transition to amalgamation

1.01.03 Develop a change management strategy for structural reform with key stakeholders

•Obtained Local Government Association of NSW publication, Managing Change and Uncertainty •Held two courses for members on change management

•Develop materials and circulate to members

Objective: 1.02 Develop and promote policies and procedures consistent with, and

conducive to strong and effective local government


1.02.01 Review all existing LGANT policies and develop new policies where required

•16 policies reviewed or adopted during the year

•Continue to review and adopt policies

1.02.02 Develop model policies for councils on priority issues including equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety and literacy and numeracy

•Model policies provided ‘online’ to members through the Western Australian Local Government Association’s website

•Enable members to access all Association policies online, through its extranet

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1.02.03 Establish procedures that can be used by member councils to satisfy the requirements of the Information Act

•Specific briefing sessions organised on procedures but none actually established

•Establish procedures

Objective: 1.03 Maximise the benefits of a partnership approach within all spheres of

government.


1.03.01 Develop draft partnership agreements with appropriate government agencies

•Paid $5,000 contribution to the drafting of a local roads management alliance between LGANT and the Northern Territory Government

•To have both parties sign the alliance and then enact the agreement •Agreement for shared use of NT Connect infrastructure for housing management system

1.03.02 Finalise a partnership agreement between Local Government and the Territory Government

•Draft partnership agreement provided to the Government in December 2003

•Seek endorsement from members to the agreement and work towards having agreement signed and implemented

1.03.03 Lobby for a clear definition of responsibilities with other levels of government that recognises Local Government as the primary agent for delivering services and maintaining facilities in local and regional areas

•Lobbied, in conjunction with ALGA, for Roads to Recovery to be paid directly to councils •Lobbied, in conjunction with ALGA, for an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between three spheres of government

•Provide input to the IGA process and assist to have it finalised

Objective: 1.04 Maintain high standards of ethical conduct within local government

What is the Strategy? What was achieved? What is planned for the

future?

1.04.01 Review the existing code of conduct for elected members and submit a revised code

•Obtained information from other State Local Government Associations about codes of conduct

•Survey councils about a new code of conduct incorporating suggestions from interstate

1.04.02 Incorporate a revised code of conduct into employment terms and conditions for council employees

•A code of conduct was incorporated into LGANT’s standard employment contract

•Review terms of current code


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Objective: 1.05 Support the achievement of best practice in local government in the

Northern Territory


1.05.01 Promote continuous improvement and best practice for Local Government at General Meetings in the Northern Territory

•Promoted examples of best practice Roads to Recovery projects at Regional and General Meetings of the Association as well as to the Australian and Northern Territory Governments •Promoted and implemented best practice with councils using financial management software •Promoted and implemented best practice with councils on recruitment and performance appraisals of Chief Executive Officers

•Continue to demonstrate best practice examples at LGANT meetings

Objective:

1.06

Increase the capacity and skill of elected members and staff


1.06.01 Hold regular training courses in Alice Springs and Darwin for elected members and staff on identified areas

•Courses were offered in all the major centres utilising the expertise of the Western Australian Local Government (WALGA). These courses were given in 14 sessions with 150 participants from all councils •Other courses held included - Dealing with the Media (30 participants) and Performance Appraisals of CEOs (40 participants)

•Continue to provide existing and new courses. •Assist in the development of training program for a housing management system

1.06.02 Undertake introductory Local Government courses for newly elected members

•The WALGA course “Getting Started” was modified for use in the Northern Territory and offered to all municipal councils following their May 2004 elections. Alice Springs, Katherine and Palmerston Councils attended • “Elected Member – Your Role” was conducted for 11 remote community government councils with 110 councillors attending

•This course will not be offered again until after the next municipal elections in 2008 •Continue to offer “Elected Member – Your Role” to remote community government councils on request •Seek funding to develop further courses for remote communities

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1.06.03 Undertake induction courses for persons considering nominating for municipal council elections

•LGANT produced a booklet “So You Want To Be On Council” and information sessions were conducted in March 2004 for all municipal areas in conjunction with the NT Electoral Office and the Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs

•Ensure publication is available for any elected member and provide information sessions on request

GOAL 2: TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR AND REPRESENT MEMBER COUNCILS

Objective: 2.01 Ensure adequate consultation with governments and the non

government sector is undertaken on all relevant issues


2.01.01 Consult with government and the private sector on relevant issues

•Consulted with NT Council for Social Services on use of telecommunications infrastructure •Consulted with Territory Cattlemen’s Association on funding for ‘beef roads’

•Work with the private sector and other peak bodies to improve the Northern Territory road network

2.01.02 Maintain regular meetings with NT and Commonwealth agencies on matters affecting local government

•In addition to those committees mentioned elsewhere in this report, participated in the activities of the following Committees: o Federal Road Safety Black

Spot o Top End Rural Region Group

of Councils o Auslink and Roads to

Recovery Programs o Swimming Pool Grants

Program Committee o Year of the Built

Environment Advisory Committee

o NT Floodplain Management Group

o NT Marine Pollution Management Committee

o NT Level Crossing Committee

o Darwin Regional Development Board

o Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group

•Continue to meet and communicate with Australian and Northern Territory Government agencies


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Objective: 2.02 Fairly represent the diverse views of member councils


2.02.01 At each Executive and General Meeting of the Association ensure that the agenda drafted reflects the issues of interest to member councils

•Member councils were given the opportunity to request items be put on agendas

•Consider option of calling for motions from members

2.02.02 Conduct regular surveys of member councils to ensure views are incorporated into LGANT policy

•Surveys completed on: o 50kph default speed limit o Auslink o Strategic roads network o Housing management

system o Member subscription and

associate membership

•Examine option of canvassing surveys by email template

2.02.03 Review and undertake survey of member council’s satisfaction with the performance of LGANT

•A satisfaction survey of members was not undertaken during 2003/2004

•Plan to review and modify the satisfaction survey undertaken in 2002 and survey members during October & November 2004 - the results will be collated and incorporated into LGANT’s Strategic Plan to be reviewed in February 2005

Objective: 2.03 Achieve changes in government plans and legislation to reflect the

priorities of local government in the Northern Territory


2.03.01 Review the Local Government Act and prepare proposals to the NT Government for amendments

•Submissions sent in October and December 2003

•Forward submission on amendments wanted by local government but not enacted by the Territory Government •Provide input to foreshadowed legislative change to do with regional authorities

2.03.02 Review the Planning Act and prepare proposals to the NT Government for amendments

•Monitored progress with the review and advised members when legislative change was expected, that is, in 2005 •Kept members informed of Development Assessment Forum process

•Inform members of proposals once the Territory Government releases them

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2.03.03 Prepare proposals for legislative changes on behalf of member councils on an as needs basis

•Submission completed for Swimming Pool Fencing Act in January 2004 and container deposit legislation in August 2003

•Review legislation likely to impact on local government such as the Litter Act

Objective:

2.04

Maintain the capacity of the Association to nominate and remove directly its representatives on boards and committees


2.04.01 Identify those committees where the Association can determine membership and develop procedures for electing or appointing suitable representatives

•Members approved a change to the Constitution in April 2004 that allows the Executive to approve appointments to Committees

•Continue to pursue with the NT Government changes that will allow LGANT to determine its own membership of committees

2.04.02 Retain membership of the AMIAG committee and participate and report on its activities

•Jill Hunt was represented and attended one AMIAG committee meeting, which focussed on current industrial relations issues affecting local government

•Review membership of the committee

2.04.03 Retain membership of the LGODSDAC committee and participate and report on its activities

•Tony Tapsell and Louise Fuller represented LGANT on ALGA’s Board of Management and LGOSDAC (respectively). ALGA projects have focussed largely on high level issues, interoperability and development applications, Centrelink data exchange and information management programs. Opportunities for reuse of project materials from ALGA and State Association’s projects were realised when appropriate, including privacy statements on council and LGANT websites. Information exchange between the State LGAs has been a key outcome from the LGOSDAC process

•Cooperation in national approach to road asset data management project •Finalisation of national projects.

2.04.04 Retain membership of the Local Roads Committee and participate and report on its activities

•Peter McLinden was represented and attended meetings of the committee which focussed on:

o Continued R2R Program o National Road Asset Data

Set Project

•Finalise arrangements for the R2R strategic road component •Assist to finalise national road asset data set project for local government roads


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2.04.04 Continued

Retain membership of the Local Roads Committee and participate and report on its activities

o Auslink o Heavy Vehicle Reform o Austroads o Safer Roads Campaign o Regional Airport Security

- Arrangements

•Assist with regional airport security arrangements and other activities of the committee

Objective: 2.05 Utilise the Australian local government Association to ensure the

interests of Local Government are promoted at the national level


2.05.01 Actively participate in ALGA activities

•President and CEO attended ALGA meetings in August and November 2003 and in February and May 2004 which included extensive agendas including 2004/2005 budget and corporate plan •Participated in deliberations of ALGA Transport Advisory committee •Attended the ALGA National Roads Congress and three meetings dealing with the national asset database on roads

•Continue to support ALGA on local government issues

2.05.02 Provide information and support to the ALGA where required

•Provided input to ALGA on variety of issues to do with local government finances, the environment, transport and infrastructure, information technology and community services. Input enabled ALGA to develop policy responses and submissions to the Australian Government

•Continue to respond where appropriate to ALGA

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Objective: 2.06 Achieve an increase in funding from Territory and Commonwealth agencies


2.06.01 Identify and prepare applications to relevant funding programs

•Submitted applications for funding for:

1. human resource management

2. information technology 3. natural resource

management 4. waste oil

1 and 3 were successful

•Follow up the review carried on the NT Road Safety Council and identify opportunities for LGANT and local government councils •Submit cooperative bid in second CCIF round for information technology

2.06.02 Facilitate discussions with Territory and Commonwealth agencies to ensure appropriate funding for Local Government priorities

•Held meetings with Australian Government on funds held for ‘inland towns’ •Conveyed LGANT policies to Territory Government on funding of public libraries •Participated in ‘Roundtable’ meeting with the Federal Minister for Local Government in April 2004 on cost shifting

•Finalise with Australian Government funding for ‘inland towns’ •Assist councils to come to some agreement with rail operators about interface of local roads and with rail crossings

GOAL 3: TO PROMOTE COMMUNICATION AMONGST OUR MEMBERS AND BETWEEN OUR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY

Objective: 3.01 Utilise various forms of media to inform the wider community of the

activities of local government


3.01.01 Prepare regular media releases on the activities of Local Government

•10 media releases were issued during the year and forwarded to members

•Continue to prepare media releases on issues of importance to local government

3.01.02 Maintain the Public Relations and Communications strategy

•A media release policy has been prepared

• “Local Government Week” will be held from 10 to 15 October 2004

3.01.03 Prepare and seek the publication of articles in Territory-wide publications

•Completed reports from the President in October 2003 and June 2004 for the Local Government Focus newspaper

•Submit articles for Local Government Focus

3.01.04 Hold radio and television interviews on relevant Local Government issues and activities

•President held numerous radio interviews throughout the year •CEO completed two radio interviews

•Continue to hold interviews about local government issues


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3.01.05 Prepare a local government directory for the Northern Territory by March each year

•The 2004 directory was released and sent to all members in February 2004

•Councils will be asked to check and update their details in November 2004 for the 2005 directory released in 2005

Objective:

3.02

Keep members informed of issues relevant to them


3.02.01 Provide a weekly email service to members so that they can obtain current useful information about local government

• “This Week at LGANT” was sent to all councils, elected members and other on request as a means of keeping them informed on relevant issues and matters of interest •Contribute to the weekly newsletter informing members on transport and infrastructure issues

•To update the presentation of the newsletter and modify distribution procedures to comply with the “Spam” legislation

3.02.02 Utilise the Association's website in the dissemination of important information

•LGANT has successfully been advertising and recruiting through its website. The jobs site has received numerous hits from places all over the world •LGANT website upgraded in November 2003 with new content management system. Since then 34,370 visitors have used the website

•Improve ease of access to the site and to make it more user-friendly for persons wishing to apply for employment in local government •Continually review websites for content •Public website maintained •Make extranet capabilities available to LGANT members for more specific sectoral information

3.02.03 Prepare and distribute briefings to members on issues of significance

•Briefings prepared using ‘powerpoint’’ software on:

o Information and telecommunications technology

o Local government finances

o Community services o Transport and

infrastructure o Environment

•Update presentations and develop further presentations as the need arises. Eg.

o Airport security program

o New R2R program and administrative guidelines

o Housing management system

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3.02.04 Provide a weekly 'press clipping' service to members to highlight articles of importance to local government

•The “press clipping” service was provided to all member councils during the year. Most councils now receive this service by email with a scanned attachment

•It is planned to have this information posted to the extranet and phase out the email service by February 2005

3.02.05 Regularly visit council areas and consult with elected members and staff about their needs

•All member councils were visited during the year primarily for information technology purposes

•Increase visitation next year, with the Central Australian region a priority

3.02.06 Prepare an annual schedule of events detailing training courses and meetings of the Association and ALGA

•An annual schedule of events was prepared in January 2004 and sent to all members. It is also available on the LGANT website

•Prepare a schedule of events for 2005 and have it posted to the LGANT extranet

Objective: 3.03 Provide organised opportunities for networking amongst members


future?

3.03.01 Organise two General Meetings of the Association each year

•There were record attendances at the 2003/2004 General Meetings. A General Meeting and AGM was held in Darwin in October 2003 with 90 delegates from 34 councils attending. 80 delegates from 28 councils attended the April 2004 General Meeting held in Alice Springs. The April 2004 meeting was brought forward from May due to May Municipal Elections

•Hold a General Meeting and AGM in Darwin in October 2004 and a General Meeting in Darwin in May 2005

3.03.02 Organise regular Regional Meetings to promote the discussion of region specific issues and strategies

•There was only one Regional Meeting held in 2003/04 due to the rescheduling of Regional Meetings to July/August 2004. The meeting was held in Alice Springs where 24 delegates from 11 councils met

•Continue, and possibly increase, the number of Regional Meetings

3.03.03 Provide specific briefing sessions for councils on particular topics so that they can assist in the development of responses

•Various workshops were held during 2003/2004, usually in conjunction with General and Regional Meetings. Meetings of Municipal Councils were held in August 2003 and February 2004

•Continue briefings and Municipal Meetings during 2004/2005


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GOAL 4: ASSIST MEMBERS TO DELIVER MORE RESPONSIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Objective: 4.01 Ensure that local government’s information technology needs are given adequate support


4.01.01 Maintain the electronic local government network in the Northern Territory

•Broadband infrastructure (satellite or ISDN connections) provided to 47 councils •Migration of local government network to full production after pilot testing. LGANT managed in excess of 650 users and 3,000 emails per day over a robust system •Equipment, telecommunications and training provided to councils. •Extranet capabilities developed and tested

•Continue to offer •Continue to offer technical maintenance of the network •Proposed to extend the network

4.01.02 Support common business applications for councils across the Northern Territory

•Development of a housing asset management module that compliments and interfaces with the IT Vision Business System •Intensive business support provided for migration to IT Vision to 11 councils. 56 council staff trained and supported in business system use and migration •Assisted councils with CDEP connectivity requirements •Facilitated implementation of municipal e-services capabilities for Civica users •Scoped requirements for housing management system (HMS) development

•Workshop and trial the housing asset management module •Ongoing support for IT Vision sites •HMS testing and deployment via ITVision sites •Coordinated approach with IHANT programs

4.01.03 Undertake archival projects at agreed locations subject to funding

•Establishment of 10 community digital archives to preserve community local history and culture •Equipment, training and support provided throughout 2004

•Seek Commonwealth funding to extend digital archives programs

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4.01.04 Provide on-going training and support to member councils in information technology usage including the LGANT ‘help-desk’

•Established a Help Desk at LGANT premises to support the infrastructure, web services and business system •Developed and published 37 council websites and provided training to council staff •Provided additional local IT infrastructure (PCs and network hardware) as needed, including on-site installations, with wireless networks established for councils •Continued the I’ve Got Email program and produced two training DVDs – online banking and internet search engines (eg. Google) •Finalised agreement with NetG for training resources (Word, Excel, Adobe, etc)

•Rollout of facilities to provide Internet access to people with disabilities in 10 regional and remote communities •Ongoing IT training in communities for email, Internet and Internet banking applications •Technical and business system support maintained •Test suitable technology options and potential opportunities for a sectoral approach to EFTPOS provision in remote communities

Objective: 4.02 Assist in meeting local government's human resource management

needs


4.02.01 Provide specialist recruitment services for key personnel for councils in the Northern Territory

•In the past year LGANT has recruited to 82 positions. The website has been visited frequently and the Association has provided a number of councils with proper processes and procedures to ensure that the right and best person for the position has been selected. It has not been an easy year but in its full year of operation LGANT has received good feedback on the service

•A workshop has been planned to discuss the issues of attracting staff and standardisation of terms and conditions of those staff

4.02.02 Provide advice regarding, or implement, human resource management projects for member councils

•Provided services such as: o Organisational reviews o Position descriptions o Selection criteria o Employment contracts o Australian Workplace

Agreements

•Seek further funding to assist councils with their preparations in this area for resource sharing, partnerships and alliances


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4.02.03 Assist member councils to carry out performance appraisals of their senior personnel

•LGANT has developed along with its partner WALGA, a performance appraisal system •Probationary assessments and performance appraisals were completed for ten CEOs •Training sessions have occurred with elected members to ensure they understand the importance of these appraisals. One held in Alice Springs saw 40 people attend

•Continue to expand the delivery of this service and explain why it is essential for senior personnel to get feedback on their performance from the council

4.02.04 Assist councils in developing human resource management procedures that meet legislative requirements under the Local Government Act

•Continuing visits to councils means that educatory process has been undertaken in this area during the year. Access to WALGA’s site has assisted councils to adapt HR policies to suit the needs of their individual councils

•Continue to assist councils to understand and meet the legislative requirements under the Local Government Act

Objective:

4.03

Ensure that member councils are able to meet industrial relations requirements


4.03.01 Co-ordinate the provision of industrial relations services to member councils

•This year saw the changeover of industrial relations service provision from AMMA to WALGA for the last six months. This has given member councils greater access to professional industrial relations experts who are constantly working with local governments •WALGA had 311 contacts with councils over a range of industrial relations issues

•This service is to be reviewed and discussions will take place as to whether it needs enhancement or any changes •How this service fits in with what the HR Support and Development Service provides will also be reviewed

4.03.02 Develop materials to assist councils to comply with the industrial relations requirements of the Local Government Act

•WALGA distributed material to councils about Awards and the disseminated changes to them on a regular basis

•Materials developed will be placed on the extranet in the future

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Objective: 4.04 Provide advice and support to local government in the area of

environmental management


4.04.01 Identify and undertake environmental management projects for member councils

•Negotiated and worked through the appointment of a Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator with the Association •Developed waste oil strategic management project proposal and submitted it to the Australian Government

•Work with the NRM Facilitator in drafting the NT Natural Resource Management Plan including holding a workshop at the Annual General Meeting in October 2004 •Implement the project if funding proposal approved

4.04.02 Subject to funding, assist councils in developing environment management plans for their areas

•Did not undertake this strategy due to funding and human resource constraints

•With the NRM Facilitator develop a framework and sample environmental management plan for use by members

Objective: 4.05 Work with member councils to address transport and infrastructure

needs


4.05.01 Administer LGANT, and on request, member councils', transport and infrastructure contracts

•Maintained the regional road networks in the Katherine, Alice Springs, Borroloola, East Arnhem and Tennant Creek regions •Roads to Recovery Program expended $247,672 on four projects

•Continued to administer local roads funding on roads for which no council is responsible •Finalise Roads to Recovery Program

4.05.02 Develop an asset management system for use by member councils

•Through the ALGA lobbied for assistance and capacity to participate in the national data management project

•Through the Road Alliance and ALGA, develop a model asset database for local roads in the NT

4.05.03 Support and promote road safety initiatives in local government areas

•Participated in the review of the Road Safety Council •Represented local government on the Federal Road Safety Black Spot Committee •Received reports from LGANT nominee on Road Safety Council

•Continue to ensure local government obtains a fair share of the Federal Black Spot funds •Investigate opportunities from the review of the NT Roads Safety Council


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4.05.03 Continued

Support and promote road safety initiatives in local government areas

•Assist councils in the implementation of the 50kph default speed limit •Assist councils in the development of a MOU with the rail operators on the management and responsibilities of the rail and road interface at rail crossings

4.05.04 Promote the development of regional road networks which will oversee the efficient maintenance and construction of local roads

•Development and implementation of the Timber Creek Regional Roads Board

•Continue to support the Timber Creek Regional Roads Board •Continue to assist East Arnhem Councils to collaborate on roads projects

Objective: 4.06 Investigate and report on joint scheme cost reduction proposals


future?

4.06.01 Investigate the feasibility of a joint scheme to reduce insurance costs to councils

•Investigation revealed no feasibility due to small market and one large insurer

•Review strategy •Handle in conjunction with Tort Law Reform Group

4.06.02 Examine the methods for reducing purchasing and advertising costs to councils

•Negotiations have taken place between LGANT and the NT Government in an effort to access the NT Government contract, so far with little success

•Continue lobby efforts to access NT Government contracts

4.06.03 Identify alternatives to reduce accounting costs to councils

•Provided councils with financial management software courtesy of the Networking the Nation Program

•Investigate options for councils

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GOAL 5: MANAGEMENT OF LGANT RESOURCES AND SERVICES Objective: 5.01 Manage the implementation of the Strategic Plan


future?

5.01.01 Report on performance against the LGANT Strategic Plan monthly

•Performance reported monthly to the Executive largely through officer reports

•Review report formats and content

5.01.02 Develop a performance appraisal system linked to the Strategic Plan

•Assessed software options for developing system

•Acquire software to facilitate easier reporting

5.01.03 Develop an annual financial plan, including funding opportunities linked to the Strategic Plan

•Financial plan (budget) developed for 2004/2005 with three year forecast on subscriptions

•Develop business plan in accordance with local government requirements

Objective: 5.02 Improve the delivery and management of the Association’s services


future?

5.02.01 Develop and implement annual staff training and development plans

•Staff training identified following performance appraisals

•Provide greater linkage of plan with budget

5.02.02 Implement the agreed records management systems

•Records management processes improved following placement of files on server

•Implement records management system using IT vision •Review processes to ensure compliance with the Information Act

5.02.03 Review existing HRM policies and procedures

•Reviewed and implemented procedures to do with probations, position descriptions and employment contracts

•Review and adopt new procedures

5.02.04 Ensure that appropriate financial management systems are in place

•Processes involving internal controls and appropriate systems were in place

•Implement financial management system using IT vision •Review financial delegations

5.02.05 Provide regular financial reports to the Executive

•Managed the Roads to Recovery project with an independent audit and met administrative guidelines •Report provided monthly at Executive meetings

•Review financial reporting formats


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GOAL 6: PURSUE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL FORMS OF FUNDING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Objective: 6.01 Maintain the case for a more equitable distribution of funds to local

government in the Northern Territory


6.01.01 Each year submit proposals for changing the interstate distribution of Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants

•Submissions confined to oral input at meetings due to issue being part of outcomes of the Federal Government’s Cost-Shifting Inquiry

•Support case at national level for a review of the methodology

6.01.02 Develop scenarios and assess implications of the outcomes of the Federal Government's Cost-Shifting Inquiry by participating in relevant activities

•’Roundtable’ meeting with the Federal Minister for Local Government in April 2004 confirmed all parties’ commitment to working towards an intergovernmental agreement

•Participate in the development of an intergovernmental agreement

6.01.03 Develop a position in response to the AUSLINK White Paper on National Transport

•Developed a position with the assistance of ALGA •The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction to receive an increase in the new Roads to Recovery program for the period 2005/2009

•Review the status of AUSLINK next financial year

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I, Fran Kilgariff, President of the Local Government Association of the Northern

Territory, state that in my opinion, the financial statements (as set out) are properly

drawn up so as to present fairly the state of affairs of the Association as at 30 June

2004 and of the results and cash flows of the Association for the year then ended.

August 2004 PRESIDENT

STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Tony Tapsell, being the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government

Association of the Northern Territory, state that to the best of my knowledge and

belief the financial statements (as set out) present fairly the state of affairs of the

Association as at 30 June 2004 and of the results and cash flows of the Association

for the year then ended.

August 2004 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2004

2004 2003 $ $ASSETS Notes Current Assets Cash (2) 6 119 706 3 506 414Debtors (3) 55 929 128 691Prepayments 17 463 5 526 6 193 098 3 640 631Non-Current Assets Motor Vehicles (4) 60 628 84 339Furniture and Fittings (4) 318 786 51 957 379 414 147 791Total Assets 6 572 512 3 776 927

LESS LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities Creditors 524 827 133 200Accruals 4 000 3 600Motor Vehicle Leases (5) 48 241 21 551Provision – Annual Leave 75 717 38 774 652 785 197 125 Non-Current Liabilities Motor Vehicle Leases (5) 0 48 241Provision – Long Service Leave 13 000 11 000 13 000 59 241 Total Liabilities 665 785 256 366 NET ASSETS 5 906 727 3 520 561 ACCUMULATED FUNDS Balance at the beginning of the year 3 520 561 2 235 235Surplus (Deficit) for the year 2 386 166 1 285 326Balance at the end of the year 5 906 727 3 520 561


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STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2004 INCOME Notes 2004 2003 $ $Local Government Development Member Skill Development

• Member Training Grant 60 000 160 000• Training Income 37 213 22 361

ALGA Business Plan (10) 10 000 0East Arnhem Business Development Funds 13 463 43 622Indigenous Governance Conference 85 909 70 000Building Stronger Regions Conference 80 000 0Total Local Government Development 286 585 295 983 Advocacy ALGA Reimbursements Travel 12 280 14 174Total Advocacy 12 280 14 174 Communication & Promotions Conference & Meeting Charges 15 837 11 510 Total Communication & Promotions 15 837 11 510 Assist Members with Services Information & Technology Networking the Nation NT Connect 2 998 481 1 277 406I’ve Got Email 205 436 97 31820/20 20 000 355 000 3 223 917 1 729 724 East Arnhem Images of Yolgnu 0 41 000 Accounting Services 5 782 0 Total Information & Technology 3 229 699 1 770 724 Human Resource/Industrial Relations Human Resource Grant 200 000 100 000Human Resource Recruitment Services 104 826 23 860

Human Resource/Industrial Relations Income 76 978 0Temporary Staff Services 29 657 0Total Human Resource/Industrial Relations 411 461 123 860

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2004 (continued)

INCOME Notes 2004 2003 $ $Environmental Projects Environment Resource Officer 0 57 713Natural Resource Faciltator 80 000 0Coomalie Bushcare Project 0 15 000Litchfield Wetlands 0 13 000Total Environmental Projects 80 000 85 713 Roads & Infrastructure Local Roads Grant 753 493 698 445Roads to Recovery 201 896 254 812Swimming Pool Funds (11) 2 550 000 0Roads Alliance Funding 5 000 0Total Roads & Infrastructure 3 510 389 953 257 Total Assist Members With Services 7 231 549 2 933 554 LGANT Management Subscriptions 479 068 422 634 Other Income Sponsorship 26 000 18 800Interest 48 336 9 240Sundry Income 2 925 4 081Reimbursement Commissioner Travel 0 8 777Conference Room Hire 0 4 050Management./Admin Fee 0 12 300 77 260 57 248 Total LGANT Management 556 328 479 882 TOTAL INCOME 8 102 579 3 735 103 Less Expenses (5 716 413) (2 449 777) Surplus(Deficit) for the year 2 386 166 1 285 326


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EXPENDITURE Notes 2004 2003 $ $Local Government Development Member Skill Development

• Member Training & Reform 103 473 87 008• Ethical conduct 850 0

Reform – Amalgamation 1 510 0Regional Development

• Yirrkala Plan 20 000 0• Indigenous Governance Conference 155 909 0

Business Planning Course 2 200 20 566Policy Development 12 222 0Partnership Agreements 4 991 0Autonomy & Best Practice 1 479 0Total Local Government Development 302 634 107 574 Advocacy Liaison with Governments 3 203 0Member Input 5 782 0Review Local Government Legislation 4 121 0Support Members on Committees 3 686 0Australian Local Government Association

• Subscriptions 42 365 38 342• Travel – executive meetings 28 667 26 229

Federal & Territory Funding 6 521 2 793Collaboration Across the North 0 492Total Advocacy 94 345 67 856

Communication & Promotions

Promote Local Government 8 488 0Member Information Networking & Consultations

3 147 0

• General Meetings Expenses 33 059 22 126• Regional Meeting Expenses 6 545 5 390• Municipal Meeting Expenses 6 983 0• Presidents Allowance 6 000 6 000• Executive Meeting Expenses 22 356 305

Total Communication & Promotions 86 578 33 821

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EXPENDITURE Notes 2004 2003

Assist Members With Services $ $

Networking the Nation NT Connect 3 389 374 993 228I’ve Got Email 2 107 709 117 99220/20 61 767 0 3 558 850 1 111 220Other Information Technology Projects Technology Dreaming 18 597 121 403East Arnhem Images of Yolgnu 6 530 34 462 25 127 155 865 Accounting Services 1 530 0Total Information & Technology 3 585 507 1 267 085 Human Resource/Industrial Relations Services Human Resource Management 182 212 29 663Member Recruitment/Human Resource Assistance 130 040 17 260 312 252 46 923 Industrial Relations Service - Subscription 69 503 90 021Industrial Relations Assistance 1 699 0 71 202 90 021 Temporary Staff Services 25 536 0Total Human Resource/Industrial Relations Service

408 990 136 944

Environmental Projects Environmental Resource Officer 718 46 792Natural Resource Facilitator 1 357 0Coastal Management 0 2 300Coomalie Bushcare 0 15 000Litchfield Wetlands 0 13 000Greenhouse Forum 133 0Total Environmental Projects 2 208 77 092 Transport & Infrastructure Local Roads Expenditure 726 039 339 018Roads to Recovery 247 673 137 307Total Transport & Infrastructure 973 692 476 325 Investigate Joint Schemes Expenditure 4 777 466 Total Assist Members With Services 4 975 174 1 957 912


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EXPENDITURE Notes 2004 2003

LGANT Management $ $

Strategic Plan 5 553 0 Staff Salaries 28 824 89 016Superannuation 19 396 20 293Staff Training & on Costs 6 279 5 743Motor Vehicle & Travel Expenses 17 704 15 771 Commissioner Travel Assistance 0 8 777 Outsourcing expenses 0 112Postage 2 414 1 620Photocopying 1 911 2 454Printing & Stationery 4 406 3 598Insurances 3 663 5 609Rent/Electricity/cleaning 49 190 35 850

Documents

Annual Report 2004 - LGANT€¦ · Independent Audit Report to the Members of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory 43 Statement of Financial Position as at 30