 Pros and cons of SA's
restructure
Late last year, the South Australian Government
instigated structural reform for Council boundaries. With an emphasis
on Councils working towards voluntary mergers, and a continuing role
in the process by elected members, amalgamations have been taking
place, albeit slowly. However, the State Government's recent move to
sack the Council of Adelaide City now threatens to derail the
process.
Editorial
In Melbourne's City of
Moreland, Optus vehicles have been impounded and in NSW Councils are
threatening to send in teams of workers to rip down cables if rates
they intend to impose are not paid. Western Australian Council's have
found a strong ally in the shape of the State Government. The Court
Government has said an emphatic 'no' to the use of its power poles to
string up cables. Much to the consternation of the telecommunication
giants this issue is not just going to disappear.
Call for 40 kph in all residential
streets
Concerned about matters affecting the safety and
lifestyle of its residents, the City of Unley has produced a landmark
report covering its five year trial of a 40 kilometres per hour
residential speed limit. Its five year trial found that 40 kph was
safe, convenient and popular.
Port Adelaide Enfield takes shape
Seven
months on, the new City of Port Adelaide Enfield has received wide
community support. The merger of the two former Councils occured on
22 March. The former Cities of Port Adelaide and Enfield were amongst
the first South Australian Councils to voluntarily merge under the
current restructure process.
Rural communities deserted
According to
the Western Australian Municipal Association (WAMA), rural
communities are being asked to carry an inequitable share of the
Federal Government's attempt to balance the books. As well as $150
million cut from Regional Development Programs, a further 40 percent
has been slashed from the Rural Community Access Program.
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