Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

West North-West Councils look at a Regional Agreement

In August the Mayors and General Managers of nine West North-West Councils met with Premier Jim Bacon to discuss the region's future direction. The Councils' Joint Authority briefed the Premier on the Cradle Coast report which advocates a strong alliance between the municipalities to focus on economic development.

The nine Councils involved include the following.

• Burnie City Council
• Central Coast Council
• Circular Head Council
• Devonport Council
• Kentish Council
• King Island Council
• Latrobe Council
• Waratah-Wynyard Council
• West Coast Council

The Premier said this concept is consistent with his offer to negotiate a regional Partnership Agreement with the nine Councils. "It is up to the municipalities to decide whether they want to negotiate individual agreements or want to be part of a regional partnership involving all Councils," he said

"Regardless of the Councils' final decision, I am heartened by the spirit of cooperation that now exists along the coast. "The State Government stands ready to do whatever it can to assist the Councils in their endeavours to lift the West and North West economically."

The Premier said the Chief Executive of the Department of State Development, Jeff Kelly, had already been active along the North West coast, meeting with a number of the Councils. "If the municipalities want to proceed with a regional Partnership Agreement, Jeff Kelly will be in charge of the Government's negotiating team," Jim Bacon said.

"The fact that I am prepared to commit the head of the Government's main development agency to this process underlines the importance I place on giving economic development priority in any regional agreement". The flexibility of the Partnership Agreements means Councils can be involved both individually and/or as part of a regional grouping.

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