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Councils urged to become 'fit for the future'

Delegates at the Institute of Municipal Management NSW Division's Annual Conference held recently in Sydney were urged, as the Conference theme suggested, to make their Councils 'fit for the future'.

Rod Oxley in his President's Address said the theme of the Conference was designed to inspire members to improve their professional and personal fitness to meet the challenges of the new millennium.

He said the IMM also aims to make itself fit for the future. He summarised the five point focus for the organisation as &endash; being proactive; having influence with government; showing leadership; encouraging participation and taking a stand on the policy agenda.

On the topical subject of boundary reform, Rod said the IMM is supportive of the move and will provide professional support to its members to deal with it. But he stressed 'one size does not fit all'. "Local Government consists of 177 different and distinct entities," he said. "In the process of reform, distinctiveness cannot, and should not, be lost." He said public interest and human and social costs of reform must also be considered.

Along with National President Jon Edwards, Rod noted that, as we approach the new millennium, Australian Local Government is in an ideal position to take advantage of its high level of regard and expertise to provide advice and skills to overseas cities particularly in Asia.

Jon Edwards said that there are many professional opportunities to be gained in an exchange of skills in the region. He said the opportunity is there for an enlarged international profile for the Institute.

In welcoming State Minister Harry Woods, Rod Oxley noted that a natural synergy exists between Local Government, and the Minister's other portfolios Rural Affairs and Regional Development. He said Local Government has a significant role to play in both these areas.

The Minister congratulated the IMM on its fine work. He said he will be working in partnership with Councils across the State to make a strong and effective sector moving into the next century. He agreed Local Government complements his other portfolios and said he is impressed by the ingenuity of Local Government in meeting economic development needs in its communities.

"Economic growth cannot be imposed from Macquarie Street," he said. "The Local Government sector and local industry have real knowledge of the opportunities, potential and problems in their local areas."

Keynote speaker, adventurer Peter Hillary, inspired the audience with tales of his expeditions to the earth's extremities. This included the importance of being fit in terms of preparation to take on challenges, which inevitably carry with them a degree of uncertainty.

In an amusing tale of the privations and exhilaration to be had in some of the planet's most inhospitable environments, he stressed comradeship, tolerance, prudence and an ability to 'look on the bright side' ensured the best results.

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