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Alice Springs hosts annual conference

The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) staged its annual conference and AGM on 20-21 September.

Then President of LGANT, Councillor Margaret Vigants, said that the key issues dealt with included the Territory's Local Government reform agenda, and the Australian Local Government Association's recently announced $2 million fighting fund to ensure road funding is a major issue at the next Federal election.

She said that on a regional basis Councils are talking about basic issues, such as assets and liabilities, but this is often more along the lines of increased resource sharing rather than amalgamation. Margaret Vigants believes that, over the past three years, LGANT has worked to improve relations with the Territory Government.

"Our concerns about the reform process have been passed on to the Government and our input is being heard," she said.

She added that LGANT has also worked hard to provide better services to Councils particularly in terms of improved training opportunities.

As the host Council for the conference, Nick Scarvelis, Chief Executive Officer at Alice Springs Town Council, welcomed delegates to the 'Centre' and gave an overview of Council's future directions as it approaches its 30th anniversary as a Town Council.

"With a new Council elected last May, work is well underway to develop a Strategic Plan that reflects community needs and aspirations, and a three year management plan to put this in place," Nick Scarvelis said.

"Council has identified a number of key issues that can only be addressed through an integrated, 'whole of community' approach.

"Our role is to facilitate, coordinate and lead through shared responsibilities, improved governance, agreements, cooperation and linkages.

"As an organisation, we are aiming for better services, increased capacity and improved communications."

Brian Greedy, from the Western Australian based company Business Solutions, spoke on the topic 'Professionalism Plus for Local Government'. He said most organisations have a tendency to focus on the product rather than the marketplace, and with the marketplace constantly changing, this is a recipe for disaster. For Councils, this means keeping pace with community expectations.

However, he stressed that concentrating on improved customer service is fine but, at the end of the day, it is staff that provide optimum service delivery.

"Staff are more important than your customers because happy staff deliver good services," Brian Greedy said.

"Many organisations have their customer service charters clearly displayed. What they should be doing is ensuring their staff are treated exactly the same way."

With this event coinciding with the Olympics in Sydney, the outdoor conference dinner at Alice Springs Old Telegraph Station saw the LGANT Executive's homegrown version of the torch relay, lighting of the caldron and various sporting events.

At the AGM, Alderman David Elliott, Deputy Mayor of Palmerston City Council, was elected President of LGANT.

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