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2000 IMM launches Local Government innovation

The Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, opened the Institute of Municipal Management's 19th National Congress and Expo in Melbourne's Convention Centre on 29th May.

The theme for this year's congress Interactive 2000 &endash; Strategies for a New Era, reflected the challenges of the information age and the need for Local Government to communicate and build networks.

The congress also provided the ideal forum for councils to listen, learn and interact with other agencies through a programme of sessions on Governance, Management and Interactive.

Senator Macdonald praised organisers for providing an opportunity for government agencies and councils to learn from each other.

The Minister's speech centred on issues affecting Local Government, particularly the need for Local Government to realise that people were turning to them for security and certainty, and to create new strategies for new times.

Federal Government assistance for Local Government projects including the review of the Local Government (Financial Assistance Act )1995 and National Competition Policy were also outlined.

Newly elected National President of the Institute of Municipal Management, Rob Noble warmly welcomed local and international delegates and announced the decision to change the name of the Institute of Municipal Management to Local Government Managers Australia from January 2001.

Senator Macdonald also launched the 2000 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government at the Congress and announced two new categories in this year's Awards. In line with the Government's strong emphasis on promoting equity between metropolitan and regional Australia, there is a special award for Services to Remote Areas. And there is a new category in the awards for Youth, to recognise innovation in programmes and projects that benefit young people's involvement in community leadership and development. Entries for this year's Awards closed on 28 July, winners will be announced in December.

At the congress, delegates were able to see showcased some of the 300 innovative projects submitted for the 1999 Awards.

The congress attracted presenters from a range of government agencies, business and community leaders along with Local Government representatives both Australian and international.

Keynote speakers proved thought provoking with Bob Pritchard of Pritchard Marketing Inc speaking on the importance of 'Marketing your Community'. International presenters closed day two with the key issues confronting Local Government overseas including a presentation of the peer support programme.

An addition to the 2000 Congress was the introduction of the speaker's corner giving people an opportunity to discuss issues from the congress in interactive discussions and debates.

The congress closed with participants encouraged to rate sessions and events, and to propose ideas for IMM's 2001 Congress to be held in the National Convention Centre, Canberra, from 3 to 6 June 2001.

Senator Macdonald's address to the Congress 'as delivered' can be viewed by clicking on to the speech icon, at website www.dotrs.gov.au.

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