RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (RAMROC)

PRESENTATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PANEL WEDNESDAY 1ST AUGUST 2012

RAMROC Councils, NSW Total Area 126,595 sq km – Total Population 168,643

RAMROC POPULATIONS

Albury 51,359

Balranald 2,438

Berrigan 8,618

Carrathool 2,938

Conargo 1,678

Corowa 11,818

Deniliquin 7,591

Gr. Hume 10,423

Griffith 26,001

Hay 3,315

Jerilderie 1,658

Leeton 11,932

Murray 7,347

Murrumbidgee 2,558

Narrandera 6,291

Urana 1,251

Wakool 4,362

Wentworth 7,065

RAMROC REGION PROFILE IN BRIEF

– RAMROC - represents the interests of eighteen (18) member councils

– RAMROC has brought together the former Murray ROC and RIVROC

– RAMROC region has an area of 126,595 sq km with a population of 168,643

– Principal population centres are Albury pop. 51,359 and Griffith 26,001

– Region has mix of regional centres, medium sized towns and urban shires, through to rural shires large in area but small in population.

– Strong agricultural and horticultural sector, based on traditionally reliable climate and extensive irrigation. Agriculture related industries employ 50,000 people

STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLAN 2011-2015

VISIONRAMROC Councils collaborating to enhance the economic, social and environmental capabilities of their communities so as to ensure their long term resilience and sustainability

PURPOSETo assist in the efficiency and effectiveness of member Councils through networking, lobbying and sharing of resources, and to enhance regional economic, social, environmental and community development

STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLAN 2011-2015

POLICY AREASRelating to lobbying, advocacy, strategic alliances, research, policy, planning and management for the RAMROC region and communities

OPERATIONAL AREASRelating to the carrying out of functions by Member Councils through the Executive Officer, General Managers, Professional Officer Working Groups and Special Committees

Organisation StructureRAMROC BOARD

(MAYORS OF 18 MEMBER COUNCILS)

RAMROC

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(Chair, Deputy Chair & Secretary/Treasurer)

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

RAY STUBBS

(Full time Position)

MURRAY WASTE GROUP COORDINATOR

NIGEL TAYLOR(Full time Position)

RIVERINA WASTE GROUP COORDINATOR

JOHN CRAIG

(Part time Consultant)

RAMROC – PROFESSIONAL OFFICER WORKING GROUPS• GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP• ENGINEERS GROUP• ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND PLANNERS GROUP• FINANCE PROFESSIONALS GROUP (PART OF RIVERINA)• MURRAY REGION WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP• RIVERINA REGION WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP• GOVERNANCE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP • INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING GROUP• HUMAN RESOURCES GROUP• RISK MANAGEMENT AND OH&S GROUP (PART OF RIVERINA)

LG REVIEW PANEL - KEY ISSUES RAISED FOR TODAY’S WORKSHOP DISCUSSIONS

ISSUES• WHAT DRIVES PROSPERITY IN THE RAMROC REGION

• KEY PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION

• CURRENT CHALLENGES FACED BY THE REGION

• EMERGING CHALLENGES FACED BY THE REGION

• OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES

1. WHAT DRIVES PROSPERITY IN THE REGION

• WATER SECURITY AND AVAILABILITY– THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE RAMROC REGION’S AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES

• FOOD, FIBRE AND WINE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING• MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN LARGE URBAN CENTRES• TOURISM – LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, NATURE, SPORT, ECO, ETC• TRANSPORT – ROAD AND RAIL NETWORKS• COMMUNICATION NETWORKS – BROADBAND ETC• HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES• EDUCATION – SECONDARY, TAFE (2) AND UNIVERSITIES (2)• AIRPORTS – REGIONAL SERVICES AND RELATED INDUSTRIES

WHAT DRIVES PROSPERITY IN THE REGION (CONTINUED)

• CENTRALLY LOCATED WITH ACCESS TO PORTS AND MARKETS• STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF COMMUNITIES TO COPE

WITH DROUGHTS, FLOODS AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS• COMMUNITY CAPACITY - WIDE RANGE AND DIVERSITY OF

ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS• AVAILABILITY OF LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

DEVELOPMENT AT COMPARATIVELY FAVOURABLE PRICES• RELIABLE AND COMMITTED WORKFORCE AND EMPLOYEES• STRONG PRESENCE OF DEFENCE FORCE ESTABLISHMENTS• NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND RAIL NETWORKS LINKING CAPITAL

CITIES – OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SPEED INLAND RAIL

2. KEY PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RAMROC REGION

• SUBSTANTIAL WATER SYSTEMS – MURRAY, MURRUMBIDGEE, LACHLAN AND DARLING RIVER SYSTEMS

• WATER STORAGES – DARTMOUTH, HUME, MULWALA, BURRINJUCK, BLOWERING, WYANGALA AND OTHERS

• TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE – LAKES AND RIVERS, SPORT, SNOWFIELDS, WINERIES, HISTORY AND HERITAGE, REDGUM NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS AND WETLANDS

• DIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE – DRYLAND AND IRRIGATION AND ABILITY TO MATCH CROPS WITH WATER AVAILABILITY

• A HISTORY OF GENERALLY PREDICTABLE CLIMATE• TRANSPORT – ROAD, RAIL AND AIR NETWORKS

KEY PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION (CONTINUED)

• THE NUMBER OF LARGE AND SPARSELY POPULATED RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

• BORDER LOCATION ALONG MURRAY VALLEY – CROSS BORDER URBAN CENTRES AND BORDER ANOMALIES

• LINKS TO NEW SOUTH WALES AND VICTORIAN ROAD, RAIL AND AIR NETWORKS

3. CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION

• LACK OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT• REDUCED WATER AVAILABILITY – PROPOSED MURRAY

DARLING BASIN PLAN AND POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE• POPULATION DECLINE - YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR• ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL AND

RURAL AUSTRALIA• WITHDRAWAL OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM REGIONS• SKILLS SHORTAGES – ATTRACTION OF KEY PROFESSIONALS• LACK OF FINANCE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES• DEMAND FOR IRRIGATION MODERNISATION ON / OFF FARM

CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION (CONTINUED)

• LACK OF MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES IN SMALL CENTRES• LONG LEAD TIME FOR NBN FIBRE OPTIC ROLLOUT• LACK OF REVENUE CAPACITY TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS• DIFFICULT TO COMPETE WITH VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT

INCENTIVES FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT• IMPACT OF BORDER ANOMALIES – e.g SMALL BUSINESSES• GOVERNMENT INACTION ON PLANNING AND

INFRASTRUCTURE e.g MURRAY RIVER CROSSINGS• HUGE REGIONS FOR LOCAL FEDERAL AND STATE

REPRESENTATIVES – POLITICAL DECISIONS IMPACT POORLY• INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE BACKLOG – ROADS, BRIDGES

CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION (CONTINUED)

• DECLINING COMMUNITY ROLE AND VOLUNTEER BASE TO ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO THEIR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES

• RAPIDLY INCREASING COSTS OF ENERGY• DIFFICULTY OF FINANCE FOR MAJOR INVESTMENT IN

INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRY, RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY• LIMITED ACCESS TO AIR SERVICES TO SMALLER TOWNS• LIMTED AREAS OF NATURAL GAS AVAILABILITY• LOSS OF REDGUM TIMBER INDUSTRIES IN CENTRAL MURRAY

AND MURRUMBIDGEE REGIONS• LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN SOME

COMMUNITIES

Local Government Area 2001 2011 Change

Albury 45621 51359 +5738Balranald 2773 2438 -335Berrigan 8138 8618 +480Carrathool 3316 2938 -378Conargo 1823 1678 -145Corowa 10785 11818 +1033Deniliquin 8333 7591 -742Greater Hume Shire 10537 10423 -114Griffith 24604 26001 +1397Hay 3599 3315 -284Jerilderie 1922 1658 -264Leeton 11925 11932 +7Murray 6156 7347 +1191Murrumbidgee 2662 2558 -104Narrandera 6739 6291 -448Urana 1431 1251 -180Wakool 4929 4362 -567Wentworth 7214 7065 -149 TOTALS 162507 168643 +6136

4. EMERGING CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION

• FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN IRRIGATION WATER AVAILABILITY FOR FOOD AND FIBRE PRODUCTION – FLOW-ON IMPACTS

• TRANSPORT HAULAGE – LIMITS ON ACCESS TO MARKETS• POPULATION DRIFT TO CITIES AND LARGE REGIONAL

CENTRES• INCREASING COSTS OF ELECTRICITY AND OTHER UTILITIES• LACK OF PLANNING AUTONOMY FOR LOCAL COUNCILS• ABSENCE OF ‘WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT’ APPROACH –

DISJOINTED GOVT POLICY MAKING AND PROGRAM FUNDING

• OVERGOVERNING OF COUNCILS BY FEDERAL / STATE GOVTS

EMERGING CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION (CONTINUED)

• AGEING POPULATION AND LOSS OF YOUNGER PEOPLE • LACK OF POLITICAL REPRESENTATION – ELECTORATE SIZES

GROWING AS RURAL POPULATIONS DECLINE AND LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF REGION BY GOVERNMENTS

• LACK OF CERTAINTY AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN REGION• CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT• THREAT TO COUNCIL WATER AND SEWERAGE FUNCTIONS• UNCERTAINTY ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES FOR LOCAL

GOVERNMENT SERVICES• GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND IMPACTS ON REGION• ABILITY TO ATTRACT PROFESSIONAL AND KEY PERSONNEL

5. OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES

• DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS POPULATION, WATER, FOOD AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• INCREASED GOVT EMPHASIS ON DECENTRALISATION – INCENTIVES BY GOVERNMENTS FOR INDUSTRY ATTRACTION

• CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT – ASSURED FUNDING SHARE OF NATIONAL TAXATION POOL

• FUNDING OF SPECIAL REGIONAL / RURAL ECONOMIC ZONES• REMOVAL BY STATE GOVERNMENT OF LG RATING CONTROLS• REMOVE COST SHIFTING OF FUNCTIONS BY OTHER GOVTS• REMOVAL OF RED TAPE AND CESSATION OF INTERFERENCE

FROM CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS

OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES (CONTINUED)

• ENSURE WATER AND SEWERAGE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL REMAINS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNCTION

• FAIRER SYSTEM OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA (RDA) FUNDING – FOR SUB REGIONAL AND LOCAL PROJECTS

• VOLUNTARY AND BENEFICIAL (EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE) CHANGES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES

• INTENSIVE FOCUS ON RESOURCE SHARING OPPORTUNITIES AMONGST COUNCILS (STAFF, PLANT, PROCUREMENT ETC)

• INCREASED FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRIES

• FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY CLOSE TO PRODUCT SOURCE

LG PANEL - TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES

1. THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

• COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLANNING DEMONSTRATE A GROWING EXPECTATION BY COMMUNITIES FOR COUNCILS TO PROVIDE NON TRADITIONAL AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• THERE IS A MISMATCH BETWEEN REVENUE RAISING CAPABILITY OF COUNCILS VERSUS THE CURRENT COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS OF SERVICE LEVELS

• SOME ‘FUTURE NEEDS’ MAY BE UNKNOWN AT THIS STAGE – BUT WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO GROW

LG PANEL TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES (CONTINUED)

2. THE ABILITY TO DELIVER SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE EFFICIENTLY, EFFECTIVELY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER

• SHORTAGE OF PROFESSIONALS FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN AND ENGAGEMENT SKILLED CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORKERS CAN SOMETIMES BE AN ISSUE FOR BOTH PRIVATE AND COUNCIL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN MANY REGIONAL AND RURAL AREAS

LG PANEL TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES (CONTINUED)

3. THE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

• REVENUE SOURCES CONSTRAINED BY STATE REGULATION AND PROCESSES

• LACK OF CERTAINTY REGARDING FUTURE SOURCES OF COUNCIL FUNDING SOURCES

• FINANCING OF INFRASTRUCTURE BACKLOG IS A MAJOR ISSUE

• DEMANDS FOR COUNCILS TO FUND NON TRADITIONAL SOURCES (COST SHIFTING FROM OTHER GOVTS) IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM

LG TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES (CONTINUED)

4. THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE LOCAL REPRESENTATION AND DECISION MAKING

• REINFORCE THE ROLE OF COUNCILLORS AS LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AND AS POLICY DECISION MAKERS

• COUNCILS ARE GENERALLY POLITICALLY ISOLATED – DIFFICULTY OF INFLUENCING FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT IS OFTEN DEMONSTRATED

• COMMUNITIES ARE SEEKING STRONG LEADERSHIP AND HIGH LEVELS OF INTEGRITY FROM LOCAL COUNCILS

LG TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUES (CONTINUED)

5. THE BARRIERS AND INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTARY BOUNDARY CHANGES

• ONE SIZE CERTAINLY DOESN’T FIT ALL CIRCUMSTANCES• MUST BE DEMONSTRABLE LONG TERM GOALS AND

ACHIEVEMENTS (TEST THESE AGAINST THE PREVIOUS CHALLENGES OUTLINED – WOULD THEY BE IMPROVED)

• LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE BEST PLACED TO DECIDE – NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED GOVERNMENTS

• GEOGRAPHIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS• REMOVE OTHER BARRIERS TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY• LOCAL EXPERT PANELS TO INVESTIGATE PROS AND CONS ??