Tomorrow’s communities will be shaped by the ambition and drive of their people, and by the investments our governments make in their people, the infrastructure they rely on, and the places they live and work.
The theme of this year’s National General Assembly (NGA) ‘Building Tomorrow’s Communities’ goes to the heart of the role of local government in modern Australia. Key presentations will address how councils, often working in partnership with other levels of government, or the private and not-for-profit sectors, are shaping the future and responding appropriately to the challenges that lie ahead.
Increasingly, local governments are striving, wherever possible, to assist communities to be productive, innovative and entrepreneurial, to help build resilience, create jobs and increase overall prosperity at the local level. And as our focus on economic development grows, so too does our role in the local and regional economy as well as in the national economy.
I encourage you to explore this and other themes by attending the NGA, and by working with myself and the ALGA Board as we explore opportunities to strengthen the contribution that local government makes to creating the future.
The NGA offers an ideal opportunity to elevate local government issues to the Federal level. In recent years, local government, by developing partnerships with the Commonwealth, has successfully delivered more than 55,000 road and community infrastructure projects. These projects have improved safety, productivity and community participation around the nation.
The NGA is also your opportunity to make sure that your council’s view is reflected in the national priorities identified for Local Government.
I invite you to be part of this important event, to network with your colleagues, to hear from our national leaders and to shape national policy by registering for the National General Assembly to be held in Canberra from 18-21 June 2017.
Mayor David O’Loughlin
ALGA President