State Budget Priority Statement 2021 22 - Local Government ...
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Tasmanians. This is why the Local
State Budget Priority Government sector is seeking the following
targeted investments to support business and
Statement 2021‐22 communities to drive recovery.
This year’s State Budget will be one unlike any
SUPPORTING BUSINESS
other. As a State our priorities must be
Councils’ ability to support economic
informed by managing the impacts of and our
development at the local level is essential to
recovery from the COVID–19 pandemic.
revitalising local economies and building more
To date, all levels of government have resilient and economically diverse regions.
invested to ensure the recovery of our society The following three initiatives are designed to
and economy. And, while the investment leverage this existing support.
from Federal and State Governments has
been significant, Local Government’s BUY LOCAL INITIATIVE
contribution cannot be underestimated. For
example, Tasmanian councils have committed Councils have significant purchasing power,
in excess of $40 million to support their exceeding $684 million in 2018/2019. To
communities through the crisis and into support businesses to rebuild and thrive post
recovery. COVID‐19, it is critical now more than ever to
invest in our local economy and ‘buy local’.
The ongoing recovery effort will, of course, While there is already a sizeable contribution
require a variety of strategies. That is why made by councils in supporting local business,
Local Government, through LGAT, has we believe this can be enhanced with some
provided the following suite of initiatives for targeted support for councils and local
consideration as part of the State Budget businesses.
process to contribute to our State’s recovery.
At the core of each of our initiatives is the fact LGAT already manages a highly successful
that we must focus locally to effect positive procurement support program that helps
social and economic change. Tasmanian councils undertake best practice
procurement and deliver value for money
It is Local Government that delivers the through the establishment of pre‐qualified
services and infrastructure that shape the supplier panels, streamlining the procurement
daily experiences of every Tasmanian and process for councils and suppliers alike.
which are a major determinant of our
communities’ wellbeing. Local Government is To extend the impact of the State
the closest level of government to the Government’s Buy Local Policy and Premier’s
community and as such, it is best placed to Economic and Social Recovery Advisory
partner with the State Government on Council (PESRAC) recommendations for
building prosperity and enabling improved recovery, we propose to establish a Buy Local
community outcomes at the local level. Program as part of LGAT Procurement. The
initiative will involve working directly with
COVID‐19 has had an enormous impact on Tasmanian councils and businesses to expand
both the economic and social wellbeing of local purchasing and maximise the
326 Macquarie Street, Hobart Tasmania 7000 I PH: (03) 6146 3740 I Email: katrena.stephenson@lgat.tas.gov.au I www.lgat.tas.gov.auopportunities for Tasmanian businesses to this is constrained by a national shortage of
rebuild in a post COVID‐19 environment. planners.
Proposed activities would include the Our proposal is to establish a single Local
preparation and implementation of a Local Government owned authority to deliver high
Government Buy Local Policy, tools and order planning services to councils. The
training linked to the State Government model would involve regional hubs to allow
legislative context and contemporary probity proximity to council premises and cost‐
and procurement practice. LGAT will also effective site visits, community access and an
work with councils to develop and implement ability to work alongside and build the
tailored local procurement approaches, with a capacity of locally based council officers who
focus on expanding local supplier panels to are at an early professional or
support Tasmanian businesses. paraprofessional stage.
Our work with councils will be supported with
direct business engagement in the form of Having a repository of senior planners
training for suppliers across the key areas of available for use by councils could enhance
council expenditure to assist them in the capabilities of smaller councils through
understanding and accessing Local assistance with advice on controversial or
Government procurement. significant development proposals and with
longer term land use issues and plans.
Importantly, the resources could assist
Budget request: LGAT is seeking support for councils process permit applications in peak
a 3‐year program. This will include dedicated
periods and be a valuable resource with the
resources to support councils and local introduction of the single statewide
business in capitalising on buy local
Tasmanian Planning Scheme.
opportunities.
Local Government can provide real value to
PLANNING the next stages of the State Government’s
planning agenda and our state’s recovery
Local Governments make decisions daily that
from COVID ‐ 19, but only if we are supported
influence how local communities are planned
in securing qualified people with specific
and developed.
training and skills to efficiently deliver and
For the past few years, the State Government maintain economic outcomes.
and councils have been implementing a
significant planning reform agenda in the
form of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. The Budget request: State Government support
next stages of the Government’s agenda for establishment of the “Planning Hub” for
include the development of the missing an initial two years, with intent to build to an
strategic foundations for our planning system, ongoing cost neutral model during this
the Tasmanian Planning Policies and Regional period. Once successfully self‐sufficient for
Land Use Strategies. planners, then the model could be expanded
to other disciplines where skills shortages
Councils are responsible for the
exist, such as Development Engineers and
implementation of the State Government’s
Environmental Health Officers.
planning reform ‘on the ground’. However,
the Local Government sector’s ability to do
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LGAT 16/03/2021 Page 2STORMWATER deliver regional jobs and productivity, better
climate resilience and protection of people and
Council stormwater infrastructure networks property from storm impacts and improved
operate continually to protect people and water quality across the state, improving
property across Tasmania from the impact of lifestyle outcomes and tourist experience by
storm events by directing flows to safer lifting infrastructure service standards.
pathways. These networks also filter and
clean overland flows to maintain water
Budget request: That the State Government
quality and contribute to Tasmania’s
co‐invest $6 million over 3 years to support
environment and our clean and green image.
the construction and upgrade of Local
However, increasingly sophisticated Government stormwater networks.
stormwater engineering modelling and
planning reveals that many of these networks SUPPORTING COMMUNITY
have points of vulnerability. This is either due
to establishment before today’s standard of Sustainable improvements in health
stormwater modelling was available or, from outcomes require local community ownership
the increasing frequency and intensity of of, and accountability for, health focused
storms that we are experiencing from our programs. As the enduring local authority,
changing climate. In addition, stormwater councils can deliver continuity of support and
quality management has been maturing in adaption in order to respond to community
Tasmania and many of our networks across needs. As the closest level of government to
the state could deliver improved the community, councils are essential
environmental and amenity outcomes with partners to work cooperatively with the State
key interventions in infrastructure. Government in supporting community
recovery. There are two areas in particular
With a targeted stormwater infrastructure where Local Government could enhance its
funding program, Tasmania’s councils could community support role with additional
deliver better stormwater containment and investment.
management, protecting people, property
and the world‐class environment that is at the
FAMILY VIOLENCE
foundation of the Tasmanian quality of life.
Importantly, improving these networks will Family and sexual violence is a social issue
support community resilience to storm events that affects all Tasmanian communities. Its
intensified by climate change. Furthermore, impacts are felt by families, in workplaces, the
as stormwater operates across the state in community and economy, with a range of
both urban and regional areas, a stormwater significant consequences.
funding program would be able to deliver
multiple regional projects of varying size and The statistics on family and sexual violence in
scope, supporting local construction Australia are confronting. Every week, on
businesses and regional economies and average, one woman is murdered by a current
delivering on Recommendations 52 and 53 of or former partner. One in three women have
the PESRAC Interim Report. experienced physical violence since the age of
15 years and one in five women have
Such a stormwater funding program would experienced sexual violence since the age of
15 years. This is unacceptable.
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LGAT 16/03/2021 Page 3The COVID‐19 pandemic and its hardships has support and resources for the project. This
exacerbated some of the contributors that project will contribute to improving important
increase family and sexual violence, such as health and wellbeing outcomes for Tasmanian
distress and anxiety, other mental health women, children and families.
issues and increased drug and alcohol
consumption.
Budget Request: Funding for a two‐year
Preventing violence from happening in the LGAT facilitated project to build capacity for
first place is the single most effective way to the prevention of family and sexual violence
eliminate family and sexual violence. Councils in Tasmanian communities through direct
with their direct, ongoing relationships with work with Local Government.
individuals and organisations across their
community, are uniquely placed to influence HEALTH & WELLBEING
and drive social change to reduce family
violence by leading critical primary prevention Local Government’s essential role in
work. sustaining community health and wellbeing
was highlighted during the COVID‐19
In 2019, in a national first, the Tasmanian lockdown. The local knowledge and networks
Government formed a partnership with Our of council officers continues to be invaluable
Watch to build capacity at a local level for as government agencies and other
primary prevention. The National Plan to organisations partner with councils to support
Reduce Violence Against Women and their recovery and build sustainable responses to
Children 2010‐2022; the Tasmanian local needs.
Government’s Safe Homes, Families and
Communities Action Plan and the ongoing Local Government officers have ensured high
Local Government Health and Wellbeing standards of environmental health and local
Project provide evidence, direction and compliance with COVID‐safe practices. This
context for the next steps. visible work continues to be supported by the
informal guidance provided by trusted officers
The PESRAC Interim Report observes that "in to business owners and community members
many ways, women have been in suburbs and towns across the state.
disproportionately impacted by COVID‐19". It Community development, health and
further notes the anecdotal evidence of wellbeing and sport and recreation officers
increased levels of emotional and financial have demonstrated that they are a vital part
coercion and emotional and physical abuse. of Tasmania’s preventative health workforce.
Councils’ local knowledge supports both
observations. Throughout and since the pandemic, LGAT has
provided qualitative data to a range of
Councils have expressed strong support, government agencies on issues including
through LGAT and Our Watch for a LGAT led mental health, food security, gaps in services
project that takes a collaborative approach to and particular local needs.
develop family and sexual violence prevention
strategies tailored for individual communities. This collective Local Government perspective
has informed a range of government agency
LGAT will leverage the Our Watch Local plans and other organisations seeking to build
Government Toolkit, which will provide sustainable programs and resilient
communities.
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LGAT 16/03/2021 Page 4They include collaboration with the Public drive social and economic growth and
Health Service, Department of Communities, enhance community wellbeing.
Volunteering Tasmania, The Mental Health
Council of Tasmania and Relationships For the 2021 – 22 State Budget, our suggested
Tasmania. collaborative activities will serve the State
well in increasing productivity and securing
LGAT has continued building understanding
the wellbeing and viability of all Tasmanians
about the nature of, and conditions for,
post COVID–19 and into a vibrant future.
sustainable partnerships across councils,
government agencies and other stakeholders.
Sustainable improvement requires effective
community adaption of large‐scale programs.
Through the Local Government Health and
Wellbeing Project we have an important and
ongoing role in facilitating that understanding
and supporting best practice.
Budget Request: Ongoing funding for the
Local Government Health and Wellbeing
Project.
CONCLUSION
Local Government’s enduring central role in
recovery, combined with its networks and
local area knowledge make it a crucial partner
in any attempts to drive economic and social
recovery and in promoting healthy, viable and
sustainable communities.
No other level of government can provide the
combined understanding of the real
community impact of COVID–19 and
appreciation of what needs to be done at the
local level, particularly in regional Tasmania.
Local Government is not only a key
stakeholder, it is already actively leading or
supporting a broad range of community and
economic recovery measures. Investing in
Local Government offers an effective and
efficient way to work with communities to
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