Communities around the country have thrown their support behind Mitchell Shire Council's advocacy on roads, mental health, housing, access to education and waste services after six motions were adopted at the National Local Government Assembly in Canberra.
Mitchell Shire Councillor Mayor Bill Chisholm was joined by Deputy Mayor David Atkinson and 900 other delegates to discuss a wide range of issues with Federal Government representatives.
Mitchell Shire Council presented six motions covering:
- Road and bridge maintenance funding - increasing the Roads to Recovery program and broaden the Bridges Renewal Program
- A National Public Health Approach to gambling related harm
- More on-ground mental health services for rural and regional communities across the life stages
- National leadership on housing appropriateness, accessibility and affordability
- Provision of Universal Access to Early Childhood Education services and infrastructure
- Reducing waste and improving Resource Recovery Systems to ensure a more environmentally sustainable future for our communities
These were all supported by the delegates and will now form part of the National Local Government Assembly's policy platform for the coming year.
Mitchell Shire Council's delegates also met with the Shadow Local Government Minister Jason Clare.
Mayor Chisholm presented an invitation to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Regional Development The Hon. Michael McCormack to visit Mitchell Shire to discuss road funding issues including the Wallan freeway ramps.
As stated by Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Councillor Bill Chisholm
"The National Local Government Assembly is a valuable opportunity for Councils from right across Australia to come together," he said.
"It gives us a chance to discuss common issues, to look at different approaches people are taking at a local and regional level and to work together as a sector on priority issues.
"The Assembly is also a great chance to meet face-to-face with Federal Government representatives and talk about local matters such as our recent Federal election advocacy campaign on mental health services and the Wallan freeway full diamond interchange.
"This Council works very hard to advocate to other spheres of government on behalf of our community and this has been a very productive forum."
