Annual National General Assembly of Local Government
Explore Councils by state
“The General Assembly is a forum for Councils and Councillors across Australia to develop and express a united voice on the core issues affecting local government on a national level, in addition benefitting from a very comprehensive and targeted conference program,” said Cr Symon.
Among the 90 motions to be discussed at the conference, Maroondah will be strongly supporting moves to:
increase federal funding to Councils establish national container deposit legislation introduce broad scale industry product stewardship arrangements improve housing affordability lock in permanent federal Kindergarten funding of 15 hrs per week for 4 year olds.“The Conference also provides the unique opportunity for Councils to meet with Federal Ministers and their Senior Advisors, in one location, to advocate for projects in their municipality,” said Cr Symon.
“As the national conference for local government, Maroondah will benefit from Councillors’ attendance, participation, shared learnings, and ensure the voice of the Maroondah community is heard within the seat of the highest level of government,” said Cr Symon.
“Unfortunately, the Mayor is unable to attend this year, so I, along with my fellow Councillors Marijke Graham, Paul Macdonald, Kylie Spears and Rob Steane, will be participating in the conference program, and representing Maroondah’s interests during the debate of the 90 motions that impact local government at the national level,” said Cr Symon.
“While also in Canberra, I and my fellow Maroondah Councillors will be attending Parliament House to meet with a number of Ministers and Shadow Ministers and their Senior Advisors on key advocacy projects for which Maroondah City Council is seeking future Federal Government funding and support,” said Cr Symon.
“These meetings are an important element of Maroondah’s ongoing and successful advocacy strategy to both the State and Federal Government, a strategy that provides enormous benefit to the Maroondah community,” said Cr Symon.
“At the ALGA Conference last year, Maroondah’s delegation, consisting of the Mayor and Councillors, met with eight Federal Ministers and advisors, from both sides of politics, to discuss funding opportunities for key future projects in Maroondah,” said Cr Symon
“Successful advocacy by Maroondah City Council to the Federal Government has resulted in funding of more than $21 million since 2016. This includes $10.5 million for the new HE Parker multi sports complex; funding for community and sporting groups; roads and infrastructure; and CCTV projects. Each of these are significant projects that benefit the Maroondah community, and may not have seen the light of day if not for the funding support,” said Cr Symon.
Maroondah delegates will also join this year with their fellow Eastern metropolitan region council attendees to advocate on regional project priorities.
The associated costs for Council’s attendance at the National General Assembly of Local Government falls within the annual budget allocation for Councillor professional development as per the Councillor Expenses and Reimbursement Policy, and will be presented in a quarterly report to Council.
“I look forward to providing a report back to Council on our activity at this year’s National General Assembly of Local Government at a forthcoming Council meeting, and to seeing the benefits our advocacy will bring to Maroondah,” said Cr Symon.