2. RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (RAMROC) PRESENTATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PANEL WEDNESDAY 1 ST AUGUST 2012

4. RAMROC Councils, NSW Total Area 126,595 sq km – Total Population 168,643 RAMROC POPULATIONS Albury51,359 Balranald2,438 Berrigan8,618 Carrathool2,938 Conargo1,678 Corowa11,818 Deniliquin7,591 Gr. Hume10,423 Griffith26,001 Hay3,315 Jerilderie1,658 Leeton11,932 Murray7,347 Murrumbidgee2,558 Narrandera6,291 Urana1,251 Wakool4,362 Wentworth7,065

5. 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

6. STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLAN 2011-2015 VISION RAMROC Councils collaborating to enhance the economic, social and environmental capabilities of their communities so as to ensure their long term resilience and sustainability PURPOSE To 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

7. STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLAN 2011-2015 POLICY AREAS Relating to lobbying, advocacy, strategic alliances, research, policy, planning and management for the RAMROC region and communities OPERATIONAL AREAS Relating to the carrying out of functions by Member Councils through the Executive Officer, General Managers, Professional Officer Working Groups and Special Committees

8. Organisation Structure RAMROC 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)

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Local Government Area20012011Change Albury 4562151359+5738 Balranald 2773 2438 -335 Berrigan 8138 8618 +480 Carrathool 3316 2938 -378 Conargo 1823 1678 -145 Corowa 10785 11818 +1033 Deniliquin 8333 7591 -742 Greater Hume Shire1053710423 -114 Griffith2460426001 +1397 Hay 3599 3315 -284 Jerilderie 1922 1658 -264 Leeton1192511932 +7 Murray 6156 7347+1191 Murrumbidgee 2662 2558 -104 Narrandera 6739 6291 -448 Urana 1431 1251 -180 Wakool 4929 4362 -567 Wentworth 7214 7065 -149 TOTALS 162507 168643 +6136

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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 ??