Mayors flock to Kakadu for LGANT meeting

West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor welcomes guests to the LGANT conference in Jabiru on Thursday 14 April.

LIKE birds of a feather... mayors, ministers and special guests flocked to Kakadu this week for the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory conference at the newly renovated Jabiru Community Hall.

West Arnhem Regional Council is hosting the LGANT meeting, which Mayor Lothar Siebert said was a great opportunity to showcase the region’s attractions and the Council’s accomplishments.

“In the past few years, Council has made some significant achievements, including improved financial stability and probity, and strengthened governance, thanks to the ongoing efforts of our hardworking team of Councillors and staff,” Mayor Siebert said.

“We have just completed a $220,000 upgrade to the Jabiru Community Hall in time for this meeting, as part of our efforts to reinvigorate Jabiru as a place to be, for both residents and visitors.”

In his opening address, Mayor Siebert welcomed guests to the meeting and thanked the NT Government for its $100,000 contribution to the hall upgrade.

“A vibrant and viable Jabiru is crucial to the ongoing provision of core services across West Arnhem, and we trust we have the support of both sides of politics in making this goal a reality.”

Speakers at 14 April meeting include Local Government Minister Bess Price Department of Local Government and Community Services executive director David Willing, Department of Mines and Energy CEO Ron Kelly, with guests from both sides of parliament, including Opposition Leader Michael Gunner.

LGANT President Damien Ryan welcomed the involvement of senior figures from Government and Opposition.

“With Federal and Northern Territory elections due this year, it is an opportunity for all sides of politics to outline their plans for local government,” Mayor Ryan said.

He said the 2016 NT election document would be a priority issue at the meeting.

“Discussions around the election document will focus on how best local government can continue to deliver services into our cities, towns and communities,” he said.

Mayor Siebert said the battle for the funding dollar was one that councillors across the NT fought every day for their communities.

“At the end of the day, we are all after the same outcome – an improvement in the lives of the people in our communities – and we need to work together with a bipartisan approach to achieve this,” he said.

“At West Arnhem we remain focused on supporting improvements in the areas of health, housing, education and jobs.

“But without a safe and stable home life, we can make no gains in health, education or jobs, which is why housing – good quality housing backed by ongoing maintenance and improvements – is crucial to the success of our region.”

The meeting continues today.

The LGANT conference and general meeting gets underway in the newly renovated Jabiru Community Hall.

LGANT President Damien Ryan addresses delegates at the meeting.