We've got our kids covered

Minjilang Local Authority Members Roxanne Ogden, Marcus Fletcher, Captain Brown, William Noinba and Anita Yarmirr at the new playground on Croker Island.

THE Minjilang Local Authority is using its democratic power for the benefit of children it its community.

Local Authorities are community reference groups which came into effect across the Northern Territory on 1 July 2014 to provide community input on Council decisions. They give local people a direct say in how council services are provided and how funds are spent in their communities, and can also be a stepping stone for members to higher roles in government.

At its most recent meeting on Tuesday 31 March, the Minjilang Local Authority recommended that its funding allocation, through the West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC), be spent on a new shade cover for the children’s playground, at an estimated cost of $40,000.

Local Authority Member Captain Brown, who is also a newly elected Councillor with WARC, put forward the motion, seconded by Member Anita Yarmirr. Captain Brown said he wanted to see local kids make more use of the playground, and noted that there were not a lot of recreational outlets for youngsters on Croker.

Cr Brown said he was also concerned that council-provided facilities were not destroyed or damaged. He told The Wire that the new children’s playground was sometimes occupied by adults who damaged the equipment.

“It’s not the kids doing the damage here, it’s these adults,” Cr Brown said.

The Authority also considered LED lighting for the playground, but decided this would encourage use of the area at night which could have a negative impact on the community.

WARC staff provided secretarial support for the meeting.