The following policy statements are developed by the LGAQ.
2.2.9 Regionalism
2.2.9.1 The voluntary grouping of Local Governments to deal with specific regional issues is encouraged.
2.2.9.2 The Local Government Act provides the opportunity for regional approaches to deal with matters which extend across Local Government boundaries and the use of such cooperative arrangements should remain as a matter for decision by individual Local Governments and not be imposed by Federal or State Governments.
2.2.9.3 Federal and State Governments, when referring to 'regional' policy, should not assume that individual Local Governments can be adequately or appropriately subsumed under 'regional' generalisations. The intra-regional diversity of the needs and resources of councils should be recognised by other spheres of government.
2.2.9.4 Local Government supports the funding by Federal and State Governments of voluntary regional organisations of Councils and similar regional bodies having Local Government membership, only insofar as such funds are in addition to and do not reduce allocations to individual councils through financial assistant grant and other program grant arrangements, unless agreed to by the Councils.
6.3.3 Economic Development
6.3.3.1 Local Governments should play a key role in the stimulation of regional economic development. Where appropriate, joint local bodies should be formed to assist with attraction of development opportunities to an area.
6.3.3.2 The Commonwealth and State Governments should encourage regional development as a means of relieving the pressures of urban growth in major centres.
6.3.3.3 The Commonwealth, State and Local Governments should work together to make it more attractive for private and public sector investors to supply affordable and appropriate housing and infrastructure in rural and remote areas.
6.3.3.4 Local Governments should ensure effective utilisation of the financial assistance from State and Commonwealth Departments that is available to support the operation of local development bodies and committees that promote economic development.
6.3.3.5 Local Governments should initiate, facilitate and participate in, local economic development strategies in conjunction with the Federal and State Governments and the local business sector as part of Local Governments’ overall responsibilities.
6.3.3.6 Where State Government Departments are considering major developments in Local Government areas, the Co-ordinator General be directed by the State Government, to act as liaison in the first instance between the relevant Department(s) and Local Government(s) in accordance with the Protocol between the State and Local Governments.
6.3.3.7 Local Governments recognise the effect of Council core business on the development and function of their business community. Local Governments should work to facilitate the most favourable possible environment for business, having regard to all relevant matters within their jurisdiction including, but not limited to:
• level of regulation impacting on business development
• costs of complying with documentation requirements of local regulations and by laws;
• efficiency of local infrastructure including roads, drainage, water supply, sewerage and waste disposal;
• appropriateness of building and land use controls in relation to the needs of business; and
• the level and incidence of local authority rates and charges.
