PRESENTATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REVIEW PANEL
WEDNESDAY 1 ST AUGUST 2012

Total Area 126,595 sq km – Total Population 168,643
RAMROC POPULATIONS
Albury 51,359
Balranald
Berrigan
2,438
8,618
Carrathool
Conargo
Corowa
Deniliquin
Gr. Hume
Griffith
Hay
2,938
1,678
11,818
7,591
10,423
26,001
3,315
Jerilderie
Leeton
Murray
Murrumbidgee
Narrandera
Urana
Wakool
Wentworth
1,658
11,932
7,347
2,558
6,291
1,251
4,362
7,065

– 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

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

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

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)

• 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)

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Local Government Area 2001
Albury
Balranald
45621
2773
Berrigan
Carrathool
8138
3316
Conargo 1823
Corowa 10785
Deniliquin
Greater Hume Shire
Griffith
Hay
Jerilderie
Leeton
Murray
8333
10537
24604
3599
1922
11925
6156
Murrumbidgee
Narrandera
Urana
Wakool
Wentworth
2662
6739
1431
4929
7214
TOTALS 162507
2011 Change
51359
2438
8618
2938
1678
11818
7591
10423
26001
3315
1658
11932
7347
2558
6291
1251
-104
-448
-180
4362
7065
-567
-149
168643 +6136
+5738
-335
+480
-378
-145
+1033
-742
-114
+1397
-284
-264
+7
+1191

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

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

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

)
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

)
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

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 ??