The opportunity to partner the PNG councils comes as part of the CLGF’s Commonwealth Local Government Practice Scheme, which has been operating since 1998. The scheme is currently supported by funding from the Australian Government’s aid agency, AusAID.
Projects normally comprise a series of exchange/work-shadowing visits for staff and in some projects councillors, combined with joint-working, piloting new activities, and other local activities such as community workshops.
The projects focus on building the local governance arrangements and strengthening local skills/service delivery capacity. Funding normally covers travel, accommodation and sustenance, some materials and related costs. Future partnerships will be offered in Fiji, Kiribati and Vanuatu.
The four councils now seeking partners in Australia are:
- Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain Province and the regional capital for the New Guinea Islands region. Population 20,000. Seeking assistance to enhance local service provision, waste management, corporate planning and urban development.
- Madang, a shipping, tourism and transport hub and a provincial capital on the northern coast of the mainland, with a population of 40,000. Seeking assistance with the development of a town plan, recruitment and training of technical staff, waste management, traffic management, tourism and reassessment of the rating system.
- Goroka, a rapidly growing provincial capital and commercial centre of the Eastern Highlands with a population of around 40,000. Seeking assistance with environmental improvement, urban development and building inspection and financial management.
- Alotau, capital of the Milne Bay Province, on the south eastern tip of PNG. It has a population of 10,000 and is a flourishing centre for tourism and commerce. Seeking assistance with urban planning, improved waste management, road maintenance, revenue raising and staff training.
ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, said this was an important opportunity for Australian councils to make a significant contribution to the development of local government within our region.
“Sharing skills and experiences will help build capacity, generate goodwill and strengthen local democracy in our region,” Cr Bell said.
The scheme applies a partnership approach to help councils improve the efficiency of service delivery and local democracy. Existing partnerships in PNG include:
- Orange City Council (NSW) and Mt Hagen – completed the development of the local town development plan and an exhibition landscaping project.
- Cairns City Council and Lae – developing a waste management strategy and operation.
- Townsville City Council and the Port Moresby National Capital District Commission – re-designing the regulatory services function of the PNG council.
- NSW Local Government and Shires Association and Papua New Guinea Urban Local Level Government Association - jointly developed the PNG national association’s corporate plan.
For further information contact:
Cr Paul Bell
ALGA President
Tel: + 61 (0)418 791 596
Terry Parker
CLGF Regional Adviser
Fiji Islands
Tel: +679 330 0257
Sue Rhodes
Communications consultant, CLGF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7934 9696
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