On 19th December 2013 the Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, David Tollner MLA, announced that Shire Councils will be transformed to Regional Councils from 1st January 2014.
From 1st January 2014 Roper Gulf Shire Council will be known as Roper Gulf Regional Council. This is a change from “Shire”, an old English word, for a rural administrational unit to Regional Council as is in use in South Australia. This also reflects and acknowledges the increasingly diverse and regional roles of the Roper Gulf Regional Council.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 18th December 2013 Council agreed to a new logo which will replace the current design from 1st January 2014.
Apart from the name change Roper Gulf Regional Council will also make changes to the governance structures to incorporate the changes made by the Northern Territory Government. Local authorities will replace the current local board models. The local authorities will be involved in all planning, service delivery and expenditure matters involving their local community in a similar to way to how local boards presently operate. As an integral part of local government in the communities, local authority members will be paid, and it is envisaged that each local authority will meet at least 6 times a year. There will be a transition period from January to June for existing local board members, who wish to continue representing their communities, into the new local authorities. This will also allow for new members to be recruited to the local authorities where required. New local authorities will replace local boards in Barunga, Borroloola, Bulman, Jilkminggan, Manyallaluk, Mataranka, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Numbulwar and Wugularr towns and communities. Roper Gulf is already well under way in implementing these changes.
Roper Gulf Regional Council Mayor Tony Jack welcomed the new changes by saying,
“Roper Gulf Shire Council is already a leading local Government in regional Northern Territory and seen by many as a benchmark in good practice and service. The name change reflects our continuing progress away from small and insular local government administration to that of a regional authority. People can be confident that the high service standards will continue and we will continue to be sustainable, viable and vibrant as Roper Gulf Regional Council.
It is five years since the Roper Gulf Shire was established amalgamating a number of small community councils and previously unincorporated land and now a new era begins as a regional council. It will be business as usual under a changed name reflecting our regional responsibilities and aspirations. Changes to Local Boards will also further engage and empower our communities in local decision making. Thinking regionally and acting locally.”
For further details please direct your inquiries to Michael Berto, CEO Roper Gulf Regional Council on 08 8972 9000.
ENDS