In a national first, Perth ACC partnered with the South West Group of Councils and the Department of Transport and Regional Services – Local Government Office, to bring to Perth an outstanding showcase of Leading Practice initiatives from Local Government Authorities from across Australia.

“Partnerships: Delivering Integrated Solutions contribution from the South West Group of Councils to put together and host this event at the City of Melville Civic Chambers.

Projects chosen for the Leading Practice Seminar represented the strategic direction of the Perth ACC and other local stakeholders and provided solutions and implementation strategies to address the issues they face. Five Local Governments from across Australia presented initiatives from their regions that received an Award, Commendation or Nomination at National Awards for Local Government.

In addition, in recognition of the excellent work Local Government has undertaken in Western Australia, three local initiatives from City of Wanneroo, City of Swan and the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council were also presented as part of the national showcase. Each of these projects received the support of Perth ACC in facilitation and development of applications for funding by the Australian Government.

The majority of projects presented had received Australian Government funding from the Department of Transport and Regional Services either through the former Regional Assistance or Regional Solutions Programs.

The event was a great example of the role that Regional Partnerships funding is now playing in economic development and the strategic direction of Local Government.

Around 60 people attended the event, representing many of the 27 Local Governments Authorities from the Perth metropolitan region. Representatives from beyond the metropolitan region also attended travelling from Kwinana, Rockingham, Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton. Executive Officers from seven of the metropolitan Area Consultative Committees also attended the seminar, representing Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Northern Territory.

On the following day, interstate visitors had the opportunity to visit Local Government Authorities across Perth to share further ideas and information on project initiatives, development and implementation. This is the first time that the leading practice projects have had the opportunity to go on site with other local governments who face similar issues and are working on similar projects.

It is hoped that Regional Partnerships can be utilised to assist in the implementation of some of these new ideas into project development which addresses the strategic direction of the whole of Perth.