Annual Plan 2016-17 - Approved by Council 27 June 2016

By understanding the real issues that affect the Kingborough community, Council can then promote
projects and programs that are most needed. External grant opportunities need to taken up wherever
they can help to fund services or infrastructure that is both needed and might not be otherwise
provided if Council’s own resources were solely relied upon. Advocacy is an important role and the best
interests of the community need to be effectively represented. This will most often be to the State and
Federal governments.
Council should also be an organisation that is in touch with its region and is keen to work cooperatively
with other councils. Mechanisms should be in place to enable this and Council should be actively
involved in regional forums and projects. Kingborough’s relationship with its two neighbouring
councils, Hobart and Huon Valley, is particularly important. Opportunities should be identified to work
closely with these two individual councils and others in southern Tasmania where there are clear
mutual benefits.
The next few years will be critically important for all councils within Tasmania as calls for local
government reform increase. Council will need to show clear leadership in this regard and be able to
ably represent the Kingborough community in order to obtain the best outcomes. Good relationships
will need to be maintained with neighbouring councils and the State government, plus an ability to
work constructively within such forums as provided by LGAT or other regional bodies.
In achieving this there are many challenges for Council and these include the need to:
develop and consistently implement communication mechanisms and processes that most
effectively reach and engage with the Kingborough community
improve the accessibility and usefulness of Council’s website, taking into account the fact that
most people will need this to obtain more detailed information on Council’s policies, procedures,
proposals and reports
collaborate on regionally relevant issues so that efficiency advantages can be gained through
resource sharing
respond to the new information and negotiated changes that will occur as part of the ongoing
local government reform process and to utilise the opportunities provided within LGAT and
other forums that best engage with the State government
determine those matters which Council needs to focus on most in regard to lobbying higher
levels of government for improved service levels or additional funding
determine how Council can most effectively work with local businesses in a coordinated manner
and to generate a higher levels of engagement than currently exists
Strategic Outcomes
5.1 The local community is well informed and engaged with Council.
5.2 The community is well represented at regional and State government levels.
Key Priority Area 5: A well administered organisation
Good governance ensures that Council is accessible and makes sound decisions, meets its statutory
obligations, maintains its organisational sustainability and provides effective services. Accountability
requires that decisions are made on the basis of relevant and complete information, including
Kingborough Council Annual Plan 2016/17 Page | 12
Approved by Council on 27 June 2016