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Bass Coast In Good StateThis year’s State of the Regions report rates Bass Coast as the most sustainable shire in Gippsland, at a local government level. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 18th December 2006 - Back to News The report by the National Economic was released at the Regional Cooperative Development Forum in Canberra last month.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Neville Goodwin, and CEO Allan Bawden attended the conference, along with representatives from Council’s across Australia.
Mr Bawden said the findings of the report were very encouraging.
"The State of the Regions report provides statistical indicators on how the regions are performing," said Mr Bawden.
"For Bass Coast to be rated as the most sustainable in the region is an endorsement of the policies and strategies that we have put in place over the past few years."
The National Economic is the company of Dr Peter Brain who has also prepared a paper for Council – "Economic Development Options for Bass Coast".
While in Canberra, the Mayor and CEO also attended the Local Government Annual General Assembly and the Annual General Meeting of the Sea Change Taskforce.
Sea Change News
Cr Goodwin was re-elected as one of two Victorian representatives on the Taskforce’s Executive.
It was also announced that Professor Ed Blakeley of the University of Sydney has been appointed to oversee the rebuilding of New Orleans.
"Prof Blakeley has been directing all of the Sea Change Taskforce research over the last two years," said Mr Bawden.
"This international appointment reflects the high quality of the personnel and research that has been put together by the Taskforce.
"I believe our involvement in this Taskforce is very valuable," continued Mr Bawden.
"Particularly in terms of the resources it gives us for planning for the future of Bass Coast."
Federal politicians
While in Canberra Mr Bawden and Cr Goodwin took the opportunity to catch up with some Federal Parliamentarians.
These included local member Russell Broadbent and the Federal Minister for Local Government, Jim Lloyd.
"We caught up with Minister Lloyd and his staff to talk about flood mitigation," said Mr Bawden.
"We discussed making an application for flood mitigation grants to continue our drainage works in urban areas of the Shire that experience flooding."
Another visit was to Malcolm Turnbull, the Parliamentary Secretary for Water, to discuss the impact of the drought and drought related relief options.
Mr Bawden said he and the Mayor also meet with David Hawker, the Speaker of the House.
"Mr Hawker wrote a Federal Government report on cost shifting in local government," explained Mr Bawden.
"It was good to be able to spend time with him and discuss the ongoing development of Federal and Local Government arrangements."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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