The ACT Government has joined the South East Regional Organisation of Councils. At the group’s meeting in Thredbo on Friday 25 May, the Chair of SEROC, Eurobodalla Mayor, Fergus Thomson, and the Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher signed an MoU allowing the ACT to become a member of SEROC.
SEROC consists of the 12 local government areas that surround the ACT, and the participation of the ACT is seen in a positive light by the group and by Chair Fergus Thomson.
The ACT Government, with dual roles covering responsibilities of Australian States and Territories (eg health, education, policing etc) and Local Government (roads, rates, rubbish etc) now has firm relationships in place with both the NSW Government (MOU signed December 2012) and the local government areas that surround the ACT.
The meeting in Thredbo on Friday was preceded by a dinner hosted by Snowy Hydro, an important renewable energy provider, and significant employer, in the region.
The formal involvement of the ACT Government as a member of SEROC also provides the opportunity for the RDA ACT to attend SEROC meetings as an observer. The RDA Southern Inland, also participates at the meetings as an observer.
The agenda for the May meeting included items relating to the work program of SEROC (including sub-groups working on shared efforts in Council ICT, Waste Management and Resource Recovery), regional health education (including access to NSW health services for ANU and UC medical and allied health interns), and other areas where the councils are working together to more effectively and efficiently deal with operational issues. There was also a discussion on learnings and sharing of information on the newly commenced ACT Government E-Waste program.
The meeting on Friday – at a very chilly Thredbo – was also addressed by Steve Toms, the newly appointed NSW Cross-Border Commissioner, who provided an overview of his role and responsibilities in relation to the NSW Government’s cross-border relationships with Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
