Mr. Watson questions the Minister for Local Government about the City of Albany's better practice review, asking if it will be ceased in favor of a formal inquiry. The Minister declines, citing ongoing progress and the need for continued improvement.

AnsweredQoN 594Legislative Assembly
Asked
12 October 2010
Portfolio
Local Government

QuestionView source ↗

CITY OF ALBANY — BETTER PRACTICE REVIEW
I refer to the better practice review that the minister has implemented to assist the City of Albany to resolve ongoing issues. (1) Will the minister now cease this better practice review, as requested by City of Albany CEO John Bonker, and conduct a part 8 division 1 Local Government Act inquiry into the affairs of the city, as recommended to the minister by the council following the special electors meeting in May this year? (2) If no to (1), why not? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)–(2) The answer is no. I have implemented a better practice review in Albany because it is vital that the City of Albany moves on in the best interests of its residents. The City of Albany has a lot of challenges that will require a long time to overcome them. It is a comprehensive strategy, which has been in place since February, to improve the governance of the city. Elected members have been given an opportunity to turn the place around and eight members have come out publicly in support of trying to get the place moving again. The review has identified a number of areas that need to be improved. The city has engaged an experienced CEO. Planning policies and practices have been reviewed by an experienced town planner. The mediator has been engaged and is working to reconcile the differences. The informal advice that I have been given is that progress is being made at the City of Albany. The City of Albany remains on watch. I am there for the best interests of the community of Albany and, as far as I am concerned, things at this point in time are progressing well. Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!
(1) Will the minister now cease this better practice review, as requested by City of Albany CEO John Bonker, and conduct a part 8 division 1 Local Government Act inquiry into the affairs of the city, as recommended to the minister by the council following the special electors meeting in May this year? (2) If no to (1), why not? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)–(2) The answer is no. I have implemented a better practice review in Albany because it is vital that the City of Albany moves on in the best interests of its residents. The City of Albany has a lot of challenges that will require a long time to overcome them. It is a comprehensive strategy, which has been in place since February, to improve the governance of the city. Elected members have been given an opportunity to turn the place around and eight members have come out publicly in support of trying to get the place moving again. The review has identified a number of areas that need to be improved. The city has engaged an experienced CEO. Planning policies and practices have been reviewed by an experienced town planner. The mediator has been engaged and is working to reconcile the differences. The informal advice that I have been given is that progress is being made at the City of Albany. The City of Albany remains on watch. I am there for the best interests of the community of Albany and, as far as I am concerned, things at this point in time are progressing well. Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!
(2) If no to (1), why not? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)–(2) The answer is no. I have implemented a better practice review in Albany because it is vital that the City of Albany moves on in the best interests of its residents. The City of Albany has a lot of challenges that will require a long time to overcome them. It is a comprehensive strategy, which has been in place since February, to improve the governance of the city. Elected members have been given an opportunity to turn the place around and eight members have come out publicly in support of trying to get the place moving again. The review has identified a number of areas that need to be improved. The city has engaged an experienced CEO. Planning policies and practices have been reviewed by an experienced town planner. The mediator has been engaged and is working to reconcile the differences. The informal advice that I have been given is that progress is being made at the City of Albany. The City of Albany remains on watch. I am there for the best interests of the community of Albany and, as far as I am concerned, things at this point in time are progressing well. Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)–(2) The answer is no. I have implemented a better practice review in Albany because it is vital that the City of Albany moves on in the best interests of its residents. The City of Albany has a lot of challenges that will require a long time to overcome them. It is a comprehensive strategy, which has been in place since February, to improve the governance of the city. Elected members have been given an opportunity to turn the place around and eight members have come out publicly in support of trying to get the place moving again. The review has identified a number of areas that need to be improved. The city has engaged an experienced CEO. Planning policies and practices have been reviewed by an experienced town planner. The mediator has been engaged and is working to reconcile the differences. The informal advice that I have been given is that progress is being made at the City of Albany. The City of Albany remains on watch. I am there for the best interests of the community of Albany and, as far as I am concerned, things at this point in time are progressing well. Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)–(2) The answer is no. I have implemented a better practice review in Albany because it is vital that the City of Albany moves on in the best interests of its residents. The City of Albany has a lot of challenges that will require a long time to overcome them. It is a comprehensive strategy, which has been in place since February, to improve the governance of the city. Elected members have been given an opportunity to turn the place around and eight members have come out publicly in support of trying to get the place moving again. The review has identified a number of areas that need to be improved. The city has engaged an experienced CEO. Planning policies and practices have been reviewed by an experienced town planner. The mediator has been engaged and is working to reconcile the differences. The informal advice that I have been given is that progress is being made at the City of Albany. The City of Albany remains on watch. I am there for the best interests of the community of Albany and, as far as I am concerned, things at this point in time are progressing well. Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!
(1)–(2) The answer is no. I have implemented a better practice review in Albany because it is vital that the City of Albany moves on in the best interests of its residents. The City of Albany has a lot of challenges that will require a long time to overcome them. It is a comprehensive strategy, which has been in place since February, to improve the governance of the city. Elected members have been given an opportunity to turn the place around and eight members have come out publicly in support of trying to get the place moving again. The review has identified a number of areas that need to be improved. The city has engaged an experienced CEO. Planning policies and practices have been reviewed by an experienced town planner. The mediator has been engaged and is working to reconcile the differences. The informal advice that I have been given is that progress is being made at the City of Albany. The City of Albany remains on watch. I am there for the best interests of the community of Albany and, as far as I am concerned, things at this point in time are progressing well. Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!
Mr T.R. Buswell : Comprehensive!

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