Rural-Remote and Indigenous Local Government Program: Capacity Building Survey
Rural-Remote and Indigenous Local Government Program: Capacity Building Survey Report
- Author(s): Melissa Gibbs
- Published: 2012
- Publisher: Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government, University of Technology Sydney
Abstract: The objective of this survey was to explore the issues surrounding capacity building in rural-remote and indigenous councils. This survey was distributed to the Chief Executive Officers of councils in Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia that have been identified as rural, remote, indigenous. This survey will inform the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) strategy aimed at addressing the capacity needs of small rural-remote and indigenous local governments. There were 29 responses to the survey with the majority of these being officers from Queensland councils. There are a number of recurring themes that have been expressed through this survey in relation to current issues facing councils, training and professional development and staff attraction and retention. The local governments surveyed are supportive of ACELG in undertaking this survey and have expressed an interest in the development and implementation of strategies to address the issue of capacity building in rural-remote and indigenous councils. The findings from the survey support prior research about the impediments and challenges facing rural-remote and indigenous local governments. There are clearly many areas where additional support is required and, in particular, activities which will assist in the retention and development of staff will be of greatest assistance. The findings can be summed up well by a comment from one of the respondents: "I appreciate the commitment to this area by the government and the staff at ACELG to really provide support that will make a difference. I believe there is a real opportunity for remote Australia to advance if we can keep quality CEOs in these areas; however, the high level of burnout is often a factor that prevents that. If we can support CEOs and senior management on a number of different levels and that includes a social network within a peer network that is supportive, we will gain some ground. Often, not having others in your community with the same commitment to follow through on changes that will Close the Gap in Aboriginal communities is very wearing."
- Urls: https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/42099/3/RRI-Capacity-Building-Survey-CEO.pdf
- Publisher Location: Sydney