CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
PRIME MPN STERSPEECH
BY THE PRIME MINISTER
OPENING OF THE MUNICIPAL OFFICES ANNEXE.
COBURG 15 APRIL 1984
Mr Mayor, Councillors, Ladies and Gentlemen
I am again delighted to be here in Coburg the very heart
of my constituency. It is not so long since I was last with
the Council here in Coburg. In February Hazel and I
attended a special Council meeting, followed by dinner as
part of the celebration of the 1.25th anniversary of local
government in Coburg an evening with our good friends
which we particularly enjoyed.
It gives me particular pleasure to be here again for the
opening of these impressive, new council offices, this time
as part of the Heritage W'eek celebrations organized by the
National Trust of Australia.
The original Town Hall offices were established in the
1920' s and, apart from a few minor modifications over the
years. These are largely unchanged. rhis annexe has been
made necesary by the continuing growth of the municipality.
Its functional character should greatly improve the working
conditions of Coburg's Council staff.
The vacated old offices will be used to centrally locate the
Council's Human Services staff who have until now been
housed at separate locations. Additionally, meeting rooms
and a reference library for the use of Councillors have been
provided. These welcome developments will improve the cohesion of the
resources devoted to community welfare services and
contribtue overall to the greater efficiency of the
Council's work.
The citizens of Coburg will also benefit from the improved
services that will assuredly flow from the centralising of
the council's departments, made possible by the
establishment of this annexe.
2.
I must commend the people responsible for the construction
and design of these offices. They have matched the old with
the new and provided a harmony of old wor-ld charm, with
contemporary, modern structures. Their work and the efforts
of the Mayor and Councillors have given the municipality of
Coburg one of its most attractive features.
The establishment of this annexe is an obvious testament to'
the growth and dynamism of local Government in Coburg. Since
its incorporation as the Coburg District Roads Board in 1859
this Council has evolyed and increased its functions from
that of a limited authority responsible only for roads
to a multi-purpose community Government committed to the
continued service of the people and to further growth and
prosperity of the Coburg area. I
The Government is committed to recognising local1 government'
as a genuine partner in our governmental system-. and to
encouraging worthwhile interaction between the three spheres
of Government Federal, State and Local. In'implementing
our policies we have already made some important changes:
Established the first National Local Government
Ministry to co-ordinate activities in areas of
relevance to Local Governments.
Increased the funds for general and special
purposes to flow from the Commonwealth Government
this year to local government by well over 40% 1 from
the previous year this includes money for local
roads, child care services, health, welfare and
housing. Coburg has benefitted directly from this
increase with the city's allocation of general
purpose revenue grants rising from $ 1,285,000 in
1982/ 83 to $ 1,400,000 in 1983/ 84.
Finally, we have initiated a significant National
Inquiry into the financial relations and capacities
of local Governments.
In short, the Federal Labor Government attaches considerable
importance to successful implementation by Local Governments
of their responsibilities. The immediate, grass-roots needs
of our communities are frequently the most pressing. Very
often they are also best understood and best met by those
engaged in local government.
Accordingly, it is with a great deal of pride and pleaseure
that I now declare the Coburg Offices Annexe officially
open.