Local Government Association of South Australia
Who Are We?
The Local Government Association (LGA) is the voice of Local Government in South Australia. It represents the interests of, and provides leadership to Local Government authorities in South Australia and is recognised under Schedule 1 of the Local Government Act 1999.
Its members include all 68 Councils established under the Local Government Act along with Anangu Pitjantjatjara. The LGA is also recognised in some 27 other State Acts of Parliament and is the body representative of Local Government in South Australia pursuant to Section 9 (2)(a) of the Commonwealth Local Government Financial Assistance Act 1986 (Cth).
Councils in SA have made a clear commitment to reconciliation and have endorsed an Aboriginal Strategy called " Local Councils Belong to Aboriginal People 2 ". This was made possible through the LGA, which also continues to provide Councils with the best possible information and training on the implications of Native Title.
In November 2002, the LGA was invited to join SA Native Title Resolution Negotiations. It accepted the invitation and is now participating in the main table talks and in a Local Government 'side table'.
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Why Negotiate?
Local Government has a wide role under the Local Government Act 1999, and this is why we are part of SA Native Title Resolution Negotiations: to provide leadership to communities.
The Act requires Councils to provide for the governance of their areas and to represent the interests of all people within its area (including indigenous Australians). A majority of Council areas in SA are subject to Native Title applications to the Federal Court and most Councils are participating to ensure the best interests of their communities, including Aboriginal constituents are protected.
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What Do We Want To Achieve?
Pilot talks between the Yorke Peninsula District Council, Barunga West District Council, Copper Coast Council, the Wakefield Regional Council and the Narungga Peoples resulted in the signing of a local government ILUA with the Narungga people in December 2004.
The LGA seeks to ensure that a Statewide template or models are developed from the Statewide talks with input from the Narungga Pilot to assist other Councils to settle Native Title matters outside lengthy and expensive Court processes.
The talks will also allow intergovernment issues involving Crown Lands and the Development Act to be resolved at the State level rather than requiring Council by Council resolution.
Most of all, Local Government is looking for support in providing leadership to communities and to see the resolution of Native Title matters in a wider context of reconciliation with indigenous communities.
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For More Information
For more information, please visit the South Australian Native Title Resolution online Resource Centre, email info@sanativetitleresolution.com.au or contact the South Australian Local Government Association direct.
South Australian Local Government Association
First Floor, 16 Hutt Street, Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 2693, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone:
+ 61 8 8224 2000
Fax:
+ 61 8 8232 6336
Email:
lgasa@lga.sa.gov.au
www.lga.sa.gov.au
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