Emerging Trends in Local Government Forum
Join us as we explore the latest thinking and research on emerging trends across the local government sector at a special forum at the UTS Centre for Local Government.
What are the emerging trends and issues shaping local government across Australia?
Please join us at a special forum featuring the latest thinking and research on emerging trends across the sector on Tuesday 19 March at the UTS Centre for Local Government.
Missed the event? Read a summary of the forum's discussions
For more than two decades the UTS Centre of Local Government has been the leading university-based centre specialising in education and research for local government in Australia, and one of only a few internationally. This forum is an opportunity to celebrate and share insights from the work of researchers and students across the Centre’s PhD and Master’s programs.
Hosted by Associate Professor Bligh Grant, the forum will run from 11am to 4pm, with two sessions, the first exploring emerging trends and the second session featuring an interactive co-design workshop. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Session 1: Emerging trends and research
Join us as we explore a range of topics including:
Community engagement in Australian local government: A closer look and strategic implications
How is an increasing focus on community engagement changing local government?
Helen E. Christensen, PhD Candidate, IPPG Associate & Board Member, IAP2 Australasia
Political alienation and council amalgamations: the effect of municipality size on levels of political efficacy and political participation
Does size really matter? Exploring the experiences of councils in Adelaide and Perth
Joshua McDonnell, PhD Candidate, University of Western Australia
Enabling participatory and deliberative governance: Institutional design and organisational capacity for local government in Victoria, Australia
How can councils best manage the challenges and opportunities associated with participatory governance?
Emanuela Savini, PhD Candidate & IPPG Associate
Multiperspectival borders and metagovernance of functional economic corridors
How can we benefit from reframe the relationship between statutory and strategic borders in metropolitan areas?
Kane Pham, PhD Candidate & IPPG Associate
Development Contributions in NSW: A Review of the Section 7.11 Contributions Cap
What impact have reforms to developer contributions had in NSW and what alternative approaches could be explored?
Melissa Ballinger, Strategic Project Officer – Development Contributions, Wollongong City Council
Urban resilience, cultural sustainability and libraries: What are the building blocks for library success in a local government setting?
How are successful public libraries turning over a new leaf in their approach to benefiting their communities?
Heather Davis, Manager, Libraries and Learning at City of Sydney
The role of councillors in NSW: Understanding the separation of powers
What can we learn from the role and perceptions of councillors in NSW and their impact on council operations?
Nigel Judd, Councillor, Temora Shire Council
Alternate Dispute Resolution for Neighbour Tree Conflicts and the Role of Local Government
How effective is ADR in extending the olive branch in neighbour disputes?
Andrew Simpson, Tree Management Team Leader, Woollahra Council
Session 2: Co-design workshop – Teaching local government
Local government plays a critical role in supporting regional infrastructure and economic development, and providing essential facilities, services and cultural activities that are essential to fostering healthy, sustainable communities.
With around 190,000 professionals working in local government nationally, the sector brings together a diverse mix of professionals with wide-ranging expertise and experience.
- What do you wish you knew when you first started in local government?
- What do you wish your colleagues knew?
- Why is local government important to the communities we serve, and how does impact and facilitate change?
As part of the forum, we invite you to participate in an interactive co-design workshop hosted by Associate Professor Bligh Grant. Your ideas and experiences will help us to strengthen digital learning resources that provide the essential skills and understandings needed to succeed in local government.