| 23 May 2013 |
The three Mayors from Burnie City, Circular Head and Waratah-Wynyard Councils today signed a Memorandum of Agreement to further strengthen the organisations’ work on areas of common interest.
The agreement comes from initial investigations into areas of mutual benefit between Waratah-Wynyard and Burnie Councils in 2011 and following the addition of Circular Head Council in 2012.
“All three Councils have already achieved a number of benefits from the informal arrangement and this MOA will further the gains and scope going forward,” Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said.
“A number of strategic opportunities including health, education and transport infrastructure have already been explored, which will now be developed further.”
Burnie Mayor Steve Kons said it is a positive step for local governments to acknowledge and formalise that working together will better the region.
“It is great to have an agreement in place to plan how together we can further the work we have previously informally done with Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head Councils. We have already seen a benefit to our ratepayers with financial savings and improved service delivery,” Mayor Kons said.
“This agreement allows the General Managers to explore operational areas where the Councils can work together to provide more efficient services to the community.”
Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh said the three Councils had already held two joint forums, which demonstrated a more strategic approach.
“The topics covered so far have included a regional economic development plan, regional development, dairy, manufacturing, timber industry issues, infrastructure opportunities and projects and the proposed Venture Minerals project,” Mayor Walsh said.
“This is just one way the three Councils have already worked together and how they are taking a proactive approach to the future growth potential of this region.”
The MOA will see all three Councils taking part in similar joint forums twice a year. The agreement will be reviewed every four years.