Council misses the gravy train

THE recent announcement of a $200 million Federal Government "Growing Regions Plan" to help coastal communities meet the costs associated with rapid growth has highlighted the fact that Shellharbour City may be increasingly disadvantaged by the council's refusal to join the National Seachange Taskforce.

Unprecedented coastal growth over the decade from 1996"2006, when the population of non-metropolitan coastal areas increased from 4.9 to 5.9 million people, has seen Wollongong, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Bega and Eurobodalla affiliate with the Taskforce.

According to Taskforce executive director Alan Stokes, "discussions held over a number of years have not resulted in Shellharbour becoming a Taskforce member".

"I'm not sure why, because the Growing Regions Plan " which was devised by the Taskforce in conjunction with the Minister for Transport and Regional Services Mr Vaile " is specifically designed for high growth coastal councils areas such as Shellharbour," Mr Stokes said.

The national Sea Change Taskforce was established in 2004 as a national body to represent the interests of coastal councils and communities experiencing the effects of rapid population and tourism growth.

It now represents local government authorities in all States.

While the $200 million Growing Regions funding is not restricted to Taskforce members, the Taskforce has established itself as an effective lobby on behalf of coastal councils in all states.

Australia's coastal population was growing at a rate that is 60 percent higher than the national average and will experience another major surge at the end of the decade, when the baby-boomers start to reach retirement age.

"This is a fundamental redistribution of Australia's population and it will continue for at least the next 20 years," he said.

A Council spokesperson said Shellharbour had not joined the Taskforce primarily because it had limited resources and "can't be involved with every group".

Shellharbour had chosen to be involved with the NSW Coastal Conference instead of the Taskforce, the spokesperson said, "because it's focus is on environmental issues including rising sea levels and protection of the coastal environment, issues that Council feels are more pertinent to the Shellharbour area."

Taskforce executive director Alan Stokes said his organisation's affiliation cost was $550-$4500, depending on the population of the council in question.

"We have tried to make it affordable for all coastal councils," he said.