SEAVROC Press Release
South East Avon Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils
Representing the Shires of Beverley, Brookton, Cunderdin, Quairading and York
“Creating our Region’s future together
(Press release)
The future is bright for SEAVROC
“SEAVROC (South East Avon Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils) is moving beyond its current voluntary arrangement to a formalised structure of corporate collaboration” said the newly appointed Chairman, Cr. Graham Cooper, Cunderdin Shire President.
SEAVROC comprising of the Shires of Beverley, Brookton, Cunderdin, Quairading and York has been operating for just three years and much has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of the Chief Executive Officers and Council representatives of each member Council. The Management and Administration of SEAVROC has been bolstered by the appointment of a part-time Executive Officer Mr Dominic Carbone.
“The appointment will give leadership and focus to the group” said Cr Cooper.
“We have established two main issues moving forward, one is to decide upon a regional model for how we want to operate and the requirements needed to achieve this. The second is to review our current operating platforms, things like IT, planning policies, chart of accounts, rates etc to come up with a common way of doing things so we can all be better at delivering our services. By embracing standardised methods across the shire’s if nothing else we should achieve a great support network and better efficiencies” said Cr Cooper.
The appointment of Mr Dominic Carbone (Former City of Canning CEO) as the Executive Officer for the next two years will be partly funded from a Grant of $200,000 secured from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development (DLGRD).
“Dominic comes to the group as a well respected and experienced (30 years) Local Government practitioner and in particular an innovator of shared services. The City of Canning being at the forefront of the provision of shared services to remote and rural local governments. These skills and experience will be drawn upon for the development of various business plans/models that explore the options available to the group in regards to new possible directions the group may wish to consider in driving regionalism to improve our services to our respective communities.” said Cr Cooper.
SEAVROC through the Shire of York and in partnership with the DLGRD and WALGA (Western Australian Local Government Association) have appointed McLeods Barristers and Solicitors to investigate alternative Regional Models through which to provide shared Local Government Services and delineate Legislative implications, governance and accountability processes.
“What we need is less red tape and the ability to provide more and better services to our region” said Cr Cooper.
The SEAVROC Councils are home to more than 8,682 people who live in a collective area covering 9,818 sq km with a total revenue of $24 million and employs 137 people.
SEAVROC is not an amalgamation of individual Councils, but a strategic collaboration of Councils working together in partnership for the Local Communities.
For more information please contact Graham Cooper on 9635 1180.