Council looks at industry partnership

By Nathan Johnston
THE City of Greater Dandenong will continue to investigate entering into multimillion dollar partnership agreements with private industries for the provision of various council services.
A delegation of councillors and council staff recently returned from England where local government and private industry partnerships were proving successful.
The City of Greater Dandenong would be the first Australian council to adopt the approach.
Greater Dandenong chief executive officer Carl Wulff said the strategic serves contracts, worth up to $100 million for 10 years, had the potential to save the council millions of dollars, improve services and create local employment opportunities.
Cr John Kelly was part of the delegation and said that many English councils had been saved from financial ruin after entering into the strategic services partnerships.
“Some of the councils were real basket cases, but this has really helped them along,” he said.
“In some cases it hasn’t worked as successfully as others, but we can look at those areas and find the formula that works for us.
“I’m certain, with more discussions on it, this can be successful here too.
“This is a great opportunity to lead the state and the country.”
Cr Paul Donovan was also part of the delegation and has prepared a 16page report on the strategic services partnerships.
“I think my colleagues and I gained a lot from the delegation and it has given us a coherent view on how strategic services work.”