Councils in South Australia have responsded to the appointment of two new State Government ministers.

The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomed Bernard Finnigan to the role of State Local Government Relations Minister and John Rau to the role of Minister for Urban Development and Planning.

LGA president, Felicity-ann Lewis, paid tribute to outgoing State Local Government Relations Minister Gail Gago.

“Gail has worked very well with the LGA and Local Government in general during her time at the helm and we have achieved some good things together, including the updating of the State Local Government Relations Agreement and a series of changes to the Local Government Act,” Cr Lewis said in a statement.

“Gail has done some great work on re-positioning the State Local Government Minister’s Forum and the re-drafting of the State Local Government Relations Agreement and we look forward to progressing these initiatives with the new Minister.”

Cr Lewis said LGA anticipated an “equally engaged relationship” with Minister Finnigan.

She also thanked former planning minister Paul Holloway.

“Mr Holloway’s Ministry oversaw enormous changes to planning and urban development in South Australia, including the introduction of the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide,” Cr Lewis said.

“We enjoyed a positive relationship with Mr Holloway and we look forward to working in an equally productive manner with Minister Rau.”

Cr Lewis reminded the new minister of the importance of working with councils on urban planning matters.

“The Government and its Ministers might not always like what they hear but they must respect the role of Councils to properly represent their communities,” she said.

“We will be working very closely with Minister Rau and his office to ensure that development across South Australia, including across metropolitan Adelaide is planned, orderly and sustainable and that infrastructure, including roads, stormwater and social infrastructure is properly planned and properly funded.”

The Department of Planning and Local Government has been working with LGA to finalise a memorandum of Understanding between the two tiers of government to establish a framework of cooperation under the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.

“The MOU will also recognise the role of the LGA in supporting Councils in their interaction with the Government and Government agencies,” Cr Lewis said.

“We look forward to signing the MOU with Minister Rau to promote the sustainable and appropriate growth of Adelaide.”

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