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Benchmarking for greater efficiency best protection for positive reform

The reform message is being taken to remote communities throughout the Northern Territory. Chief Executive Office of Coomalie Community Government Council, Jeff Colver is currently visiting remote communities to promote benchmarking and other measures to improve efficiency.

'Many communities are unconvinced of the value of amalgamation but are enthusiastic about the opportunities to be gained from practices such as resource sharing,' he said. With 32 years working in Territory, Local Government Jeff is well qualified to advise other Councils.

Coomalie, along with nine other Councils, has recently participated in a Pilot Program on Performance Indicators. The exercise revealed that while there are some things Coomalie does very well, it also highlighted areas where it could improve. Examples of where efficiency gains could be made included Coomalie's Maintenance Grading Program and the Batchelor Irrigation Project.

"Council's grading maintenance program had been tied into a fixed number of gradings a year which, upon examination, proved to be unnecessary," Jeff Colver said. "The contract was redesigned to restrict grading to when it was necessary. Council also took preventative measures to reduce grading requirements". This has resulted in a dramatic fall in the cost of grading maintenance while road surfaces have maintained their standard.

Council applied the same lateral thinking in 'regreening' the town of Batchelor. While conventional water supply was found to be too expensive, Council staff discovered a disused bore could provide water for a greatly reduced cost.

Jeff Colver said not all Councils will find cost savings in the same areas, and distance and other factors will limit the capacity of some Councils to find areas of cost saving. However, there are advantages to be gained everywhere from reexamining costs; sharing resources, such as auditors; and using initiative.

New initiatives can bring multiple benefits. In Coomalie, the irrigation project not only improved the appearance and amenity of the town for local people and at the same time brought an increase in tourists stopping over in the town.

For further information contact Jeff Colver, telephone (08) 8976 0058

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