A new agreement signed between the Central Desert Regional Council and the Northern Territory Police has cleared the path for a closer working relationship.

The Agreement, signed by Acting Assistant Commissioner Kate Vanderlaan and Central Desert Council President Adrian Dixon, will provide a road map for Night Patrol and Police to coordinate their efforts to build safer communities.

Central Desert Regional Council President Adrian Dixon emphasised the importance of the two organisations working together.

Both the Night Patrol and Police aim to keep the community safe and trouble free. Sometimes our Night Patrollers can intervene before trouble starts. Sometimes they can help Police sort problems out by helping them understand relationships and whats going on. When this happens its really good for the community, Mr Dixon said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Vanderlaan said that it is vital for the community, Police and Night Patrollers to understand their respective responsibilities.

Night Patrol is important for the community and plays a key role in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. We are looking forward to having a closer working relationship with the Patrollers in the Central Desert Region, Acting Assistant Commissioner Vanderlaan said.

Central Desert Council CEO Cathryn Hutton said the Memorandum of Understanding is an overarching agreement between the Council and Police that sets out the general roles and responsibilities.

In each community we will develop a specific agreement that describes how Police and Night Patrol will relate to each other on a day to day basis, Ms Hutton says.

The Nyirripi Local Authority nominations are now open. They will be open until 9:00am, 12 March 2014. For more information please see your Community Service Manager or call Kimbi on 8958 9517.

Local Authorities 

Local Boards have done such a great job in the last five years. However this New Year brings some big changes to them and Councils are now establishing Local Authorities. 

Local Authority members will be a link between their community and the Central Desert Regional Council. Community members and anyone living in or around the community can nominate to be a Local Authority member. The current members of our Local Boards are encouraged to nominate to be new Local Authority members. 

The introduction of new Local Authorities is an opportunity to build on the great efforts of our Local Boards and establish a good group of people to speak up for their community. 

Local Authorities need to be representative of key groups within their area by including people who are committed to attend and participate in meetings for the benefit of residents and community members. 

So what are the changes?

Old Local Boards 

• Not required under legislation 
• Are unpaid volunteers
• Do not have input into budget or other financial decisions (unless delegated to do so).
• No minimum number of meetings per year

New Local Authorities

• Required under legislation with compliance guidelines on their functions
• Will receive a meeting allowance (unless a Council staff member)
• Will make recommendations to Council about money spent  in their community. Council will decide on how money is spent.
• Minimum of six meetings per year

Nominations for new Local Authority members for each community will be open for 28 days.  Please see the Community Service Manager for more information or when nominations open.

Download a nomination form here…..