I just spent a fascinating two days at the Australia Future of Local Government Summit.  About a third of all Australia’s 565 councils were there, along with some civil servants from the state governments – who have power to reorganise and impose reorganisation on local government.

There was energy in the presentations and approaches to delivering local democracy, community engagement and proving value to local communities. Typical comments were “If we don’t nobody else will” and “Shaping the future we want – not accepting what we are given”.   I hope to get you some interesting guest blogs in coming weeks.