Governance

The scale of the project, and the involvement of 7 Councils plus Rous Water, required that a robust governance structure, including a Project Management team independent of any individual Council (apart from day to day administrative and employment issues) had to be established. The structure provided for effective and efficient decision making, and the application of principles of democracy and equity.

All Councils partnered in this project were represented on the Steering Committee. However, the Partners had also determined that the bulk of activities were to be based in the community and industry. Accordingly, while Councils were closely involved in most, if not all project activities, there was a limited need for in-Council project teams. In the life of the project, there was limited requirement for changed operations or practices within Councils.

Any changes to the Deed of Trust were signed by the General Manager of the Lead Council.

The project partners are:

  • Ballina Shire Council
  • Byron Shire Council
  • Clarence Valley Council
  • Kyogle Council
  • Lismore City Council
  • Richmond Valley Council
  • Tweed Shire Council
  • Rous Water

Governance Structure Table

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee, consisting entirely of the Project Partners, was formed at the outset of the business planning process.

As defined in the Terms of Reference for the Steering Committee, it was responsible for:

  • The project’s feasibility, project plan and achievement of outcomes
  • Ensuring the project’s scope aligned with the requirements of the aligned partners
  • Providing those directly involved with in the project with guidance on project business issues
  • Ensuring effort and expenditure was appropriate and aligned to partner expectations
  • Addressing any issue that had major implications for the project
  • Keeping the project scope under control as emergent issues forced changes to be considered
  • Reconciliation of differences in opinion and approach, and resolution of disputes arising from them
  • Reporting on project progress to project sponsor and steering committee parent organisations
  • Any whole-of-government issues associated with the project.

The role of the individual members of the Northern Rivers Food Links Steering Committee included:

  • Understanding the strategic implications and outcomes of initiatives being pursued through project outputs.
  • Appreciating the significance of the project for some or all member councils, aligned partners and/or major stakeholders and perhaps represent their interests.
  • Being genuinely interested in the initiative and the outcomes being pursued in the project.
  • Being an advocate for the project’s outcomes.
  • Having a broad understanding of project management issues and the approach that was adopted
  • Being committed to, and actively involved in pursuing the project’s outcomes.

Local Government Reference Group

A Reference Group was established in each Local Government Area, and was responsible for guiding the following projects:

  • Village Showcase Projects

Each Council either established a new reference group, or elected to utilise an existing Council structure.