The relationship between a local government and a Town Team is crucial. Just like any relationship, if there is poor communication, lack of respect, mistrust or failure to support each other, then problems will emerge. One party might give up and walk away (particularly volunteers!).

Each place and group of people are different, but the ideal approach is to have a visionary, committed place champion(s) or team in the local government working to establish the right conditions for a community-based process to emerge, finding the right businesses, residents and community groups to step up and get involved, and then the local government slowly stepping back to allow others to step up.

Building on the insights from Callum Prior and Mike Fisher when they worked in the superstar place team at City of Adelaide, this is how we would see the ideal approach eventuating. It might happen quickly in some cases, and might take years in other cases, but this provides the basis for a positive, resilient and committed relationship.

If anyone would like to know more, please contact us!