Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009

The Authority must submit to the Minister for approval a strategic management plan for the period of 5 financial years commencing on 1 July next following commencement of this section and for each subsequent period of 5 financial years.

The first strategic management plan is to be submitted as soon as practicable after the commencement of this section.

The second and each subsequent strategic management plan is to be submitted on or before 30 April in the financial year preceding the first financial year to which it relates.

A strategic management plan must be prepared in consultation with outback communities in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14).

A strategic management plan must include—

a statement of the Authority's objectives for the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities for the 5 year period;

and

a clear indication of the extent to which the Authority has given consideration to State and national objectives and strategies relevant to outback communities; and

an assessment of—

the extent or levels of public services and facilities that will be required to be provided to achieve its objectives; and

the extent to which infrastructure for public services and facilities will need to be maintained, replaced or developed to achieve its objectives; and

a statement of—

the principal activities that the Authority intends to undertake to achieve its objectives; and

the means by which its activities are to be carried out, including the extent to which it is intended that public services and facilities will be provided to outback communities by community organisations; and

a statement of the extent to which the Authority intends to collaborate with local, State and national governments in the planning and delivery of public services and facilities to outback communities;

and

a long‑term financial plan; and

a long‑term plan for the maintenance, replacement and development of infrastructure for public services and facilities for outback communities; and

any other matter prescribed by regulation.

A strategic management plan or a component of a strategic management plan may relate to a period beyond the 5 year period to which the plan relates.

The Minister may approve a strategic management plan submitted under this section with or without modification.

If a strategic management plan is not approved by the Minister (with or without modification) before the commencement of the period to which it relates, the Authority may proceed as if it were approved (but is bound by any modification subsequently required by the

Minister).

The Authority may review its strategic management plan at any time, but must undertake a review of its long‑term financial plan as soon as practicable after approval by the Minister of its annual business plan and budget for a financial year.

A variation of a strategic management plan (other than a variation consequential on an annual business plan and budget) must be prepared in consultation with outback communities in accordance with the Authority's public consultation policy (see section 14) and be submitted to the Minister for the Minister's approval (and the variation may be approved with or without modification).