This draft plan for the Roper Gulf Shire has been developed with the assistance and input from many people and groups.

In February senior executive staff were appointed to begin the process of putting together the details for the structures and systems for the Shire including the release of the Shire Plan. This senior executive team has had considerable input into the development of the second draft of the plan.

As CEO of the Roper Gulf Shire I am responsible for coordinating and ratifying this version of the plan. The Corporate and Community Services Director for the Shire has taken primary responsibility for this second draft of the 3 year Financial Plan and the organisational structures.

Senior Officers from the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport have continued to offer significant support at all levels of the development of this second draft Shire plan.

The Shire Transition Committee members and officers of the six local government bodies and seven non government organisations in the Shire have given generously of their time to provide ideas and "grassroots" input into the planning work done by the DLGHS and its consultants. Comments and input from the Shire Transition Committee (STC) of the Roper Gulf, along with comments from the general public have been included in the 2nd Draft of the Roper Gulf Shire Plan.

The Plan is also considered to be a "living" document, and will be able to be altered as the need arises.  Likewise, by October 2008 elections will be held  to elect 12 councillors from the five wards of the Roper Gulf Shire.  The revised draft of this Plan will be the councillors' guide for the first year of the Shire's operation.  However, it will be the responsibility of and expectation on the elected councillors to make alterations to the Plans as they see fit.

At the time of writing of the Plan's second draft, the Shire is still negotiating with a range of Australian and Territory Government agencies in regards to funding.  This funding has not been included in the Plan, however in anticipation of finalising these agreements prior to 1 July 2008; indicative staff positions have been included in the organisation structures.

I take this opportunity to thank the work of the Roper Gulf Shire Transition Committee and the many other people who have helped bring this draft plan together.  I look forward to feedback from you, the reader, to the development of the final version.

I would also like to gratefully acknowledge that the financial support provided by the Department of Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) in preparing the first and second draft of this plan.

Michael Berto

CEO

Roper Gulf Shire