A Chinese delegation from the Beijing Municipality visited Wyndham City Council on 22nd Novermber 2013 as part of a study visit to Australia – Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Led by the Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Finance, the delegation is the first by the Chinese government with a focus on annual budgeting and asset management.

The Mayor of Wyndham City Council and head of the delegation Mr Chen Xiaoping exchanged greetings and gifts in the morning, followed by a guided tour around the council.

Wyndham City Council Director of Corporate Services, Steven Lambert gave a presentation on the annual planning and budgeting system of the council. There was a heated discussion on differences of two countries’ practice in annual planning. Mr Lambert also shared good practice in engagement with communities and transparency in budgeting process.

Mr Chen Xiaoping expressed his appreciation of Wyndham’s hospitality. He said he was impressed by the well-developed annual budgeting process and would like to invite Wyndham council representatives visit Beijing. “We are looking for more opportunities to exchange knowledge and share experiences with Wyndham City Council in the future,” Mr Chen said.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Victorian Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure. The acting Director Sector Development, Local Government Victoria, Mark Grant and Manager of Intergovernmental Relations, Local Government Victoria, Kathy Pryor presented on the state government’s work in supporting local government asset management. Mr Grant said “the value of local infrastructure in Victoria is $67 billion, which means the local government is under a lot of responsibility in managing its asset.”

The delegation discussed the fact that Beijing Municipal Government is facing the same challenge with asset management. They spoke highly of the Victorian Government Local Government Performance Reporting Framework. “These are some very valuable practices for government in asset management. We will adapt the great ideas into our work in Beijing,” said Mr Li Qiang, Deputy Director of Financial Bureau of Shunyi District Beijing.

Facing challenges in a changing economic and political environment, Chinese local governments can learn from the good practice of Australia. Delegations from Chinese provincial and local governments, as well as from central government departments, have participated in LGMA study tours on local government planning and budgeting, asset management, community services, CSO, workforce development, talent management etc.

LGMA National regularly receives delegations from China. Other recent delegations include those from the financial departments of Dalian Municipal Government, Information Center for Publicity and Education, General Office of the Commission of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and National Resources Commission. For more information about LGMA National’s  international delegation and information exchange, visit http://www.lgma.org.au/