From the President

I welcome you back for the first edition of ALGA News for 2008. I hope you had a happy and safe holiday season and I look forward to working with you on kicking goals for local government this year.

A good summary of our forward agenda is in ALGA's submission for the 2008/2009 Federal Budget. It is available on the website: www.alga.asn.au

Local government recognises the importance for the Government of meeting its election commitments in a timely manner. In addition, local government acknowledges the need to continue funding long-term transformational programs focused on national transport systems and natural resource management. Of highest importance to local government, however, is the need to reform local government funding.

The submission outlines 5 strategic priorities that local government believes the 2008/2009 Federal Budget should pursue:

1. Delivering on election commitments in a timely manner;
2. Delivering reforms to intergovernmental relations, including:
   • Reform to local government general-purpose funding;
   • Investment in community and strategic infrastructure through local government;
   • Supporting sector-led reform to improve local government financial and asset management capacity; and
   • Accelerating COAG Reform;
3. Building-on and extending investment in long term transformational programs to improve national roads and transport systems, Australia's natural resource management, water reform and emergency management;
4. Targeted programs to facilitate streamlining of regulation and process management by local government, including electronic development assessment; and
5. Initiatives at the national and local levels to meet future challenges in the areas of climate change, Indigenous housing and associated services.

Local government appreciates the importance of a continuing strong partnership with the Federal Government and is committed to seeking further opportunities for cooperation. Our Federal Budget submission puts forward significant proposals that will improve outcomes at the local level for all Australians. I encourage you all to help bring these important issues to the attention of your local MPs and Senators.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

ICT awards for local government

The role of the e-Award is to promote excellence in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in Australia at all levels of government.

Nominations are being sought from Australian, state, territory and local governments for outstanding ICT initiatives implemented in the past two years, based on the positive impact they have had on citizens, business and government.

Local government agencies recognised for previous awards include:
2006: Hobsons Bay City Council and Shellharbour City Council
2007: Hornsby Shire Council.

The awards will be presented at an ICT Celebration dinner following the e-Government Forum at CeBIT Australia 2008 in Sydney on 21 May 2008.

Nominations for the 2008 e-Award are open now and close on 30 March 2008. Details on nominating an initiative and details of all previous recipients can be found at www.agimo.gov.au/cebit.

NSW: From Brewarrina to Hunters Hill, ratepayers compare notes

Sydneysiders are paying big money for waterviews with average council rates over $1,000 a year, but move inland and fees plummet, according to a new report.

In Brewarrina, drought-ravaged farming land on the NSW-Queensland border, the average resident pays $85.90 for a year's worth of council services.

It's a world away from Hunters Hill, which sits along Sydney Harbour and covering just six square kilometres, is the smallest council area in the state. But here the average annual council rate is $1,085.30.

This is just one of many comparisons shown in the NSW government's annual council report card, which was released recently by Local Government Minister Paul Lynch.

Visit the Department of Local Government website on www.dlg.gov.au for full details.

SA: Pilot program to tackle greenhouse producing waste

South Australia's trialling a pilot program to remove food scraps from landfill as a way of combating greenhouse gas emissions.

The state government's invited local councils to take part in the program to have all food scraps collected with garden cuttings rather than placed with general waste.

Food waste makes up about 40 per cent of an average family's weekly rubbish collection.

Environment Minister Gail Gago says removing that from landfill is the next logical step to have as much waste recycled as possible.

Ms GAGO says the food waste will be turned into compost instead of being allowed to decompose and create methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The three-month pilot program follows a trial in the suburban Burnside Council in 2006 where there was a high level of community support.

Emergency volunteer support fund applications invited

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced that applications for the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund in 2008/09 are now invited.

Eligible volunteer emergency management organisations nationwide are encouraged to apply. Applications for funding through the initiative will close on 7 March 2008. Since the introduction of the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund, 595 projects have been funded to a total value of $15.3 million.

The National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund is administered by Emergency Management Australia (EMA), a Division of the Attorney-General's Department. Details of the program, including guidelines and application forms can be found on the EMA website.

Safety is your most important call

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, has joined forces with the Australian Automobile Association and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) to urge drivers not to use illegal hand-held phones while driving and exercise caution when making hands-free calls.

The "Safety is Your Most Important Call" message aims to make drivers think before using their mobile phone, especially when traffic is heavy or road conditions are unsafe.

Mr Albanese said that research funded by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau had shown that people aged between 17 and 25 were the most frequent users of mobile phones while driving.

AMTA's driver safety tips can be found at www.amta.org.au

Ipswich signs new ILUA

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale says a new agreement with the city's Indigenous community will help end legal disputes and improve cultural ties.

The Council recently signed an Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA), recognising the region's traditional owners.

Councillor Pisasale says it is a model that other local governments should follow.

"It means that we've got Indigenous people as some of our park rangers, it means that our business and our community leaders know exactly where they stand and how we're going to work with the Indigenous community," he said.

"It means that the elders will be part of reference groups to work on some of the youth issues, the business issues and the things that we can work together."

Demonstration against NSW Planning Minister proposals

About 250 mayors and council general managers from across New South Wales have approved alternative measures to the State Government's proposed shake-up of planning laws at a meeting in Sydney.

The measures include suspending development payments by councils and employing media relations people to explain the measures to residents.

The NSW Local Government Association says the alternatives focus on making sure that decision makers are accountable and building codes reflect local needs.

It says the State Government's planned changes will slow down development decisions and remove opportunities for community involvement, in what it has branded the most significant attack on local government democracy in recent years.

Association President Genia McCaffery says one of the core problems is the private certification model, which she says should be put in the hands of local councils.

"The solution is that the certified certificates should be made to the council and that the council should issue the detailed construction consent relying on the information supplied by the private certifier," she said.

"That's the reform that we think the Minister should undertake."

Federal Government changes to Indigenous advisory body

The Rudd Government has axed its predecessor's controversial indigenous advisory body, a council of 11 expert advisers hand-picked by the Howard government as a sounding board on indigenous policy.

The National Indigenous Council was created in 2004 after the demise of the elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, which was dismantled by the previous government with the support of the then Opposition leader, Mark Latham.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, announced that the council's term would not be renewed because "the interests of indigenous people would be better served through a different approach".

It would be replaced by a representative body, but the new advisory group would not be "another ATSIC", she has said.

But which Aboriginal leaders will have the ear of the Government remains a mystery.

Ms Macklin said the new body would need to have representation from urban, regional and remote Australia and links with other advisory bodies, but she would not be drawn on how it will be selected, saying she wanted to complete her discussions with Aboriginal groups first.

Citizenship test to be reviewed

Immigration Minister Chris Evans says the Rudd Government will review citizenship test because some of the questions may be inappropriate.

Migrants from South Africa, India and the Philippines have a lower failure rate in the nation's citizenship test than people from New Zealand or Britain, government figures show.

However, the majority of newcomers are passing the much-criticised test and it has an overall pass rate of 93 per cent.

Failure rates were respectively 0.9 percent for South Africans, 1.0 percent for Indians and 1.9 percent for Filipinos, compared to 2.2 percent for Britons and 2.7 percent for New Zealanders.

Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans is expected to commission a review of the test today, to be conducted in April, six months after it was introduced.

"The test can play a valuable role in helping new citizens understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship," Mr Evans said.

Telstra extends high-speed broadband coverage

Telstra announced on Wednesday it would activate high-speed ADSL2+ broadband at more than 900 telephone exchanges serving 2.4 million consumers across every state and territory.

Telstra will activate the following new ADSL2+ services:

• 370 telephone exchanges serving nearly 1.8 million premises will be upgraded within seven working days - within the first 48 hours exchanges will be upgraded serving nearly one million premises in locations such as Alice Springs (NT), Banora Point (NSW), Buderim (Qld), Deer Park (Vic), Kalgoorlie and Karratha (WA), Newtown (Tas) and Victor Harbor (SA); and within seven working days exchanges will be upgraded serving locations such as Ayr (Qld), Aldinga (SA), Mittagong (NSW), Lakes Entrance (Vic), Sandy Bay (Tas) and Madjimup (WA).
• 132 telephone exchanges serving 230,000 premises will be upgraded within three weeks - serving locations such as Loxton (SA), Tully (Qld), Narromine (NSW), Camperdown (Vic), Howard Springs (NT), Smithton (Tas) and Yanchep (WA).
• An additional 405 exchanges serving more than 330,000 premises will be upgraded within 200 days as Telstra completes additional work - serving locations such as Grovedale (Vic), Tumbarumba (NSW), Barcaldine (Qld), Ceduna (SA), Forrestdale (WA) and Cambridge (Tas).

The 900 additional exchanges that will provide ADSL2+ high-speed broadband serve:

• approximately 730,000 homes and businesses in NSW
• more than 660,000 homes and businesses in Victoria
• more than 570,000 homes and businesses in Queensland
• more than 170,000 homes and businesses in Western Australia
• nearly 80,000 homes and businesses in South Australia
• more than 120,000 homes and businesses in Tasmania
• more than 50,000 homes and businesses in the Northern Territory
• more than 2,000 homes and businesses in the Australian Capital Territory.

Existing BigPond members in these areas on standard ADSL plans can call 13-POND to take advantage of the faster speeds by upgrading their plans. Some customers may also need to upgrade their modem.

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Melbourne: March 5 - 6

Implementing sustainable building practices for local and arterial roads will be one of the main topics of discussion at the Third Road Engineering & Maintenance Conference 2008 being held in Melbourne on Wednesday March 5 & Thursday March 6. The conference is held annually and draws more than 200 delegates from councils, state road authorities and private sector from across Australia.

Alan Sheridan, Director of Works, Noosa Council, will deliver a keynote presentation at the conference on the topics of Green Roads - A Case Study in the Delivery of Major Arterial Roads in a Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible Manner. Noosa has won a number of awards for its leading edge practices in this field. In addition to sustainable building practices, Alan will also outline how a relatively small council has been able to raise $80 million for road construction.

More than 25 expert speakers from councils, state road authorities and the private sector will address the full range of topics dealing with contemporary practices in road design, engineering and maintenance with a special focus on local roads. Practical case studies, based on award-winning projects, are a feature of this conference to enable councils and other road authorities to immediately implement the information presented at the conference. The speaking program is further augmented by a number of practical workshops and a highly relevant exhibition.

Key conference themes will include: developments within effective road maintenance; alliance contracts and road delivery models; good paving practices, as well as work management issues connected with working under traffic.

For more information on the conference including the full speaking program and online registration, please visit www.halledit.com.au/conferences/roads/2008/

Please visit the website for registration form, or online registration, or contact Denise McQueen on Ph: (03) 8534 5021 (direct) or (03) 8534 5000 (switch); Fax: (03) 8534 5121; Email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

Please note that the early bird rate applies for registrations received by January 18.

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Waste Oil Infrastructure - Review of Commonwealth Grants

Product Stewardship for Oil Program

Invitation to have your say

 

The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has engaged SWB Consulting to carry out a review of the grants provided for waste oil infrastructure. The review includes extensive consultation with interested parties.

More background information about the review is available on the department's website at: www.oilrecycling.gov.au/

Many councils received grants to install waste oil collection tanks. However, all councils are encouraged to provide input to the review.

To have your say, contact SWB Consulting :
Phone: (08) 8331 7411
Email: oil@swbconsulting.com.au
Fax: (08) 8331 7432
Mail: PO Box 346 WATERVALE SA 5452

The deadline for input to the review is 29 February 2008.

Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport

The draft report of this Review was released in January for comment. The Review is being undertaken by Allan Consulting on behalf of the Attorney General and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

The purpose is to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Disability Standards within five years of their coming into effect.

The Review examines accessible Public Transport under the following headings: trains and trams; taxis; buses and coaches; air travel and ferries; effectiveness in removing discrimination for people with disability; effectiveness of the regulatory approach; scope of transport standards; efficiency in the implementation of the standards; efficiency of administrative processes.

The Review finds that the Transport Standards have been effective but that there is criticism that the current standards are too low to provide whole of journey accessibility leading to frustration and impatience with progress.

The report identifies five specific issues:

• Incorrect or inappropriate prescription in the transport standards;
• uncertainty around implementation and compliance;
• gaps in information for providers in operating accessible public transport;
• reliance on individual complaints to ensure compliance; and
• inappropriate exclusions within the Transport Standards.

The finding of greatest interest to local government is that bus services, including bus stops. The Report notes that while progress has been made in this area it has not been adequately addressed. The report notes that some councils have found that the Transport Standards do provide the technical design information that could assist in the provision of bus services infrastructure and makes a number of suggestions to amend the standards.

The Report is available at www.ddatransportreview.com.au. Public comments can be made up to 31 March 2008.

A number of councils, state local government associations and ALGA have made submissions to the Review. The ALGA submission to the Review can be found on the ALGA website.

Councils urged to make more outdoor areas smoke-free

Councils are reminded to continue to promote good public health by making more outdoor areas smoke-free.

A kit launched on World No Tobacco Day last year by ASH Australia, The National Heart Foundation of Australia (NSW), The Cancer Council NSW, the Australian Medical Association (NSW) and the Local Government and Shires Association NSW is available here.

The kit outlines what every local council needs to know about why and how to make crowded outdoor public areas smokefree. Consists of four factsheets including information, research, council actions, sample policies, suggestions, questions and pictures.

More than 30 councils across NSW have introduced smoke-free outdoor areas as a result of changing community attitudes towards smoking. These new guidelines will help other councils who are keen to follow their lead.

A Cancer Council survey of 2,400 people in NSW revealed the potential for bans to reduce smoking rates, with 54% of smokers who had tried to quit saying that seeing someone with a cigarette was a trigger to relapse, while 40% said smelling a cigarette was a trigger to relapse.

Introducing smoke-free outdoor areas is a positive step that councils can take to protect the community from second-hand smoke, promote positive health messages, and support smokers who are trying to quit.

President welcomes bi-partisan support for local government recognition

Recent tacit support for the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution by the federal opposition was a major step forward, ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell said.

"Local government is grateful for the support and leadership of Warren Truss, the federal Nationals leader, on this issue," Cr Bell said.

Mr Truss has said in media interviews that while he is sympathetic to the proposition, "there would be no point in pursuing another constitutional referendum unless it stood a better chance of success."

"On two previous occasions when the issue was put to the Australian public in a referendum, the conservative side of politics opposed recognition of local government. This is a major turning point," Cr Bell said.

"Prime Minister Kevin Rudd set the pace during the recent federal election campaign by promising to put the issue to the people through a federal referendum during his first term in office.

"The Opposition is now moving in the same direction. History tells us only those propositions with cross-party political support get the required support to amend the Australian Constitution.

"The Australian Local Government Association will be convening a constitutional convention for councils in Canberra in November to develop a unified position on what question should be put to the people. There will be an ongoing discussion among councils on the topic in the lead-up to the convention."

"It is vitally important State Governments and State Oppositions come on board and support this move."

UCLG congress in Thailand

The Second United Cities and Local Governments (Asia Pacific Region) Congress will be held in Pattaya, Thailand between 14th and 18th July 2008.

The theme is "Sustainable Cities and Local Governments for a Sustainable World." The organising host will be Pattaya City in association with the National Municipal League of Thailand.

Further details can be accessed through the NMLT website or though: contact@nmt.or.th

Apology to Aboriginal people from PM on Feb 13

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will make an apology to Aboriginal people when federal parliament resumes next week.

On Australia Day Mr Rudd named race relations between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians as one of the nation's great challenges.

He said he wanted indigenous people to be "full participants" in society, rather than marginalised Australians.

While Mr Rudd has ruled out paying compensation to Aboriginal people who were removed from their families as part of the stolen generation, plans are well underway for the "sorry" declaration to come on February 13, the day after new MPs formally take their seats in Parliament.

The Motion offering an Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples is listed in both Houses for 9.30am and on February 12 there will be a Welcome to Country prior to the opening of the 42nd Parliament.

The Coalition has agreed 'in principle' to support the resolution, providing the final wording was acceptable.

ALGA President Cr Bell welcomed the move, noting that local government had led the way by formally apologising to the Stolen Generation over a decade ago at the 1997 National General Assembly. The wording is as follows:

"Local Government expresses its deep and sincere regret at the hurt and distress caused by policies which forcibly removed Aboriginal children from their families and homes. It recognises that a great injustice was inflicted on Aboriginal peoples in the name of assimilation and integration and reaffirms its support for reconciliation between all Australians. The removal of Indigenous children from their families has had far reaching consequences, depriving many of contact with their people, country, language and culture. Local Government commits to making all necessary records and assistance available to aid the victims of these policies in their grief and rebuilding of their family histories and place in today's Australia."

COAG Review of Hazardous Materials

In December 2002, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a national review of the regulation, reporting and security surrounding the storage, sale and handling of hazardous materials. The work was divided into four parts: ammonium nitrate; radiological sources; harmful biological materials; and hazardous chemicals (chemicals of security concern).

The review aims to assist counter-terrorism efforts by limiting opportunities for, and enhancing detection of, the illegal/unauthorised use of hazardous materials (the counter-terrorism objective). This is to be achieved through improvements in Australia's regulation, monitoring, control and education systems concerning such materials.

The regulation of Security-Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (SSAN) was considered by COAG on 25 June 2004 and licensing regimes are now being implemented by states and territories. Further information is available on the National Security website.

The reviews of biological and radiological materials were considered by COAG on 13 April 2007 and the recommendations from those reviews are currently being implemented. Further information about the implementation of recommendations for biological materials is available on the Department of Health and Ageing website.

The first phase of consultation on the chemicals component of the review was conducted through a discussion paper released in November 2006. The comment period for the discussion paper has closed. Feedback from the discussion paper phase was used in the development of the draft COAG Report on the Control of Chemicals of Security Concern.

The draft COAG Report on Chemicals of Security Concern will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to provide feedback on the report and its recommendations. The draft COAG report is expected to be available for public comment from February 2008.

For further information on the review, you can contact the CBRN Security Branch on 02 6271 5466 or by email at: chemicalsecurity@pmc.gov.au

AVA urges councils to let dogs go for a run

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is urging councils to consider following the lead of the City of Sydney with its proposal to allow more places for dogs to be exercised.

AVA President, Dr Diane Sheehan, said the proposal was especially welcome because some people in urban areas and towns are missing out on the benefits of pet ownership because they feel there are too many council restrictions.

"There is a wealth of international research showing that people who own pets are happier and healthier. The obvious benefit of taking a dog for a walk is that it provides exercise for both the pet and the owners, which is more important than ever. Taking a pet for a walk also provides a great excuse to get out in the community and meet other people," Dr Sheehan said.

Dr Sheehan noted that the City of Sydney proposal to free up areas for dogs to be allowed off-leash excludes areas with barbecues and children's playgrounds, and would still leave 300 parks within its boundaries where dogs are not permitted.

"Many councils around Australia have reserves where restrictions on taking dogs for a walk could be eased with minimal impact. We would encourage local government officials to take a fresh look at ways they can improve the lifestyles of pet owners," Dr Sheehan said.

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PROCUREMENT and CONTRACT MANAGEMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Achieving Best Practice and Minimising Risk
Melbourne: Wednesday 20^th February 2008,
9.00 - 5.00 pm

 

Council Officers are increasingly involved in contract administration, particularly given the widening responsibilities of Councils and the greater emphasis on outsourcing.

For this reason, it is important to develop a fundamental knowledge of commercial contracts. Australian Industry Group is pleased to be presenting this seminar to provide a solid introduction to contract management and the tools to assist in minimising risks in procurement and contracting.

The format of the seminar will be interactive and practical, and will specifically be aimed at helping participants to:

1. Protect against unduly harsh agreements presented for signature
2. Recognise the essential elements of contract law
3. Obtain more favourable contractual terms
4. Identify the key clauses and conditions of contract
5. Understand the main issues regarding Government tendering
6. Manage disputes and deal with breach of contract
7. Identify common problems and how to avoid them

Register now to attend the Procurement and Contract Management Seminar by downloading the brochure at www.aigroup.asn.au/Education/
Training672
or contact Fiona Green on
+61 (3) 9867 0276

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INNOVATIVE FINANCING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE

Sydney: March 12 - 13

In response to the escalating backlog of infrastructure investment in local government - now estimated at $14 billion dollars across Australia - finance and local government experts will address a conference in March aimed at identifying creative solutions to financing council community infrastructure.

The President of the ALGA, Cr Paul Bell, and Professor Percy Allen - chair of the Inquiry into Financial Sustainability of Local Government - will address the two-day Building & Financing Local Government and Community Infrastructure conference to be held in Sydney on March 12-13.

The conference will hear from a range of experts in project finance, alliancing, and private public partnerships. Senior managers from a number of councils including Shellharbour Council, Sutherland Shire, Coffs Harbour, and Eurobodalla will outline their experiences and strategies in attracting and managing substantial private sector investment to meet community infrastructure needs.

With constraints on the amount of money that can be raised through rates or borrowings, councils are looking to find clever solutions to meet community expectations without exposing themselves to substantial liabilities.

Novel financing techniques, PPPs, developer contributions, and JVs with the private sector are all being explored and will be reviewed at the conference which is designed to enable participants to effectively use the information to enhance their own municipalities. Individual projects being managed by councils through JVs, PPPs or alliance structures worth many tens of millions of dollars will be revealed at the conference.

The conference will review the successful partnership arrangements, legislative reform in relation to local government PPPs and will heard expert commentary from local government and project financing experts. A master class on structuring and negotiating property based infrastructure projects for local government will form part of this important conference.

For more information, visit www.lgcentre.com.au or email Denise McQueen at denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au or telephone 03 8534 5000.