From the President

The ALGA Board and I invite you to Shepparton for the 2008 National Local Road and Transport Congress.

This year's Congress from 15-17 June will follow closely after the Rudd Government's first Budget in May. As usual we have invited the relevant Government Ministers and the Opposition representatives.

The Labor Government during the election campaign committed to maintaining previously announced levels of funding for the Roads to Recovery, the Strategic Regional Roads and Blackspots Programs to 2014. The Rudd Labor Government as well has committed to continuing the Financial Assistance Grants identified for roads to local government.

These are good programs that deliver much needed infrastructure for our communities and have been the focus of many years of active lobbying and campaigning by local governments at national, state and local levels. We need to continue to reinforce the value of these programs and the Roads Congress is the national event to focus on delivering our message to the newly elected Rudd Government.

The Federal Government's commitments through these programs now totals more than $5 billion. The Government is making no secret that this year's budget will be difficult. Nevertheless local government will be continuing to press the point that stronger partnerships are needed with the Federal Government now more than ever.

The Rudd Government is proceeding with the establishment of Infrastructure Australia to undertake an audit of Australia's infrastructure and make recommendations to the government on investment needs. It is pleasing to see that at least one of the members of Infrastructure Australia will have local government experience and local government has had the chance to submit nominations for that position.

Local government has responsibility for $183 billion of infrastructure. A point reinforced by the Productivity Commission Review into Local Government's own funding. This Congress will provide delegates with the first hand opportunity to hear about Infrastructure Australia, and how the audit it is undertaking will impact on local government's infrastructure investment.

It is up to us to impress upon the Federal Government the importance of the three spheres of government working together to meet the transport expectations of communities. I look forward to our Congress in Shepparton where together we can take forward the local government roads and transport agenda.

More information on National Local Road and Transport Congress 2008 can be obtained here.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

WA plans for regional super-councils

The WA Local Government Association has this week unveiled a draft plan for regional councils which would centralise the resources of smaller local governments.

A number of smaller local governments would amalgamate voluntarily under the plan, while others would share resources and even chief executives.

WALGA president Bill Mitchell said a "regional council plan" could avoid the traumatic process of forced amalgamations seen in other States.

"It's a viable alternative to amalgamation," he said.

"There is this ever-existing overhanging pressure from the State Government and we are very aware we are the last State not to have had forced amalgamation."

The WA Government has so far responded positively, with Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich saying she was pleased WALGA had taken action to ensure local government authorities were sustainable.

"I'm supportive of regional council structures, where they can collectively make decisions on regional priorities rather than being parochial small councils which are already competing for staff and resources," she said.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Ron Yuryevich said the council was already in the process of setting up a regional council in the Goldfields.

"We'll be considering things like whether planners should do all the planning for the region, or whether we should tender out the rubbish collection services," he said.

The WALGA draft plan will be put out for comment until late April and can be seen at www.walga.asn.au.

Councils shortlisted in ATUG's National Broadband Awards

Gilgandra Shire Council has been shortlisted as a finalist in the National Broadband Awards. ATUG's National Broadband Awards were established in 2007 to showcase the innovative and effective ways broadband is being used all over Australia in a variety of sectors to enhance, business, health, education, community, security and agriculture regardless of geographic location.

Other finalists are: Greater Southern Area Health Service, Hospira MedNet, Mensheds Australia, neal.IT, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, South West Alliance of Rural Health, TC Communications, WA Department of Education and Training, WA Department of Industry and Resources and Wireless@Beaumont.

The awards will be announced at the ATUG Annual Gala Dinner on 12 March. This year's Annual Conference will feature new Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy the Hon. Senator Stephen Conroy and Shadow Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy the Hon. Bruce Billson MP. International guest speakers Grant Forsyth BT, Dr Taylor Reynolds OECD, Art Price Axia NetMedia Corporation and Ernie Newman TUANZ will update attendees on overseas developments bringing with them a vast array of experiences. Click here for more information or to register for the Conference or Dinner.

Rudd re-pledges to fix leaky pipes

Ageing water pipes, some 100 years old, need to be fixed to reduce water leakage in the cities, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.

Mr Rudd said a federal program would help improve water infrastructure by cooperating with state governments instead of fighting with them.

"Many urban water pipe systems have been laid down a century ago, leak like hell, resulting in certain cities (having) up to 30 per cent loss in leakage," he told ABC radio.

"That's why we've established a quarter of a billion dollar fund to partner with local authorities and state governments where appropriate to deal with that.

In opposition, Labor pledged to spend $250 million over four years to repair leaky pipes and maximise the efficiencies of urban water systems.

It also committed $1 billion to urban water infrastructure and desalination plants by helping state governments finance new projects.

New ACT planning system

Homeowners will not required approval for some types of development when the new ACT planning system is introduced on 31 March.

New homes in new estates and small structures such as pergolas, sheds, decks and carports, will not require a development application if they meet certain criteria. Where development approval is required, applications will be processed in a timeframe that matches their complexity, ranging from 20 to 45 working days. The reforms are designed to make the planning system simpler and faster to administer, easier to understand and more effective. More information at www.actpla.act.gov.au

Drought-proofing sports facilities in ACT

The ACT Government is investing $2 million to drought-proof sport and recreation facilities. The aim is to ensure that no sportsground in the ACT will rely solely on the use of potable water by 2013.

The funding will help more sustainable facilities. Work will include the development of a master plan for all ovals and studies for major sportsgrounds to assess their maintenance needs under drought conditions. Grants to sporting organisations include $750,000 to pilot a synthetic surface. Despite recent rains, Canberra has a dry climate and the ACT Government is working with sport and recreation organisation to prepare for possible Stage 4 Water Restrictions.

Ideas Expo in Queanbeyan

IDEAS NSW is proud to present their latest expo to be held in Queanbeyan in May this year. The Expo titled IDEAS Expo 2008 Speak Up - Be Heard is to raise awareness and promote the development of advocacy in the Southern Highlands region. The Expo will be held at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre in Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Opening times will be : Thursday 22nd May 2008 12md - 5pm; Friday 23rd May 2008 10am - 4pm; Saturday 24th May 2008 9am - 12pm. More information on: www.ideas.org.au or phone Diana Palmer on 1800 029904.

Renewable energy update

The process of bringing together State and Federal renewable energy targets has progressed following the second meeting of the COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water. Following agreement from the Working Group at a meeting yesterday in Sydney attended by ALGA representative Rolf Fenner, COAG will now consider an implementation plan to deliver the new national expanded Renewable Energy Target by 2009.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said a nationally consistent renewable energy target would stimulate much needed investment in clean energy to reduce greenhouse emissions.

She said the national scheme would include a legislated target of 45,000 gigawatt-hours of renewables-based electricity in 2020. This would ensure 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply would be sourced from renewables by 2020. Senator Wong said the Working Group had also agreed to recommend to COAG a review of current climate change mitigation initiatives in all jurisdictions, in the context of the Government's commitment to emissions trading, with a view to a final report to COAG in 2009.

The Working Group also considered harmonising State feed-in tariffs for solar and other renewable energy technologies, proposing the preparation of an options paper on a nationally consistent approach to feed-in tariffs for COAG by the end of June.

The meeting was also presented with a range of options to progress the National Water Initiative. The COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water is comprised of officials from all Australian Governments and is chaired by Senator Wong.

The working group will report on its progress to the COAG meeting on 26 March.

Cultural Ministers Council

ALGA Board member and MAV President Cr Dick Gross attended last Friday's Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) meeting held in Canberra. The meeting was attended by the Commonwealth Arts Minister Peter Garrett, and Ministers representing all of the States and territories, including Norfolk Island.

The Ministerial Council discussed several issues of significance including the importance of developing a national arts and culture strategy and the opportunities to further promote arts and music in school education programs.

Cr Gross reinforced the important role played by local government in arts and culture policy. He was successful in arguing that all spheres of government should agree to investigate how better in a strategic sense, to engage local governments wanting to participate in this highly creative and dynamic area of Australian society.

The meeting also received several briefings on the future of the Collections Council of Australia, the development of national cultural indicators framework and broad details of new Federal Government commitment to working more positively in the arts and culture policy arena.

Ministers also subsequently released several informative reports, including:

Ministerial statement on the Creative Innovation Economy
A statement by the Cultural Ministers Council on the new Building a creative innovation economy report on opportunities for the Australian and New Zealand creative sectors in the online, mobile and broadcast digital environment.

Arts and Culture in Australian Life: A Statistical Snapshot was endorsed and released by the Cultural Ministers Council.

Building a Creative Innovation Economy
CMC is inviting public comment on this report. To comment contact Mr Peter Young, Assistant Secretary, Film and Creative Industries on email peter.young@environment.gov.au

Ministers agreed to meet next in Alice Springs in October.

Councils asked for feedback on CDMA transition

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, convened a meeting of stakeholder groups to gather their views on the transition from the CDMA network to the Next G network recently.

Local Government was represented at the meeting by the Australian Local Government Association.

During the meeting, the Minister advised stakeholders that if they had any additional feedback to provide him on the transition from the CDMA network to the Next G^TM network that it should be submitted no later than 11 March 2008.

Councils with any ongoing issues, please contact ALGA's Executive Director, Policy and Research, John Pritchard on (02) 61 229400.

Through its lobbying and advocacy, the 'State of the Regions' reports, and its position on the On-Line Ministerial Council, local government has been a vocal advocate for high-speed and affordable broadband across Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas.

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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.

Grant Funding for Local Government - Going Smoke-Free

Nine Local Councils in NSW have been awarded Cancer Council grants to provide smoke-free signage in play areas and sporting fields. Congratulations to Canada Bay, Hornsby, Kogarah, Lachlan, Leichhardt, Liverpool Plains, Manly, Penrith and Tumbarumba To be eligible Local Councils had to demonstrate that they had adopted smoke-free policies banning smoking within 10 metres of children's playground equipment and on playing fields, sporting grounds and sporting facilities.

Councils must also demonstrate a commitment to providing Smoke-Free areas in at least two other council areas, such as council-run events, alfresco dining areas on public land, and pedestrian malls.

Grants Scheme for Smoke-free Outdoor Areas - Round 2 Opens Local Council Community Partners can apply now for up to $2500 for smoke-free signage for children's playgrounds and sporting fields. If you are interested please email larrym@nswcc.org.au for an application form.

Transport Minister's meeting

On Friday 29 February ALGA President Cr Paul Bell represented local government at the Australian Transport Council (ATC) meeting at Parliament House in Canberra. This was the first meeting of Transport Ministers since the change of government. There was a high level of cooperation demonstrated at the meeting by all Ministers and Cr Bell said he had high expectations that ATC would be able to provide the impetus for a number of reforms in the transport industry.

The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP provided a detailed briefing to the Council on the establishment of Infrastructure Australia (IA). IA, which will be headed by Sir Rod Eddington, will drive the coordination of infrastructure provision in Australia. Its first task will be to audit the adequacy of the nation's infrastructure and develop an Infrastructure Priority List within 12 months for consideration by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). IA is being established as a statutory advisory council and will comprise members nominated by Commonwealth and State and Territory Ministers including one member with expertise of local government's role. The legislation to establish IA was tabled in the Commonwealth Parliament on Thursday, 21 February 2008.

ATC received a detailed briefing from the Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC) on the development of the National Transport Plan and Policy Framework and agreed that there is a need for a national approach to transport policy that:

• agreeing the details of a national policy framework;
• a new inter-governmental agreement to implement the national policy framework which will establish the governance structure;
• setting the key work priorities and timetable.

Individual Ministers will take responsibility for developing aspects of a national transport policy for consideration at the next ATC meeting on 2 May 2008:

• Economic Framework for Efficient Transportation Marketplace (NSW)
• Infrastructure Planning and Investment (VIC)
• Capacity Constraints and Supply Chain Performance (SA)
• Urban Congestion (VIC)
• Climate Change, Environment and Energy (WA)
• Safety and Security (QLD)
• Strategic Research and Technology (TAS)
• Workforce Planning and Skills (NT)
• Social Inclusion (ACT)
• Governance (Commonwealth)

Local Government has been invited to participate in a number of these working groups that are relevant to local government: Infrastructure Planning and Investment, Urban Congestion, Safety and Security and Social Inclusion.

Ministers discussed the national road safety strategy and the slow rate of progress in reducing national road deaths. The national road fatality statistics to the end of 2007 show no significant improvement since 2004. The fatality rate in the 12 months to December 2007 was 7.7 deaths per 100,000 population, representing an overall 17.8 per cent reduction relative to the 1999 benchmark of 9.3. It is unlikely that the target of 5.6 deaths per 100,000 population will be reached by 2010.

The 2007 and 2008 National Road Safety Action Plan will have increased emphasis on speed enforcement ,which has been found to improve road safety outcome significantly, as well as a range of other measures.

Ministers noted the commitment of the Council of Australian Federation in relation to safety technologies (eg electronic stability control) for vehicles and committed to further work towards a national approach to be determined at the May ATC meeting.

The ATC endorsed the NTC's recommendations in regards the establishment of a new heavy vehicle charging regime. The charges, which will implement COAG's request to fully recover the cost of provision of the road network to the heavy vehicle industry, will be implemented by all jurisdictions.

States and Territories will increase registration charges from July 2008 while the Commonwealth intends to implement the increase in the road user charge from 1 January 2009. Increases in registration charges for the larger heavy vehicles will be phased in over a 3 year period commencing in June 2008 to enable the trucking industry time to adjust to the increases and to renegotiate ongoing contractual arrangements.

The Commonwealth Government announced a $70m road safety and productivity package for heavy vehicles which will fund:

• Trials of technologies that electronically monitor a truck driver's work hours and vehicle speed - one using an onboard 'black box' or electronic log, and one which makes use of the Global Positioning System (GPS);
• The construction of more heavy vehicle rest stops and parking areas along our highways and on the outskirts of our major cities; and
• Upgrades to freight routes so they can carry bigger loads.

There was also unanimous support for new national child restraint laws, which provide a safe pathway from capsules to seat belts.

Greenhouse challenge taken up by motoring clubs

Australia's motoring clubs have taken up the climate change challenge with the release by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) of its climate change statement and a package of measures aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

AAA Executive Director, Mike Harris - releasing the Climate Change Statement with the Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, - said the AAA motoring clubs were committed to reducing vehicle emissions and the statement provided practical, proactive solutions to the issue.

Mr Harris said the AAA would be conducting a national summit at the end of June to critically review the role of the car in society and the environment, and set an agenda for future activities.

"We will be calling on all governments to set an example by buying cleaner, greener cars, as well as putting in place policies that encourage the use of a wide mix of fuels and new vehicle technology, and use smart investment in infrastructure to cut polluting congestion," he said.

AAA's national climate change statement, "On The Road To Greener Motoring" can be downloaded from www.aaa.asn.au.

Meanwhile the Commonwealth Government has unveiled a new fuel consumption label for all new cars sold in Australia. The label spells out the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the vehicle and shows the amount of fuel consumed in city and highway conditions. For more information go to www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au which rates all new cars sold in Australia on greenhouse and pollution performance and provides fuel consumption data.

Housing affordability takes turn for worse

The housing affordability crisis took a turn for the worse this week with new figures showing the cost of homes was now beyond the reach for more Australians. It used to be the affordability threshold was crossed when it cost buyers more than 30 per cent of their income to service a mortgage. But affordability is at an all-time low with an average 27.4 per cent of income now required to service a mortgage, according to data from the Real Estate Institute of Australia. The story is not much better in the tight rental market - with 99 per cent of available stocks rented and costing people almost 24 per cent of their wages. The costs leave little wiggle room for other household expenditures.

Senate Select Committee on housing affordability

A select Committee on Housing Affordability in Australia has been established to inquire into and report upon: The barriers to home ownership in Australia, including:

• the taxes and levies imposed by state and territory governments;
• the rate of release of new land by state and territory governments;
• proposed assistance for first home owners by state, territory and the Commonwealth governments and their effectiveness in the absence of increased supply;
• the role of all levels of government in facilitating affordable home ownership;
• the effect on the market of government intervention in the housing sector including planning and industrial relations laws;
• the role of financial institutions in home lending; and
• the contribution of home ownership to retirement incomes.

The Select Committee is due to report to the Senate by 16 June 2008.

To allow time to consider submissions and conduct public hearings, the Committee would like to receive submissions by 31 March 2008.

More information about the Committee is available here.

Innovative QLD local government affordable housing project

Recent wet weather in Queensland's central highlands has delayed the start of the region's first affordable housing project.

Belyando Shire Council has committed $6 million to the project, which will provide 45 low-cost units to service industry workers in the town.

The first six units are now expected to be completed by July.

Mayor Peter Freeleagus says he is confident the remaining stages will be completed by the new regional council.

"Council has committed to it, unless someone wants to pull up the budget and say they're not going to commit any more to it," he said.

"But can I say this - you would be a brave councillor from another division pulling up a project of this magnitude."

New federalism investigation

Federal Liberal MP Kevin Andrews is overseeing a review into possible changes to the roles of state, federal and local governments.

The Federal Opposition says it will release a report later this year into possible changes to the way the three levels of government work.

Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said it was important that people consider whether it is time to change some long-standing aspects of the Federation.

"We need to ask ourselves whether the responsibilities of the three tiers of government are appropriate for the 21st Century, and can we make our federation work better for Australia?" he said.

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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.