From the President

With the recent good rains (and in some places especially in Queensland they were too good!) and forecast of the continuation of the La Nina until at least the middle of the year there is a strong prospect of a good winter cereal harvest. This is certainly good news for our farmers after suffering years of drought.

Unfortunately the condition of many rail lines servicing the grain growing areas has been allowed to deteriorate and many are now in a poor condition. Pacific National has acknowledged that the condition of the lines was a contributing factor in its decision to pull out of the provisions of rail haulage services for grain on lines in NSW and Victoria.

This means in many areas the only way that growers will be able to get their grain harvest to market will be by carting their crop greater distances by road.

There is no doubt that the additional movements of grain by road will damage the local road system requiring additional maintenance and repairs. As councils have no means of recovering these costs from the truck operators they will have to divert resources from other areas or allow the road system to deteriorate.

The increase in truck traffic will also have impacts on the safety and amenity of many local communities that will be faced with increased truck traffic through their streets.

The Rudd Government made a commitment, which was warmly welcomed by local government, during the election campaign to undertake $3 million reviews of grain lines in NSW and Western Australia.

Local Government believes that the issue extends beyond NSW and Western Australia and is an issue in all grain growing areas in the country. The need for Australian grain growers to get their crops to market as efficiently as possible and to be competitive on world markets is a national issue that needs to be considered from a national perspective.

The issue of grain lines is now becoming urgent but to date there has been no announcement of the review promised by Labor.

There will be a short term issue of how to deal with the harvest later this year and a medium to long term issues of making sure that the grain logistics chain from the wheat paddock to the export ship is at world's best practice. A key part of that logistics chain is the local road system. It is unrealistic to expect councils to pick up the costs to the road system of the discontinuation of rail grain services.

A possible approach to the promised reviews which has been discussed with other stakeholders and would be supported by local government would be a specific reference to Infrastructure Australia with a tight time-frame for reporting.

This approach would provide direct linkages to COAG and recognises that this is a national issue.

I urge the Government to move to implement its promise to review grain lines as soon as possible.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Murray Darling - agreement closer

Water use from the Murray-Darling Basin will be capped, but states will retain their right to manage annual water allocations, the federal government has determined. This removes one of the key sticking points for Victoria's acceptance of the national takeover of the system. Federal Water Minister Penny Wong recently announced plans to spend $50 million buying back water to reduce over-allocation in the basin. Deadlines are unlikely to be met for delivery by mid-2009 of the 500 billion litres of extra water promised under the living Murray program.

The water ministers also approved the $30.2 million construction of a salt interception scheme at Murtho, in the SA Riverland. The Murtho scheme will intercept up to 100 tonnes of salt per day on average through a series of groundwater bores along the southern bank of the River Murray between Renmark and the Victorian border.

The ministerial council also approved a $6 million proposal to pump water from Lake Alexandrina to Lake Albert at the mouth of the River Murray to prevent soil acidification.

Normal water flow from Lake Alexandrina to Lake Albert is being restricted by silt build-up and there were fears more lake bed exposure could increase acid levels.

The ministerial council has also agreed to cooperate on bringing the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission together to eliminate duplication though no deadline has been set.

Plans for Mersey to be a community-run hospital scrapped

The federal government has invited private companies and religious charities to bid for the management of Tasmania's Mersey hospital, scrapping plans for it to be run by a community trust.

Labor had said it would follow through with the commitment to pay $45 million to a "community trust" to keep the hospital running.

Under the original model, the hospital would have been run by a board made up of local community representatives such as doctors, councillors and business people.

The former coalition government planned to use the Mersey as a trial for its plan to create community boards for every public hospital.

Assistance for aged care sector to implement new funding model

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has announced more than $3 million in direct support for the nation's aged care sector to help them adapt to the new funding model - which comes into effect later this month.

The new funding changes take effect on 20 March and the framework is known as the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI). It replaces the Resident Classification Scale (RCS) as the means of allocating Australian Government care subsidy to homes. Mrs Elliot also announced a panel of independent business advisors would be established to assist aged care homes to manage the change to the new funding arrangements. The advisors would be engaged to provide direct services to aged care homes that may need assistance. The Federal Government said it would review the ACFI in 18 months. As well as the introduction of the ACFI to determine funding for care, changes are also being made to accommodation payments and income-tested care fees.

An information hotline - 1800 500 853 - is available to help providers with this transition.

Change in council elections welcomed

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW has welcomed the announcement of a change in date for this year's local government elections.

The elections were due to be held on 27th September, but have been changed to the 13th September to avoid a clash with school holidays.

"The change in date for this year's local government elections will make it easier for communities to vote for the people they want to represent them," President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

National Career Development Week, 2 - 8 June 2008

National Career Development Week (NCDW) aims to promote awareness of career development and to encourage all Australians to develop the skills to manage their careers, learning, work and lives in order to get the life they love.

Organisers of careers events are invited to register their 2008 events on the NCDW database and be part of this national career development initiative. All event organises will receive the "Official NCDW Event" logo and the free Event Kit Disc which contains video hints & tips, event ideas, fact sheets and templates.

To register your event or for more information go to www.ncdw.com.au.

NCDW is an initiative of the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA).

Entries open for 2008 Banksia Awards

Banksia is once again looking to inspire and be inspired by examples of environmental excellence in Australia's most prestigious environmental awards and is urging local governments leading the way in environmental sustainability to enter the awards. Local governments are eligible for entry in many of the 13 Categories featured in the 2008 Awards Program such as the Local Government Award, Water Award and the Land & Biodiversity Award. The Awards Honour Australian Businesses, Community groups, individuals and public bodies such as local government that are reducing their environmental footprint and using resources in innovative ways. The awards provide an invaluable opportunity for recognition and presents others with the inspiration to follow. Early bird entries close 18th April and all entries close 5^th May 2008. Finalists will be announced on World Environment Day 5^th June 2008. Winners will be presented at the Banksia Foundation Awards Night at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre 18^th July 2008. For further information, contact or download an entry kit visit www.banksiafdn.com

Registration for Info Sessions at www.banksiafdn.com

Adelaide:
Monday 17^th March
Torrens Room
Holliday Inn
65 Hindley St

Brisdane:
Tuesday 18^th March
6-8pm
Endeavour 1 meeting room
Christies Corporate Centre
320 Adelaide St

Perth:
Tuesday 25^th March
6-8pm
Terrace Room
Chifley on the Terrace Hotel
185 St Georges Terrace

Australian workers will travel to another city or country for the right job

Almost three in four Australian workers say they would be prepared to relocate to a different city to find work while more than half would be willing to move overseas, according to a new international workplace survey.

The survey, by global recruitment firm Kelly Services, also found that many Australian workers are willing to devote long periods travelling to and from work, with 14% prepared to spend at least two hours a day commuting.

The global survey sought the views of 115,000 people in 33 countries including almost 19,000 in Australia about their patterns of travel to and from work, their capacity to move to find the right job and the main factors preventing them from relocating.

Kelly Services Country Manager, James Bowmer said the survey reveals a high degree of mobility in the workforce, with many people very comfortable with the idea of moving considerable distances for the right job.

Recycling push in Victoria

There is a renewed push for a 10 cent deposit scheme in Victoria.

The proposed scheme would follow South Australia's lead, targeting consumers outside the home to increase recycling and clean up the environment.

The Greens and independent MP Craig Ingram hope to have the legislation drafted by April, before a mid-year review of the National Packaging Covenant, which sets recycling targets.

The Victorian government has so far resisted calls to reintroduce the scheme, which has operated in SA for 30 years where it was recently doubled to 10 cents.

Family First Senator Steve Fielding is currently drafting legislation for a uniform national deposit scheme.

Premier John Brumby has previously said Victoria's kerbside recycling system works very well.

He said it was up to state environment ministers to consider a federal deposit scheme when they meet next month as part of the National Packaging Covenant review.

NSW Climate Change Plan

The New South Wales Government has answered criticism about its climate action plan, saying it has specific research on what the likely effects of global warming will be region-by-region.

The Government's action plan is designed to get communities and business ready to cope with climate change.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma says the CSIRO was commissioned last year to do research on a region-by-region basis.

"The New England region could expect a permanent reduction in rainfalls," he said.

Mr Iemma says there will be consultation with communities to develop local strategies to deal with global warming, in a way that complements the national response.

First 2008 DAF meeting held in Sydney

ALGA Board member, Cr John Rich attended a recent meeting of the Development Assessment Forum held in Sydney on 28 February.

The meeting chaired by Victoria's Peter Allen, discussed several ongoing issues of interest including the National electronic development assessment program, specific initiatives designed to implement the Leading Practice Model and ongoing advise that is sought by the Small Business Ministerial Council on Home based business regulation.

Given that this year marks the tenth anniversary for the Forum, members agreed that it is timely that DAF now focuses on its future role including re-examining its key implementation priorities.

One specific initiative that has received general support by DAF members is the value of running a national Leading practice DA conference, designed to both promote the Model and allow the showcasing of existing good practice DA systems such as the City of Hobson's Greenlight e-planning services.

For further information on the work arising from DAF, please see www.daf.gov.au

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Broadband progress report

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, has announced a panel of experts to assess proposals to build the national broadband network. The Rudd Government has committed to provide up to $4.7 billion and regulatory changes to roll out a high-speed fibre broadband network. The panel will be chaired by the Secretary of his Department, Ms Patricia Scott. Senator Conroy said the panel would provide an open and transparent competitive assessment process. The first job of the panel would be to receive submissions from industry to assist in the development of the request for proposals for the national broadband network. Submissions are due before 30 March after which the request for proposals would be issued. The panel would make a recommendation to government in September. Speaking in response to a question in the Senate on Tuesday, Senator Conroy said the new network would deliver speeds of at least 12 megabits per second to 98 per cent of homes and businesses, over fibre technology. Senator Conroy said the government "will also ensure that [the two per cent of] people who may not have access to the new fibre network will have access to the best new fixed-line wireless or satellite technology."

Making Solid Ground

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board's new key organisations funding program will close on 31 March 2008. Key organisation funding has changed as a result of a review called 'Making Solid Ground.' Information is available on what funding is now available, how to apply and when to get started. This funding aims to support the national Indigenous arts infrastructure in Australia. The funding program is at www.australiacouncil.gov.au. For further information and expressions of interest, contact Kerri McIlvenny on 02 9215 9169 or toll free 1800 22 6912.

Ombudsman confirms deliberate council fraud is rare

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has welcomed the findings of the Ombudsman Victoria's report on conflicts of interest in local government and supports its proposed recommendations.

Cr Dick Gross, MAV President said it was particularly pleasing that deliberate misconduct or fraud had been confirmed by the Ombudsman as being rare or infrequent, with problems usually arising from governance practices that could be strengthened.

Cr Gross said the MAV had been examining processes and models to deal with councillor conduct since 2006 and the Ombudsman's findings were timely to inform the Government's Better Local Governance consultation paper proposing a range of councillor conduct and governance reforms.

"It is important that even though there are extremely low levels of corruption within the sector that the perception of rigorous and transparent governance practices engenders public confidence in councils."

The Ombudsman's recommendations aim to strengthen the current controls, monitors and practices to improve management of conflicts of interest; and also to ensure procedures that avoid potential conflicts arising from a lack of separation of councillor and council administration roles.

The Ombudsman Victoria report Conflict of interest in local government (March 2008) is available at: www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au

Walk Safely to School Day - 2 May 2008

Primary school students around Australia are preparing for Walk Safely to School Day in a bid to improve their fitness, well-being while having a positive impact on the environment.

An initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, Walk Safely to School Day will be held on Friday 2 May 2008. In its eighth year, the day encourages parents and carers to walk to school with their children.

Walking to school contributes to the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise for primary school children, and also has a positive effect on the environment and the health of the family as a whole.

Walk Safely to School Day is supported by the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing, the National Heart Foundation, beyondblue, Diabetes Australia, The Cancer Council and Planet Ark.

For more information and to register for Walk Safely to School Day please visit www.walk.com.au.

Smokers causes headaches for councils

Anti-littering and environmental campaigners have lost patience with smokers, as more and more cigarette butts are entering our environment.

Founder of Planet Ark, Mr Jon Dee, and Chair of Keep Australia Beautiful, Mr Don Chambers are calling for:

• relevant authorities around Australia to create a minimum fine for butt littering, in excess of $400;
• all smokers to take responsibility for their littering and;
• local councils to more actively enforce litter laws (where they have them).

They have demanded more accountability from smokers and called for the heavy fines following years of litter prevention campaigns.

Research indicates that generally smokers do not recognise butts as litter. Butts have again topped the Clean Up Australia Day list of most littered items, as it does every year.

They acknowledged the good work of some organisations, citing the recent Victorian State Government 'Don't be a tosser' campaign, but outside of their own organisations little is being done to promote butt littering prevention.

"For us, this is really an issue of litter prevention, not picking the butts up or counting them after smokers have long gone. Smokers seem to presume somebody else will pick up their dirty work just as parents clean up after their kids and dogs," said Jon Dee.

"Ratepayers should be absolutely outraged that they are footing the bill to clean up a totally avoidable mess.

"Not only does cigarette butt and cigarette packet littering spoil the amenity of a place, but when butts become waterborne they release their chemical payloads into the environment, which can take years to breakdown.

An estimated 7.2 billion butts enter the Australian environment every year.

Keep Australia Beautiful's National Litter Index shows the depth of the problem. Over two years (2005 - 2006, 2006 - 2007) butt litter has increased by 3% and cigarette packaging litter by 13%. Cigarette butts make up 50% of all litter items counted.

Inquiry into the role of the National Capital Authority

Federal Parliament's National Capital Committee will conduct a new inquiry into the role of the National Capital Authority (NCA) in the planning, development and promotion of the national capital Canberra. Committee Chair Senator Kate Lundy said "the inquiry provides an opportunity to scrutinise the role of the NCA and, in particular, address growing concerns about the adequacy of the ACT dual planning regime".

The National Capital Committee has been asked to report by 30 June 2008. The committee will accept submissions, preferably by email, until Friday, 11 April 2008. Further details about the inquiry, including how to make a submission, can be obtained from the committee's website or by contacting the committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4355 or emailing jscncet@aph.gov.au. Information about the National Capital Authority can be found at www.nationalcapital.gov.au/.

Caucus gives PM the right to pick Cabinet

Labor MPs have voted to give Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and future party leaders the right to handpick cabinet ministers.

Mr Rudd insisted on picking his own front bench last year, breaking Labor's tradition of the caucus selecting the personnel and the leader allocating portfolios. The change has been enshrined in caucus rules.

Councils better placed to help Aboriginal communities

Highly resourced regional councils would do a better job of maintaining Aboriginal communities than either the State or Federal Government, says the WA Local Government Association.

WALGA last week unveiled a proposal for regional "super" councils that would take on some State and Federal responsibilities.

Cr Mitchell noted the regional councils would also be able deliver services "on the ground" to Aboriginal communities.

"A regional group of councils could deliver better services than either State or Federal Governments, or Aboriginal corporations," he said.

Ninga Mia and Coonana Aboriginal communities are now within the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's boundaries.

The 2006 bilateral agreement between the State and Federal Government indicated local governments would have to take greater responsibility for Aboriginal communities.

NSW food safety laws

Councils across NSW have welcomed new state government laws which will allow residents to find out if their local caf?s and restaurants have breached food safety laws.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald's legislative amendments would see the NSW Food Authority publish details of food businesses that receive penalty notices for food law breaches on its website.

The laws were developed in consultation with the Local Government and Shires Associations, various councils, the food industry and consumer groups.

"The Associations appreciated the opportunity to co-sponsor the Public Information on Food Law Breaches forum, which led to some of the amendments being proposed by Minister Macdonald," President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

"Local Government plays an important role in regulation of food businesses, and as such supports any changes that protect the safety of consumers while encouraging improvements within the industry."

Friday sittings dropped

The Rudd government has scrapped its contentious Friday parliamentary sittings.

The government's Leader of the House, Anthony Albanese, said the parliamentary reform introduced by the incoming Rudd government, which set aside Fridays for private members' business, would be contracted and moved to Mondays.

The Opposition opposed the Friday sitting because it did not include a question time, any requirement for front-bench ministers to attend or provision for votes to be taken.

Following the Krait - call for support

A team of six ex 1 Commando company members, who served in the Australian Army during the 1960s are calling on local councils to assist in their project "Following the Krait" to honour the men who became the heroes of Operation Jaywick. The team will undertake a 40,000km journey aboard a 32' Clipper powered by a 120hp diesel engine, leaving from the Australian National Maritime Museum in June 2008. More than 35 councils generously participated in an earlier voyage in 2001 to commemorate Matthew Flinders journey "Following the Investigator." Councils are invited to provide material for the time capsule which will be buried near the War Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney. The cost to participate is $500 and the money raised will be used to pay for the voyage operational costs. Contact Allan Miles from Operation Pilgrimage Group on 0412 992 997 or email: operationpilgrimage@hotmail.com.

Infrastructure Australia Bill before Parliament

Debate is continuing on the Federal Government's Infrastructure Australia legislation in the House of Representatives. The Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australian, Gary Gray, said national coordination of infrastructure was a key element in the government's plan to lift productivity and fight inflation and address 'the bottlenecks and backlogs in strategic infrastructure such as transport, energy, communications and water.' "The solution requires cooperation at all levels of government - Commonwealth, state and local - as well as the involvement of all sectors of the economy, public and private." Nationals Leader and Opposition infrastructure spokesman, Warren Truss, said the Coalition would move three amendments to the Infrastructure Australia Bill 2008, including the lifting of restrictions upon Infrastructure Australia to allow it to undertake reviews under its own volition, making the Minister's power to give it new functions subject to parliamentary scrutiny, and ensure that the Minister seeks advice from Infrastructure Australia before appointing the Infrastructure Coordinator.

Qld local government elections tomorrow

The Local Government Association of Queensland invites the media to the Tally Room tomorrow night from 4.30pm at Local Government House, 25 Evelyn Street, Newstead, Brisbane.

Results will also be posted live on the LGAQ website: www.lgaq.asn.au.

Call for local government to be less camera shy!

The NSW Government says it wants to encourage film and television productions in the state by requiring local councils to approve filming applications.

Under a new set of rules, councils will have to identify exceptional circumstances in order to refuse a filming application.

The Government says the new rules will streamline the application process, and should attract blockbuster productions to the State.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma says high fees and complex approval processes are driving film makers away.