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4 Apr 2008
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Ministers support the role of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program

Regional road

Mayor Cr Barry Easter, representing the President of ALGA, attended the first Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Services in Canberra 26th March 2008, chaired by Attorney-General Robert McClelland. The Council noted the success of the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) in contributing to safer, sustainable communities better able to withstand the effects of natural disasters including the recent Queensland and New South Wales floods and the Victorian bushfires of 2007. ALGA has lobbied the Minister and the Federal Government to continue funding for the program in the upcoming Budget. ALGA President Cr Bell received a letter this week from the Attorney-General where he stated that the Government was considering the future of the NDMP and undertook to consult with ALGA further if the Government decided to make any changes to the National Disaster Mitigation Program arrangements.

In addition to ALGA representatives, the Ministerial Council was attended by the State and Territory Ministers for Emergency Services. The Council welcomed New Zealand as a new member of the Council, represented by the NZ Minister for Civil Defence, Rick Barker. The agenda comprised a range of items including: endorsement of a Draft Australian Emergency Management Arrangements document; discussion of strategic matters for emergency management in Australia; and the need for public education on disaster preparedness.

Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport

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ALGA has provided critical comments on the draft report of the Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport being conducted by the Federal Government.

In its comments, ALGA makes the point that the good intentions of the Disability Discrimination Act have not been fulfilled due to the lack of resources to properly implement the requirements of the legislation and a properly structured administration process.

The ALGA submission points out the lack of development of practical standards combined with a lack of agreement on the division of responsibilities between state agencies and local government in some jurisdictions have resulted in considerable uncertainty.

ALGA does not consider the recommendations in the Draft Report on administrative arrangements for the legislation will solve the existing problems unless they are backed with appropriate resources.

The ALGA submission expresses concern at the draft recommendation which would give the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) the power to refer cases of alleged breaches of the Transport Standards directly to the Federal Court. Local Government considers that the current arrangements are already too legalistic. A preferable approach would be the establishment of processes that minimize the confrontational approach of legal proceedings and instead promote a conciliatory approach to finding solutions.

From a local government perspective, state governments and the federal government have not abided by the Inter Governmental Agreement on cost shifting signed by all spheres of government in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act. They have not provided local government with the support or the financial resources necessary to implement federal requirements during a time when many councils are, as shown by the recent Productivity Commission Report on Assessing Local Government Revenue Raising Capacity, struggling to raise additional revenue.

The full ALGA submission is available on the ALGA website. For further information contact Andy Hrast on (02)6122 9432

First-ever State of Regions launch at Parliament House

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Over 70 MPs and Senators from all sides of politics, and ALGA stakeholders, attended a briefing at Parliament House recently on the 2007-08 State of the Regions Report.

The inaugural Parliament House briefing raised awareness of the report which is a key resource material for industry and politicians and is often quoted in Hansard by the Government of the day or the Opposition.

Drs Peter Brain and Ian Manning from National Economics flew from Melbourne to co-host the briefing with ALGA President Cr Paul Bell.

"The theme of the report which is the economic costs of Climate Change is very relevant to the current political debate," Cr Bell said. "It also provides a further commentary on Australia's roll out of high speed broaband, and the implications of Australian household debt levels and the ongoing state of Australia's infrastructure - all issues that feature prominantly on the Rudd Government's and COAG work agendas." The report is available from www.alga.asn.au
From the President

Local government, like all sectors of the Australian economy, is facing a skills crisis and this is showing no immediate signs of abating. Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show Australia's unemployment rate fell to 4% in February, its lowest level in almost 34 years.

All across Australia, there are shortages of skilled employees, such as planners, engineers, finance managers, and skilled machine operators, among others. Retaining staff is a critical part of this key problem ? we call it the 'churn factor' - and it is an issue facing most employers in Australia. Many skilled employees who begin their careers working for local councils move across to the mining industry, attracted by larger pay packets and greater opportunities.

Councils and State and Territory Local Government Associations are fighting back. They understand the need for businesses to be more strategic in combating the skills crisis and are providing flexible family-friendly work arrangements and responding to the needs of employees. Councils are using 457 visas, to bring in workers from Britain, Ireland, and South Africa, to fill the growing number of vacancies. The WA team returned last week from three career expos in the United Kingdom. Other Associations have run advertising campaigns and encouraged job-seekers to see local government as a real career option. After all, collectively we employ around 165,000 Australians and maintain assets worth more than $183b - that is the size of a major corporation!

However the problem is endemic and individual councils can only do so much, particularly when budgets are tight.

What is also of interest at a time when supply has never been more important is the untapped workforce, many of whom are not actively looking. ABS figures show that there are 845,000 people not in the labour force who say they want to work. Two-thirds (66%) of the people who want to work are women. According to Roy Morgan research, there are also 700,000 Australians who say they are underemployed. Other research cited by Manpower, shows that over the next 15 years, people over 50 years old will account for almost 80% of workforce growth in developed economies around the world. Countries such as Australia could lose over a third of their government employees by 2010.

The challenge is enormous. The task for local government and business is to shift and adapt work practices and policies to operate in and benefit from, this new working environment. It means attracting older workers and more female employees. The challenge is not to wait for governments to 'fix' the problem as it will not change overnight, even with extra training places and funding, though these will help. Rather, the challenge is to continue to spruik our wares - sending the message as far and as wide as possible that local government, with its plethora of career opportunities and family-friendly policies, is the employer of choice.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

New report on women and money

A new report on what Australian women think about money was launched by Mr Paul Clitheroe, Chairman of the Financial Literacy Foundation's Advisory Board.

"Financial literacy - Women understanding money" is the result of a comprehensive survey of women's self-reported abilities, attitudes and behaviour on a range of money management issues, from budgeting and saving to investing and protecting money.

"There's no question that it's important to focus on financial issues for women," said Mr Clitheroe. "Women are more likely to have time outside the paid workforce and lower incomes, which in the end means less superannuation. Not only that, women's savings need to go further because they tend to live longer."

Many women already have good budgeting and saving habits. But when it comes to investing, planning for the future and retirement - all things that allow people to take control of their money for the longer term - women say they're less confident in their ability.

Importantly, the report found that women want to learn more about managing money better.

"I'm pleased to see that investing, planning for the future and retirement are all areas where women are interested in learning more - and when it comes to taking charge of your money, there's no better place to start than wanting to learn," said Mr Clitheroe. "And it's not just important for women - I'd encourage everyone to take control of their long-term financial plans, as well as putting themselves in charge of their money day to day."

The report also contains valuable information about the way women prefer to learn about money, and measures the impact of certain attitudes - from finding money stressful and overwhelming to living for today - that can stop women from learning, particularly about planning and retirement.

The Financial Literacy Foundation's research reports, Financial literacy - Women understanding money (April 2008) and Financial literacy - Australians understanding money (September 2007), and Women understanding money, a series of 14 information sheets for women looking to build their money skills, are available by contacting the Foundation at financial.literacy@treasury.gov.au or visiting www.understandingmoney.gov.au.

The Understanding Money initiative aims to give all Australians the opportunity to better manage their money. For more information please visit www.understandingmoney.gov.au.

LGSA welcomes Cole report

The Local Government and Shires Association of NSW has welcomed Michael Cole's report into council investment strategies, saying it shows that that overall financial losses to councils have been minimal.

The Associations have supported clearer investment guidelines for councils.

The support came in response to the Government's announcement it would implement all eight recommendations from the report.

"Councils make investment decisions based on advice from experts and within guidelines, but unfortunately there have been some cases of financial loss," President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

"We support the recommendations, particularly those that regulate the conduct of investment advisers and clarify State Government guidelines which control the types of investments councils can hold.

"We want to work with the State Government for the benefit of NSW communities on a number of fronts, and we welcome the opportunity of teaming up to minimise the risk of investments."

"Fortunately the report shows that overall paper losses have been relatively small at just 3.5% of total council investment," President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Bruce Miller added.

International framework to improve community engagement for SA

South Australian councils are looking to an international framework to help improve local community engagement.

SA's Local Government Association, with assistance from the State Government has produced a new handbook for councils to plan more effective community engagement.

LGA President Mayor Joy Baluch said councils undertook consultation on a regular basis but sometimes hit snags or found it difficult to hear majority views above the activity of vocal minorities.

She said the handbook was aimed at helping councils to take a planned approach and to employ consultation techniques appropriate for their purposes. It follows a 2007 Showcase publication of leading practice examples in SA councils.

Mayor Baluch said the handbook incorporated a framework developed by the International Association of Public Participation. "We are increasingly looking to world's best practice models for our inspiration," she said.

Councils are required to consult on their long-term plans, on their annual programs and budgets and on a range of other activities such as helping State Government to set zoning rules.

"Sometimes councils decide to hold a public meeting before they have thought through the issues and considered how best to engage with the community. Public meetings are not always the best way and other techniques such as surveys, panels, and focus groups are often more appealing to the local community." "We are finding that younger people don't really like meetings but are happy to respond using mobile phones or the internet."

"The keys are to have a planned approach and to apply the right techniques to the right circumstances. "We think that common definitions and frameworks will help councils to learn from each other."

The handbook is now available on www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/engage. The LGA is also providing training courses for council staff using the handbook.

Threatened Species Network Community Grants - Round 11

Community conservation groups are invited to apply for up to $50,000 in Round 11 of the Threatened Species Network Community Grants program, which will open on 28 March and close on 30 May 2008.

Managed by the Threatened Species Network (TSN), the grants program was established to support and inspire communities to conduct on-ground work for the ongoing health of our natural environment, specifically targeting the needs of nationally threatened species and ecological communities. More than 380 conservation projects have been funded through the program so far, to a total value of more than $4.9 million.

Grants are provided for activities such as:

  • Enhancing, restoring, and establishing key habitat
  • Weed and feral animal control
  • Monitoring and surveying species populations
  • Fencing to protect populations and key habitat
  • Fire management

Interested parties should note that all applications must be discussed with the TSN Coordinator for your region before submission or they will not be assessed.

The TSN Community Grants Program Guidelines and Application Forms may be obtained from www.wwf.org.au/tsn or by calling 1800 032 551 from March 28; or ask the TSN Coordinator for your region. If you would like to be notified by email when the grants are announced, please contact the TSN Program Officer Grants, Simone Albert on 02 8202 1233 or tsngrants@wwf.org.au.

Services to local government: ABS

The ABS has released a 'Services We Provide to Local Government' page on its website. This is designed to help local government users of the ABS website find data and other resources of interest.

The new Services pages includes:
How to find data for Local Government Areas How to keep informed about ABS releases and developments; and Information about resources and services available to help use data.

The pages include ABS releases that contain data at local government area level, and information about ABS training available to local government clients.

You can find Services We Provide to Local Government by going to the ABS website and on the Home Page, click on 'Services We Provide', then follow the link to 'Local Government'.

A link is also available here

Street tree survey

With the challenges of climate change, there is an increasing acceptance of the many benefits of urban trees. It is important to understand the problems facing the successful establishment of urban trees and the "best practices" which can be adopted.

PIA is assisting Martin Ely, who is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Adelaide School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, with an online survey about Urban Trees. The survey, developed with the TREENET organisation, is aimed at identifying better ways of designing urban areas to accommodate the needs of street trees, resulting in healthier, older trees and reduced infrastructure conflicts.

The purpose of this online survey is to gain a better understanding of local government attitudes and practices, Australia-wide.

It would very much appreciated if could take the time to complete the online survey.

Your response will remain confidential. A summary of responses will also be forwarded to you upon compilation. Please contact Martin Ely at martin.ely@adelaide.edu.au or on 0407809984 if you have any queries or comments on the survey.
Local government well represented at 2020 Summit

Cr Paul Bell has been invited as the President of the Australian Local Government Association along with State and Territory Government leaders to the 2020 Summit on April 19 - 20.

Local government is well represented with participants including Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, CEO of Brisbane City Council Jude Munro, former President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania Lyn Mason and Deputy CEO of the Western Australian Local Government Association Wayne Scheggia.

All participants are listed on the website: www.australia2020.gov.au

Maintaining food supplies in case of a national emergency

The Australian food and grocery sector has produced a brochure on 'Preparing for an emergency - the smart thing to do.' The brochure outlines a list of essential pantry items for households to stock up on in case of a natural disaster or a neighbourhood emergency which could disrupt food supply. It has heading such as Getting Ready for an Emergency, Stocking your Pantry, Be Prepared, and Hygiene. The campaign was assisted by Emergency Management Australia and the Red Cross. For more information, go to www.pantrylist.com.au

Funding cuts threaten environment

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW has called for the Federal Government to reinstate funding for the Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator Network.

The funding is currently used to employ staff to help councils coordinate and implement natural resource management projects and programs.

"Natural Resource Management (NRM) includes a variety of environmental protection projects such as weed control, bushland management and threatened species protection," Acting President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Cr Leo Kelly OAM said.

"Councils have significant NRM knowledge and experience, and the announcement by the Federal Government will impact on the coordination and implementation of these programs.

"In particular, councils have fostered relationships with Catchment Management Authorities to ensure a strategic regional approach to managing natural resources, and we fear this is not seen as a priority for the new Government.

"We're joining with councils across Australia in urging the Government to reinstate the funding for these positions and to reaffirm Local Government's role in the new program."

Achievements of the NSW Local Government NRM (26KB)

NSW draft planning laws tabled today

Communities, industry and councils have just three weeks to comment on laws which the Local Government and Shires Association of NSW says will take decisions and badly needed funds away from local communities.

The State Government today tabled its draft planning laws.

"The Government appears to have largely ignored the concerns of community groups, industry, councils and the findings of an independent report to produce laws based on its original list of recommendations," President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

"These changes, which are outlined in a 175 thick page document, will have major implications for NSW communities.

"The Government has a responsibility to extend the exhibition period to allow for proper consultation and consideration.

"Many of the changes will not simplify the system or make it easier for applicants and councils to understand and use."

The Associations will table a formal response to the draft legislation on behalf of local councils and their communities in coming weeks.

Amalgamations not 'silver bullet': LGAQ

Further reforms are needed to strengthen councils following amalgamations, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) says.

The Queensland government cut the state's councils from 157 to 73 at the March 15 local government elections.

The LGAQ has made a series of proposals to Local Government Minister Warren Pitt that member councils want to see achieved in the 2008-12 term of office.

They include reform of the state's valuation system, and amending capital subsidy programs to give councils a better way of procuring major infrastructure programs.

The LGAQ has also called for shared service delivery to save councils money and address staff shortages in some professions.

LGAQ President Cr Paul Bell said reform must not end with the boundary changes.

"In Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, councils are still struggling financially 10 to 15 years after their amalgamations," he said.

"Amalgamation is not a silver bullet - we need to go much further.

"There is no way councils can continue to conduct their businesses in the same fashion as they have done for decades, given the huge cost increases they are having to bear, while their revenue streams remain constrained."

New online climate tools benefits farmers

Farmers wanting to know more about rainfall and climate will find it much easier, thanks to two new tools released today as part of a Bureau of Meteorology project, sponsored by the Managing Climate Variability program.

The first tool shows a range of rainfall scenarios for most rainfall recording stations in Australia.

Farmers can also use a new online product to find out what factors are influencing the climate in their region by clicking on an interactive map.

These products are the first in a series of new climate products being developed by the Bureau and the Managing Climate Variability program in response to a study on farmers' seasonal forecasting needs. They aim to make seasonal forecasts more reliable, more useful and more accessible to farmers.

Both products are available on the Bureau's Water and the Land (WATL) website.

More information is available at www.managingclimate.gov.au or contact Jenni Metcalfe, jenni@econnect.com.au, ph: 07 38467111, 0408 551 866

Skills road map

The Rudd Government has released a road map for the reform of vocational education and training.

The Skilling Australia discussion paper sets out the delivery of the Rudd Labor Government's additional 450,000 training places.

The Government says it will work with businesses to identify their needs and tailor training to address skill gaps in the workforce.

Submissions commenting on the discussion paper close 30 April 2008. For more information visit www.productivityplaces.deewr.gov.au.

A list of the training organisations and the courses they are offering under this program will be made available on a gradual basis, as the contracts are formalised.

New chair for the Housing Institute

The Australian Government has announced that Rod Fehring will be the new chair of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI).

AHURI is a national research organisation, specialising in policy relevant housing and urban research. It was established in 2000 and manages a multi-million dollar research program for the Australian government and all State and Territory governments.

Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, congratulated Mr Fehring, who is also the Lend Lease Ventures Chief Executive, on his appointment.

Development Assessment: the inside view

The study released on Friday 7 March by the Planning Institute of Australia (SA) presents the findings of an extensive survey of the resourcing of development assessment teams in the state's councils.

"Development Assessment: the inside view," prepared by Colliers International Consulting Services, with the support of the Local Government Research and Development Scheme, highlights that ongoing increases in development activity combined with the increased complexity of planning policy has placed tremendous pressure on DA staff resulting in a high turnover of staff and delays in the development approval process. The study demonstrates the "churn" of staff in the system including:

  • 36% of DA planning positions fell vacant during the year.
  • 48% of DA planners have been employed by their current Council for 2 years or less.
  • 48% of staff movement is between councils.
  • 22% of the vacancies are created by planners leaving the development assessment system altogether and moving to other roles such as strategic or policy planning.
  • A Current shortfall of 27 planners (20%) and 74 support staff (67%) across 42 of the State's 68 councils.
  • The study found that based on the current system and conditions there is a significant shortfall in the current staffing levels and the ideal team staff requirements particularly for administrative staff to enable professional planning staff to focus on getting quality outcomes for the community.

The Planning Institute is committed to tackling these issues and has formed a Development Assessment Taskforce that includes the Local Government Association of South Australia and the State's lead planning agency, Planning SA. The DA taskforce is developing a comprehensive Action Plan and will be seeking industry wide support for measures to address both the demand and the supply issues, as well as seeking better development outcomes for SA. Linking in with the State Planning Review outcomes, the DA Taskforce will be working to addresses the findings of the Study including improving the quality of development applications, reducing staff turnover, and improving development policy and processes to create better outcomes for South Australia.

The report can be accessed here

Quote of the week

"A meeting is an event at which minutes are kept and the hours are lost."
Murphy's Law

International news  

Berlin's Tempelhof Airport survived World War II and the Cold War, but nearly 60 years after the start of the Berlin Airlift, the landmark airfield's days may be numbered - despite an upcoming public referendum on its future.

The city of Berlin won a lengthy court battle late last year to go ahead with plans to shutter the vast 1930s-era airport and its 400-hectare airfield smack in the center of a residential area.

But a group of determined citizens calling themselves The Initiative for the Preservation of the Berlin Airport Tempelhof gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue, to be held on April 27. They recently presented their campaign to drum up enough support to keep the money-losing airport running.

"Over 80 per cent of Berliners want to keep the airport open," Andreas Peter, the group's chairman said last week, unveiling posters and billboards reading: "All power comes from the people."

Opened in 1923, Tempelhof was expanded under the Nazis, who built a massive terminal that went on to serve as the hub of the nearly yearlong, US-led Berlin airlift when the Soviets blockaded West Berlin in 1948.

For its part, the city government has pointed out that Tempelhof Airport is mostly quiet these days, with only a small number of flights servicing wealthy travellers and politicians.

State of the Regions report 2006-07
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