Staffing woes
Older men and women for a tight staff market: Paul Bell
ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, says attracting older men and more women is the key to local government beating the tight staff market.
Press reports say that with unemployment at its lowest in 33 years, councils are increasingly using special visas (under section 457 of immigration laws) to hire temporary workers from Britain, Ireland and South Africa.
A local government team from Western Australia had recruited staff at three recent career expositions in Britain.
The Press comment is that with 165,000 staff overall, local government is another big business competing for staff in a tight market.
But Cr. Bell says local government is taking the initiative: "We have to adapt work practices and policies to become an employer of choice.
"The challenge is not to wait for governments to 'fix' the problem.
"Councils are providing flexible family-friendly work arrangements and responding to the needs of our valuable staff members.
"People can expect to see older workers and women employed in council operations.
"Women, in particular, like our enlightened flexible, family friendly work arrangements."
The President says councils understand the need to be more strategic in combating the skills crisis. But he points out that the problem is endemic and that individual councils can only do so much, particularly when budgets are tight.
He added that Commonwealth moves to provide a lot more training places (up to 450,000) were very welcome.
Securing the first mile
This year's ALGA National Local Roads and Transport Congress is a real opportunity to show the Commonwealth the importance of the three spheres of government working together to meet communities' transport expectations.
In the past couple of years we have worked hard to develop roads and transport strategy.
The latest refinement of that strategy was presented to both sides of politics in the lead up to last year's federal election.
The congress in Shepparton in June is the chance to take that strategy forward on the back of the Budget announcement.
But the congress will have its lighter side.
A consistent congress feature has been the high quality of keynote and political speakers. This year is no exception.
Former leading political light, still-renowned raconteur and train fanatic, Tim Fischer, will talk about freight and rail in the 21st Century. In typical Fischer fashion he will give examples of great rail adventures of the past that are relevant to the future.
On a more serious note, a former Canberra Times journalist, Crispin Hull, will run two media crisis management workshops based on real-life roads and transport-related case studies and examples.
Places in these workshops are strictly limited.
The Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Local Government, Mr Warren Truss, will address delegates on the second day of the Congress.
Join us at the Congress from 15-17 June 2008 in Shepparton, Victoria where together we can take forward the local government roads and transport agenda. For more information or to register go to www.alga.asn.au/roadscongress
Meanwhile, a new safety bulletin from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) shows the state and territory governments must act quickly to upgrade thousands of level crossings across Australia, the Chief Executive of the Australian Trucking Association, Stuart St Clair, said today.
"The ATSB's new bulletin on level crossing safety points out those level crossing accidents involving heavy vehicles have the potential to be catastrophic," Mr St Clair added.
"The ATSB and the state authorities investigated 15 level crossing accidents between April 2006 and December 2007.
Twelve of those accidents involved heavy vehicles. In total, the accidents cost 19 lives, injured more than 60 people and created a damage bill of more than $100 million.
Local government in Victoria applauds rail moves
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has welcomed the State Government's announcement of a $42.7 million package to upgrade the State's rail freight network.
Cr Dick Gross, MAV President said the movement of freight by rail was critical to Victoria's economy. The funding would significantly improve the speed and efficiency of the system by upgrading priority freight lines, as well as cutting the impact on local roads.
"The MAV is pleased the Government has responded to key recom's vital rail infrastructure,. Victoria's freight task is expected to almost double by 2020.
"Progressive improvements to the rail system will also help correct the imbalance between road and rail use in the freight sector, effectively taking trucks off local roads.
"Victoria's freight movement on rail had been limited by the poor quality rail infrastructure, largely through chronic under-investment in the hands of private operators.
"s a consequence, local roads faced increasing demands from heavier loads hauled by B-doubles and large trucks, resulting in damage to surfaces not designed for this purpose.
"Pressure had mounted on councils to maintain road infrastructure to sufficient standards despite major strains on budgets and the capacity of the local road network. Additional challenges for councils include policing the required trucking permits, as well as safety, residential amenity and pollution concerns.
"While there is still much work to be done, it's pleasing the government has signalled its serious commitment to creating a viable, connective and competitive rail freight network for Victoria," he said.
The Rail Freight Network Review prioritised track rehabilitation into four categories - platinum, gold, silver and bronze - with more than half of the new government funding targeted at 'gold line' upgrades.
Among the committee's key recommendations is setting up an asset management regime to maintain the network.
Cr Gross said the timely response and short term measures introduced by the State Government would help with immediate challenges.
But they must also be matched with longer term investments and strategies.
"The funding injection will immediately improve the network, which should assist in securing a rail operator and trains to meet growers' needs for the coming grain harvest season," he pointed out.
"However, the findings of both the Rail Freight Review and the recent Eddington East-West Link Needs Assessment highlight the increased role for rail freight into the future.
"Building on this knowledge, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive integrated transport plan to ensure Victoria responds effectively to future challenges," he said.
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Local solutions to global challenge
Enviro 08 will take place in Melbourne from May 5 - 7, with registration and program details now available online.
Enviro 08 is regarded as the most important symposium to be held in Australia, this year, for leaders and practitioners managing and working in the environmental and sustainability fields.
It is also ideal for those in local government who are looking for innovative and sustainable responses to climate change that will directly benefit their communities.
Enviro 08 is a platform for promoting change through ideas, the sharing of knowledge, information and practical resources to better equip managers and operators to face the challenges ahead.
The extensive three-day program covers Waste and Resource Recovery, Environmental Innovation, Sustainable Cities, Water, Energy and Climate, and Facilitating Change.
The Conference is accompanied by an Exhibition that will showcase new innovative technologies, products and services.
If you are in the serious business of delivering sustainable best practice environmental management, then visit www.enviro08.com.au to register for one or all three days of the Conference. Free Exhibition passes are also available online.
The Australian Water Association and the Waste Management Association of Australia is proud to present Enviro 08.
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Local government backs WWII exploit reinactment
Councils around the Aussie coastline are really getting behind the efforts of six ex-commandos to recreate one of Australia's most daring exploits of the Second World War.
"So far 31 local councils have already arranged civic receptions for us and more are coming on board all the time," says Allan Miles the CEO of the "Following the Krait" exercise.
In 1943 a group of 14 Australian military travelled 33 days through Japanese-dominated waters in the old fishing boat before sinking 40,000 tons of Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour and returning unscathed.
The six ex-Australian Army commandos are reliving the "Krait" exploit to raise money for Legacy. They expect to arrive in Singapore on the 65th anniversary of the original daring attack.
The old soldiers raised $268,000 for prostate cancer research in a similar project in 2001.
"We call ourselves the Operation Pilgrimage Group," Allan says.
"We're not out to glorify war but to remember the courage of Australians in war.
"We're so pleased local government is getting behind us.
"The level of community spirit being demonstrated by local government shows how vital this tier of administration is."
The nine month project begins on June 1 when Operation Pilgrimage leaves Sydney in a 32 foot power boat for Singapore. The ex-commandos expect to be back on February 28, 2009.
This time, instead of explosives, the Operation Pilgrimage Team will present a "pilgrimage for peace" greeting to the Singapore government. It will contain letters from Australian POW survivors, WWII military associations, politicians and Australian government departments.
"We'll be visiting 146 Australian coastal towns during the 40,000 kilometre voyage," Allan says.
"As well as the civic receptions during the voyage, Sydney City Council is planning a special one for us on our return."
During the 2001 project many councils put a "snapshot" of their local government area into a "treasure chest time capsule".
A similar time capsule is being prepared for burial in Sydney's Hyde Park near the War Memorial on Australia Day 2009.
"We are looking forward to local government's support here again," Allan added.
Three of the original "Krait" crew are still alive, all going strong well into their eighties.
They are Horrie Young who lives on the NSW Central Coast, Arthur Jones of Perth and Moss Berryman who lives in Adelaide.
"We're organizing testimonial dinners for all three men in their towns as we go around Australia," Allan says.
Editor's note: Allan is available on mobile 0412 992 997. The "Krait" is kept as a floating Australian maritime military museum.
A bigger role for local government in the North's economic development?
The Commonwealth Government says it will take advice in the coming weeks from stakeholders following its move to transfer the $20 million Northern Land and Water Taskforce to the newly created Office of Northern Australia.
The Taskforce's terms of reference are to be broadened. The Commonwealth will also be seeking advice on membership of the Taskforce.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray, says he sees the move attracting and encouraging development opportunities across the country's vast north to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits.
Under the previous government, he says, the Taskforce included a large number of politicians and was primarily focused on developing the Kimberley region's irrigation potential.
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, announced in January that the Taskforce membership and terms of reference would be revised to increase independence and broaden scope.
"We have been working towards appointing new members with local expertise," Senator Wong said.
"I know the Taskforce spoke to many people across northern Australia and I can assure them their work will inform the Taskforce?s future deliberations."
Describing the move as a "fresh approach" the Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Albanese, said the government wanted to boost development in Northern Australia that valued the region's unique natural environment and its many social and cultural assets.
Natural disaster summit in north Queensland
Local government leaders and emergency services chiefs gathered in Townsville on April 22 for a summit on how to better manage natural disasters.
The theme of the summit, "Building Resilient Communities", saw key stakeholders discuss such issues as climate change - including the latest research into cyclones by James Cook University - and the impact of the recent Queensland floods.
The Department of Emergency Services in conjunction with the Local Government Association of Queensland launched a community preparedness resource called "Get Ready Kidnas". The CD targets children and young people.
It provides a sequenced, child-friendly approach to disaster preparation incorporating a range of leaning levels such as simple games for children and disaster planning activities and templates for use by the entire household.
"Get Ready Kidans" will be distributed to all Queensland local government emergency management and youth development staff. Further, it will be made available for children and young people in the community via their council library or online at www.emergency.qld.gov.au.
Toowoomba takes out national Tidy Town Prize
The ALGA congratulates Toowoomba for winning the national 2008 Tidy Town competition.
Toowoomba is regarded as one of Australia's top garden cities - as well as being the country's tidiest... The major Queensland centre was the State?s Tidy Town competition winner last year.
About 125 km west of Brisbane and with a population of 97,000, Toowoomba boasts numerous welcoming garden displays at major entries to the city with colourful treatments and signs.
"Many voluntary community environmental groups work in partnership with the council and effectively contribute to the city's well-managed environment," a spokesman for the Toowoomba Regional Council said.
"Extensive rehabilitation of the city's bushland parks is being done by numerous 'Friends' groups and supported by council's Bushcare officers," the spokesman said.
"The city's sustainable home project is an ideal example of partnerships between local and state government, business and industry in achieving a positive environmental outcome," he added.
"The dwelling is a unique display home which provides practical examples that meet the triple bottom line concept of environmental, economic and social sustainability.
"It demonstrates to the many thousands of visitors that sustainable housing is made up of energy and water saving features coupled with environmental benefits."
Parliamentary Inquiries
Two parliamentary inquiries on environmental issues of interest to local government are underway.
The Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee is looking at the management of Australia's waste streams.
Further details of the inquiry are available here. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 23 May 2008.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts is looking at Climate Change and Environmental Impacts on Coastal Communities.
Submissions close on Friday 30 May 2008. Further details are available here.
ALGA, in collaboration with the State and Territory Associations, will be making submissions to both Inquiries. Individual councils with a strong interest in the matters will also do so.
Quote of the week
"Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear"
Ambrose Redmoon
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