From the President

Local government and indeed local communities are vocal supporters of the Roads to Recovery Program. This is the flagship program for local government and we are rightly proud of our achievements in delivering excellent results on the ground and bridging the divide between towns and communities.

Local government has an excellent record of delivering projects on-time and on-budget.

When I have meetings with politicians from all sides, the success of Roads to Recovery is often mentioned and is praised and well-received from across party lines.

So it was with gratification that we learned in the recent Budget that the Rudd Labor Government will honour previously budgeted commitments to funding for Auslink2. This is the ultimate litmus test for the program.

The National Local Roads and Transport Congress is coming up in a couple of weeks and I hope to see you at Shepparton. Since the Alice Springs Congress two years ago, local government has expanded its transport agenda to include urban transport and freight management issues. Local government owns and maintains significant public transport infrastructure such as bus shelters and interchanges, and makes major investment in local area traffic management. Integrated local planning underpins effective urban transport solutions.

Our Local Government Roads and Transport Strategy - 2006-2016 outlines the importance of tackling our clogged roads, urban congestion and carbon emissions. It calls for a comprehensive federal/state and local government approach to addressing public transport shortages, congestion and transport planning and a clear definition of the respective roles and responsibilities of the three spheres of government in relation to urban transport. This will inevitably involve a balance between economic imperatives to protect freight corridors and the social needs of communities.

I was pleased to hear that the Rudd Government as part of its Budget announcements has undertaken to tackle urban congestion and planning by providing $75 million to the states to undertake a series of studies into landmark projects "which have the potential to transform the face of our cities." The states have agreed to contribute a further $57.5 million to this project.

Studies to be funded include projects that improve East West connections and the Western Ring Road in Melbourne, the proposed Metro (Green) line to link Parramatta and the CBD in Sydney, a transport feasibility study of Adelaide, transport links to Perth Airport and Bruce Highway upgrading in Queensland.

In recent months, we have also seen the Federal Government adopt a National Transport Plan initially developed by the National Transport Commission. It sets a new direction for Federal Government involvement with, and planning for, transport and transport infrastructure.

I find it pleasing that the National Transport Plan appropriately recognises the important role local roads have in the overall transport system for the country. After all, they make up over 80% of the total road network and carry over than a quarter of total vehicle kilometres travelled. Most journeys, whether for passengers or freight, begin and end on a local road.

These initiatives are welcome and local government should be involved. I look forward to an open dialogue with the Government on these and other transport issues. See you at Shepparton. To register, visit website.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Costs rise faster than CPI

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has released figures forecasting local government costs are expected to increase by an average 4.4 per cent in 2008-09.

Cr Dick Gross, MAV President said it was well known that all prices rise, but many municipalities could not realistically limit rate increases to CPI as local government expenses were different to household expenses.

"Local government cost increases have slowed from 5 per cent in 2007-08, but the Cost Index calculated by the MAV shows they still rise faster than CPI. Councils will have to meet higher expenses just to stand still," he said.

"The rising cost of delivering a 'basket' of council services is not reflected in the Consumer Price Index due to the majority of council spending being driven by labour costs, and to a lesser extent construction costs.

"Adding to councils' cost pressures, the State and Commonwealth continue to link indexation of many grants to CPI or less, despite this being a largely irrelevant benchmarking tool for real cost movements."

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, welcomed the Federal Government's preparedness to tackle inter-governmental financial relations as part of its Tax Review.

"The decision of the Federal Government to look at the full tax system - Commonwealth, State and Local - underlines what ALGA has been saying for some time - You cannot treat each sphere in isolation," Cr Bell said.

Exercise Sustain 08

In light of the experiences of Exercise Cumpston 06, COAG agreed in April 2007 to hold a series of national desktop exercises to further assess Australia's national preparedness to respond to an influenza pandemic.

Last Friday in Sydney, officers from the NSW LGSA, Gold Coast City Council, Sydney City Council and ALGA participated in the first of three such exercises. Discussion Exercise No 1: Industry Impact and Recovery was designed to examine potential industry impacts and recovery using tourism and the hospitality industry as a case study. An expert panel comprising 11 senior public officials, of which ALGA's CE ABW was one, participated in a hypothetical chaired by Jenny Brockie of SBS television. The purpose of the panel was to set the scene for the rest of the exercise that sought to investigate an raise a number of issues for consideration when a pandemic influenza is widespread across Australia.

The Exercise was attended by representatives from all jurisdictions and a select number of independent evaluators. These evaluators will now write up their findings and report back to COAG later this year. Exercise 2 will take place in Melbourne on June 19-20 and has been designed to test Australia's capability to maintain given human service delivery operations.

Exercise Sustain was chosen to reflect the primary purpose of the exercise, namely sustaining social, community and economic functioning when a pandemic is widespread throughout Australia.

2008 National Awards for Local Government

The National Awards for Local Government were created to identify local government projects that are first rate or show new ways of dealing with the challenges a council faces. The National Awards promote these projects and councils so that other local government bodies can learn from the winning councils' projects and their experiences and not have to 'reinvent the wheel'.

The opportunity to submit a project in the 2008 National Awards program is closing soon - on Friday 6 June 2008, COB.

To find out what are the 10 Award categories available this year go to the National Awards website and click on the heading '2008 Categories'. To submit a project, fill out the on-line entry form.

You can also watch and listen to interviews with the 2007 category winners of the National Awards as they discuss their projects and experience of entering the National Awards.

If you have any queries please email us at Awards@infrastructure.gov.au or call us on 1 800 064 113.

NRM Summit in Sydney

As one of the largest agricultural industries in Australia, worth more than $7 billion, the question is being raised, what major environmental issues are confronting horticulture? Will we have water for crops in ten years? How will the climate have changed between now and then? How can we balance environmental responsibility and business strategy? And what does the industry need to do to prepare for these changes?

These questions and more will be considered by the Australian horticulture industry at the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Summit in Sydney on 27 May 2008.

Organised by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL), and supported by the Australian Government?s National Landcare Program (Sustainable Industry Initiatives, the NRM Summit will give the entire horticulture industry an opportunity to come together to discuss environmental issues and their potential impact on the industry. Contact: Alison Turnbull on 02 8295 2317

State of Forests Report

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2008 has been released by the Australian Government's Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) and provides a valuable snap-shot of Australia's forest industry.

Environmental integrity tested

Companies which promote their products or services as environmentally friendly or 'green' must ensure their claims are honest and backed-up with appropriate information to prove the claim.

The ACCC's recently published guidance paper, "Green marketing and the Trade Practices Act", seeks to alert businesses to their legal obligations under the Trade Practices Act 1974 when making environmental claims. The ACCC has also begun monitoring the growing number of environmental claims which are likely to mislead or deceive consumers. This legal update outlines the broad principles in the paper to help ensure environmental marketing claims comply with the law.

New national tourism strategy

The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, has announced the development of a National Tourism Strategy aimed at strengthening the tourism industry's supply-side capacity and maximising the net economic benefits of tourism to the Australian economy.

Tourism's contribution to the Australian economy is huge with the sector generating more than $38 billion in GDP and directly employing more than 482,000 people.

"However the industry is changing and it is time we revised our thinking to meet its new challenges," Mr Ferguson said.

The Minister said the Strategy would be developed over the next 12 months in consultation with industry. A Steering Committee would soon be established from senior representatives from within and outside the sector. The Steering Committee would be chosen on the basis of the expertise and ideas they bring to the table; and their capacity to mould ideas into a coherent long-term vision for the sector.

Eco-friendly hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group is creating a hotel which it claims will be the world's first 100% ecologically-friendly hotel. The chain says the hotel's green credentials will set the benchmark for hoteliers around the world. The futuristic, solar-powered 'Innovation Hotel' uses the latest technology in energy and water conservation and recycling. The virtual property is currently featured on the website for guest feedback on its features.

For further information click here.

NSW planning changes - community meeting on Tuesday

The NSW Local Government and Shires Association and the National Trust NSW are organising a meeting to call for an inquiry into the planning legislation changes.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 6 pm, at Sydney Masonic Centre Grand Lodge Room, 66 Goulburn Street (cnr Castlereagh Street), Sydney. Speakers will include Genia McCaffery, President NSW LGSA, and Graham Quint, Conservation Director, National Trust NSW. Other speakers include Nick Ebbeck, Mayor, Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council; Jeff Angel, Director, Total Environment Centre; John Mant, Lawyer, Urban Planner; and Jack Mundey, Activist.

Australian Clean Beaches Awards: National Finalists

The national finalists in the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Clean Beaches Awards, have been announced and will now compete to be recognised as Australia's Cleanest Beach for 2008.

The national winner will follow on from Toowoon Bay in NSW, which won in 2007.

Clean Beaches is part of the Keep Australia Beautiful 'Australian Sustainable Communities' Awards, which also includes the Tidy Towns (current winner Toowoomba QLD) and the Sustainable Cities (current winner Melton VIC) Awards.

The Clean Beaches Awards celebrate the achievements of each finalist and, in a spirit of friendly competition, identify, acknowledge and promote Australia's best examples of excellence in grass roots environmental improvement in coastal areas from around the country. In 2008 the finalists are:

WA - Scarborough Beach
SA - Kingston, South East
TAS - Freer's Beach, Port Sorell
VIC - Frankston Foreshore
NSW - Tathra Beach, South Coast
QLD - The Strand, Townsville

Hundreds of communities entered the awards competition this year, with tens of thousands of volunteers donating their time and effort for practical local initiatives.

Media enquiries to:
Further information on each finalist can be found at www.kab.org.au.

National Council to reduce domestic violence and assault

The Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, has announced the members of its National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children. The Council will be chaired by one of the founders of the Australian White Ribbon Day campaign and international human rights advocate, Libby Lloyd AM, with support from deputy-chair, Heather Nancarrow, Director of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research.

The purpose of the Council is to assist with the development and implementation the Government's National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children, which aims to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.

Council members have been drawn from diverse professional and personal backgrounds, which will enable them to provide expert advice and direction to assist the Government to lead the Plan.

Upcoming priorities include:

• Developing respectful relationship resources for Australian high school students to educate young Australians, particularly boys, about the impact of domestic violence and sexual assault;
• $1 million over four years to support White Ribbon Day education activities in rural and regional communities to promote culture-change that will reduce violence against women; and
• Toughening and harmonising state and territory domestic violence and sexual assault laws.

The Council will start work, by undertaking a public consultation with a broad range of stakeholders including members of the public, victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and criminal justice sector professionals.

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Unique conference to reveal best practice council management strategies

CEOs from a number of councils, including the Chair of the Local Government Business Excellence Network, Peter Gesling, will share their insights into how councils can implement advanced and innovative management strategies to create best practice outcomes.

The 2008 Benchmarking Best Practice in Local Government Conference, to be held in Sydney on 28-29 July, will hear presentations from senior local government managers and leading advisory firms. They will present case studies and provide detailed advice on how councils can drive organisational improvements, achieve productivity gains, reduce costs, and deliver high levels of service to their local community.

Speakers such as the City of Marion's CEO Mark Searle; Logan City Council's CEO Chris Rose and Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Steve Chapple, will outline the dynamics of improved staff culture and increased performance levels within their respective organisations.

Innovation is at the core of enhanced local government performance and this conference will bring together some of the most outstanding practitioners of continuous improvement within local government across Australia. It will provide delegates with the detailed and specific tools to implement lasting improvements in their own council operations across a range of functions.

The best practice case studies will cover areas such as: improving council workforce culture; staff productivity and retention; financial management; risk management; environmental sustainability; and information technology.

For further information about the conference, visit www.halledit.com.au/conferences phone (03) 8534 5000 or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

Aged care loan applications close June 6

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has reminded aged care providers, including local government, to apply for the Zero Real Interest Loans as the application round closes on June 6.

The $300 million plan is expected to create 2,500 permanent residential aged care places in areas of high need such as regional and undersupplied areas.

Announcements of the zero real interest loans is expected to take place in early August.

The Minister said the zero interest loans meant providers can obtain a loan to build or expand residential aged care and respite facilities to which only the consumer price index would be applied.

State, territory and local government entities will be able to apply for loans in small regional centres and rural and remote areas where they are the only operators.

Areas of high need plus information on the administration of zero real interest loans, including FAQs and application forms, are available here.

Enquiries can also be made on the Aged Care Information Line - 1 800 500 853.

The differences between employees or independent contractors: ATO

Following is the third part of an Australian Taxation Office series of articles for'ALGA News' to inform councils about relevant issues. The second part was run in last week's edition and the first part in December 2007:

As a government organisation, statutory authority or municipal body, it is important to determine the status of workers as different tax and superannuation (super) obligations apply to workers depending on whether they are employees or independent contractors.

Also, if an independent contractor is engaged wholly or principally for their labour you must pay super contributions for them.

Determining a worker's status depends upon the terms and conditions under which the work is performed, as well as the relationship between you and the worker.

To help you understand and meet your tax and super obligations, the Tax Office has a number of web-based tools. The free interactive tools they have developed for employers provide an easy way for you to determine and calculate your tax and super obligations.

The tools are:

• an employee/contractor decision tool, to help you work out whether your new or existing workers are contractors or employees for tax and super purposes
• a superannuation guarantee eligibility decision tool, to help you work out if you have an obligation to make super contributions for your workers, and
• a superannuation guarantee contributions calculator that calculates how much super you should be contributing for your eligible workers.

Each tool takes less than 15 minutes and guides you through a series of questions. You will receive an online report at the end of each session.

If you are not sure whether your workers are employees or contractors, start with the employee/contractor decision tool.

The tools are available on the Tax Office website at no cost, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To use web-based decision tools and calculators, visit www.ato.gov.au and select: For Business > Employer essentials > Tax rates, calculators and tools > Other calculators and tools.

Heart Foundation Local Government Awards 2008

Local Governments creating healthy communities should not miss out on the opportunity to enter the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards 2008. The awards are open for all initiatives that build social connections, encourage people to be physically active, be smoke free and make healthy food choices. The Heart Foundation Local Government Awards provide $35,000 in cash awards, plaques and recognition across five categories to recognise the contribution made by healthy initiatives introduced by Local Government. Award entries close on 6 June. For entry forms and information about the 2008 awards, contact the Heart Foundation on 6336 5116, visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/lga, or call 1300 36 27 87.

Grants announced for safer suburbs

The Federal Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus has announced nearly $6 million had been provided for the first round of funding under the Safer Suburbs Plan.

"This funding will be used for important community safety measures like CCTV which can help to address crime and anti-social behaviour in high risk locations. "Five grants have been approved as part of the Government's $15 million election commitment to fund locally developed crime prevention measures."

The grants provide:

• $300,000 for Alice Springs Council to monitor CCTV in Todd Mall
• $680,000 for up to 27 CCTV cameras to be installed around Umina, Ettalong and Woy Woy beaches
• $2.5 million to replace outdated CCTV systems in Gawler, Elizabeth and Salisbury in South Australia.
• $1 million for the City of Wanneroo in Western Australia to develop and install CCTV including 5 mobile units in hot spots to prevent graffiti
• $1.4 million for Belmont in Western Australia to provide low cost alarm systems for 400 businesses and residents in the area and CCTV installation in high volume crime areas.

Join in Anti-Poverty Week

Anti-Poverty Week in 2008 starts on Sunday 12 October and ends on Saturday 18 October. The UN's International Anti-Poverty Day is Friday 17 October.

In previous years a number of local councils have been actively involved with Anti-Poverty Week, such as Boroondara, Yarra, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula and Marrickville Councils.

The Week focuses on poverty around the world, especially in the poorest countries but also in wealthier countries such as Australia. Its main aims are to:

• strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and within Australia;
• encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

Interest has been growing steadily in Australia in recent years and activities such as public lectures, workshops, conferences, debates, concerts, displays, sports days, media briefings and other events have been organised.

Last year, more than 300 organisations were involved in activities, with a total participation of more than 10,000 people around the country and more than 400 media references.

Everyone who wants to reduce poverty and hardship is encouraged to organise activities during the Week or join in some being organised by other people. The activities can be large or small, and activities at local levels are especially welcome.

Official opening activities will be organised on Sunday 12 October and Monday 13 October. It is suggested that people could organise local anti-poverty forums on Wednesday 15 October, perhaps inviting local MPs and mayors to attend. But activities can be on whatever topics, and whatever days, to suit their organisers.

It would be very helpful if organisers could provide details of their plans for posting on the special website, in order to encourage participation and stimulate action by other people.

The website also includes basic fact sheets, promotional material and links to sources of information and ideas about ways of reducing poverty and hardship.

To notify your plans or get further information, contact us at 1-300-797-290 or apw@antipovertyweek.org.au

Smoking laws, councils urged to act

Premier Anna Bligh has announced cabinet had agreed to toughen anti-smoking laws, after 89 per cent of respondents to a Queensland Health discussion paper supported a ban on smoking in cars carrying children.

The government would stop short of imposing bans on smoking in public places such as malls and bus stops, leaving it up to councils to regulate in those areas.

Ms Bligh said the government would stop short of imposing bans on smoking in public places such as malls and bus stops, leaving it up to councils to regulate in those areas.

"My government has a responsibility to protect those not wanting to inhale cigarette smoke in these areas, but every city and town is different and the most practical way of enforcement is for local government to have responsibility," she said.

"They can decide whether it's a problem in their region and act accordingly."

The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) said although the dangers of smoking were widely known, smokers continued to put others, including children, at risk.

"We feel that whereever people are encouraged to congregate for whatever reason, whether it's a mall or a public transport pick-up spot, even when it's outdoors you should be able to breathe the cleanest air you're able to," AMAQ president Ross Cartmill told AAP.

NT community fights shire reforms

The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) has backed moves by a central Australian community to fight shire reforms.

The Amoonguna community, east of Alice Springs, is seeking a High Court injunction against local government changes.

The community is concerned it will lose millions of dollars in assets when it is forced to become part of the new MacDonnell Shire on July 1.

The LGANT's Kerry Moir says the case may set a precedent for other Aboriginal communities.

"I respect Amoonguna's right to take this action," she said. "I think it's a very brave action, I congratulate them on doing so. I just hope that the court process is the way to go to resolve the issue in terms of deciding who rightfully owns those assets.

"I think Amoonguna is a very successful community and I would really hope that whatever the outcome is that they are able to move forward."

Public acceptance of recycled water on the rise, according to new study

Community attitudes towards recycled water are changing, according to a new University of Melbourne report commissioned by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.

Respondents to the Adelaide study showed an increase in the acceptance of Class A+ recycled water for drinking, up to 58% from 4%, while the majority (94%) were satisfied with overall recycled water use at Mawson Lakes, up from 88% in 2005.

Other key findings of the study include:

• An increase in the acceptance of Class A+ recycled water for clothes washing (up to 74% from 23% two years ago)
• A significant decrease in the perception of risk associated with recycled water for all uses, from car washing and garden watering to showering and drinking
• A significant increase in the perceived value of what recycled water should cost, from A$0.46 in 2004 to A$0.89 in 2007.

Dr Anna Hurlimann says the research is important given the increasing pressure on water resourced experienced in many areas of the world. "Policy makers are increasingly turning to other water alternatives such as desalination often assuming that the public will not be willing to use recycled water.

"Such assumptions are often not based on evidence," she said.

"More consultation with the community is required regarding water futures in Australia."

A copy of the report is available here.

Local government projects given reprieve

The Rudd Labor Government has announced it will provide certainty for up to 86 not-for-profit and local government projects which were granted approvals but did not have formal contracts under the previous government?s Regional Partnerships program.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese said it was clear from discussions with community groups and local councils that many believed that funding agreements had been finalised with the previous government. "This has placed community groups in a difficult situation where many have spent their meagre resources to start work," he said.

Under the plan, the Government would give 86 not-for-profit and local government projects until 31 July 2008 to complete contract negotiations with my Department. In addition, they will be required to meet strict timetables and requirements to begin construction. Mr Albanese said one example was the Lake Ellen playground in Bundaberg which received a conditional approval of $215,000 to purchase playground equipment for children, including those with disabilities. Mr Albanese said that In addition, 21 other projects that were also approved but not contracted by the former government were already being funded either as election commitments or through the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund. In the recent Budget the Government has announced it will set up a new fund - the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program - to invest in community projects. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is conducting a public inquiry, with the assistance of Independent MP, Tony Windsor, on the structure of the new program.

National Local Roads and Transport Congress

It is now only just over two weeks to the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Shepparton.

The Congress from 15 - 17 June is the premier national local government transport event with over 25 speakers from government, industry and councils speaking on a wide range of transport policy issues.

The theme of the Congress in 2008 is "Securing the First Mile" and will focus on the issues surrounding the reforms in road transport and their implications for local roads.

There will also be presentations on policy developments arising from the new Federal Labor Government and the implications they have for local government.

This is a "must not miss" opportunity to be informed of what is happening with transport policy at the federal level.

There is still time to register. Details can be found at alga's website.

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Coastalwatch

The Coastalwatch website (www.coastalwatch.com) links viewers to live coastal images via a network of web cameras, and provides a range of information about coastal conditions as well as news about coastal issues and events. The site and was established in 1998 and is Australia's No.1 Water Sports and Web Camera website.

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