From the President

Last week, I was pleased to have the opportunity to address the Western Australia Local Government Association annual conference in Perth. I provided an audit summary of where we are at with our '4Fs' campaign and how we are working with the Federal Government on taking our agenda forward. I thought it would be useful to distribute this further afield and it will be topic of my column this week.

As I am sure you all know by now, the 4Fs are Fair Funding, Fair Treatment, Formal Recognition and Facing Future Challenges. With the change of government, these 4Fs remain as relevant today. There are also a range of other issues we deal with - indeed with ALGA being represented on 13 Ministerial Councils and COAG, we have a whole dance-card full of significant issues! - but it is important to keep the focus on these essentials.

In relation to Fair Funding, ALGA remains committed to arguing that local government should receive a fair share of tax revenue collected at the Federal level - 1% of tax revenue excluding the GST. This reflects the need for local government to be appropriately resourced to deliver the services and provide the infrastructure local communities require and expect. We argued for a fair share as a central plank of our election strategy last year and ALGA lobbied hard for a Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund of $250m per annum for 4 years. The Government announced it was replacing the Regional Partnerships Program with a new Regional and Community Infrastructure Program. ALGA has put forward a submission calling for any new program to be based on our Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund. We will continue to argue for that program which is so important if we are to close the annual $2.1b underspend on infrastructure renewals highlighted in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Report on local government financial sustainability.

The new Federal Government has placed an emphasis on collaborative federalism. It has moved forward to reform payments made from the Commonwealth to the states - excluding local government Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) as a special case - and importantly, it has commissioned a major review of taxation - including local government taxation. ALGA will be making a submission to the Government which addresses not only local government?s role in raising tax through rates, but also the case for tax sharing.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has been dealing with the reform of Commonwealth-State financial relations through changes to arrangements for Specific Purpose Payments. It has also been busy with a whole raft of reforms across many areas such as climate change, business deregulation, infrastructure and housing. Many of these reforms are of interest to local government and ALGA has been having an input to make sure local government concerns are not ignored.

We have also seen the report of the Productivity Commission into Local Government's Own Source Revenue Raising Capacity. In my view that report, presented in April this year, confirmed a couple of important points:

• Local governments overall were raising nearly 90% of possible revenue. I am willing to bet that is far more than either the Federal or state governments and I think it is just about the theoretical maximum any democratic system of government could raise.
• Rural and remote councils generally don't have the capacity to raise any more revenue

ALGA will be seeking to have the issue of local government funding returned to the COAG agenda in 2009 to ensure it is dealt with as part of a broader approach to making the Federation work better.

In regard to Fair Treatment, the Cost Shifting IGA was signed in April 2006 and has been in place for around two years. A reporting process has been put in place through the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council. Let me say, it hasn't all been plain sailing and there have been a couple of instances where state and territory governments have tried to push the envelope on cost shifting, but the difference is that the spotlight is now firmly on them and previous practices won't be tolerated.

On the issue of formal constitutional recognition of local government, this has been at the forefront of ALGA's agenda this year, not least because the ALP has recognition as part of its policy platform and the new Federal Government promised during the election that it would consult with local government during its first term on the process for achieving constitutional recognition. The Government has also undertaken to establish a new Council of Australian Local Governments and to have this issue placed on the agenda of that Council. ALGA has developed a process for advancing the issue of constitutional recognition in 2008 which involves consideration by councils and discussion at the state level, culminating in a National Constitutional Summit in Melbourne between 8 and 11 December.

And finally, in relation to Future Challenges, ALGA is working with the new Federal Government on meeting the priority future challenges we identified in our Strategic Plans and our election documents. Climate change is surely the major long term challenge we all face. ALGA is participating in the COAG Working Group on Climate Change established by the new Government. We are seeking to ensure that local government is not forgotten when the Federal Government puts together strategies and programs to help the Australian community adapt to the changes ahead.

ALGA and, I am sure, many state associations and individual councils will be responding to the Government's Green Paper on an Emissions Trading System. Comments on that Green Paper are due by the 10 September and I urge all councils to look carefully at what is proposed and if appropriate make a submission. Our response to climate change is central to the future of urban policy and how our cities will look in the future. The new Government has taken some steps in this area, including the creation of a new Major Cities Unit. The Major Cities Unit will be located with Infrastructure Australia, the new body formed to identify national infrastructure priorities. ALGA welcomes this initiative and is looking forward to providing policy input.

As you can see - the '4Fs' are a powerful driving force for ALGA and are a good summary of local government's national objectives. A lot of energy has been expended by all of us over the past year with some pleasing results but there is no denying we still have some hard yards ahead to realise our goals.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Growth in solar rebates

Environment Minister Peter Garrett said new figures show that applications for the $8000 solar panel rebate have grown at significant levels since the Federal Budget. Minister Garrett said an average of 522 applications had been lodged weekly since the budget - with 794 in one week alone. He would shortly begin a series of roundtables with key stakeholders on practical action households can take to save on energy bills and reduce their environmental impact.

Regional Development Council

Australian and State and Territory Government Ministers responsible for regional development and the Australian Local Government Association met in Broome on 30 July for the fifth meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

The key themes of the meeting included: opportunities for closer cooperation and alignment between all spheres of government; opportunities for regions arising from major infrastructure projects; skills and labour shortages in regional Australia; barriers to growth for mining; biofuels; and managing change in regional communities.

The Council agreed the strategic priorities for going forward would include:

• Infrastructure - including broadband, transport, housing, water and local and community infrastructure;
• Skills shortages and workforce development; and
• Climate change.

The Council agreed that work will continue to align Regional Development Australia with regional development organisations, whilst recognising the current consultative process, the views of state, territory and local governments and the work of the House of Representatives inquiry in time for the establishment of RDA on 1 January 2009.

Ministers noted issues raised in relation to skills and labour shortages and the patterns and impact of these issues on regional communities. The Council agreed to work together to consider regional skill shortages and provide a report to COAG in October 2008.

The Council noted and discussed the impact of a range of issues in regional Australia which impact on the growth of the mining sector, particularly in Northern Australia. The Council also agreed to the development of a set of national principles for Adjustment Assistance for regional Australia.

Councillors need agent to accept donations

Councillors and candidates in NSW local government elections must appoint an agent before they can accept $1,000 or more in donations under new laws.

The disclosure laws, which came into effect on August 1, also prevent councillors and candidates from spending $1,000 in electoral costs without an agent.

The laws increase the maximum penalty for failing to lodge a declaration from $11,000 to $22,000, while a false statement can incur a penalty of $22,000 or 12 months jail.

The legislation amendments replace the current system of lodging a declaration every four years.

To become an agent, the applicant must be on the NSW electoral roll and not have been convicted of an electoral or indictable offence.

Agents must complete an Election Fund Authority (EFA) online training course and pass an online assessment before they can be registered as a candidate's official agent.

EFA chairman Colin Barry said the number of people who had completed the online course was low, with only 153 agents certified as of yesterday.

Road safety grants for ACT and NSW

NRMA Motoring and Services is reaching deep into its pockets to assist community groups and local councils across NSW and the ACT, offering $100,000 worth of NRMA Community Road Safety Grants in 2008.

NRMA Director and swimming legend Dawn Fraser said the NRMA has doubled its 2007 offering of $50,000 due to an overwhelming response from potential recipients, who can apply for up to $5,000 worth of funding each.

Last year, the NRMA funded a variety of projects including a motorcycle safety campaign, a driver mentor program to help migrant drivers get a NSW drivers licence and a child restraint education campaign for new mums and grandparents.

The selection criteria for submissions are:

• Will this project benefit the local community and reduce crash risk?
• Does the project have clear goals, outcomes and performance indicators?
• Does the budget clearly outline how the funding will be spent?

Submissions may be for a stand-alone project or to strengthen an existing road safety project.

The NRMA is accepting submissions until 30 September with the recipients to be announced in November 2008.

For more information on NRMA's Community Road Safety Grants or to download an application form, please click here. Alternatively you can call the NRMA on (02) 8741 6638.

Please email applications to community@mynrma.com.au or post to NRMA Community Road Safety Grants at PO Box 1026, Strathfield 2135.

Sydney now has world's most unaffordable housing - new research

Sydney now has the world's most unaffordable housing, according to new research by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA).

The IPA research says the fall of house prices in the United States has left Sydney with the most expensive housing in the world. The IPA analysed data from the US-based consultancy Demographia, which examines house prices from 159 urban areas across the globe.

Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide are also all now in the top 10 most unaffordable cities in the world following the sub-prime crisis in the United States. The average Sydney home costs over eight times the average household income in that city.

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National Sustainable Procurement Conference Hilton Hotel Brisbane
18 and 19 September 2008

www.sustainableprocurement.com.au

 

Register and pay by 15 August 2008 to save $100!

The program for the fourth National Sustainable Procurement Conference (formerly National Buying Green Conference) is now available. Keynote speakers include:

• Martin Sykes, Chief Executive, Value Wales, Welsh Assembly Government
• Barbara Morton, Senior Procurement Advisor, UK Government
• Maria Atkinson, Global Head of Sustainability, Lend Lease
• Joe Kremer, Managing Director and Vice President, Dell
• Tony Hawthorne, Global Procurement Manager - Sustainability and Risk, Fosters Group
• Christopher Browne, Senior Operator, New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development

Held only every two years you will not want to miss the ONLY conference in Australia dedicated to sustainable procurement. If you are committed to introducing sustainable policies and practices into your organisation this is a 'must attend' event!

This year's theme is 'integrate - connect - progress!'

• integrating sustainability into procurement policy and practice
• understanding how buyers and suppliers need to 'connect' or work together in order to develop sustainable products and markets
• how to make real progress in moving sustainable procurement from policy to mainstream practice

More information:
www.sustainableprocurement.com.au
info@sustainableprocurement.com.au.
Ph: 02 6583 8118

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Gold Coast International Hotel, Gold Coast, August 26 and 27

The Local Road Safety and Traffic Engineering Conference, to be held on August 26 and 27, focuses on new developments and innovation in road safety and traffic engineering from a local perspective for local and connecting roads, including pedestrian and cyclist safety. It includes local roads and traffic areas from residential streets, to shopping precincts to rural roads.

Case studies will be a particular feature of the conference with extended discussion periods to enable strong audience participation and interaction, with contributions from Pine Rivers Shire Council, Port Stephens Council, Gold Coast City Council, as well as international best practice in UK, Norway, Japan and Denmark.

Presentations will focus on road safety audits, local area traffic management solutions, speed on local streets, level crossings, parking, traffic management plans, road safety audits, litigation, pedestrian safety and unsealed roads.

The speaking panel will include: Phil Allan, Director Safety and Regulation Division, Department for Transport, Energy & Infrastructure, South Australia; Rifaat Shoukrallah, Senior Manager, Traffic Management and Safety, ACT; Ronald King, Supervising Traffic Engineer, Network Logistics Section, Traffic Management and Operations Section, Gold Coast City Council; Hugh Donaldson, Transport Technical Executive, Parsons Brinckerhoff, and Graham Orr, Traffic and Road Safety Project Officer, Port Stephens Council.

This conference will be of relevance to Council Engineers and Road Safety Officers, Councilors, Traffic Engineers and, Researchers as well as consultants and contractors within the traffic engineering and road safety areas.

To register online visit www.halledit.com.au/conferences/traffic/2008 or contact Denise McQueen at Hallmark Conferences on (03) 8534 5021 Fax: (03) 8534 5121 Email: denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au.

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Government to refer supermarket zoning laws to COAG

The Federal Government says it will refer a recommendation of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry into the competitiveness of retail prices for standard groceries - the relaxation of current zoning and planning laws restricting entry of new supermarkets - to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) for discussion.

The Federal Government has released its preliminary action plan in response to the ACCC report. The Report reveals there is real reform to be had in Australia's grocery sector.

Although the Report found that 'grocery retailing is workably competitive,' it also highlights a number of factors that currently limit the level of competition including 'the complexities of planning applications...[which] provide the opportunity for Coles and Woolworths to 'game' the planning system to delay or prevent potential competitors entering local areas.'

The Government's preliminary action plan in response to the ACCC's recommendations covers four specific areas: zoning and planning laws; unit pricing; the Horticulture Code of Conduct and creeping acquisitions.

As part of its early response, the Government says it will refer the anti-competitive impacts of state and local zoning and planning laws to COAG.

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell, who represents local government at COAG, said that local government was not 'anti-competitive' and noted that there were many factors councils take into account when making decisions on developments such as shopping centres. These include environmental issues, parking, accessibility, and balancing other community uses for sites such as housing and aged care.

Constitutional recognition background

Each week ALGA will bring you a new research paper relating to constitutional recognition of local government, leading up to our Constitutional Summit in Melbourne from December 8-11.

'The Politics of Constitutional Amendment' covers the mechanics of the referendums, some historic facts and figures and then commentary on the difficulties and politics of changing the Australian Constitution.

The author, Scott Bennett, has extensive knowledge of Australia's political history and record on constitutional reform. Scott lectured in Political Science at the University of NSW, the Royal Military College and the Australian National University from 1965 until 1998. He was a member of the research staff in the library of the Commonwealth Parliament from 1999 until October of this year. He has published extensively in the area of Australian politics and political history.

For more details click here.

Nominate now for the Australian of the Year Awards 2009

Nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards 2009 are now open.

Anyone can be an Australian of the Year, but first they have to be nominated. Just think, if the person you nominate receives the Australian of the Year Award, you will have helped create history. Your nomination could mean the world to someone you admire.

There are four categories in which you can nominate:

• Australian of the Year
• Young Australian of the Year (16 - 30 years)
• Senior Australian of the Year (over 60 years)
• Australia's Local Hero

Nominate online at www.australianoftheyear.org.au or pick up a form from major sponsor the Commonwealth Bank. Nominations close 31 August 2008.

State and territory award winners will be announced in November, with the four national award recipients announced on 25 January 2009.

Northern Tasmania planning MOU

The Premier, David Bartlett, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tasmania's eight northern councils in Launceston. Mr Bartlett said the MOU marked the first step towards achieving regionally based and consistent planning schemes for the North/ North East region. The approach would see a regional land use strategy developed over the next 12 months. He said the strategy would identify future growth areas, allowing industrial development, local infrastructure and essential services to be better coordinated from a regional perspective. The initiative has already commenced in the Cradle Coast region.

Councils to neuter cats and dogs

Four Qld councils will participate in a new trial program to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs being killed each year.

The two-year trial will allow councils to try a number of methods to curb the increasing number of cats and dogs being dumped at animal collection centres around the State. In addition to trialling different methods of encouraging identification and de-sexing, they will also collect baseline data to monitor the numbers of levels of animals being euthanased.

The councils participating in the trial program are Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Townsville City Council.

The Qld Government is developing a new code of practice for pet shops which would be released shortly.

Perth to ban 'alfresco' smoking

The City of Perth has given in-principle support to making licensed dining areas on pavements and other council-owned land 'smoke free'.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the health and enjoyment of diners were the prime considerations in the council's decision.

"The council cannot ignore the documented health risks associated with the passive inhaling of tobacco smoke," Ms Scaffidi said. "The city has a role in advocating better health for the community.

"We also want to ensure that dining is a pleasurable and comfortable experience for people who choose to dine in the city's many great restaurants and cafes.

"Increasing awareness of the harmful effects of second-hand smoke has led the community to accept - and expect - that there be smoke-free dining areas. We need to stop pandering to the minority on this issue.

"There is also evidence to suggest that smoking restrictions help smokers who are trying to quit.

"A smoking ban would help create a cleaner environment, both in terms of reduced cigarette smoke and, hopefully, fewer butts littering our footpaths."

The proposal to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas will be part of a review of the City's local law relating to alfresco dining.

The president of the Australian Medical Association's WA branch, Professor Geoff Dobb, said the vote made it a momentous day for local government.

"This is a case where local government is showing leadership to the state government in an important area of public health," he said.

SA councils band together to help save the Murray

Four councils on the lower reaches of the River Murray have banded together to try to secure extra water flows down the ailing river system.

Mayors from the Alexandrina, Mid-Murray, Murray Bridge and Victor Harbor councils met this week to help draw national attention to the plight of the Murray.

They'll also attend a rally at Goolwa this weekend where 10,000 people are expected to gather. Alexandrina Mayor Kym McHugh says they're demanding the immediate release of at least 250 gigalitres from upstream storages in the eastern states to save the river.

eDA to streamline planning and development

The Federal Government has announced the state-by-state allocation of $30 million in funding to support a common protocol for the electronic lodgement of planning and development assessments (eDA).

New South Wales will receive almost $6 million, Victoria and Queensland around $6.5 million each, South Australia will receive almost $1.8 million and Western Australia over $3.8 million. The three smallest jurisdictions - Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory will each receive half a million dollars.

The eDA state-by-state allocation was determined by comparing growth rates across different regions, with final allocations to councils likely to be available in September. Improvements in development assessment processes are designed to reduce delays in planning approvals, which in turn produces savings for home buyers. This funding will provide an incentive for State, Territory and local governments to build IT systems for assessing building proposals faster. $3.6 million will be spent so that software used by councils and State and Territory Governments will be able to talk to each another. Cr Paul Bell discussed the issue at a recent meeting with the Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek.

Childcare consultations

New quality standards and a new five category quality rating system for childcare are being developed by the Federal Government.

A National Quality Standards Framework discussion paper has been released to guide the extensive consultation process planned for August and September. Meetings will take place in all states and territories in capital cities and regional centres, beginning in Melbourne today. The meetings will address the following topics: new national quality standards in early childhood education and care; a quality ratings system; streamlined regulatory arrangements and a new National Early Years Learning Framework.

At the first Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting under the Rudd Government, state and territory governments agreed to work in partnership with the Commonwealth to develop a National Quality Standards Framework for early childhood education and care and an Early Years Learning Framework. The outcomes of these consultations will be used to further inform the development and implementation of COAG's key early childhood education and care reform initiatives, including the draft national quality standards, A-E ratings system, a plan for enhancing the wider regulatory framework and the Early Years Learning Framework. To access a copy of the discussion paper and the schedule of public forums please click here.

Dubbo and Nowra roundtables on a new regional development funding program

The House of Representatives Infrastructure and Transport Committee is conducting a series of roundtables and public for a as part of its inquiry into a new regional development funding program. As part of its inquiry, the Committee will be travelling around Australia holding a series of roundtables to discuss a possible framework and future administrative arrangements for the Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The Committee will be visiting New South Wales for the next series of these roundtables and forums and will be in the following locations during the week of 11 August 2008:

• Dubbo, Tuesday, 12 August 2008, Dubbo Golf Club, Fairways Room, Newell Hwy; and
• Nowra, Thursday, 14 August 2008, Shoalhaven City Council, Council Chambers Room, 38 Bridget Road.

Roundtable discussions will be held between 9.00am and 12.30pm with the public meetings to follow for one hour (12.30pm - 1.30pm).

Further information and advice on making submissions, can be found here.

For background information: Please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352

Waste and Recycle Conference 2008, 9 - 12 September

The Waste and Recycle Conference is hosted jointly by the Western Australian Local Government Association, Department of Environment and Conservation and Waste Management Association of Australia. The Conference will be held from 9 - 12 September at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle. The theme of the Conference is The Heat is on: No Time to Waste. There are a range of different sessions, workshops, site visits and exhibitions. Topics covered will include climate change, extended producer responsibility and integrating sustainability.

International keynote speakers at the Conference include:

• Jeff Seadon, Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand
• Enzo Favoino, Scuola Agraria del Parco di Monza, Italy
• Helen Speigelman, Product Policy Institute, Canada
• Mike Monger, Duke University, USA

For more information about the Conference please visit the Waste & Recycle website

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October 8 and 9, Brisbane

This important conference will feature presentations and case studies about the latest technologies and innovations being used by local governments to improve their planning and development assessment processes. A particular focus will be an expert update on the Federal Government's $30 million rollout of electronic development assessments (eDAs).

Economic development managers, councillors and senior managers from local government and regional economic development bodies will meet in Brisbane on October 8 & 9 for the 2008 National Economic Development Conference.

The two-day conference is focused on the theme of 'Innovation in Sustainable Economic Development'. More than 250 delegates are expected to attend the conference and the Economic Development Excellence Awards Gala Dinner to be held in the evening of Day 1 of the conference.

International and local speakers at the conference will include the CEO of the City of Greater Geelong, Kay Rundle; Christian Saublens, the Executive Manager of the European Association of Development Agencies, and David Jackson, the Economic Development Manager for the City of Brisbane.

More than 30 senior economic development managers and practitioners will address the two-day conference which is the peak annual event for ED practitoners. It will be hosted by Economic Development Australia, the professional body for economic development practitioners and managers in local, regional, state and federal governments.

Successful case studies in attracting knowledge-based industries, generating local tourism revenues, creating more sustainable local businesses, and building competitive advantages for local industry will be outlined, allowing delegates to immediately use that information.

It will provide a unique opportunity to network with economic development managers in local government and regional economic organisations from all parts of the country. Progress in developing the Professional Development (PD) program for Economic Development managers will be outlined. A Master Class will be held on the third day.

The agenda of the 2008 conference can be viewed at http://www.halledit.com.au/ed08
For more information, please telephone the conference organisers, Hallmark Conferences on 03 8534 5000 or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

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September 10-11 Dockside, Sydney

The 3rd annual Local Government Sustainable Development Conference is designed to assist local government managers and practitioners to identify, plan and implement best practice sustainable development solutions in a wide range of areas, including reducing the carbon footprint, promoting energy efficiency, water conservation and planning, community engagement in environmental initiatives, and sustainable planning and urban design.

The two-day conference, to be held on September 10-11 at Dockside in Sydney, will also feature award-winning and leading-edge best practice case studies in sustainable development, including addressing challenges of sustainability, and providing advice for how local governments can achieve their sustainable development goals in a cost-effective manner. The conference is sponsored by Environs, the Local Government Environment Network, which is Australia's oldest local government environment organisation. The President of Environs, Evan Thomas, will chair the conference.

Over 30 experts in sustainability will speak at the conference, including:

• The Hon Penny Wong, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water (Invited)
• Steve Costello, Assistant Secretary, Urban Water Security Branch, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
• Cr Paul Pisasale, Mayor of Ipswich Council
• Cr Tim Heenan, Mayor, Shire of Yarra Ranges
• David Keenan, Director, City Sustainability, Hume City Council
• Paul Woods, General Manager, Kogarah Shire Council
• Henry Wong, General Manager, Manly Council
• Ian Blair, Senior Consultant, Prima Consulting
• Dr Michael Ambrose, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
• Colin Dimitroff, Principal, Corporate Sustainable Solutions, URS Asia Pacific
• Mike Ritchie, General Manager, Marketing and Communications, SITA; NSW President, Waste Management Association of Australia

The conference will also feature the Environs Australia 'Local Government Sustainability Leadership Awards' ceremony. There are nine nine awards to recognise achievement in progressing sustainability at the local level. The awards will be judged by an independent panel from universities and local government authorities and will seek to reward sustainability innovation and achievement in Australia. The awards are structured at two levels 'Gold and Silver', and against two themes 'Council and Partnerships' as well as providing opportunities for smaller LGAs to be judged against their peers.

The 2008 conference is being supported by environmental leaders including FieldForce, Sita Environmental, KISS irrigation Systems, Earth Utility, CO Zero, Cardno, Landcom and Toyota Fleet Management.

The conference agenda is available here or contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

For further information about the Local Government Sustainability Leadership Awards, go to www.environs.org.au