From the President

I was reading an article about the global economic down-turn in one of the weekend newspapers that claimed recessions improved people's health. Apparently smoking rates decline, people walk more, and rather than eat out people stay at home and enjoy more nutritious home-cooked meals. This goes to show there are some folk who will always find a silver lining in every circumstance!

Having shed a few kilos myself over the past year or so, mainly through stepping up the exercise and taking my walking shoes with me when I travel, this is a topic that is of personal interest. But of course, it goes much further than that.

Local government is at the cutting edge of providing services that build and nurture the well being of our citizens and create and sustain healthy communities. Many local councils are encouraging residents to use alternative transport such as the Fairfield City Council Western Sydney Cycling Network bicycle recycling project which was recently commended in the 2008 NSW LGSA 'Dougherty Awards.'

Beyond health, physical activity can deliver benefits, such as contributing to decongested roads, cleaner air, community safety, participation and civic engagement. We must have a community-wide approach to physical activity with all spheres of government involved.

Health and wellbeing dovetail very nicely with our campaign for a community infrastructure renewals fund. With the proven benefits of exercise, it is of crucial importance that communities have swimming pools, ovals, playgrounds, bike paths, and recreational facilities that are available and in good working condition. Now that the Parliamentary Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program is well underway and with substantial local government input into the inquiry we look forward with interest to its recommendations.

The influence that built environment has on people's health and wellbeing is unquestionably powerful. This is why ALGA is involved in the Healthy Spaces and Places project in partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Planning Institute of Australia funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing. The project aims to raise awareness and promote the importance of the relationship between people's health and well-being, physical activity and the built environment. The Healthy Spaces and Places project is in the process of developing a national health and planning guide. A copy of the draft guide is available for comment at www.planning.org.au.

On another front, the National Preventative Health Taskforce released a landmark discussion paper late last week to kickstart debate.

The Taskforce proposes a number of targets which it says can be achieved by 2020. These are:

• Halt and reverse the rise in overweight and obesity;
• Reduce the prevalence of daily smoking to 9% or less;
• Reduce the prevalence of harmful drinking for all Australians by 30%; and
• Contribute to closing the 17 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The paper outlines options for reform, rather than making final recommendations. The Taskforce will now accept public submissions, before delivering its National Preventative Health Strategy to Government in mid-2009.

While Australia is a healthy country by international standards, around 32% of the nation's illness is caused by tobacco, obesity, harmful and high use of alcohol, physical inactivity, poor diet and associated risk factors of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

I join Health Minister Nicola Roxon in encouraging all of us to read the discussion paper and get involved in the debate.

To view copies of the National Preventative Health Taskforce discussion paper and its three comprehensive technical reports on obesity, tobacco and alcohol, visit www.preventativehealth.org.au. where an online submission form is available.

In addition, consultations will be held in each capital city and a number of regional areas in late 2008 and early 2009 and will involve local health professionals, consumer groups, state and local governments and industry.

I congratulate the taskforce on its report and welcome its commitment to working with local government. We have much to contribute in this vital area. And I sign off with a challenge. Unless we are robust and resilient ourselves, how can we expect our communities to be? That reminds me - it's time to get my bike out of the shed....

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Extra funding for states 'a dream'

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has used a line from the film 'The Castle' to describe reports state and territory governments are demanding an extra $23 billion before signing any new federalism agreements at COAG.

The states and territories want the extra money on top of the $33 billion they receive now, it has been reported.

A confidential brief prepared for the states reveals they have developed funding options for the five big agreements in health, schools, disability services, housing and vocational education and training with the preferred option of an additional $23 billion over four years, The Australian reports.

"I reckon that this is one of larger try-ons of the century," Mr Rudd said. "But what was that great line in The Castle? You gotta be dreaming."

Meanwhile Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says the government will review all its spending promises as the global financial crisis starts to bite.

Mr Swan's told ABC TV the crisis has entered a new and damaging phase that will certainly affect Australia's economic growth but it's too early to say by how much.

He insists the country's in good shape to get through it and he doubts the government will need to go back on election promises.

Recycling green waste

Local governments and home gardeners are being urged to better manage their green waste recycling to help combat the spread of weeds. The Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) Executive Director, Karen Schneider has released two new guides on the correct handling and recycling of green waste.

"It's important that home gardeners and local governments ensure plants and weeds are disposed of appropriately," Karen Schneider said. "When green waste breaks down in landfills, it generates methane-a major greenhouse gas. If green waste is recycled rather than being relegated to landfill, these emissions can be lower."

For further information or to download a copy of Managing green waste to reduce weed spread visit www.brs.gov.au.

Recycled water offers opportunities

Farmers and others looking for alternative sources of water will be interested in a new report released today by the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS).

The report aims to provide a better understanding of the issues influencing the use of recycled water.

The report includes three case studies of successful effluent recycling schemes:

• Shoalhaven Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (NSW south coast);
• Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (north western Victoria); and
• Coal River Recycled Water Scheme (south eastern Tasmania).

Information was gathered from people directly engaged in negotiating recycled water schemes, including regional water authorities, local communities, farming groups and state government departments.

An analysis of the social aspects of establishing agricultural recycled water schemes is available at www.brs.gov.au.

Pension guide

Nationals Leader Warren Truss has released a new edition of his Age Pension Guide. Mr Truss said the Guide which is available at www.warrentruss.com was extremely popular amongst pensioners because it explains as simply as possible the pensions that are available and outlines the eligibility criteria.

Smoking ban for children's playgrounds

Smoking would be banned in children's playgrounds if Campbelltown Council has its way.

Members last month voted, within limits, to support Greens MLC Mark Parnell in his legislative push to prohibit smoking in children's play areas.

While Mr Parnell wants smoking banned in any open recreational place where children are likely to be, the council believed the ban should apply to public playgrounds, sports grounds and designated children's play areas - not to entire parks.

Mayor Simon Brewer said the Parnell legislation, with the amended definition, made sense.

"Given that you're not allowed to smoke around children in cars, it makes sense to extend it to playgrounds," he said.

Report on community relations

A research report released by the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, provides a generally positive picture of relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim Australians.

"The report identified a range of positive activities undertaken at the local government level to encourage engagement between faith groups, while also suggesting where improvements might be made," Mr Ferguson said. Mr Ferguson singled out Fairfield City Council for its work and the expansion of its multicultural program.

The report is on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Skilling discussion paper

The Australian Government's commitment to increasing the investment in training targeted at addressing skills shortages across the Australian economy was announced as a 2007 election commitment. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations managed the consultation, including analysing the feedback received. Its report is available here.

Charter of Rights for care

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot has announced the Australian Government was developing a Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for community care and flexible care packages. There will be consultation with consumers, aged care providers and other interested groups. A draft Community Care Charter has been prepared.

The draft Community Care Charter says each recipient of a community care service funded by the Australian Government has the right to:

• Full and effective use of his or her personal, civil, legal and consumer rights;
• Quality care appropriate to his or her needs;
• Be treated and accepted as an individual, and to have his or her individual preferences taken into account and treated with respect;
• Maintain his or her personal independence;
• Maintain control over, and continue making decisons about, the personal aspects of his or her daily life, financial affairs and possessions;
• Complain and to take action to resolve disputes;
• Have access to advocates and other avenues of redress; and
• Be free from reprisal, or well-founded fear of reprisal, in any form for taking action to enforce his or her rights.

Zero Footprint Week - Nov 23-28

A new national umbrella community awareness week focusing on reducing ecological footprint to tackle climate change will be held in the last week in November. An initiative of One at a Time Foundation, Zero Footprint Week is inviting local governments to participate.

Councils can get involved by: hosting their own events like nature walks, sustainable gardening workshops, community seminars and using the Week to showcase their sustainability programs to local residents.

One at a Time Foundation will be run a national media publicity program to support the week and will promote any local events and involvement to the media. A website where local governments can register their events will be available soon.

For further information Local governments can contact One at a Time Director, Amanda Little amanda@oneatatimefoundation.org.au.

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INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO DEBATE NSW PLANNING REFORMS NOVEMBER 19

A GREAT PLANNING DEBATE
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
2.00pm - 5.15pm
Radisson Plaza Hotel, Sydney

Are recent NSW planning reforms a much-needed legislative overhaul that will streamline building rules and reduce the waiting time on development application? Or will they deny procedural fairness and access to justice?

Those are the two opposing sides in an upcoming debate put together by Legalwise Seminars as an entertaining and informative vehicle for airing different perceptions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act, passed by the NSW parliament in June.

Arguing the case that 'the NSW planning reform changes cannot possibly work' will be prominent barrister Ian Hemmings and Kirsty Ruddock, Principal Solicitor with the NSW Environmental Defenders Office.

And leaping to the defense of the reforms will be architect/planner Michael Neustein and the Senior Policy Officer of Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW), Tim Robertson.

Handing down the 'verdict' at the end of the debate will be property lawyer and town planning specialist Mary-Lynne Taylor, of Bartier Perry.

Make sure you are there for the verdict! Reserve a seat by phoning Legalwise Seminars on 02 93878133 or click here to download the registration form.

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Best practice in Local Government OH&S strategies

November 19 - 20, Dockside Convention Centre, Sydney

www.halledit.com.au/lgohs08

The Local Government Occupational Health and Safety Conference 2008 will deliver important insights into occupational health and safety strategies being adopted by local governments across the nation. It will focus on leading examples of councils' strategies to increase the health and safety of their staff, and reduce the cost of occupational health and safety. The conference will also provide information on emerging legal issues in Occupational Health and Safety including occupational stress and workplace bullying.

Presentations at the Local Government Occupational Health and Safety Conference will include insights into the following topics:

• Emerging governance and legal issues in relation to OH&S
• Embracing OH&S and promoting a culture of safety
• Comparing AS/NZ 4801 to National Self-Insurer OHS Audit Tool
• Effective integration of OH&S in management systems
• Managing OHS for an ageing workforce
• Whole-of-organisation health and well-being programs
• Stress reduction initiatives
• Activity-specific OH&S
• Mitigating specific risks
• Externally monitored systemic approaches to OHS
• Strategic contractor management

Over 25 speakers will be presenting at the conference, including: Andrew Newton, Chief Executive Officer, Glen Eira City Council; Janice Walsh, Group Manager, City Works Unit, City of Wollongong; Bernie Cronin, Director, Wyndham Services, Wyndham City Council; Scott Wilcox, Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator, Hobart City Council and Sue Pilkington, President, Victorian Division, Safety Institute of Australia.

For the full agenda and conference registration details, please go to www.halledit.com.au/lgohs08
or for further information contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

Package to stimulate economy

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has unveiled a $10.4 billion package aimed at stimulating the economy and protect Australia from the worst of an expected recession.

There were housing and infrastructure elements to the package as well as generous one-off payments to pensioners, retirees and carers.

First-home buyers who buy established homes will receive $14,000 instead of $7000 and those buying newly built homes will receive $21,000. There is also $187m for 56,000 new training places and accelerated implementation of infrastructure spending.

The stimulus for the housing market has been welcomed by housing industry groups but some economists such as ANZ's Saul Eslake have warned that it could push up house prices, benefiting existing home owners at the expense of first home buyers.

Ministers will bring forward their interim infrastructure report so work can start in 2009 in education and research, health and hospitals, and transport and communications. The government has sought pre-referral of the legislation for the nation-building funds into a Senate Committee this week.

Broadband funding not nailed down

The two main bidders for the National Broadband Network, Telstra and Terria, have revealed that fallout from the international credit crunch could affect funding for their bids. The broadband tender offers $4.7 billion of government funding towards the building of a high-speed broadband network that will reach 98% of the population. However, both carriers have said they are confident they will meet the funding requirements, with funding from alternative sources such as debt markets or other investment channels.

Faulkner calls for electoral reform

Government Senate Leader and Special Minister of State Senator John Faulkner has called for both Houses of Parliament to move to 4-year fixed terms, arguing that this would make Australia's political system more democratic.

Senator Faulkner said senators terms should be reduced from six years to four and their terms should start and end at the same time as MPs. Achieving these changes would require a referendum and broad bipartisan support. In a recent speech, Senator Faulkner argues the case for constitutional change through new 'deadlock provisions' to prevent the Senate from blocking budget appropriation bills as it famously did in 1975 leading to the dismissal of the Whitlam Government. Labor's policy platform supports fixed four-year terms and constitutional reform to prevent the Senate blocking supply.

Timetable for digital switch

The Federal Government is expected to announce next week the timetable for a region by region switch-off of analog TV signals.

'The Australian' confirms that a report prepared by the Government's Digital Switchover Taskforce has been presented to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and enabling legislation is expected to be passed during the current sitting of Parliament. The first region to switch from analog to digital transmission is expected to be around Mildura. It is expected that the task force will recommend that the switch-over process be started in the second half of 2010. The Government has already set a date for completion - December 31, 2013. Field testing is underway to try to identify potential digital black spots, mainly in rural areas.

Govt sticks with 2010 carbon timeframe

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the government to take a cautious approach to climate change measures and delay the 2010 start date for the carbon trading scheme. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said over the weekend that he had not altered his plans to introduce the scheme in 2010. Treasurer Wayne Swan told ABC TV that the emissions trading scheme was a significant long term issue and the government would deal with it in a measured way. Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has called for the government to introduce the scheme after 2011.

Alcohol-related violence 'out of hand'

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione's push for reduced trading hours has been welcomed as a way of addressing alcohol-fuelled violence.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said 1,800 licensed venues operated in the city's local government area (LGA) and half of all assaults in the LGA were alcohol related.

"The situation has got much worse over the past couple of years and it is getting out of hand," she said.

Mr Scipione says there is a body of research linking extended trading hours with violence, and warns the "drink to get drunk culture must stop". "All I'm doing is listening to the community, they tell me enough is enough" Mr Scipione today told Fairfax Radio Network.

He said alcohol-related problems in Newcastle had decreased after pubs were ordered to shut by 3am and not allow people entry after 1am.

Breast care nurses for regions

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has welcomed an announcement by the Federal Government to fund specialist breast care nurses in 44 locations across Australia. Almost 90% of the nurses will work in rural and regional areas of Australia.

Regional and rural communities to receive breast care nurses include:

Intellectual property crime

A recent Australian Institute of Criminology report deals with the nature and extent of intellectual property crime in Australia, its organisation, social and economic impacts, and the efficacy of responses through legislation, law enforcement and criminal prosecution. The importation and domestic manufacture of counterfeit goods by both the public and transnational organised crime groups attract response strategies that encompass surveillance, regulatory mechanisms and litigation. The report calls for better understanding of the impact of IP crime through monitoring and intelligence gathering, research into enforcement and prosecution activities, and econometric cost modelling, using educational, good practice and legislative reform initiatives. It is available here.

Aged Care Approvals Round briefings

Information sessions on the 2008-09 Aged Care Approvals Round will be conducted in all capital cities and a number of regional centres across Australia early next month.

More than 10,000 new aged care places would be available for allocation including 7,600 residential aged care places - in the 2008-2009 Aged Care Approvals Round.

The approvals round is an annual competitive assessment process that allocates new Australian Government-funded aged care places to providers who best demonstrate that they can meet the growing needs of the ageing population within their local region.

2008-09 round is expected to be advertised on Saturday 8 November. Information sessions will be conducted from Monday 10 November to Tuesday 18 November. Information sessions are scheduled in a range of places including Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Shellharbour, Sydney, Melbourne, Shepparton, Brisbane, Alice Springs, Darwin, Bunbury, Bundaberg, Cairns, Caloundra, Gold Coast, Orange, Mackay, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston and Canberra.

Information sessions will be held in capital cities and regional centres from November 10-18, 2008. Applications from aged care providers close on December 19, 2008. For further information, including the locations and times of the sessions contact the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 or the state/territory office listed on www.health.gov.au/acar2008

Ipswich acts on junk mail litter

A Queensland city has declared war on junk mail, threatening prosecutions for littering and environmental damage.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said too much junk mail was ending up on footpaths, front lawns, parks and creek beds.

"It's turned into just legalised littering," Mr Pisasale said. "Everybody's had a gutful of it."

Mr Pisasale said Ipswich City Council would consider prosecutions unless the distributors of junk mail and several free newspapers in the city, which adjoins Brisbane's western suburbs, ensure it ends up in the letterboxes of residents who want it. He said the idea had been welcomed by locals he had consulted.

SA's lower lakes doomed, says report

South Australia's lower lakes are likely doomed because of water over-allocation and drought, a Senate committee report has found.

The report found the federal government may have to resort to flooding the freshwater lakes with salt water to save them.

"There is not enough water in the system," the Senate committee's report said.

"This is the result of historic over-allocations, the current unprecedented drought, and the emerging impacts of climate change."

The report, endorsed by Labor senators, was non-committal about flooding the lakes with sea water to keep them functioning.

"If the admission of sea water becomes necessary, the potential environmental impacts should be subject to further detailed investigation and community consultation," committee chair and Labor senator Glenn Sterle wrote in the report.

Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said the report showed how grim the situation is in the Murray Darling Basin.

"The evidence presented to the inquiry indicated there is very little fresh water available right now for either the lower lakes or for the numerous other icon sites throughout the basin," Senator Wong said in a statement.

However, the Greens and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon were less pessimistic, saying the lakes could be saved with the right action. (AAP)

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Excellence in Local Government Customer Service Conference

November 13-14, Cockle Bay, Sydney

The Excellence in Local Government Customer Service Conference will bring together experts in customer service delivery from leading councils and the private sector who will provide detailed insights into best practice in this critically important field.

To be held on November 13-14 at Dockside Function Centre at Sydney's Cockle Bay, the conference is designed to provide local government customer service professionals with high quality information about benchmarking best practice in customer service and client relations, including latest technologies, analysis of customer feedback, complaints handling, and a range of other challenges.

Presentations will be delivered by more than 30 leading private and local government customer service practitioners on a range of topics including: Shayne Silcox, Chief Executive Officer, City of Melville; Pauline Webb, Customer Service Manager, City of Canada Bay; David Mayes, Manager, Strategic Planning and Sustainability, City of Melbourne; Mike Urquhart, Director, Corporate Services, Liverpool Plains Shire Council; June Ernst, Manager, Governance and Customer Service, City of Greater Dandenong; Brett Whitford, Executive Director, Customer Service Institute of Australia ; Paul van Veenendaal, General Manager, Customer Service Benchmarking Australia and Jeannine Walsh, Australian Teleservices Association.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Measuring customer service in local government
• Future of customer service in local government
• Best practice in complaints handling
• Investing in a service excellence journey
• Vulnerable customer strategies
• Culturally intelligent customer service
• Integrating people, processes and technology
• New customer service technology
• Latest trends in contact centre technology
• Analysis of customer feedback
• Effective internal dispute resolution

To view the Conference agenda, please go to www.halledit.com.au/ecs08/
For further information, please contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au