From the President

An issue which is top of mind for many councillors when considering planning issues is how to create and preserve more green space for community use.

A recent study by Richard Mitchell, of Glasgow University, and Frank Popham, of the University of St Andrews, has shown that the health gap between rich and poor can be halved with the help of green spaces.

The authors of the study believe that the findings are strong enough for planning authorities to consider making green spaces available on health and wellbeing grounds rather than merely on the basis of neighbourhood amenity and environmental considerations.

What is of interest is not what we all know already - that open spaces promote physical activity - but the authors' finding that 'contact with green spaces can be psychologically, and physiologically restorative, reducing blood pressure and stress levels and possibly promoting faster healing in patients after surgical intervention.'

Councils have a responsibility to our communities to value and nurture environments that promote good health and well-being among our residents.

The recent announcement of $300 million in funding for community infrastructure by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese will assist councils in developing such infrastructure. It will help councils upgrade recreational facilities such as ovals, walking tracks, swimming pools, and playgrounds.

But we must go further than this. Access to open spaces is vital for community well-being and as the study shows, this counteracts the effects of poverty and inner-city deprivation.

The era of quarter-acre blocks within easy commuting distance of our cities may be a thing of the past, but public parks and green spaces are now more important than ever in our increasingly time-poor and stressed society.

With the latest trend for large houses on small blocks, let's do more to encourage sensible and healthy planning so we have more developments which promote healthy and active community living in the urban environment.

More information about the study is available here.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Senate supports childcare inquiry

The Senate has supported a motion moved by the Greens to hold a Senate Inquiry into childcare in Australia, following the collapse of ABC Learning. The Inquiry by the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee will have a broad scope to look at the need for childcare reform in Australia, and report back by March 12 2009. All interested parties will be encouraged to make submissions to the Inquiry once it is formally established.

Lower water targets mooted for SA

The South Australian Government says it may follow Victoria's lead in setting lower individual water use targets for Adelaide residents. The Victorian Government has challenged Melbourne residents to cut their usage from 180 litres per person to 155 over summer. The Water Services Association of Australia says that Adelaide residents are using about 280 litres a day. Adelaide's water storages were at 74% yesterday. Meantime, the Adelaide City Council is looking at turning back on the water fountains in Grenfell Plaza and Hindmarsh square, using water now allocated to the parklands. The council will discuss the proposal with SA Water. However, there is opposition from some that this is sending the 'wrong message' to the community and the water should be used to revive trees.

Smoke free areas in outdoor public places

Playgrounds, beaches and even suburban shopping precincts could be about to go smoke-free if a new bill wins support in State Parliament. Shadow Planning Minister David Ridgway's private members bill has been passed by the Legislative Council, just now awaiting approval from the Lower House. He says it will make South Australia a healthier State: "It's really about making sure that councils can declare areas that are smoke free that impact on families and healthy lifestyles."

Tax Office ruling on super

The Tax Office has written to ALGA in relation to a new draft ruling which issued from the Tax Office on 5 November 2008 titled, "Superannuation guarantee: meaning of the terms 'ordinary time earnings' and 'salary or wages'". The draft ruling represents the preliminary, though considered, views of the Commissioner.

From 1 July 2008 employers have been required to use 'ordinary time earnings' (OTE) to calculate their employees' minimum superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions. Due to this legislative change, and other substantial changes over the last 14 years, superannuation guarantee rulings SGR 94/1 (Earnings Bases), SGR 94/4 (Ordinary Time Earnings) and SGR 94/5 (Salary or Wages) are now no longer current.

The new Ruling is more comprehensive than the existing Rulings and provides a number of easy to follow examples pertaining to particular working arrangements [refer pages 15 to 28 of the draft Ruling]. It addresses key principles behind categorising different payments as 'ordinary time earnings' and/or 'salary or wages' and seeks to explain the Tax Office view in relation to these, including:

• Overtime - outlines circumstances where this can be considered to be part of 'ordinary time earnings'.
• Piece Rates - what are 'ordinary time earnings' in these situations?
• Allowances and Bonuses - Which allowances and bonuses form part of OTE? Which are considered to be 'salary or wages' ?
• Paid Leave - advises that all paid leave, including parental leave (maternity, paternity and adoptive), will be included in 'ordinary time earnings'.

You can find the draft Ruling at www.ato.gov.au by selecting 'Rulings, policies & law' - 'Public Rulings' - 'Superannuation Guarantee' - 'Draft' - '2008' - 'SGR 2008/D2 - Superannuation guarantee: meaning of the terms 'ordinary time earnings' and 'salary or wages'. Please submit any comments on the draft Ruling to Jonathan Purcell at jonathan.purcell@ato.gov.au or phone 13 28 69 between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday, and ask for Jonathon Purcell on extension 48231. Comments should be submitted by close of business on 19 December 2008.

Australia's diversity

The children and grandchildren of immigrants are absorbing the cultural influences of their ancestral country and successfully blending them into mainstream Australia according to a report launched by the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson.

The People of Australia publication, released every five years, draws on Census data to show a range of demographic trends in local government areas including birthplaces, ancestry, languages and religious affiliations.

The publication shows that between 2001 and 2006:

• Chinese, Indians and New Zealanders were the most rapidly growing overseasborn groups
• Greater Dandenong became the multicultural capital with more than 25 different nationalities represented among its population
• The number of South African-born people in Western Australia grew by 42 per cent
• Australia's fastest growing languages were Mandarin, Arabic and Hindi
• Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism were our fastest growing religions
• People born in Greece, Croatia and Slovenia had the highest rates of Australian citizenship

The publication is available online here.

Human rights protection for women

News that the Australian Government will provide women in Australia with international legal protection for their human rights has been welcomed by women's groups such as YWCA Australia.

Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women means that women in Australia can send a complaint alleging sex discrimination to the United Nations (UN) they have been through all legal channels in Australia. It also means that the UN can investigate cases of systematic sex discrimination.

Women's non-government organisations in Australia have been calling for the ratification of the OP to CEDAW since the instrument was adopted by the UN in 1999 - placing it on the agenda of each federal election during this period. The ALP, Greens and Democrats have consistently supported the ratification of the Optional Protocol.

Ageing annual report

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has released the annual report into the Operation of the Aged Care Act 2007-2008.

It showed 300,000 Australians received care. Currently, there are some 2.8 million Australians - about 13 per cent of the population - aged 65 and over. This number is expected to triple in 40 year.

In 2007-2008, more than 300,000 people received a form of aged and community and the Federal Government provided $8.3 billion for ageing and aged care in Australia. As of June 30, there were 2,830 nursing homes and hostels in Australia; 174,669 residential places; 46,475 community care places and 1,963 transition care places. The report is available in pdf version here.

Broadband bids and brinkmanship

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, says he has received a strong response to the Government's request for proposals to build Australia's National Broadband Network.

The Federal Government has committed to invest up to $4.7 billion and consider regulatory changes for a National Broadband Network providing a minimum 12Mbps to 98% of homes and businesses.

"The Government's independent Panel of Experts and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will now get down to work on the assessment of these proposals", he said.

Mr Conroy said in accordance with the National Broadband Network probity plan the Government was not in a position to discuss the substance of proposals. Telstra has lodged a 'non-compliant' bid in the form of a 12-page letter from Chair Donald McGauchie asking for guarantees including 'a clear statement on separation' of Telstra's operations.

Recycling mobiles

MobileMuster is calling on Australian businesses to join the likes of Ernst & Young and Pricewaterhouse Coopers to reduce their ecological footprint and avoid future greenhouse gas emissions by recycling their old mobile phones, batteries and accessories in the workplace.

With mobile phones playing an integral role in today's business world, MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, provides a free recycling service to businesses Australia wide. The program aims to assist businesses in disposing of their old mobile phone technology responsibly.

Rose Read, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association's Recycling Manager, is speaking about business participation at the Business Goes Barefoot event in Sydney today and will be encouraging more companies to take the call and recycle old mobiles.

"There are currently 422 businesses registered with MobileMuster, which collect old mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling from their staff. Ernst Young was our top collector for 2007-2008, handing in 282kg of mobile phones for recycling. This included more than 2,000 handsets and batteries, as well as 140 kg in accessories. Western Power, Pricewaterhouse Cooper, Pacific National Australia and ANZ followed closely behind, recycling 598kgs of mobile phones collectively."

"Overall Australian businesses collected more than 2,900 kgs in 2007-2008 including more than 11,000 handsets. This was a slight increase on the previous year, which is great," said Ms Read.

For more information or to register with MobileMuster visit www.mobilemuster.com.au or contact 1300 730 070.

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Future of ABC Learning a prime concern

ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake has written to the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, expressing concern about the impact on councils and local communities following the announcement by the receivers of ABC Learning that they can only guarantee the future of 656 of the group's childcare centres past 31 December this year.

"Councils and local communities face something resembling a train wreck if the 386 remaining centres are forced to close their doors," Cr Lake said.

"Local government is a critical stakeholder in this issue. I have requested that ALGA be included in the ongoing discussions with state governments which the Federal Government has been convening to consider the continuing provision of childcare services in the affected areas."

Cr Lake has called on the Federal Government to guarantee the continuing operation of the 386 centres until at least the end of term 1 of the 2009 school year to provide certainty for parents, councils and local communities through the Christmas and New Year period.

"These centres represent approximately 10% of the Australian child care market and provide child care to tens of thousands of Australian families," he said. "If these centres are closed, the social and economic fabric of communities across the country faces devastation."

Development Assessment Forum (DAF)

ALGA's newly elected vice President, Cr John Rich, attended last Friday's DAF meeting held in Brisbane.

The DAF, consisting of Commonwealth, State and territory government officers, local government associations, professional and industry associations come together several times a year to seek to promote the adoption of effective and efficient development assessment and approval processes in Australia.

Last week's Forum agreed to a new Charter that in essence reinforces the important role that DAF seeks to play in being an independent think tank and advisory forum to government and industry which develops and recommends leading practice processes and procedures for planning system and development assessment reform. The new Charter will ultimately be placed on the DAF website. The Forum also agreed that to expedite work in progress, that the DAF establish a smaller working group, that will meet as often as is required and will report through the full DAF.

Other key outcomes of the meeting included discussions on how the Forum may assist the Local Government and Planning Ministerial Council in progressing the COAG planning related agenda, with the ongoing role out of electronic development assessment interoperability (Planning) system being a key initiative.

The Forum was also pleased to see the substantial completion of two Leading Practice projects, namely Guidelines for Writing Objective Rules and Tests in Planning Policy and the national benchmarking exercise. Both pieces of work will be ultimately available for download once final edits and authorisations have been completed.

The DAF noted the growing impact that climate change is having on the planning system and agreed that this issue be a key focus of discussion at the next meeting that will be held next February in Perth.

Last chance to register for Regional Forum

A reminder about the Regional Co-operation and Development Forum on Monday 8 December in Melbourne as part of the Constitutional Summit. It is not too late to register. The 2008-09 State of the Regions Report will be launched at the Forum. This year's report will look at the practical implications of climate change and its impacts on Australia's regions. The report will also include several case studies that demonstrate local government action in the face of the complex range of climate change challenges facing Australia. To register go to www.nga.alga.asn.au

Launch of Aviation Green Paper

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese will launch Australia's first national Aviation Green Paper next Tuesday (2 December). Those who are interested can check the website at www.infrastructure.gov.au on Tuesday after 1 pm and 'ALGA News' will run a story next week. Consultation on the Green Paper is the next step in the development of Australia's Aviation White Paper - a statement which aims to provide greater planning and investment certainty for the aviation industry; improve safety for the travelling public; and address the wider community and environmental impacts associated with air transport and airport development.

Healthy Spaces and Places

National consultation workshops on the Healthy Spaces and Places draft national planning guide have recently concluded, with local councils featuring heavily amongst participants. Of 8 workshops held in each state and territory attracting a total of 373 participants, 98 people (or more than a quarter) represented councils across the country. This clearly demonstrates the strong level of commitment of local government for initiatives that foster better health and wellbeing of their communities.

Healthy Spaces and Places is a landmark document demonstrating the importance of taking a national perspective on managing our environments, particularly how the physical characteristics of where Australians live, work and play can influence their health and well-being.

The Healthy Spaces and Places initiative is a unique collaboration between ALGA, the Planning Institute of Australia and the National Heart Foundation, with funding support from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The initiative aims to produce a national health and planning guide for use by a wide variety of stakeholders, such as engineers, health professionals, the development industry, and recreation officers.

Feedback from the consultation workshops is currently being evaluated with a view to refining the draft guide ahead of its launch next year.

New citizenship test

The Federal Government will overhaul the Australian Citizenship Test. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the focus of the new test would be on the Pledge of Commitment that new Australians make when becoming citizens.

The Government will engage educational and civics experts to rewrite the citizenship resource book in plain English, divided into testable and non-testable sections.

The testable section, from which the new test questions will be drawn, will cover the concepts associated with the pledge. The non-testable section will contain general information about Australia, including its history, its culture and notable people like Sir Donald Bradman.

The pass mark for the citizenship test will rise from 60 per cent to 75 per cent and there will be no mandatory questions as in the current test.

Participants will still be assessed on the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship as well as the legislative requirement of possessing a basic knowledge of the English language. Senator Evans said the Government would not adopt the review committee's recommendations to publish the test questions or conduct the test in languages other than English. The Government also rejects the concept of earned citizenship because this would effectively introduce classes of citizenship.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will engage professional experts as soon as possible to commence work on redrafting the resource book with a view to completing the book and new test by August 2009. More information at www.citizenshiptestreview.gov.au

Murray-Darling Basin report

The final report for the Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Yields project will be an invaluable resource in helping restore the system to health, according to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong who launched the report, the culmination of 18 months of research by CSIRO, this week.

Minister Wong said the report would be a critical resource in the Rudd Government's work to restore the balance in the Murray-Darling Basin and would inform the development of the new Basin Plan.

Key findings of the report are:

• Total flow at the Murray mouth has been reduced by 61 per cent and the river now ceases to flow through the mouth 40 per cent of the time, compared with one per cent in the absence of water resource development;
• The median decline for the entire Basin is projected to be 11 per cent by 2030 -- nine per cent in the north and 13 per cent in the south;
• Under the median 2030 climate, diversions in driest years would fall by more than 10 per cent in most New South Wales regions, 20 per cent in the Murrumbidgee and Murray regions, and from around 35 per cent to 50 per cent in the Victorian regions;
• Under the dry extreme 2030 climate, diversions in driest years would fall by around 40-50 per cent in New South Wales regions, over 70 per cent in the Murray, and 80-90 per cent in major Victorian regions;
• By 2070 the median climate under high global warming is expected to be broadly similar to the dry extreme 2030 climate; and
• Current groundwater use is unsustainable in seven of the 20 high-use groundwater areas in the Basin and will lead to major drawdowns in groundwater levels in the absence of management intervention.

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