From the President

Last Saturday I attended my first meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in Canberra.

Along with the states and territories, local government has a seat at COAG and it is a significant opportunity for the sector to raise issues of national importance and to participate in whole of government efforts to support 'cooperative federalism'.

You are probably aware from the media coverage which followed the meeting that more than 90 specific purpose payments between the federal government and the states and territories were reduced into five broad agreements with some additional 'national partnership' funding opportunities.

These agreements were essentially funding arrangements between the states and the Australian Government. The issue of local government funding will be considered by COAG at a subsequent meeting and Saturday's meeting gave us an idea of the direction in which the Commonwealth wants to head.

There is a key role for local government in the implementation of key parts of the agreements, for example in achieving affordable housing outcomes, boosting housing in remote indigenous communities and in expanding preventative health measures. There will also be a role for local government to play in the Business Regulation Reform agenda such as in achieving planning reform.

I am keen for local government to be on the front-foot in playing our part in meeting the outcomes and objectives of the agreements. On the Indigenous Housing Initiative unveiled by the Prime Minister, I stressed the critical role of local government in achieving successful implementation of the initiative and emphasised the importance of a close engagement between state/territory governments and local government.

I also took the opportunity to suggest that local government should be a formal party to the new Intergovernmental Agreement on Affordable Housing. This agreement identifies local government as a key player in achieving a number of the associated objectives. No jurisdiction objected to us becoming a signatory and it was agreed that senior officials (including ALGA CEO, Adrian Beresford-Wylie) would further consider how to formalise our involvement. I understand this will be the first time that local government has been a formal signatory to a COAG intergovernmental agreement and is a tangible sign of a more inclusive and effective involvement of our sector in collaborative federalism.

We look forward to playing our part in ensuring federalism works to its full potential. This can only be achieved by local government stepping up to the plate and showing a maturity and a willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other levels of government in tackling the policy challenges we face as a nation. I look forward to continuing to use the privileged place we occupy at COAG to advance our sector's interests in the future. For your information, it is anticipated that the next COAG meeting will focus on climate change issues and the following meeting on indigenous issues. These are issues of vital importance to councils and I would welcome any of your feedback on either area. The communique is available here

 

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Emergency Volunteer Support Fund

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has officially opened applications for this year's National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund, urging interested parties to seek Government funding.

"Australia's emergency volunteers number up to half a million people and provide an invaluable service to the community every year. This $3.2 million fund provides vital support to help volunteer organisations to improve recruitment, retention and training initiatives," said Mr McClelland.

Over 778 projects have been funded through the program to a total value in excess of $18.5 million.

"I encourage all eligible emergency volunteer organisations to make applications to this fund. The money will help to build and train their pool of talented people to be ready for the whole range of possible emergencies," said Mr McClelland.

Applications for funding through the initiative in 2009/10 will close on 6 March 2009. Details of the program, including Guidelines, Application Forms and Applicant Guides can be found on the Emergency Management Australia website: www.ema.gov.au/communityengagement

Local volunteers and local projects

This summer Coastcare is running a major campaign asking people to do a sponsored 100km journey along a stretch of coast by non-powered means to raise money and awareness for coastal projects. The campaign is called 'Life on the Edge' and is backed up by a major poster campaign, signs in shopping malls, TV CSAs, radio spots, a major PR campaign and has the support of top coastal ambassadors (Guy Leech, Jesse Martin, Valerie Taylor, Peter Garrett etc). There are options for everyone, even schools, to get involved.

There is also a major drive for volunteers to get engaged with local environmental projects, particularly in coastal regions. To facilitate this, the public will be directed towards the National Landcare and Coastcare directories to find local projects, and we are expecting a great response. Groups and projects listed in the directory include Coastcare and landcare groups, council bushcare groups and organisations other names that offer volunteer opportunities. Local government representatives are encouraged to list all opportunities for environmental volunteering in their area, on the landcare/Coastcare directory - www.landcareonline.com/directory. Once a project is listed potential volunteers will be able to find you.

Posters, sticker postcards, videos, template media releases and much more is available for anyone interested in back this campaign in their local area and promote healthy living, community engagement and environment stewardship in their community. Contact Giselle on 02 9412 1040 or Giselle.firme@coastcare.com.au for information, and visit www.lifeontheedge.org.au

Grants for coastcare

The Federal Government has announced $22.5 million in funds for more than 400 local and community groups on the nation's coastline.

The funding comes under the Government's $2.25 billion Caring for our Country Community Coastcare program and will support projects including:

• surveying the coastal and underwater marine environments of south eastern Australia;
• reducing threats to fish habitats in Queensland's Burdekin Dry Tropics;
• protecting and rehabilitating the habitat of migratory shorebirds in Victoria;
• protecting at risk species from the impact of increased human activity along Western Australia's Kimberley coast; and
• supporting Indigenous communities as they undertake scientific monitoring of threatened sea turtles off the Northern Territory coast.

The package includes more than $10 million for 349 small grants worth up to $50,000 each and more than $12.5 million for 72 larger scale projects targeted to national environmental priorities.

Further information and a full listing of successful Community Coastcare grants is available here.

ABS census information

The Australian Bureau of Statistics offers a range of free information that can assist in developing policy for all levels of government, including free Census 2006 information on every Australian household. By logging onto its website at www.abs.gov.au/census, Census topics can be searched for and displayed using free online tools, including Community Profiles, MapStats and Census Tables. Community Profiles are tables containing key Census chartacteristics about persons, families and dwellings and allow for easy comparison of different areas or population groups. They are heavily relied on by decision-makers in Australia. The ABS also offers some fee-for-service products, including an Information Consultancy Service, which enables data to be customised to meet specific data needs. For further information, see www.abs.gov.au

Oil collection database no longer available

Councils need to be aware that the searchable database for used oil collection facilities is no longer available. The Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has advised that the database is to be removed from its oil recycling website www.oilrecycling.gov.au. Links to this database from council websites will no longer function and people making enquiries should no longer be directed to the database.

Statistics do count

On 20-21 November 2008, ALGA participated in the first ever Australian NatStats Conference, organised by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. NatStats 2008, which was held in Melbourne, brought together key users and producers of official statistics to discuss how to improve the evidence-base on which decisions about our nation are made. The conference attracted almost 400 participants from a wide variety of fields including each level of government, industry, academia and international bodies.

The conference was particularly timely given the Australian Government's commitment to pursuing policy that is evidence-based, and because Australia (amongst other nations) is confronting new and unprecedented policy challenges, such as climate change and a downturn in economic conditions.

Key note speakers at the Conference included Professor Glyn Davis (University of Melbourne), Dr Martin Parkinson (Secretary, Department of Climate Change), David Gruen (Executive Director, Macroeconomic Group, Treasury), the Hon John Lenders MLC (Victorian Treasurer), Ben Rimmer (Deputy Secretary, Prime Minister & Cabinet), Dr James Bradfield Moody (CSIRO and panellist on the New Inventors programme on the ABC) and the OECD's Chief Statistician, Enrico Giovannini.

Three concurrent sessions of 90 minutes each were conducted as part of the conference program. One of these sessions featured a presentation by the City of Ballarat on the value of community indicators and how the use of Victorian Community Indicators has assisted council consultation and decision-making processes.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants agreed to issue a declaration embodying the importance of statistics for Australia in the 21st century. The declaration is expected to be issued shortly. Further information on the conference is available here.

A taste of harmony

Local government is being encouraged to get involved with A Taste of Harmony, a new national campaign celebrating cultural diversity through food taking place from 16-22 March 2009.

During the week, workers are encouraged to bring a dish that reflects their cultural background, or their favourite ethnic food, to share with their colleagues. Or they can search www.tasteofharmony.org.au to find a locally participating restaurant for a special feast with a multicultural flavour. Restaurants and cafes can also participate by hosting lunches for local workers, just by registering on the Taste of Harmony website they will be featured on the website's searchable database (coming in early 2009).

A Taste of Harmony is calling for all councils to get involved by encouraging traders' associations, businesses, organisations, restaurants and cafes in their local area register and host lunchtime events during the week -- and to register and have lunch with their council colleagues as well! Food is one of the most accessible ways to experience another culture. It's also a great way of bringing colleagues together, which can boost morale and understanding, and contribute to a more engaged workforce.

Registering is free, easy and open to all workplaces and hospitality venues - big or small. Best of all, A Taste of Harmony is not a fundraising event! It's simply asking people to take the time to have lunch together, get to know your colleagues better and celebrate the rich cultural diversity in Australian workplaces.

An initiative of the Scanlon Foundation, A Taste of Harmony coincides with National Harmony Day and is supported by the Australian Multicultural Foundation and the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship. To register your interest or find out more information, go to www.tasteofharmony.org.au

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REDUCING YOUR COUNCIL'S ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

Local councils play a vital role in managing issues that impact on our environment.

Refrigerators and air conditioners left for kerbside collection or dumped at transfer stations may contain ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.

If released into the atmosphere, one kilogram of the gas found in a typical refrigerator or air conditioner unit has the same greenhouse impact as two tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to the emissions from running your car for six months.

By having a suitable program in place which ensures that refrigerant is not discharged into the atmosphere, your council is reducing the impact of global warming. Reclaimed refrigerant may also attract a rebate.

The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act (1989) makes it illegal to handle refrigerant without the appropriate license.

If your council's transfer or recycling station processes refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, by law you must:

• hold the appropriate licenses issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ph: 1300 88 44 83)
• make sure that any reclaimed refrigerant is destroyed, and
• make sure that no refrigerant is released to the atmosphere.

For more information on rebates for returned refrigerant, please contact Refrigerant Reclaim Australia on (02) 6230 5244.

For more information on the licensing scheme, please contact the Australian Refrigeration Council on 1300 88 44 83 or visit www.arctick.org

 

Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program

Representatives from ALGA and a number of State and Territory Local Government Associations met with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in Canberra during the past week to discuss the administrative arrangements for the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The meeting provided the opportunity for Departmental officials to clarify definitions and timings as well as outlining the administrative processes in detail. Officials emphasised that the Program was part of the Government's economic stimulatory package and as a result it was critical that local government abide by the timings of the program, undertake the work as quickly as possible and the work being funded needed to be additional to work that would have been undertaken by a council.

The immediate key timings are:

• 4.00pm (eastern daylight saving time) 23 December 2008. Applications for the strategic projects component of ($50 million) must be received by the Department. Application forms are available from the website for this part of the Program. Officials stressed that any application that was not fully completed would be rejected; and
• 30 January 2009. Councils to provide the Department with details of projects that would be funded under the general $250 million program. Individual allocations can be found the Departmental website. The proforma for providing details of works for this part of the Program will be sent to councils in the coming week. Councils that lodge the required information for conforming projects sooner than the due date would also receive their funds earlier.

Officials made it clear that there is no flexibility in these timings.

A letter is expected to be sent to all councils in the next few days setting out all the timing requirements such as when funds would be available, reporting and the timing of acquittal of funding and other information about the Program.

Officials acknowledged that the Guidelines for the Program have some areas that are subject to interpretation and emphasised that councils should contact the Department directly to get firm rulings on eligibility of their proposed works if they do not clearly fit the guidelines.

FAQs are being added to the website to help clarify issues that have been raised by councils. The website can be found here.

The information hotline which councils should use to speak to officers of Department to clarify issues is 1800 005 494.

Treasurer calls for Budget input

Treasurer Wayne Swan has invited Australian families, individuals, business and community groups to submit their ideas for the 2009-10 Budget. ALGA will be lodging a submission on behalf of local government and several State and Territory Local Government Associations are also expected to put in their own submissions.

"While the fundamentals of our economy remain strong, Australia is facing an unprecedented set of economic challenges. The global financial crisis is impacting on our economy as well as on Australian households and businesses," the Treasurer said. "At the same time we also face the long-term challenges of tackling climate change, reforming the pension, tax and retirement-incomes systems, delivering a world-class education system, and modernising our infrastructure."

In order to allow views to be properly considered in the Budget process, interested parties should lodge submissions as soon as possible, and not later than Friday, 16 January 2009.

Lengthier submissions should ideally include an executive summary of no more than two pages, and be accompanied by an electronic version, either on disk or CD, or emailed in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

Submissions should be forwarded to the address below:

Budget Policy Division
Department of the Treasury
Langton Crescent
PARKES ACT 2600

Or email to: prebudgetsubs@treasury.gov.au

New Lord Mayor for Melbourne

Former Victorian Liberal Party leader Robert Doyle is Melbourne's new lord mayor.

Mr Doyle said his priorities were to get to know his fellow councillors, to "clean up the city" both physically and in terms of policing and to consult over his controversial plan to re-open Swanston Street to traffic, more than 17 years after it was turned into a pedestrian mall. He replaces high-profile and popular Lord Mayor John So.

Planning for ageing population

A new tool that will help NSW councils plan for their ageing populations is now available on the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW website.

The computer based Resource for Ageing Population Planning (RAPP) shows the change in a community's characteristics from 1996 until today, as well as the projected populations from 2006 to 2021 by age and sex.

President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery says understanding a community's demographic is a key factor in planning for their future.

NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Paul Lynch, says the implementation of the RAPP confirms local government's commitment to providing appropriate services for their ageing population.

"Many councils work closely with other community aged service providers in planning for their ageing populations, so it's great that the RAPP can also be used by these agencies."

The RAPP is available at www.lgsa.org.au/RAPP. For more information about the RAPP, please contact Acting Strategy Manager - Social Policy, Margaret Kay on (02) 9242 4082.

Dick Gross exits local government stage

ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake has paid tribute to Dick Gross who lost his position as a councillor with the City of Port Phillip in the Victorian council elections over the weekend.

The result means that Dick ceases to be President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and a board member of ALGA.

"I very much enjoyed working with Dick on the board of the Municipal Association of Victoria," Cr Lake said.

"He is a unique individual with his intelligence, his wit and his colourful attire which matched his energetic personality. Dick has served with great capacity and passion as MAV President and on the ALGA Board and added considerable policy grunt to both associations. We wish him all the best for the future."

Mr Gross has been an ALGA board member for the past two and a half years. He also represented ALGA on the Cultural Ministers' Council. During his time on the ALGA board, Dick was a keen advocate for local government reform and instrumental in addressing issues surrounding local government financial sustainability.

Austroads publications

The following publications have recently been released by Austroads. Councils through ALGA's membership of Austroads have free access to the publication by the use of their password and pin number to access publications. If councils have lost their password and pin number this can be obtained by contacting Austroads direct on 02 9264 7088.

The publications are:

• Guide to Project Evaluation Part4: project Evaluation Data (AGPE04/08);
• Horizontal stresses: their Measurement in the Field and Assessment in the Laboratory: Project Summary report (AP-T114/08);
• Correlation of WIM Data with Classified Counts: Using Artificial neural Networks to identify Load Distribution at Classifier Sites (AP-T115/08);
• Review of Innovative binder Delivery Systems (Pilot Study) (AP-t118/08);
• Austroads LTPP and LTPPM Study -- Summary Report for 2006/07 (AP-T120/08); and
• Impact of Rising Watertables and Salinity in Pavement Performance (AP-T121/08)

Mumbai tragedy

Former Woollahra deputy mayor Douglas Justin Markell has been named as one of the four Australians killed in terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai.

Mr Markell served as a councillor in Woollahra from September 1991 to 1995 and was deputy mayor during his last two years in council, from 1994 to 1995. Mr Markell had a background in the financial business sector, working as a financial consultant, merchant banker and company director.

Biosecurity matters

Australian producers are protecting their bottom line with simple biosecurity practices to safeguard their feed supplies and livestock against diseases, pests and weeds.

New research has revealed that 97 percent of Australian producers routinely take measures to ensure the quality of stock feed on their property. The results come from a nationwide survey of over 300 producers, property owners and managers conducted last month by Quantum Market Research. The research was conducted as part of the joint Farm Biosecurity initiative of Plant Health Australia and Animal Health Australia and examined producer attitudes to biosecurity measures for protecting feed and water supplies on-farm.

Information for producers on biosecurity risks and how to reduce them is at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au If you see anything unusual on your property call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Upgrade your skills with LGAQ courses

The Local Government Association of Queensland has launched its Learning and Development Reference Guide 2008-2009. It offers a range of courses and boasts excellent attendance figures. To access the website for the latest courses go to: www.lgaq.asn.au, Log on to LGOnline (call 1800 007 457 if you need assistance) and click on 'Learning and Development' left hand menu.

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