From the President

I'm pleased to report that while many of you were enjoying a well deserved break over the Christmas and New Year period, ALGA has been hard at work and has hit the ground running in 2009.

ALGA's Budget submission was lodged with Treasury on January 16. With Roads to Recovery funding locked in until 2014 (one of our biggest achievements in 2008), the key priorities identified in our submission were focused around securing a sustainable and increased funding base for local government, achieving an ongoing fund for community infrastructure renewal and promoting climate change action. The submission is available at www.alga.asn.au and it is well worth a read.

On Thursday 5 February, I will meet with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, and other appointees to the steering committee of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) to discuss important issues facing the broader local government sector. I am pleased to have accepted the Minister's invitation to be the Deputy Chair of the ACLG (the Minister is the Chair).

A few people have asked me what the creation of the ACLG means for ALGA and how the two bodies will relate to one another. In my view (and I understand in the Minister's view as well), the ACLG is very deliberately seen as a collection of key local government stakeholders. Some of these stakeholders are elected members, some are employed officers, some are union representatives and others are academics. Some have a direct connection with local councils while others don't. However, in all cases, all appointees are involved in and passionate about the local government sector. Therefore, the ACLG will fulfill an important function of being a bit of a 'sounding board' and a consultative tool for the Federal Government to use to engage with the broader sector on appropriate issues rather than just engaging with local councils. It won't have any budget, staff or permanent presence and instead will be convened from time to time to discuss relevant issues.

ALGA, on the other hand, is the peak body representing all local councils in Australia at the national level. We are constituted through the membership and involvement of each state and territory local government association and the ACT Government. We are the organisation which the Federal Government will continue to come to when it wants to explore matters relating to councils and local government generally at the national level. ALGA has a permanent presence and a formidable full time staff operating across all major policy areas. Unlike the ACLG, ALGA is directly constituted by councils and is our collective representative voice on national issues.

At ALGA, we see the creation of the ACLG as a very positive step for local government. We are pleased that the Federal Government has asked us to assist in the coordination of the ACLG at a senior level and we look forward to working hard to achieve results for local government. Of course, ALGA's role in representing councils on a day to day basis, attending Ministerial Council meetings and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will continue unchanged and in fact will likely be assisted and enhanced as a result of this increased engagement.

With the budding partnership between local government and the Rudd Government (as well as the equally strong relationship that exists with the Opposition) the future appears bright for local government in Australia. However, the sector is undoubtedly at a critical juncture and the next few years will determine whether we are able to seize the opportunities which currently exist in order to increase our position and relevance within the broader government of Australia.

The focus over the coming year for ALGA is essentially on securing a more financially sustainable local government sector and pursuing reform of the Australian constitution so the three levels of government function better.

Of course, local government's financial and institutional reform goals must be tempered by the current world economic climate. However, this so called 'global financial crisis' also presents a number of significant opportunities for councils and local communities. In November, as part of the Rudd Government's efforts to safeguard the Australian economy from the effects of the current global turmoil, the Prime Minister announced a local stimulus package of $300 million for community infrastructure projects. This money has been split between all councils and is contingent on councils being able to spend it over the next eight months. The funding has been eagerly welcomed and demonstrates the economic stimulus able to be delivered by councils at the local level. It is clear that the Australian government correctly recognises that local government with its dispersed and localised networks is the best placed level of government to spend such money quickly and at short notice throughout all local communities in Australia.

As the world economy continues to experience uncertainty into 2009, local government stands ready to play an increased role in the Australian domestic response to the economic challenges faced by the nation.

In a nutshell, 2009 will be a pivotal year for local government where we seek to lock in some of the gains achieved in recent times but most importantly where we seek to realise some long sought but elusive goals. This will require councils to employ innovative approaches and bold leadership more so than ever before. It will be a difficult task but I believe the revitalised local government sector in Australia is well equipped and ideally placed to achieve these important outcomes. I look forward to working with you as together we shape local government's future.

PS. A diary note - ALGA's National General Assembly will be held this year in Canberra from 22 - 24 June. The full program will be available on ALGA's website in February. Hopefully we will see you there and you and your council will play a key part in helping to advance this agenda forward.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Fighting graffiti

A legal graffiti wall and a hotline are the main weapons of Newcastle City Council's draft graffiti management plan, aimed at curbing a problem that costs ratepayers about $240,000 a year.

City Hall will employ a new staff member to oversee the initiatives. Key aims of the plan include setting up a phone line for the community to report vandalism, and auditing the inner-city and other "hot spots" every six months to assess the extent of damage.

The council intends to relaunch the legal graffiti wall at South Newcastle Beach within weeks and to create two new walls within six months of implementing the graffiti management plan.

The council is aiming to have 90 per cent of graffiti reported to the phone hotline removed within 72 hours and hopes the murals and legal graffiti walls will reduce malicious damage by 80 per cent.

Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate said a strategy that fought illegal activity and promoted legal art was the best way forward. "If you don't have a comprehensive policy it's got less chance of working," Cr Tate said.

Stimulus package tipped for February

The federal government is ready to act if necessary to stem the expected tide of job losses with a second economic stimulus package expected early next month.

Senior ministers confirmed on Tuesday that the government was considering a range of measures including accelerating scheduled tax cuts, targeted infrastructure projects and additional funds to the welfare sector.

The government is awaiting further economic data likely to show the impact of last year's $10.4 billion economic security package which put around $1,400 into the pockets of thousands of pensioners, carers and families in the lead-up to Christmas.

A spokesman for Mr Swan said everything was on the table.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is also social inclusion minister, met leading not-for-profit community sector welfare groups in Sydney on Tuesday to hear their views on the impact of the global financial crisis.

Mr Crean said on Tuesday tax cuts was one of a series of options being considered by the government while Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said in a speech in Sydney the government would announce further nation building projects early this year.

The government has already announced more than $40 billion in economic stimulus since October including $4.7 billion in short-term infrastructure projects.

The government's Building Australia Fund will be used to fund a priority list of larger infrastructure projects short-listed by Infrastructure Australia. (AAP)

Volunteer grants announced

More than 7,200 community organisations across the country will benefit from $21 million in Australian Government funding for volunteer grants.

Under the program, grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are provided to non-profit organisations. Organisations to receive funding include Surf Lifesaving clubs and peak bodies, Keep Australia Beautiful, St Vincent de Paul Society and Parents and Citizens associations for schools around the country.

For the full list of successful organisations, please go to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website

ATUG awards

Nominations are now open for the Australian Telecommunications User Group's (ATUG) 2009 National Awards for Effective Use of Broadband and Annual Excellence Awards.

ATUG is asking for nominations from business, government and community members in both categories.

The Broadband Awards are designed to highlight the innovative ways in which broadband is being used by organisations across Australia in the areas of: sales, marketing, farming, education, health, community and business to boost business growth and development.

The 2009 Broadband Awards criteria call for demonstration of the effective use of broadband to improve productivity, efficiency and innovation, create or extend a market for goods and services and enhance customer and client communication and community outcomes.

The ATUG Annual Excellence Awards are designed to recognise outstanding performance and significant contributions made by both individuals and companies in the communications sector.

The 2009 Awards are the 24^th annual awards from ATUG and cover nine categories ranging from Innovations in Communications to Best Communications Solution, Communications Journalist of the Year and Carrier of the Year.

To nominate your organisation, a customer or make a submission click here.

Vic Transport portal

A new portal for providing transport-related data has been jointly developed by the Policy & Communications Division (PAC) and Public Transport Division (PTD) of the Department of Transport, Victoria. The portal enables you to explore Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), PTD and Vic Roads data at a State Region, Local Government Area or Statistical Local Area level. It allows for profiling of individual geographic areas, as well as direct comparisons of areas. It can be accessed here.

Irrigate parks for public health

Water restrictions and reduced irrigation for urban parks, public gardens and sports grounds are having a significant impact on Australia's public health, according to a review by the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures.

The review, Irrigation for Urban Green Spaces: a review of the Environmental, Social and Economic benefits, indicates that green spaces positively affect our physical and mental health, and can reduce the risk of contracting lifestyle diseases.

Scientists at the Irrigation Futures CRC say that healthy urban parks and gardens do more than provide opportunities for recreation and biodiversity. They are crucial for social well-being and help to reduce blood pressure, stress and obesity.

Ian Atkinson, CEO of the CRC for Irrigation Futures, is calling for more water recycling to save urban parks and trees in the face of drought. "Stormwater, greywater, rainwater and treated effluent are all alternative water supplies that, when properly treated and managed, are suitable to save our public parks, garden and sports fields."

The report found that, contrary to 'saving water at any cost' that dominates popular thinking, maintaining urban green areas such as public parks, gardens and sporting ovals in the face of water restrictions is necessary for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the community. Urban irrigation isn't a luxury but rather a necessity to our urban lifestyle.

Maintaining healthy trees during the drought can also lead to reduced energy use during summer. Large shade trees can provide a cooling effect of between 2^o to 8^o celsius and reduce building energy consumption by 7 to 47 per cent.

The report's findings will be used to assist councils and water authorities understand the wider implications of the current water restrictions.

The CRC for Irrigation Futures is a partnership of universities, state and federal government agencies, water service provides and industry. It exists to provide tools and knowledge for better decision-making about irrigation in Australia. Further information: www.irrigationfutures.org.au Download report here.

Heart Foundation awards

The Heart Foundation Local Government Awards winners were announced in December.

The aim of the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards is to recognise and showcase local governments working to improve heart health through building community connections, encouraging people to be physically active, be smoke free, and make healthy food choices.

The City of Rockingham in Western Australia took out the top award, being named 2008 national overall winner for their Community Health and Wellbeing Plan 2007 - 2011. Deputy Mayor, Richard Smith and Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Julia Dick were at the presentation to accept their $10,000 award and perpetual trophy.

Rockingham was also National Winner of the Implementation of Plans and Policies to Support Heart Health category and Western Australian State Overall Winner.

Other National Category Winners:

• Provision and Use of Facilities to Improve Heart Health
  City of Lake Macquarie (NSW) - Lake Macquarie Variety Playground
• Programs that Improve Heart Health in Priority Groups
  Banyule City Council (Vic) - Healthy Lifestyles
• Programs that Promote Healthy Weight
  South East Local Government Association, Wattle Range Council, District Council of Grant, District Council of Robe and South East Regional Community Health/Country Health SA (SA) - Healthy Clubs
• Programs and Policies that Reduce Exposure to Tobacco
  Manly Council (NSW) - Smoke Free Zones

The 2009 awards will open early in April. Consider what your local government is doing to improve the health of your community and if you have a program that may be eligible to enter visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/lga or call 1300 36 27 87.

Sustainable neighbourhoods portal

Your Development was created by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the CSIRO, in recognition of the growing business trend towards environmental urban developments. The web portal, available at www.yourdevelopment.org, provides case studies on best practice and contains a wealth of information for public and private developers, government agencies, designers, planners, builders and the broader community.

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Grant funding to assist Local Governments to respond to climate change

The Australian Government invites Expressions of Interest from local governments, consortia of local governments and regional organisations for grants under the Local Adaptation Pathways Program.

The grants will assist councils to undertake risk assessments and develop adaptation action plans to prepare their communities for the likely local impacts of climate change. Councils will develop the capacity to incorporate climate change impacts into their risk management planning.

While all applications will be considered, this round of funding particularly seeks to improve participation from local governments in outer regional, remote and very remote regions.

Grants are available for a single council or a consortium of councils.

The funding which totals $500,000 is up to:

• $75,000 for a single council
• $120,000 for two councils or
• $140,000 for three or more councils.

Expressions of Interest close on 25 February. Late applications will not be accepted.

For more information please visit www.climatechange.gov.au, email adaptation_projects@climatechange.gov.au or phone (02) 6275 9233.

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"Integrated Plan on-a-Page"
Planning For Local Government 2009

Sydney: Tuesday 10^th February
9.00 - 5.00 pm

 

A critical success factor for Local Government is a strategic plan which crafts the road map for action and resources to achieve objectives in an integrated framework.

This one day course focuses on the approaches that can be used so that the strategic and operational plans, along with their integration and deployment, are easily understood in order to reduce the time, energy, and costs associated with developing and maintaining a clear direction.

The format of the seminar will be interactive and practical, and will specifically be aimed at helping you to:

1. Document your strategic intent simply and effectively "on a-page"
2. Align with your Stakeholders needs and expectations
3. Determine the differentiators you have and need to strengthen
4. Effectively communicate and deploy targets, measures and KPI's
5. Balance and deploy these measures through a scorecard
6. Draft a Business Process Model to support the Management System
7. Assign process ownership and targets for managers

Register now to attend the Integrated Plan on-a-Page Seminar by downloading the brochure at http://pdf.aigroup.asn.au/events/2008/
7204_strategic_planning_brochure.pdf
For enquiries, please contact David Richardson on
+61 (2) 9466 5456

D-Day for infrastructure funding

Today is the last day for councils to submit project details to be funded as part of the Federal Government's $250 million fund for small-scale local community infrastructure projects - the initial round of the Rudd Government's $300 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, announced at the Australian Council of Local Government attended by Mayors in November.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure is currently assessing submissions lodged on December 23 by councils for a share of the program's remaining $50 million in funding for large strategic infrastructure projects with announcements expected shortly. More details here.

Climate change funding

The Federal Government is providing a new round of grants totalling $500,000 to help local governments prepare their communities for the likely impacts of climate change. Local government areas are being encouraged to form consortia to apply for the funding, with a focus on remote and regional councils in this funding round. Up to $75,000 will be available for a single council, $120,000 for two councils and $140,000 for three or more councils. Expressions of interest for grants under the Local Adaptation Pathways Program are due by 25 February 2009. For more information please visit www.climatechange.gov.au

Digital TV pilot

The Federal Government has announced a pilot package to drive the availability of improved television services as Australia makes the transition to digital.

"Digital television delivers many benefits to viewers and this package will help achieve the smoothest possible transition as we switch off analog signals," said Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

"This package focuses on Australia's leading digital television region of Sunraysia, centred on the city of Mildura in north-west Victoria, and will ensure that free-to-air digital television is made available to all viewing households."

The suite of measures includes:

• a package of in-home assistance to help targeted households
• a new satellite service to extend access to digital TV
• working with the local community to improve awareness and understanding of switchover
• a labelling scheme to help consumers to easily identify digital ready products, and
• a national call centre and a web site providing switchover information.

The Government has designed a progressive timetable for digital television switchover starting with Sunraysia in 2010.

Senator Conroy said the Digital Switchover Taskforce will work closely with the broadcasters, retailers and antenna installers in the Mildura area to drive digital TV take-up by consumers.

The lessons learned from the switchover in Mildura will help to inform the approach to the broader digital switchover around the country.

Housing Affordability Fund

Councils from across Australia are well-represented in the Federal Government's shortlist of 33 projects for funding under the first round of local projects for the Housing Affordability Fund. The full list is available here.

The Housing Affordability Fund is a Federal Government initiative that invests $512 million over five years to target the planning and infrastructure costs that are incurred when building new housing developments.

The Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, said 33 successful projects will share in $112 million worth of first round funding, subject to final business case analysis.

In the first round, the Housing Affordability Fund will deliver cost savings to 14,000 new homes and lots through the construction of bridges, water pipes, sewerage systems and community facilities. In total, over 300,000 new homes will benefit if all the short listed applicants secure funding, via reforms to the planning and development approval processes in the relevant local government area.

Short listed applicants have until the end of January to submit more detail about their project, with evidence about how savings will flow to home buyers.

Austroads workshops

Austroads in conjunction with state local government associations will be running workshops on draft guidelines developed for assessing heavy vehicle access to local roads in all states and territories next month.

High productivity vehicles deliver significant economic benefits to the nation and the quality of the total trip from origin to destination (including the 'last mile') is critical to the performance of freight vehicles. However, if large vehicles are operated on inappropriate parts of the road network or in inappropriate ways they can have negative impacts on local roads and their surrounding communities.

Austroads has developed guidelines to assist councils and operators involved in the process of applying for and assessing applications for access by heavy and restricted access vehicles to local roads. The draft guidelines are available from the Austroads website.

The workshops will explore two key themes:

Theme 1. Perceptions of freight on local roads. There are often competing economic, environmental and social objectives when freight its viewed from the viewpoint of industry, councils and communities. These differences, and a lack of understanding of the differing perspectives, reinforce stereotypes and biases that make collaborative decision-making difficult. These legitimate, while at times competing, viewpoints need to be understood by all those involved in freight on local roads so that all participants can contribute to more robust decision-making.

Theme 2. Application assessment process. Recommended steps for assessing applications for access by heavy or restricted access vehicles to local roads will be explained. These steps provide an easy to use and transparent process for assessing applications, while recognising the role of common sense and local knowledge in decision-making. They can be applied within the different approval processes that operate across Australasia. The Guidelines focus on the assessment process and references to technical specifications are provided.

The workshops will be presented by the authors of the Guidelines: Geoff Anson (Geoff Anson Consulting) and George Giannakodakis (InfraPlan). The workshops are general and not technical in nature. People involved in deciding or providing advice on heavy vehicle access and trucking operators would benefit from attending.

Information on the workshop dates and venues in each state are available from the relevant local government associations.

Australia's first bike hire scheme

In a first for Australia, Brisbane City Council has signed a 20 year contract with JCDecaux for the installation, operation and maintenance of the innovative new bicycle scheme.

Brisbane cyclists will be able to access free bicycles at 150 locations in Australia's first bike hire scheme. From March next year Brisbane residents and tourists will be able to access one of 2000 bikes, by using swipe cards.

Subscription to the scheme will cost $55 a year or $25 a quarter (casual users will pay $10 a day), with the first 30 minutes of use free. Bike docking stations will operate 5am to 10pm every day of the year.

"When this is all up and running, it will encourage more people in the CBD to undertake short trips by bicycle, bringing with it the benefits of reduced congestion and better personal heath," Brisbane City Lord Mayor Cr Newman said.

Broadband panel reports

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has received the final report from the Panel of Experts on submissions to the National Broadband Network (NBN) process.

The Minister stated that the receipt of this report marks a significant milestone in the NBN process: "The Government is now considering the Panel of Experts' report. The Government will give this serious and detailed report careful consideration.

The Minister emphasised that while the Government had now received the final report of the Panel of Experts, the NBN process and associated probity requirements remained active.

The Minister also acknowledged the important contribution to the process by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission which had provided its own report as input to the Panel's consideration.

Sustainable tourism

Local councils across Australia will soon have access to a new workshop program designed to deliver innovation in tourism planning.

The program developed by Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre provides council staff, managers and elected representatives with an understanding of a council's role and approach to supporting tourism development and management within the community. The program also provides a forum for councils to consult with industry and the community ahead of developing tourism strategies.

The Local Government Pathway to Sustainable Tourism Workshop program has been developed by STCRC in conjunction with its commercial arm, EC3 Global, to assist local councils to better understand and plan for tourism development.

The industry release attached provides an outline of the program which was successfully piloted by a major Queensland council in December last year.

Also attached is a three page program introduction which provides a more detailed overview.

For further information on the Pathways program, or if you would like to bring the program to your council, please contact Andrew Sivjis Industry Extension Manager, STCRC on 07 5552 8221 or mobile 0447 747 253. Andrew can also be reached on email andrew.sivjis@crctourism.com.au.

From mobiles to trees

The sustainable actions of thousands of Australians will lead to the planting of over 100,000 native trees across the country this year, following MobileMuster and Landcare Australia's 'Old Phones, More Trees' campaign.

MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, ran the 'Old Phones, More Trees' campaign with Landcare Australia in May 2008, pledging to plant a native tree for every mobile phone handset handed in for recycling.

Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association's (AMTA) national recycling program, MobileMuster, said the campaign was a great success in 2008, collecting just over 100,000 handsets for recycling, 25,000 more handsets than last year.

Thirteen locations across Australia have been selected by Landcare Australia for the next round of tree planting. Sites include Sisters Creek in Tasmania; Swan Reach in South Australia; Holbrook in New South Wales; Dandaragan in Western Australia; McMinns Lagoon and Rapid Creek in the Northern Territory; Holt, Campbell, Kambah, Molonglo Catchment and Ginninderra Creek in the Australian Capital Territory; Brisbane in Queensland and Moyne Shire in Victoria.

People can hand in their old mobile phones, batteries, accessories and chargers for recycling at any one of MobileMuster?s 3,500 drop-off points nationally. Alternatively they can pick up a free recycling satchel from participating Australia Post outlets or downloading a free reply paid label from www.mobilemuster.com.au

To find your nearest MobileMuster drop off point or to download a free mailing label go to www.mobilemuster.com.au or call 1300 730 070.

National Drug and Alcohol Awards

Now in its sixth year, the National Drug and Alcohol Awards (NDAA) honour the dedication and innovation of organisations government and corporations that deal with the harms caused by alcohol and other drug use. The awards recognise excellence in the areas of treatment; prevention and community education; research; services for young people; law enforcement; media reporting; school drug education; and culminate with the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence.

To find out more about the Awards, log onto www.drugawards.org.au. Enquiries can be made on the web-based form and nominations open on 1 February 2009. Award finalists and winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner to be held at the culmination of Drug Action Week, Friday 26 June 2009, in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra.

Reserve your ticket/s for this important event by logging onto the awards website or contacting the Awards Coordinator on 0415 586 360. Bookings can be made from 1 February 2009.

Constitutional recognition support

Local governments could provide better services, like schools and fast development approvals if they received a higher proportion of tax revenue and a formal definition in the Constitution, says a new report released last week.

In Beyond Symbolism: Finding a Place for Local Government in Australia's Constitution, Dr Oliver Hartwich of the Centre for Independent Studies discusses the need for a strong and proactive local government that has more control over its purse strings and is more connected to the people it serves.

"Historically, Australian local governments have been weak. Their decision-making powers have been pushed further from local people and transferred to higher, more remote tiers of government," says Hartwich.

"Local governments have the potential to deliver better local services to their communities. For example, primary and secondary education could be assigned to the local level rather than one-size-fits-all state government education. Local school boards could administer schools, offering parents a greater role and scope for tailoring schooling solutions to the needs of local communities.

"Local governments play an important role in the planning and development of the built environment in their jurisdiction. Yet councils are constantly criticised for slow approval of development application. By giving a greater share of the tax revenue generated by development to the local rather than state government, councils would have the incentive to enable and speed up development," says Hartwich.

He said that for local governments to be able to bring government closer to the people directly affected by its decisions, the Prime Minister must include a clear definition of the role of local government in the Constitution. This would guarantee local government greater autonomy, assigning it certain tasks - but crucially, also giving it sufficient sources of revenue of its own to fulfil these tasks.

The report is available here.

Young Planner

The National Young Planners Group (NYPG) in conjunction with Edge Land Planning is offering a $1,250 Young Planner Financial Assistance Scholarship for a rural or regional Young Planner to attend YPConnect09 (27-28 March 2009) and the PIA 2009 National Congress (29 March - 1 April 2009) in Darwin.

A runner up will also be selected to receive a $750 assistance scholarship for both events.

Click here to download the nomination form or visit the PIA website.

Draft disability standards

On Wednesday 3 December 2008, the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, on behalf of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, asked the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to inquire into and report on the draft Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards.

The Committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by Friday 13 February 2009. Please refer to the brochure called preparing a submission for more information.

In order to facilitate electronic publishing of submissions, the Committee would prefer them to be emailed to laca.reps@aph.gov.au or sent on disk or CD-ROM to the Committee Secretariat in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF). Comments to: The Secretary of the Committee on PH: (02) 6277 2358 or FAX: (02) 6277 4427 or e-mail: laca.reps@aph.gov.au

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Fourth annual Australian Road Engineering and Maintenance Conference 2009

Tuesday 17 - Wednesday 18, February 2009 Melbourne

See www.halledit.com.au/roads09 for full details

Implementing sustainable building practices for local and arterial roads will be one of the main topics of discussion at the Fourth Road Engineering and Maintenance Conference 2009 being held in Melbourne on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 February. The conference is held annually and draws more than 200 delegates from councils, state road authorities and the private sector from across Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

35 practical and expert speakers from councils, state road authorities and the private sector from around Australia, the UK and New Zealand will address a range of topics dealing with contemporary practices in road design, engineering and maintenance. Practical case studies, including award-winning projects, are a feature of this conference to enable councils and other road authorities to immediately implement the information presented at the conference. The speaking program is further augmented by a number of practical workshops and a highly relevant exhibition.

Conference Topics include:
Achieving Sustainability on Road Infrastructure Projects; Water Sensitive Design; Pavement Design and Materials Road Maintenance; Rural Roads; Road Project Case Studies and Delivery Models Good Paving and Sealing Practices and OHS and Working Under Traffic

Conference Speakers include:
Cliff Toms, Technical Services Manager, Port Macquarie Hastings Council
Stuart Small, Projects and Contracts Engineer, Great Lakes Council
Dr Dimitris Tsolakis, Coordinator Economic Analysis, ARRB Group Ltd
Mark Allingham, Operations Engineer Alpine Shire Council
Michael Rose, Manager Project Safety, VicRoads Major Projects Division,
Adam Macguire - Projects Director VicRoads Northern City Projects

To view the full Speaking Program and general information; please see www.halledit.com.au/roads09 You can register online or contact Denise McQueen Ph: 03 8534 5021 (direct) or 03 8534 5000 (switch)
Email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au