From the President

On Wednesday I announced that the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) have formed an exciting partnership to promote good design and planning outcomes as part of the $550 million community infrastructure funding to be distributed to councils.

As you know, a key component of the Australian Government's $42 billion infrastructure package is an allocation of funding to councils for community infrastructure projects. In line with the Government's emphasis on providing an immediate fiscal injection into the economy, applications are only open until 6 March.

Given this very tight time frame, ALGA has negotiated an opportunity with the AIA to link interested councils with experienced architects to provide assistance with designing and scoping project proposals.

The aim of the partnership is to promote good design and planning outcomes arising from the community infrastructure program.

Our message is clear - local councils and architects place a high value on good design in creating community facilities and are working together in the short period before applications close to ensure quality design principles are considered in project planning.

The architects participating in the scheme will operate on a no fee basis and there is no obligation on councils to engage an architect in the event an application is successful and the project proceeds. There has been a very strong response from architects with many having signed up to participate in the partnership since Wednesday. A number of councils have already been paired with an architect and are now getting the benefit of this collaboration as they finalise their applications.

The partnership emphasises that while economic considerations change constantly, the consequences of poor planning and design last for many years. There is no need to sacrifice good planning and design just to get stimulus into the economy immediately. Both can be achieved simultaneously.

Councils can use the assistance to discuss directly with an architect how he or she can add value to the council's application and assist in shaping the project proposal. The nature of the assistance provided will be a matter to be determined between the council and the architect, but it is envisaged that it will include the architect reviewing the council's objectives, reviewing the current proposal, providing some 'high level' comments about proposed form and siting of public spaces and advising on design concepts and options. This assistance is provided at no cost to the council.

If your council is intending to apply for funding and has not already engaged the services of an architect, I encourage it to take advantage of this partnership and register for the scheme. Even though the 6 March deadline is near, there is still time to be linked with an architect and get the benefit of an experienced architect's expertise in the finalisation of your council's application. Councils can join the scheme immediately by emailing architects@alga.asn.au. As you can appreciate, given the short timeframe involved there is no time to lose.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Emergency warning systems

The Federal Government has introduced into Parliament amendments to the Telecommunications Act 1997 to enable access to the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND) for telephone-based emergency warning systems established by the States and Territories. This will enhance Australia's disaster response capability but does not replace replacement the range of measures currently used to warn the public of emergencies, such as television and radio, public address systems, doorknocking, sirens, signage and the internet.

Telephone-based emergency warning systems have been the subject of discussions between the Commonwealth, States and Territories since 2004. Attorney General Robert McClelland said that in light of the bushfire emergency in Victoria the Government sought advice from the Solicitor-General on an interim measure to allow access. Based on this advice, the Government will also make a regulation under the Telecommunications Act 1997 enabling interim access to the IPND.

Telstra and telecommunications

A pro-investment mindset to telecommunications is needed if Australia's productivity performance is to increase, according to Telstra's Group Managing Director, Public Policy and Communications, Mr David Quilty.

In his address this week to the National Press Club, titled 'The investment imperative,' Mr Quilty outlined the critical role of ICT, especially 'intelligent ICT', as an enabling tool in our economy. He explained how investment in ICT can drive economic productivity and create jobs, promote economic recovery and produce innovative solutions to some of the most critical reform issues of our time, such as how we deal with the impacts of climate change and respond to water scarcity.

However, Mr Quilty is concerned that current policy settings do not encourage investment in ICT and telecommunications infrastructure by providers of these services. He pinpointed the need to build 'win-win' partnerships with government, through taxation and spectrum policy, as well as capital levers, to help promote meaningful investment in the sector, for the benefit of all Australian consumers.

There were five areas which Mr Quilty nominated as key issues for review or consideration, if a new investment mindset is to transpire. They are: compeitition policy; access pricing; spectrum policy; regional services; and red tape. Mr Quilty noted that many aspects of current regulatory and policy settings are at least one decade old and do not reflect advances and use of newer technology, such as broadband.

Mr Quilty also advised that Telstra remains committed to investing in the infrastrucutre that its customers demand, including recent upgrades of its Next G technology, notwithstanding its exlusion from the Australian Government's National Broadband Network tender process.

Northern Australia Taskforce

The Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce has presented its Midterm Report to the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray.

The Midterm Report summarises results from the 2007 Taskforce inquiries, provides brief statements against the Terms of Reference and outlines the actions the Taskforce will implement during 2009.

The Taskforce is due to deliver its final report at the end of the year.

More information on the Taskforce, including a copy of the Midterm Report and its Terms of Reference, can be found at www.nalwt.gov.au

A world leader

A waste processing centre in Sydney's southwest has been bolstering its workforce, while other companies have been laying off-staff. The Macarthur Resource Recovery Park rescues items tossed into household rubbish bins, not considering to be recycling and which would otherwise go straight to landfill. By the time the $50 million plant is fully operational in March, it will be carbon negative - producing enough energy to meet its own needs and returning electricity to the grid to power 1700 homes a year. It will also produce more water than it uses by extracting it from the waste and capturing stormwater online. The plant's workforce is growing and has reached 40. The aim is to process 90,000 tonnes of household waste a year, produced by residents of Sydney's fast growing Camden, Wollondilly, Campbelltown and Wingecarribee shires.

Woolworths' grants

Woolworths has announced funding applications are open for Community Infrastructure and Emergency Assistance grants for rural communities and farmers throughout Australia. The Country Women's Association administers the grants program on behalf of Woolworths. $10 million has been donated to individuals and rural communities/farming families over the past two years from this fund. There are two grant programs available to apply for:

• The Community Infrastructure Grant: Rural communities can apply for funds for community building, infrastructure and maintenance projects, further guaranteeing farming communities not merely survive, but get back on the road to recovery
• The Emergency Assistance Grant: Individuals, farmers and families can apply for Emergency Assistance funds for every day expenses such as pre-school fees, school uniforms, groceries, medicines

Application forms are now available and applications for the Community Infrastructure Grant will close on 30 April.

Individuals and communities wishing to apply for Grants can call 1800 237 876. For more information please go to www.woolworths.com.au

Early FAG grants for councils

Minister Albanese has announced that Victorian and Queensland councils devastated by recent natural disasters will receive almost $74 million in Financial Assistance Grants (FAG) three months early.

This financial year's final quarterly FAG payment - original scheduled to be paid in May - will now be distributed to 39 flood and 24 fire affected councils immediately.

All up, more than $40.6 million will be shared amongst the Victorian councils devastated by bushfires and almost $33 million will be provided to flood affected councils in north Queensland.

The Government has also provided affected councils with the opportunity to re-prioritise their projects under the $800 million Community Infrastructure Program.

Minister Albanese has also said that he will continue to consult with affected councils to make sure that the Government is doing all it can to assist them to rebuild their communities.

State of Australian Cities

This is a call for abstracts/papers for the State of Australian Cities Conference to be held in Perth 24-27 November. The Conference will focus on the contemporary and future form and structure of Australian/New Zealand cities in light of the recent global economic downturn and recent political changes at the national level in both countries. The over-arching theme of the 2009 Conference is: City growth, sustainability, vitality and vulnerability. Abstracts need to be submitted by Friday 6 March 2009 on-line.

Neighbour Day

Listeners to ABC Local Radio from Applecross to Weipa and all points in between will be encouraged to celebrate their communities on Sunday 29th March as the network joins Neighbour Day as a National Support Partner.

ABC Local Radio consists of nine metropolitan and 51 regional stations with a format of local news, talk, information and sport. It has a weekly audience reach of 2.5 million listeners.

"The core strength of Neighbour Day is that it is all about you and your community. It's up to neighbours to decide how they will celebrate and it can be anything from a cuppa to a major festival," said Neighbour Day founder Andrew Heslop.

"One of the great benefits to developing a partnership with ABC Local Radio is that stations within the network really are part of the fabric of the local community."

The 7th annual Neighbour Day will be held on Sunday 29th March 2009.

For more information visit www.neighbourday.org

Advertisement

 

When they need CPR, you need an AED

 

Waiting for the ambulance to provide heart defibrillation to victims of sudden cardiac arrest results in a less than 5% chance of survival. The availability of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) at the scene could dramatically increase this survival rate to around 70% or more which why we are now seeing more and more AEDs in airports, public buildings, workplaces, shopping centres, sports clubs, etc..

AEDs are safe, simple and designed to be used by people with little or no experience.

At Australian Defibrillators we can provide you with a complete lifesaving solution that helps you manage the entire spectrum of your AED and emergency response program, including site assessment and placement, training, web based data management, equipment testing and more.

From $2990 for the worlds only full-rescue AED, our programs and training extend throughout Australia including regional and remote areas.

Don't put off what might be the most important call you will ever make.

 

1300 DEFIBS (333 427)
www.aeds.com.au

Advertisement

 

Meeting the New Challenges for Government Lawyers

The challenges facing Government laywers are immense. With Budgets under increased scrutiny and legal departments expected to take on increasinly diverse roles, government lawyers must learn how to reposition themselves to meet these new demands.

That's why Legalwise Seminars has developed, Meeting the New Challenges for Government Lawyers. It is specially developed to meet the unique requirements of government legal practitioners and to help you keep abreast of key issues.

This event will help you:

• Comply with model litigant obligations
• Develop governance under the CAC and FMA Acts
• Bring commercial skills to the contract negotiation table
• Understand the new bargaining framework for employment agreements
• Optimise your acquisition of external lawyers

Meeting the New Challenges for Government Lawyers runs 9.00am to 4.45pm at Canberra's Hotel Realm. Behind the speaker's podium will be some of Canberra's sharpest legal minds including:

• Marc Mowbray-d'Arbela, Assistant Secretary, Legislative Review Branch, Department of Finance and De-regulation
• Chris Reid, General Counsel, Department of Health
• Brian O'Callaghan, Partner, Clayton Utz
• Robert Cook, Partner, Minter Ellison

Register today!
Click here to register and to view full program and speaker details.

Infrastructure Program deadline

Councils have until 4pm AEDST, Friday 6 March 2009 to submit new or revised applications. Interested local governments must do one of the following:

• Advise the Department of Transport, Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government that they wish to continue with their existing applications;
• Submit a new application for a new project; or
• Revise their existing application and resubmit within the deadline.

Existing Guidelines for the Community Infrastructure Program - Strategic Projects continue to apply. They include:

• Applications are limited only to local governments, and only one application per council;
• Projects must be ready to go and able to proceed within six months of signing a contract;
• Projects must be seeking a Commonwealth contribution of at least $2 million;
• Councils are encouraged to contribute funds or secure partnership funds for projects; and
• Community organisations' projects are permitted if sponsored by a local government.

For further information ring 1800 005 494 or Click here.

Economic outlook

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has recently released its Economic and Political Overview 2009. The report is available here.

The report's Economic Overview is written by Saul Eslake, a well-known and highly respected economic analyst who has occupied the position of Chief Economist of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group since 1995. In his economic overview for 2009, Saul Eslake discusses the circumstances surrounding the global financial crisis and its impacts on different economies including the USA, Europe, Japan, China and Australia. In relation to our economy, Saul Eslake states that 'it now seems probable that Australia will experience a recession in 2009.'

The report's Political Overview is written by Kenneth Wiltshire AO, and includes a synopsis in retrospect of key issues before the Australian Government in 2008, as well as an overview of key issues for 2009, such as water, tax policy and COAG. Significantly, he expresses optimism for the chances of a referendum in 2010-11 on constitutional recognition, saying that of all the possible constitutional reforms being discussed currently, 'only the local government amendment is likely to figure at the next election; the government being too wary of defeat to propose the other measures even if it supports each of them.'

An important inclusion in the report is the discussion 'Climate policy in the year to come, in the context of the century to follow,' which highlights key issues for decision by policymakers as Australia attempts to meet the imperative of adaptation in particular. This section of the report is co-authored by Warwick McKibbin of the ANU (and Board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia) and David Pearce of the Centre for International Economics.

Broadband - disaster zones

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has announced a new provider application round under the Australian Broadband Guarantee.

There are currently 16 providers approved to offer the Australian Broadband Guarantee. Registered providers receive a subsidy enabling them to offer fixed wireless or satellite services at prices comparable to metropolitan areas.

Additionally, Senator Conroy said that people in areas where natural disaster has disrupted telecommunications infrastructure may be eligible for the Australian Broadband Guarantee.

"Any customer who has lost broadband service due to natural disaster, such as the recent fires in Victoria or floods in Queensland, may be eligible for the Australian Broadband Guarantee," Senator Conroy said.

"I encourage people impacted by natural disaster to register to establish eligibility using the Broadband Service Locator on the Department's website, or contact the Department's consumer enquiry line on free call 1800 883 488."

Further information about the Australian Broadband Guarantee program, including application forms and program guidelines, is available here.

Prime Minister tweaks team

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has tweaked his team of Parliamentary Secretaries following the vacancy left by parliamentary secretary for trade John Murphy, who resigned for family reasons.

Mr Rudd has appointed Greg Combet as Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change to support Climate Change minister Penny Wong as the government moves to implement its trading scheme. He has also given extra responsibilities to Bill Shorten (who gains responsibility for bushfire reconstruction work), Mike Kelly (water policy while remaining parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support) and Mark Arbib (Parliamentary Secretary for Government Service Delivery). Senator Ursula Stephens will soon be sworn in to administer the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to better reflect her duties as Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector. Full details of the reshuffle here.

MAV receives generous offers

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has thanked councils for their generous response to its Bushfire Recovery Fund. The MAV has also logged just over 900 offered resources from 56 councils on the Inter-Council Resource Sharing Register and deployed more than 220 resources to bushfire affected municipalities, DHS or CFA. Any councils wishing to offer personnel or equipment can still do so by emailing resourceregister@mav.asn.au. For information about the Bushfire Recovery Fund, contact Alison Lyon on 03 96675522 or email alyon@mav.asn.au

Housing fast-track call

Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek has urged local councils to fast track approvals for $5.3 billion in social and defence housing to be funded with the federal stimulus package, saying local government needed to understand "it's a national emergency."

Parliamentary inquiry called off

The Treasurer Wayne Swan has cancelled a House of Representatives inquiry into the merits of emissions trading. The committee chair labor backbencher Craig Thomson said the inquiry had been cancelled because its "terms of reference became politicised and distorted." "The Government does not want any ambiguity over the implementation of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme or the timeframe it has announced for that implementation," he said.

Tax Review consultation

Following the release of the Consultation Paper in December 2008, the Australia's Future Tax System Review Panel is holding a series of public meetings in March 2009, to listen to people's views about what parts of the tax and transfer system are working well and what they would most like to see change. ALGA's submission is available here.

Public Consultation Meeting Details:

Registration for the meetings are essential. You can register to attend a public meeting by clicking the 'Register for a Public Consultation Meeting' link on the website.

You can also make a submission to the Australia's Future Tax System review at any time. For more information and guidelines on making submissions, please refer to the submission page on the website.

Advertisement

 

Melbourne Planning Summit

Tuesday 28^th - Wednesday 29^th April
Location: Zinc @ Federation Square, Melbourne

The Summit will provide an opportunity for discussion and review of latest developments in urban planning in Melbourne, focused on the new Melbourne @ 5 million urban growth planning updates. It will draw lessons from Australia-wide planning experiences. The conference will cover issues including:

• The new Victorian transport strategy;
• Lessons learnt from the Melbourne 2030 Audit;
• Financing urban services and infrastructure;
• Planning for population growth;
• Planning for an ageing population;

It will feature sessions on innovative urban partnerships and planning best practice case studies. Speakers include:

• Justin Madden, Minister for Planning
• Jim Betts, Secretary, Department of Transport
• Prue Digby, Deputy Secretary, Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development
• Liz Johnstone, Manager, Planning Policy and Projects, MAV
• Cr Paul Klisaris, Mayor, City of Monash
• David Keenan, Director, City Sustainability, Hume City Council
• David Mayes, Manager Strategic Planning and Sustainability, City of Melbourne
• Alan Cadogan, Executive Manager, City Strategy, City of Sydney
• Kerry Doss, Manager, City Planning, Brisbane City Council

Further details about the Summit, including the full program, are available at www.halledit.com.au/mps or contact Denise McQueen on 03 8534 5021 or
Email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

Advertisement

 

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

 

Advertisement

Executive Workshops in Regulation to gain a competitive edge

Whilst much of the work of local governments involves regulatory activities, few professionals see themselves as regulators and fewer actually understand either regulatory concepts or the breath of available tools.

Monash's Centre for Regulatory Studies is addressing this gap by offering a two day workshop (30 and 31 March) - The Regulatory Revolution: survival skills for professionals.

Come up to speed with regulatory concepts with core ideas, frameworks and skills to apply to your local government business activities.

Our programs are aligned with industry and taught by leading academics in Melbourne's CBD.

For further information and registration click here.

Tel: (03) 9905 4135, email: Regulatory.Centre@law.monash.edu.au
or
www.law.monash.edu.au/regstudies/