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24 Jul 2009
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Parliamentary Inquiry into obesity

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Last month, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing released its report on obesity in Australia. Titled 'Weighing it up,' the Committee commented favourably on the considerable work being done by local councils throughout Australia to help promote more active, healthy lifestyles, and commended the Healthy Spaces and Places initiative being developed by ALGA, the National Heart Foundation (NHF) and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Funding for the Healthy Spaces and Places initiative ceased on 30 June 2009 and ALGA, the NHF and PIA have made strong representations to the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, in regard to the renewal of funding to support the initiative.

Some of the programs being implemented or supported by local government which the Committee makes particular mention of include the Gold Coast City Council's 'Active and Healthy' program, Mackay Regional Council's 'Active Parks' program, and Colac-Otway Shire's involvement in 'the Colac project', to encourage healthy eating and activity levels in children aged 4 to 12 years. Developments in the City of Port Phillip to help ensure traffic lights are programmed with children in mind so that they may walk to school safely, and the Physical Activity Impact Assessment Framework implemented by the City of Freemantle, were described by the Committee as 'excellent initiatives.'

The Committee also noted that there is an emerging focus on healthy urban environments where physical activity is embedded in urban design, and that through helping to provide a healthy environment for communities, local government can play a central role in helping reverse Australia's very high rates of obesity (ABS data found 68 per cent of adult men and 55 per cent of adult women to be overweight or obese).

In supporting 'the call to develop and implement nationally consistent urban planning guidelines' to help reverse obesity statistics the Committee has recommended that the Federal Government take the lead role by using the Healthy Spaces and Places guidelines as a model; it further noted the need for ongoing funding to local governments to continue to encourage Australians to be more active and live more healthily, concluding that federal, state and territory governments can provide support and capacity to local government through a cooperative legislative framework and adequate funding arrangements'.

The report, and ALGA's submission, is available at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa/obesity/report.htm

Murray-Darling Basin councils plan for future

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The Government is calling for proposals from local councils in the Murray-Darling Basin to help them better deal with the huge challenges posed by a future with less water.

Proposals from Basin communities for Government funds are being sought to help them assess the impact of less water on their local area, and undertake community-wide planning for the future.

This initiative is part of the $200 million Strengthening Basin Communities program to assist local governments in the Murray-Darling Basin plan for reduced water availability and deliver associated local water saving initiatives.

Climate Change and Water Minister Senator Penny Wong said local governments would be able to use guidelines to lodge the applications for the planning funding.

"With this funding, local councils, or groups of local councils, will be better able to update existing plans or develop new plans that better prepare their communities for the impacts of climate change.

"The plans developed through this funding round may form the basis for further applications for funding for local community water-saving initiatives under a later stage of the program.

"I encourage all local governments in the Murray-Darling Basin to apply before the closing date of 21 August 2009."

This announcement confirms the commitment negotiated between the Rudd Government and Senator Xenophon as part of the passage of the Nation Building and Jobs Plan through the Senate earlier this year. Funding will be reimbursed based on actual costs incurred up to a maximum of $200,000 per local government area. A consortium or regional organisation can pool funds for each local government area involved, up to a cap of $800,000 for four or more councils. Projects must be completed within 24 months of approval.

The Strengthening Basin Communities program is part of the Australian Government's $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan. Guidelines and application forms are available from www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/index.html or by calling 1800 218 478.

A new model for fighting squalor

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People who live in squalor can come from all backgrounds and be of all ages. They can reside in their own homes, rental accommodation or public housing. These clients may have a mental illness, memory loss or confusion associated with dementia or a disability. The person may live alone or with someone who, through their own health or disability, requires support to maintain a clean and safe environment. They are most likely to be the most marginalised and disadvantaged people in our communities.

Recognising the need to provide comprehensive support for people living in squalor and those affected by this, the NSW Government through the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care in 2008 provided Catholic Community Services with funding to develop, implement and evaluate an effective service model for squalor including liaison with local government and providing ongoing support. This service model was developed after researching best practice nationally and internationally.

The level of demand for the service since it commenced has been overwhelming, with well over 200 referrals since the inception of the program 10 months ago. Over 680 practitioners have also attended training and information sessions on squalor, increasing the awareness and subsequent opportunities for early intervention, with further sessions planned each month.

For further information about Catholic Community Services' squalor program please call 1800 225 474. Catholic Community Services will hold the inaugural National Squalor Conference "Pathway through the Maze" in Sydney on 5-6 November 2009. More information on the National Squalor Conference is available on the conference website www.nationalsqualorconference.com.au
From the President

The ALGA board met this week via videoconference to discuss a range of issues including how to advance the motions passed at last month's National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA). This was the first ALGA Board meeting to be held via videoconference and it was a successful initial attempt.

It is timely that the Board is trialling videoconferencing and exploring the practical benefits which it brings such as increased convenience and savings in travel costs - not to mention carbon emissions. Local government is increasingly aligning itself with the digital economy and it is good for the sector to see its peak bodies doing likewise. Videoconferencing is also a priority of the Federal Government as it prepares to build the National Broadband Network.

The main item considered by the Board considered was the 61 resolutions passed at the NGA, which can be viewed at http://nga.alga.asn.au/business/ resolutions/2009/. The motions are broadly clustered around the themes of climate change, local government finances and infrastructure. There are also five resolutions which fit into the category of dealing with waste and e-waste. These are timely as they will help to inform ALGA's work in this important policy area.

ALGA is engaged in national waste policy issues through the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and is committed to the development by the end of the year of a National Waste Policy Framework. ALGA is a member of the inter-jurisdictional working group developing this policy and, as a member of the EPHC, will participate in the final consideration by ministers of this policy.

ALGA has also made strong representations on the terms under which waste should be included in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and successfully argued against the 'grandfathering' clause relating to waste. ALGA values the level of consultation and engagement with the Federal Government on these issues and in particular with the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Greg Combet.

Currently the Australian Government is conducting consultations on a Draft National Waste Policy Framework and submissions close on 31 July 2009. This draft can be viewed here.

Given local government's involvement in waste management issues I encourage you to read this draft and consider your council making a submission to the Australian Government by the end of this month. ALGA will also be making a submission.

I also wish to draw your attention to additional work being undertaken by the EPHC on televisions and computers under the Television and Computer Product Stewardship consultation package. Further information is available here. Submissions are currently being accepted and close on 13 August 2009.

As you can see, the Australian Government and the EPHC is actively pursuing waste management policy issues at present. ALGA is in an excellent position to influence the outcomes of these considerations and with the continuing supporting action by councils throughout Australia, I am confident we can achieve significant improvements in national waste policy for the benefit of the Australian community.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

National environment laws

Important information is now available to help anyone planning developments that could affect nationally protected environments or species. Under national environment legislation (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) any proposal likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance needs to be assessed by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The department's manager of strategic approvals and legislation Mark Flanigan, said a range of new threatened species and ecological communities policy statements were designed to help developers and consultants determine whether their activities are likely to have a significant impact and need to be referred to the department

Environmental Scientist at Aurecon Canberra, Cormac Farrell, said the guidelines are invaluable in project planning for a range of projects including roads and infrastructure.

Matters of national environmental significance are: world and national heritage sites, wetlands of international importance, nationally threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas, and nuclear actions.

The new policy statements are available here. To receive email updates on new information about the EPBC Act click here.

Fewer homeless in ACT

The ACT has the equal lowest rate of homelessness in Australia at 42% per 10,000 people and a smaller proportion of homeless people sleeping rough (6% in the Act compared to 16% nationally) according to the new report ?Counting the Homeless 2006 in the ACT.' The report also confirms that the ACT homelessness services accommodated almost twice the proportion of homeless people in the ACT (39%) as nationally (19%).

Enviroweek

In order to promote Enviroweek (11-17 October 2009) and get people excited about registering for the cause, Cool Australia is seeking support from Australian councils and local government who care about our unique environment to help engage their constituents. Challenges will include everything from riding your bike everywhere, making the switch to Green Power ditching the car and walking, showering with your pets or loved ones(!), going vegetarian and everything in between. Details here.

National Compact Workshop

This week ALGA attended a workshop held at Parliament House which signalled the next stage of the fledgling "compact" between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit sector. The Rudd Government, as part of its social inclusion election policy agenda, undertook to consult with the non-profit sector about the desirability of a formal partnership, or "compact" between it and the Australian Government. The inherent diversity of the sector was evident during the workshop.

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens described the compact as a "new way of working together - a way that will enable the sector and government to more effectively build stronger communities."

She said that the compact is ultimately a recognition that both the third sector (non-profit sector) and the government exist to ensure "the well-being of all Australians, and that when we work in partnership we are more likely to achieve this."

Despite the diversity of the sector, there was general agreement between the 70 workshop participants that a compact would enable a higher level policy discussion, streamline regulation, reduce red tape, foster partnerships and provide a strong framework for growth in the sector. But the devil, as they say, was in the detail, and the same diversity elicited some differences of opinion.

After the views of workshop participants are incorporated into the draft compact, the next stage will see a roll out of the consultation process to the wider community. Senator Stephens is due to take a report on the compact to Cabinet in December.

Landcare projects

Farmers, farmer groups and industry bodies will benefit from $26 million in Rudd Government funding for 56 Landcare projects across Australia - part of a major investment in land management and sustainable agriculture.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the funding while visiting the Little River Landcare site, near Dubbo recently.

Projects in every state have been funded, including $6 million for a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) project to work with farmer groups on increasing soil cover and reducing erosion over more than two million hectares. A full listing of funded Landcare projects is available at www.nrm.gov.au

Charities cut staff numbers

Charities are sacking staff and cutting services by up to 30 per cent because of falls in revenue, the not-for-profit sector says. The first comprehensive study of the sector since the impact of the economic slowdown revealed that 60 per cent of 263 groups surveyed reported they had lost income during the past six months. One third lost more than 10 per cent and two thirds are predicting further losses, according to the Managing in a Downturn report. The Fundraising Institute of Australia, which helped compile the data, says staff numbers and services have been slashed by up to 30 per cent as a result. - AAP

NSW planning woes

With the Joint Regional Planning Panels set to begin determining a wide range of development applications within a month, communities and councils will be marginalised even further, according to The President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery.

"The State Government seems keen to seize control of development decisions with very little consideration of council or community views," she said. "There is something quite Orwellian about this entire process," she said.

Cr Bruce Miller, President of the Shires Association, said that the range of development applications to be assessed by the panels is staggering. "The JRPPs cast a very wide net for supposedly regionally significant developments," he said. "All of a sudden extensions to our local libraries, aged care facilities or a basic two-storey building in a town centre are considered regionally significant. And our country communities are being forced out of the process altogether simply through the distances involved - a trip of thee or so hours to take part in a meeting is not exactly good for public participation."

Are you a procurement specialist?

Government Skills Australia is seeking a procurement specialist from a local government who understands the skills requirements for local government staff who work in procurement.

If you or anyone you know fits this requirement, they would need to be available to attend a workshop hosted by the Department of Finance and Deregulation in Canberra starting at lunchtime on 30 July 2009 which will conclude around 3.30pm on 31 July 2009.

The individual will need to be able to talk knowledgeably with this group of procurement professionals that Government Skills Australia has assembled and ensure that local government interests are addressed. You may participate in the later working groups or be able to nominate others who can - not only from your council but perhaps others - so your are probably involved in some networks. Support materials are being developed to include an e-learning component by the SA Government and when trialled will be made available for national roll out. For further information contact cathy.miller@governmentskills.com.au

State of the Regions report 2006-07
NSW rates review

The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) yesterday released a draft report which recommends changes in the way that local government rates are regulated. IPART's draft recommendations would, if implemented by the Government, make the process for setting rates more transparent and more objective, while still continuing to protect rate payers from excessive rate increases.

NSW Local Government Association president Genia McCaffery said the report echoes what councils have been saying for a long time.

"The ideal option would be the abandonment of rate pegging but what we need now is to find a path so that we can get sound financial planning for councils into the future ... we're saying to the Premier, you have an independent report now that provides a process for you to go down so that we can remove rate pegging," she said.

IPART is seeking feedback from councils and the broader community on its proposed framework. Submissions on the draft recommendations are due by 18 September 2009. Prior to the closing date for submissions, workshops on the draft report will be held in Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga and Queanbeyan to promote debate and discussion. The draft report and an information paper are available on IPART's website www.ipart.nsw.gov.au. If interested parties do not have access to the internet, a paper copy of the report may be obtained from IPART's offices by telephoning (02) 9290 8400.

Nextgen portal launch

Nextgen has launched an online portal inviting the public, local government, community groups, internet service providers and demand aggregators in regional Australia to provide feedback on broadband services in their area.

The feedback will be used to help validate Nextgen's assessment of telecommunications demands in regional locations and assist its bid for the installation of competitive broadband in regional Australia as part of the $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots Initiative.

Councils as corporate bodies or individual councillors are urged to provide their views by visiting the site "Australia, have your say" here.

Former council CEO joins ICLEI

After twelve years with ICLEI, Wayne Wescott, CEO of ICLEI Oceania, has decided to move on to new projects. Steve Gawler, ICLEI Country Director Indonesia, will take over as Interim CEO from 22 July 2009, working closely with the Deputy CEO, Martin Brennan.

Formerly the CEO of the City of Frankston in Victoria, Mr Gawler joined ICLEI Oceania in early 2008 and built on ICLEI's international approach to establish the Building Resilient Indonesian Cities Project. As Interim CEO Mr Gawler also will continue his work with Indonesian cities.

Regional Arts Australia

Regional Arts Australia invites you to participate in a national consultation which will inform future directions for their work aimed at strengthening regional communities through arts and culture. Complete the online survey now.

The extensive national consultations (which include both the online survey and face-to-face meetings nationwide) are exploring the role of arts and culture for regional Australians and considering how the arts intersect with areas such as health, education, environment, tourism, technology, Indigenous culture and economic development. Everyone who completes the survey is in the running to win a stay at a Medina Apartment Hotel in your closest capital city.

Swine flu vaccine trials

Trials of a swine flu vaccine ordered by the Federal Government began this week.

The Australian Government has ordered 21 million doses of the vaccine being made by the Australian owned biotechnology company CSL.

The Royal Adelaide Hospital trials will take about seven months to complete, but CSL says there'll be enough initial results for the government to plan distribution from October.

Some 240 volunteers will take part in the trial, with some to get a single dose and others a double dose.

The vaccine trials are good news given the growing number of Australians hospitalised with H1N1 flu complications. As of Thursday 23 July, Australia's national toll of confirmed cases was in excess of 15,700 with some 256 people currently in hospital. The national death associated with the flu virus reached 46 this week.

Public Libraries Summit

ALGA was one many delegates that attended last week's Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Public Libraries Summit, held at the National Library of Australia. The Summit provided ALIA with the mandate to develop a national framework for Australia's 1500 public libraries.

In her opening address, Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, talked about public libraries as 'hubs of community life', neutral spaces for learning, access to the internet and e-learning. She said, 'They will remain a vital part of the future ... a neutral third place, with the capacity to connect people with the outside world.'

She described the existing ALIA public campaigns, Library Lovers' Day and National Simultaneous Storytime, as clever initiatives, and the Summer Reading Club as 'a valuable way of drawing in young people.'

The Summit was the first time politicians, their advisers, representatives of not-for-profit organisations and senior figures from the library world had come together to debate the future of public libraries in the 21st century.

ALIA Executive Director Sue Hutley said, "It was clear from the debate during the day, and from the feedback from attendees immediately after the event, that what is needed is a lead body, providing public libraries with a united voice to government. ALIA was recognised as being uniquely placed to be able to deliver this, supported by, and in collaboration with, the state public libraries associations and Friends of Libraries Australia."

The development of a vision, strategy and national framework will be based on the submissions posted in advance of the Summit, by library and other organisations from many parts of Australia, and the course of the discussion at the event.

This work coincides with the launch at the Summit of the ALIA initiative to develop new National Standards for Public Libraries, which will give direction to the provision of public library services.

Other key topics at the ALIA Public Libraries Summit were children, early reading and a literate Australia; encouraging the digital economy and digital citizenship; social inclusion and community partnerships, and health and ageing.

ALIA President Jan Richards concluded, "ALIA has been issued with a serious challenge and we intend to step up to the mark. We will be working with partners over the next few months to develop a national framework for public libraries as the basis of a plan with which we can go to Federal Government requesting its support. "

Australia's public libraries network straddles all three levels of government - national, state/territory and local. Services are delivered by a variety of administrative arrangements which vary both between and within each State and Territory.

Quote of the week

"Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great." -
Orison Swett Marden

International news  

The city of Ghent, 30 miles west of Brussels (Belgium), has become the first in the world to go vegetarian at least once a week. City officials announced that Thursdays will be meatless days, with civil servants and elected councillors leading the way by opting for vegetarian meals.

The UN says livestock is responsible for nearly one fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions and Ghent city councillor, Tom Balthazar, says abstaining from meat one day a week "is good for the climate, your health and your taste buds". Schoolchildren will be involved in the initiative when they start their own "veggiedag" in September. It is hoped the move will cut Ghent's environmental footprint and help tackle obesity. 90,000 veggie street maps are being printed to help people find the city's vegetarian eateries.

The Ethical Vegetarian Alternative, Belgium's national vegetarian organisation, says, "other Belgian cities have already shown interest in following Ghent's example." Ghent is extremely active in environmental issues and is also a member of the CIVITAS initiative which enables cities to achieve a more sustainable, clean and energy efficient urban transport system.
Forthcoming events

For a full listing of forthcoming events, see ALGA's Events calendar.
ALGA News can be read online each week at www.alga.asn.au/news.aspx
Editor: newscomments@alga.asn.au Tel: 02 6122 9434.
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