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14 Aug 2009
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Minister Wong vows to press ahead with Emissions Trading Scheme

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The Government's emissions trading laws have been voted down in the Senate by all non-Government senators.

Yesterday's vote provides the Government with a potential double dissolution election trigger if it waits three months to re-introduce the legislation and it is again defeated.

Climate Change Minister Senator Penny Wong vowed to press on with getting the scheme passed and said it would be brought back into the Parliament before the end of the year. The Government wanted the bill to pass before international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

"It's not smart to pretend this won't leave us isolated from the rest of the world, and it's not smart to undermine our transition to a low-carbon economy," Senator Wong said. "This bill may be going down today, but this is not the end."

The future of the legislation is uncertain with the Greens upholding their position that the emissions cut target is too low at 5% and the Opposition saying the scheme, which they will not support without amendments, should not be finalised until after the Copenhagen talks. Speaking at the National Press Club earlier in the week, Senator Wong said that the Government would support reasonable amendments to its scheme but criticised a proposed model by Frontier Economics. "It's not a hybrid, it's a mongrel. It is not a credible alternative, it is a smokescreen," she said, underlying the urgency of acting. "Now, all we have is a small window to reduce the seriousness of climate change - and that window will not stay open for long. The need to act is patent. It is in everybody's interest. Australians demand it."

The Australian Local Government Association supports an emissions trading scheme and has proposed programs in its 2009-10 Budget Submission to enable councils to build capacity, adapt locally and plan for the future.

Landmark planning initiative

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Planning that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport ahead of motor cars is the centrepiece of Healthy Spaces and Places, a major national initiative, unveiled on Wednesday at the annual Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) Summit at Parliament House Canberra.

In an Australian first, health, local government, planning and design experts have worked together to produce a national guide for creating sustainable communities in which healthy living is a key priority.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and announced by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery, Warren Snowden, Healthy Spaces and Places is a unique collaboration between the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).

ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake said the recent announcement by the Australian Government of the $1 billion Community Infrastructure Program underlines the importance of designing and creating healthy environments to nurture active and vibrant communities.

"I strongly believe councils and governments can work together to plan sensitive, well-designed facilities and public spaces that will meet the needs of local residents now and into the future," he said. "Healthy Spaces and Places achieves this important goal."

For more information about Healthy Spaces and Places, go to: www.healthyplaces.org.au

Photo: (L to R) PIA President Neil Savery, Anne Moroney from PIA, Minister Warren Snowden, Trevor Shilton from the National Heart Foundation, and Rolf Fenner from ALGA

The challenge of our growing cities

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The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, has identified the need to develop an urban policy as a pressing issue for our nation. "The Commonwealth's recent exile from the urban policy arena has ended," he said in an address to the 'Partnerships 09 - Infrastructure and Investment Conference' in Sydney last Friday.

"The need to pay attention to the state of our cities is more urgent than ever...we must confront the challenge of ensuring we develop sustainable cities for the future. An important step will be the development of a comprehensive National Urban Policy. Australia needs a policy framework that will assist the Commonwealth, the states and territories and local governments create productive, liveable and sustainable cities. These are the objectives of the Major Cities Unit."

Minister Albanese said the Federal Government was taking an integrated approach to urban and regional development. He nominated the big urban challenges to be overcome as:

  • Maintaining our egalitarian way of life
  • Beating the problem of traffic congestion
  • City affordability
  • Housing design; and
  • Public health

The Minister said Infrastructure Australia and COAG were making progress to address some of these challenges, as were some of the States in concert with capital cities. ALGA is represented on the COAG Cities, Infrastructure and Planning Taskforce.

"The next necessity, though, is for a national policy framework that can build on and accelerate successes like these," he said. "The big problem in essence is the lack of a consistency national policy focus." Minister Albanese said he expected the main context of the National Urban Policy to be completed in the coming year, with targeted consultations well under way. However he urged the major players such as property developers, state and local governments to begin maximising the development potential of middle suburbs, not just he inner cities. "And for large infrastructure developers, the challenge is to move into the area of public transport, not just road construction, embrace the challenges of energy and water scarcity as opportunities...and set Australia at the forefront of responding to climate change." Minister Albanese urged those present to "realise where the future lies, anticipate the changes it will bring, and get ahead of the game." The full speech is available here.
From the President

This week ALGA participated in the launch of the Healthy Spaces and Places national planning guide by Minister Warren Snowden, Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery. The guide is an Australian first because it has brought together local government representatives, health professionals and planning and design experts to produce a practical and easy-to-use web-based guide for creating sustainable communities in which healthy living is a key priority.

Once again, local government is at the cutting edge of innovative policy and program solutions - in this case, to help tackle Australia's rising obesity and health disease levels.

According to official figures, Australia has unprecedented levels of preventable disease with cardiovascular disease killing one Australian almost every 10 minutes. This disease affects more than 3.7 million Australians in all parts of the nation and according to the National Heart Foundation, prevents 1.4 million of us from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease.

About half of all Australians are either overweight or obese or in a high risk category. Even more troubling is that up to one in four children fall into these categories. It is a problem that requires urgent attention.

But like many issues in our society, there is no single solution or single level of government that can completely address the problem of Australia's rising obesity levels. Instead, a co-operative approach is required amongst the three levels of government, underpinned by agency collaboration and meaningful investment in preventative health measures.

All over Australia, local councils can work to deliver initiatives for their communities that can help reverse obesity trends, prevent disease, restore overall mental and physical health and wellbeing and promote the benefits of good nutrition and exercise. In Healthy Spaces and Places, ALGA has worked collaboratively with other national peak bodies - the National Heart Foundation and the Planning Institute of Australia - to identify ways in which planning can help produce built environments that encourage people to be fit, active, healthy and mentally and emotionally secure. The Healthy Spaces and Places national planning guide encapsulates the philosophy that 'prevention is better than cure'.

The importance of investing in preventative health cannot be over-estimated. ALGA acknowledges the financial support provided by the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing but is disappointed that the Australian Government has not committed further funds to the project at this time. Further funding would allow the national planning guide to be implemented 'on the ground' in local communities and would enable specific training to be delivered to built environment professionals so they can work with government decision-makers to produce better health outcomes for all Australians.

At a time when the Australian Government is considering the recommendations contained in reports from the Parliamentary Inquiry into obesity, the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission and the National Preventative Health Taskforce on how to reform health spending and systems, Healthy Spaces and Places warrants further consideration.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Oil spill

The Australian and Queensland Governments have struck an agreement with Swire Shipping over financial issues relating to the oil spill from the Pacific Adventurer off the Queensland coast earlier this year. Under the agreement, Swire Shipping will provide $25 million for compensation of valid claims arising from the oil spill, towards a court administered limitation fund and a donation to a trust specially established to help improve marine protection and maritime safety. All valid private claimants and local governments will be given full priority for compensation through the court administered limitation fund.

Web Forums

The Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner, and the Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced the formation of a Taskforce (http://gov2.net.au/) to investigate how the Australian Government can use new 'Web 2.0' approaches to expand the uses of Commonwealth information and improve the way government consults and engages with citizens.

The Government 2.0 Taskforce will make recommendations for government policy and fund projects which offer promise in accelerating the coming of Government 2.0.

The Taskforce seeks input through a series of open forums, in each capital city over the next few weeks. The Taskforce is seeking input from a range of audience groups - government, industry, academics, NGOs and interested others.

In order to disseminate the forum as widely as possible, we would be grateful if you would forward this invitation to others in your network who may be interested in attending.

Melbourne
When: Wednesday 19th August 2009, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
RSVP: by midday Monday 17th August 2009 - please provide your name, organisation and contact details to gov2secretariat@finance.gov.au

Sydney
When: Thursday 20th August 2009, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: Smith Room, Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney
RSVP: by midday Tuesday 18th August 2009 - please provide your name, organisation and contact details to gov2secretariat@finance.gov.au

Brisbane
When: Tuesday 25th August 2009, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: Central Eagle Street, 175 Eagle Street, Brisbane
RSVP: by midday Friday 21st August 2009 - please provide your name, organisation and contact details to gov2secretariat@finance.gov.au

Perth
When: Thursday 27th August 2009, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: Collins Street Centre, Corner Collins St & Shaftesbury St, South Perth
RSVP: by midday Tuesday 25th August 2009 - please provide your name, organisation and contact details to gov2secretariat@finance.gov.au

Adelaide
When: Tuesday 1st September 2009, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: Enterprise House, 136 Greenhill Road, Unley
RSVP: by midday Friday 28th August 2009 - please provide your name, organisation and contact details to gov2secretariat@finance.gov.au

Darwin
When: Wednesday 2nd September 2009, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: Red 6.1.0.3 Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Brinkin
RSVP: by midday Monday 31st August 2009 - please provide your name, organisation and contact details to gov2secretariat@finance.gov.au

Hobart
TBC

Further information on the events is available at http://gov2.net.au/roadshows/

Council on homelessness

During National Homeless Persons Week, the Australian Government has announced the appointment of Mr Tony Nicholson, Executive Director, Brotherhood of St Laurence to chair the Prime Minister's Council on Homelessness.

The Council will provide independent strategic advice critical to the early years of implementing the Government's White Paper on Homelessness, The Road Home, and monitor its progress towards the goal of halving homelessness by 2020. The first meeting of the Council will be held in August 2009.

Litter index

The annual National Litter Index results released this week show a slight reduction in the national average, yet highlight some trouble spots.

The National Litter Index is Australia's only national, annual, quantitative measure of litter, providing reliable base line data on litter across Australia, assisting governments, businesses and community organisations in the development of policies and programs that will reduce litter across Australian communities.

The findings of the 2009 report show that Victoria performed best overall, whilst Queensland showed the highest reduction in litter items in comparison to last year. The report shows that industrial areas, retail sites and highways are the major areas affected by litter. The states' performances are variable:

  • NT showed a disappointing increase in litter at retail sites, car parks and beaches being the trouble locations. Of concern was a spike in the proportion of plastic litter items reported.
  • WA was slightly up on items with retail sites, car parks and shopping centres being the highest areas to increase. Encouragingly, there was a substantial decline in litter found at industrial sites.
  • SA has recorded a steady decrease in litter items.
  • TAS showed a disappointing increase in litter items, primarily within industrial areas. An increase was also recorded in plastic food containers and utensils.
  • VIC showed significant decrease in litter, indicating the 'Dob in a Litterer' campaign may be influencing behaviour in this state. Significant reduction in industrial site litter was also recorded.
  • ACT showed an overall downward trend, with the exception of retails sites, which have increased. Unfortunately the number of plastic items has increased from last year.
  • NSW showed an overall decrease in litter items, with a slight increase in paper / cardboard litter and alcoholic glass bottles.
  • QLD was significantly down in items, showing a high reduction in litter overall.

Cigarette butts, although down from last year, are still the most pervasive litter item, recording an average 30 butts per 1000m2. Plastic litter, such as plastic food containers and plastic utensils, follow close behind. Illegal dumping, slightly down from last year, continued to contribute the most to litter volume nationally.

"We call on all Australian's to do the right thing and put litter in the bin. We ask everyone to also take part in Keep Australia Beautiful Week which kicks off on Monday 24 August. The theme 'Waste Lives On' is a reminder to reduce litter and increase recycling - something we can all do", Scott Lyall added.

To download the National or State reports visit www.kab.org.au and click on the litter research section.

Built environment

Close to 200 delegates attended the third Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) summit held at the Parliament House in Canberra. BEMP is an initiative of the Planning Institute of Australia, Property Council of Australia, Green building Council Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Association of Consulting Engineers Australia. The summit attracted a range of built environment professionals, academics and parliamentarians that were united in discussing what Australia needs to do both immediately and in the longer term to advance the nation's prosperity and quality of life and to create a sustainable future.

BEMP 2009 focussed on how the building, development, planning and design sectors, in partnership with governments can contribute to planning for sustainable communities and provide a strong foundation for future prosperity. The key summit themes concluded the challenges of achieving prosperity, liveability, sustainability and partnerships. The participants were in general agreement that whilst the Australian Government needs to take a stronger leadership role in the nation's overarching planning, local government had an equally important and relevant role to play in delivering the sort of communities that were sustainable in the true meaning of the term. Key Ministers that presented at the summit were Ministers Tanner, Plibersek, Shorten, Garrett and Carr. Panellists included Greens Senator Christine Milne, Opposition Local Government Minister Scott Morrison, and Greg Hunt and Bruce Billson who debated and shared their views on what needs to be done to create a stronger built environment. Key announcements made at the summit included Environment Minister Peter Garrett agreeing to establish a Built Environment Sustainability Roundtable and Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek announcing the opening on 1 September of the third round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

A highlight of the summit was the awards night on Tuesday where the winners of Australia's most prestigious award for excellence and innovation in urban design were announced. The Australian Award for Urban Design highlights the best of design in the built environment and acknowledges the critical role of good urban design in the development of our towns and cities.

This year there were two major Winners as well as a Commendation.

AWARD WINNER 1
Presented to:
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects with James Mather Delaney Design and City of Sydney
for Paddington Reservoir Gardens

AWARD WINNER 2
Presented to:
City of Melbourne and Victorian Department of Transport
for Transforming Australian Cities

COMMENDATION
Presented to:
City of Sydney
for Sustainable Sydney 2030 - The Vision
Freight Rail Productivity Review

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released the final report of the Freight Rail Productivity Review.

The review was aimed at:

  • understanding the role of rail within Australia's transport system;
  • identifying productivity impediments within the freight rail sector; and
  • developing recommendations for government to effectively intervene in the rail sector to improve outcomes for the transport system as a whole.

The Review found that there is a role for government in addressing productivity impediments in the rail sector and that as a high priority, governments should:

  • develop more coordinated and transparent frameworks to facilitate planning and investment within the rail industry and build on the planning and investment already undertaken by governments individually;
  • work with industry to ensure that policy objectives for funding being provided are being met. This will require reciprocal obligations from industry in terms of ensuring government subsidies are used efficiently and providing adequate information to governments regarding funding outcomes and expected future investment requirements;
  • improve efficiency across the transport sector through the progression of the COAG Road Reform Plan and development of a nationally consistent regulatory model for access to strategically important terminals;
  • continue to work towards implementation of a single national rail safety regulator and investigator to deliver a nationally consistent rail safety regulatory framework; and
  • develop comprehensive productivity indicators for the rail sector.

The Review also found that industry can also play a strong role in improving productivity through developing and adhering to technical, operational and environmental industry standards and guidelines; and working to improve coordination along the supply chain.

NTC Chief Executive Mr Dimopoulos said further reform is essential to ensure rail plays its part in servicing the growing land freight task safely and sustainably.

"Freight customers want a rail option that better meets their needs," he said.

"While the review focussed on freight rail productivity, it found that we can improve national policies and planning so all transport modes work smarter together and compete on their own merits.

"A focus on productivity reform will deliver a growing rail freight system, with better track speeds, quicker transit times, higher axle weights, improved service and reliability.

"The end result will be more competitive exports and lower cost products on supermarket shelves."

Key recommendations in the Review include:

  • clear national objectives and policies to plan and develop the right infrastructure;
  • certainty and transparency of government subsidies to rail;
  • explore options for more nationally consistent rail pricing and access regulation;
  • open access regulation for key strategically-located rail terminals;
  • long-term pricing reform so truck charges do not unfairly disadvantage rail;
  • industry-led coordination of freight movements along the supply chain; and
  • better performance measures for rail.

The final report can be down loaded from: Freight Rail Productivity Review Final Position Paper

Local Government and Planning Ministers

ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake represented ALGA at the fourth Local Government and Planning Ministers (LGPM) Development Assessment reform sub group meeting held in Sydney on Tuesday. The sub group, chaired by SA Planning Minister Paul Holloway is leading a key piece of work requested by COAG to achieve significant improvements to Australia's diverse yet critically important regulatory planning systems. The five projects that comprise the future eDA implementation roadmap are: national performance management system, a national code (residential) template, an overarching framework incorporating national planning system principles and an evaluation analysis of the benefits that national DA reform may deliver the nation over time. The sub group received several progress reports from the responsible jurisdictions and agreed to meet again at the end of the month via teleconference to confirm precisely what will be able to be presented to LGPM at their upcoming meeting in Darwin on the 8 October. Planning Ministers have been requested to provide COAG with a detailed briefing of progress by the end of this year. Given the ambitious work program and tight time frames, especially considering that virtually all Australian states and territories are going through their own major planning reforms, officials and their consultants are working over time to meet COAG's expectations.

Emergency Management

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has released the Australian Emergency Management Arrangements (AEMA).

The Arrangements provide an overview of how Federal, State, Territory and Local Governments collectively approach the management of emergencies, including catastrophic disaster events.

A copy of the Arrangements can be found on the Emergency Management Australia website.

Young Australia

Releasing some of the findings of a new report - the State of Australia's Young People - Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, told the National Press Club that the report "raises some serious alarm bells about the heath and state of mind of our young people - highlighting issues of self-harm, negative body image, cyber bullying and skyrocketing rates of violence as key areas of concern."

Minister Ellis was addressing the National Press Club on 11 August, a day ahead of International Youth Day.

The statistics on the extent of some of the report's problem areas highlight the role of prevention and early intervention.

Sixty four per cent of mental illness begins before 21 and 40 per cent of young people aged 16-24 experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Mental illness in young people "has risen to a level of severity not faced by any generation that has gone before", she said, leading the Government to nearly double its investment in youth-specific mental health programs over the next 4 years.

Teenagers 15-19 had the highest hospitalisation rates for acute intoxication from alcohol among all age groups. Hospitalisation rates for intentional self-harm among young people increased by 43 per cent between 1996 and 2006.

Cyber bullying, because it is insidious in nature, means that the sanctity of the family home is not longer a guaranteed safe haven for the school bully who can access social networks 24/7. The Government has announced a $3m national pilot program to address cyber-bullying in schools.

Minister Ellis' message was that government needs to act on the serious issues facing young people today. She referred to discussions between the Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, and local governments about a "wish list" of community facilities which could not be provided due to the lack of funding. Government infrastructure funding has now allowed local governments to build those facilities, strengthen communities and provide young people with access to facilities.

Corporate ladder trips women

Chief Executive Women (CEW)'s white paper, 'The business Case for Women as Leaders', summarises the considerable body of research that supports the link between profitability and greater numbers of women at the top of organisations. It also advocates a significant effort to boost numbers. The report finds three myths surrounding women in leadership: that equal opportunity policies eliminate gender bias (which is so deeply entrenched, a complex approach is needed); the best way to promote diversity is the treat all people the same way (this ignores the stereotyping that goes on); and family demands are the main reason women do not enter leadership positions. With 45% of Australian companies having no women at all on the executive team, and Australia slipping from 17 to 21 on the World Economic Forum's annual Global Gender Gap Index, the signs are that despite increasing workforce participation, the representation of women at the top is getting worse rather than better. The white paper is available here.

Taxpayer objections

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has released the Inspector-General of Taxation's report of his Review into the Underlying Causes and the Management of Objections to Tax Office Decisions.

The Review sought to identify changes that would improve the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness of the objections process as part of the IGT's wider examination of the Tax Office's approach to settling and finalising issues with taxpayers.

The full report, which also contains the Tax Office response to all recommendations, is available here.

Innovation and government

Dr Terry Cutler, chair of the recent review of the National Innovation System, shared this findings and thoughts on innovation in government and business at an Oracle Australia executive seminar held in Canberra this week.

Dr Cutler's insights into innovation had relevance for local government. 'We are all players," he said. Innovation had the potential to increase competitiveness, productivity and the well-being of the community and was important for service delivery in areas such as health, education, community services and increasingly for issues such as climate change, food and water security. The four strategies identified by Dr Cutler were:

  • Entrepreneurial innovation - organisation and workplaces;
  • People innovation - talent pool and turning human capital into social capital through networking;
  • Information and knowledge flows fuel innovation; and
  • Global integration - systemic innovation - these are transdisciplinary and transnational problems

He described the challenges facing Australia as:

  • Being market-facing - finding solutions for market problems
  • Skills agenda - workplace innovation, lifelong learning and on the job training
  • Whole of government coordination - taking a holistic view of innovation challenges
  • A spotlight on the public sector
  • Developing national innovation policies and strategies (identifying who is responsible for solving the problems)

The Government responded to Dr Cutler's report 'Venturous Australia - Building Strength in Innovation' with a white paper earlier this year and significant measures were introduced such as changes to r&d tax concessions, investment in superscience and emerging technology and the National Broadband Network - 'a crucial platform for Australia in a digital world.'

Quote of the week

"My grandfather (a municipal engineer) told me doctors can diagnose dysentery but engineers build the solutions. I have a great respect for engineers." -
ABC TV journalist Michael Sexton, accepting the Engineers Australia and National Press Club Award this week which recognises excellence in engineering journalism.

International news  

The 'Journal of Public Health Policy' has outlined clear evidence of the links between the physical environment and health where environments conducive to walking and other forms of physical activity can lead to improved overall population health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. In England, the environment has been a key focus of recent public health policy and recent guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on a public health program to modify environmental factors to promote physical activity has been developed. This study reports on field testing of the guidance to understand the views of the main professions affected; town planners and transport professionals.

The central questions in this study were:

  • How can evidence-based public health guidance influence the work of town planning and transport professionals?
  • How do town planning and transport professionals view evidence-based public health guidance?
  • How do town planning and transport professionals understand the link between national guidance and existing legislation and policy?

The researchers used a key informant 'snowball' sampling technique to recruit 76 participants from the main professional planning organisations, such as architects, transport and urban planners, facility managers and school staff, from across England who were interviewed in eight focus groups. Interview data was qualitatively analysed.

Results indicated that evidence-based public health guidance is seen as a 'new voice' in urban and town planning, despite much of the advice being already reflected by the 'accepted wisdom' within these professions. Overall, evidence-based public health advice has potential to be a powerful driver affecting planning practice, but other legislated planning guidance may currently be of higher priority for these professionals.

These findings from England can be usefully transferred to the health, transport and urban planning sectors in Australia and serve as a driver to enhance partnership working across these groups and make the case for physical activity promotion and its necessary funding. The results emphasise the emergence of public health policy related to the environment yet highlight that this is the first step in a necessary larger process. Guidance needs to be effectively embedded in physical environment policy development, for example by becoming part of planning legislation, to have the greatest impact in improving population health.

State of the Regions report 2006-07
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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