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18 Sep 2009
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Last chance to take part in ALGA News Reader Survey!

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ALGA News has received almost 60 responses so far to our short survey which will provide valuable feedback to us from our readers on how we can freshen up 'ALGA News' but still maintain a quality product. So far a narrow majority of readers would like a single-column format (30) so that it is more printer-friendly than the current magazine format (27). Two-thirds prefer a weekly publication to fortnightly or monthly. We also note that there is interest in covering a wide range of issues with the top four: funding, environment, human resources and planning. For those who would like to have their say and haven't already, we would appreciate you taking 2 minutes of your time to fill in the following survey before it closes at the end of today. ALGA News is interested in your views! Please click on www.alga.asn.au/news/Survey/FeedbackForm.php

Ministers meet on ageing

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The Ministerial Conference on Ageing met for the third time on 11 September in Canberra. ALGA was represented by Councillor Sam Alessi from Whittlesea Council in Victoria. Having experienced the effects of the recent Victorian bushfires, Cr Alessi stressed the importance of integrated planning at the local level for the evacuation of aged care facilities, noting it should be done in partnership with emergency management specialists.

The Conference heard an update from the Commonwealth on the recent National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report (NHHRC). According to the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, the NHHRC represents the first opportunity for major health system reform in 20 years and is based on a series of pragmatic principles: that the health system should be focused on people, not systems; that its focus should be on prevention; it should deliver comprehensive primary care; it should minimise waiting time for acute care; it should improve hospital care; and should promote better access, equity and efficiency in health care.

The next 4 years will see a record $44 billion of spending on aged care, however, the NHHRC report found that only 2% of the health care budget is devoted to prevention, with the vast majority devoted to hospital related care. Another reform is that the Commonwealth is aiming to implement a national e-health system by 2012, with a unique person identifier in place by next year. Additionally, like Medicare, a universal dental health care system called 'denticare', which will increase the Medicare levy by 0.75 per cent, is proposed.

There was a robust level of discussion on the reform options contained in the NHHRC report with some jurisdictions reporting that they had begun formulating their formal response to the Commonwealth. The Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliott who chaired the Conference, encouraged all states to give feedback on the report. The communique of the Conference can be accessed here.

Canadian minister to address Roads Congress

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This year's National Local Roads and Transport Congress will feature special guest speaker Yaprak Baltacioglu, Canada's Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Yaprak has extensive experience in government dealing with roads-related issues, as well as with agriculture and social policy. Yaprak will share her ideas using examples from Canada to help Congress delegates address the transport challenges our communities face here in Australia.

Specifically Yaprak will advise us on navigating a Road to the Future for our roads and transport needs including:

  • adequate funding from the federal government for local roads;
  • transport infrastructure issues;
  • the diversity between urban and rural needs; and
  • the Global Financial Crisis, particularly the pressure it has put on communities and the impacts of the Economic Stimulus packages.

Prior to Yaprak's current position as Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, she was Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food Canada, was the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Social Development Policy) and the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations).

It is also appropriate that on the occasion of the 10 year anniversary of the first Roads Congress, former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, who was instrumental in the success of the first Congress, will return as our keynote speaker. This year's Congress will shape the policy direction for local government's Road to the Future, including a new Roads and Transport Strategy ahead of the 2010 election.

You can now register to attend the 2009 Roads Congress to ensure your council benefits from the knowledge and experience of Yaprak, John Anderson and a range of other important speakers. To register, go to www.alga.asn.au/policy/transport/congress/.
From the President

Population ageing is one of the most significant policy challenges that western democratic nations are to confront in the near to medium-term. We are all familiar with the statistics that show, for example, how rapidly the population of Australia is ageing, the increasing cohorts of people who will live beyond 100 years of age in Australia, and the financial impacts that an older population will have not just on Australian, but on government balance sheets across the developed world.

Population ageing is a good example of a policy challenge that successive governments, both nationally and internationally, neglected for too long, and consequently did not plan for adequately. A case in point is that the Australian Government commissioned the first Intergenerational Report (which described the impacts of population ageing on Australia's economy) less than a decade ago (the third Report is due in 2010).

The Australian Government now recognises the importance of better planning for the needs of a 21st century Australia (for example, through the establishment of a Major Cities Unit and Infrastructure Australia). This is necessary to avoid the sorts of mistakes that the lack of planning for population ageing has produced - such as the pressure now facing today's generation of decision-makers and taxpayers to fund and implement policies and programs to simply 'catch up' with servicing the needs of those Australians in the older age cohorts. ALGA's Ageing Population Plan 2004-2008, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, clearly showed that local government has an equal interest with other levels of government in planning for an ageing population. The Plan was instrumental in boosting local government's awareness of the impacts of an older Australia, and demonstrated that with the right planning and financial support to overcome and accommodate those challenges, long-run benefits will follow for local communities across Australia. The Plan also demonstrated the importance of working in partnership with other levels of government.

All levels of government and all decision-makers can learn a lot from the case study that is population ageing. In particular, all governments must plan adequately today for the needs of future generations. This requires governments to look beyond the electoral cycle, and to recognise that whilst the rewards from acting now may not be fully returned for some years to come, considerable cost savings and efficiencies, and other non-financial benefits will be achieved over time. The Australian Government's macroeconomic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, such as compulsory superannuation and competition policy, provide some salient examples where governments were prepared to act then and invest in the future, to boost Australia's overall economic prosperity and wellbeing in the longer term.

Councils must also aim to realise these principles as well. Every dollar spent on maintaining local community infrastructure today saves many more investment dollars than would be needed to fund and provide that same infrastructure tomorrow. It is why ALGA continues to advocate on behalf of the sector for permanent Community Infrastrucutre Program funding to assist local government in its considerable asset management and renewal task (estimated to be $14.5 billion nationally in late 2006).

Recently, the Australian Government released the National Preventative Health Taskforce report, which makes many recommendations about the importance of the Australian Government investing dollars today in preventative health in order to save more dollars being spent on primary care needs in the future. This includes a range of recommendations to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption, and to encourage more Australians to live more active lifestyles as a way of reducing our obesity levels. Well located, well maintained local community infrastructure - bikepaths, safe roads for school children and ageing Australians and climate-proof buildings in which to house public services - is integral to achieving many of these important social and health policy goals. The Taskforce's recommendation that the Australian Government promote the Healthy Spaces and Places planning principles, including in partnership with ALGA, is welcome, and has great potential to deliver social, economic and health returns through better planning of our built environments.

Investing for maximum benefit, both for today and tomorrow's generations, should be a primary goal of all governments. It is simply unfair to assume that today's policy challenges can be left to tomorrow's generations. There are many benefits that have the potential to flow from the Australian Government working with local government and investing today in the future needs of local communities.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

One-off bushfire appeal legislation

One-off retrospective legislation, to deal with the unprecedented and tragic nature of the Victorian bushfires, was introduced into Federal Parliament this week. It will allow a wider use of donations made by the public to support communities devastated in the bushfires. It follows extensive negotiations between the Rudd Government and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (the Fund) and the community to broaden the allowable uses of the charitable donations made by the public. The Bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction, the Hon. Bill Shorten said that over $370 million in donations have been collected, demonstrating the generosity of Australians. Changes provided for in the Bill will allow the Fund to provide: funding for a wide range of community projects; long term assistance to orphaned minors; reimbursement to organisations or individuals for eligible charitable activities; discretionary payments of up to $15,000 to assist with transitional housing; and grants of up to $10,000 to affected primary producers for repair and restoration of farm activities.

Former mayor supports more high rise

Former urban activist and Lord Mayor of London from 2000-2008, Ken Livingstone arrived in Australia to address the Property Council Congress and the City of Sydney in Sydney on 16 September. He supported several controversial high rise towers which have changed the London skyline. As a pragmatist he believes that the big issues confronting cities are housing affordability and environmental sustainability. Almost a decade ago, he wrote that he considered that mediocre, depressing medium-rise slabs approved by local councils without a second thought, were far less inspiring than a city skyline of innovative graceful towers and spires. He believes that developers are the ones who can deliver, and he supports the bright developers that can add to the city, contribute to housing affordability and sustainability and leave an attractive building behind. He believes cities need to be more high density as well as having good quality rental accommodation. (Source: Australian Financial Review, 16 September)

Stimulus spending

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has said that Australia's economic stimulus package is delivering a bigger boost to employment than stimulus packages in any other advanced country and that the effects will be felt for up to a decade. The OECD's annual report on the employment outlook said that the Rudd Government's stimulus package would raise employment next year by between 1.4 and 1.9 per cent, translating to between 160,000 and 210,000 workers. The gains in Australia are as much as double those achieved in other nations. However, there is still a massive challenge ahead, as the report forecasts 57 million people without employment in advanced economies. It stresses the importance of keeping people employed, as a large proportion of those who become unemployed during economic slumps do not find jobs for years, with many leaving the workforce altogether. The OECD study also shows that companies' hiring intentions are more important in driving rising unemployment than layoffs and redundancies. A summary of Australia's outlook can be viewed here.

More female leaders needed

A report showing more work is needed to support women in leadership roles in regional communities has been welcomed by the Rudd Government. While women contribute close to half the total output of farming communities, there has been little change in their representation in leadership positions in agriculture, according to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) report, released on 16 September. The report identified that two of the keys to unlocking greater participation by women in formal leadership positions are through better monitoring and reporting on women's representation and by holding current leaders accountable for enhancing women's progress. In the last 18 months the Government had doubled female representation on its research and development corporation boards from 19% to around 40%, by changing the criteria to remove the prerequisite of previous board experience, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke. But he also admitted there was more work to do. "Given the strong involvement in women in agriculture in Australia, it can't be based on merit if you're getting boards at around 20% women and some boards that have never had a woman on them". Revisiting Missed Opportunities - Growing Women's Contribution to Agriculture was written by Professors Alison Sheridan and Fiona Haslam McKenzie and jointly funded by RIRDC and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. The RIRDC press release can be found here.

Drownings increase

A hot, stormy summer and the changing recreational habits of baby boomers are being blamed for an alarming rise in the rate of drownings across Australia.

In the 12 months to June this year, 302 Australians drowned, 16 per cent more than the year before, a report from the Royal Life Saving Society has found.

The biggest rises were among small children and adults aged over 55, the 2009 National Drowning Report said. Backyard swimming pools claimed the lives of most of the victims in the under-five age group, with almost 60 per cent of infant deaths taking place there.

Chief operating officer for the Royal Life Saving Society, Justin Scarr, said warmer temperatures and wilder weather causing flooding were two factors that could have contributed to the higher number of people drowning in rivers and lakes.

Increasing numbers of baby boomers and retirees taking up water-based leisure sports was also a factor in the higher death toll in that age group.

NSW had the highest number of drownings of any state, with 83 males and 21 females losing their lives in the water.

Mr Scarr said it was a sign that people were becoming complacent about pool safety. The Royal Life Saving Society is also urging more people to learn CPR and refresh their skills ahead of the summer.
Stronger payphone guarantee

The Australian Government this week introduced a new package of legislative reforms to Australia's national telecommunications laws, which it says will boost competition in the market and better protect consumers. The most significant reforms will ensure the structural separation of Telstra's wholesale and retail divisions, although the highly integrated telecommunications company will be given 'flexibility to choose its future path' on a 'voluntary and co-operative basis'.

The Australian Government believes that a structural separation of Telstra will be in the best interests of Australians over the long term, and that such a separation is in keeping with industry calls over many years to implement this significant reform.

Of particular interest to local government are the provisions that will strengthen Universal Service Obligations to include more stringent rules on the removal of payphones, and new provisions to allow people concerned about a payphone's removal to apply directly to the regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, to direct Telstra not to remove a payphone. Failure to comply with the new rules will expose Telstra to civil penalties or on the spot fines. The Australian Government has declared this new Universal Service Obligation will ensure "all people in Australia have reasonable access on an equitable basis to standard telephone services".

The removal of payphones, particularly in regional, rural and remote communities in Australia, has been a significant concern expressed by local councils over recent years, including at previous National General Assemblies and more recently in the ALGA submission (June 2008) to the Glasson Review on the Adequacy of Telecommunications in Regional and Rural Australia (To view details click here).

A-G assures funding to local government

Local government has welcomed the advice of the Commonwealth Attorney-General that federal payments will continue to be made to local government for both roads and infrastructure. The advice was provided in answer to a Question on Notice by the Leader of the Greens, Senator Bob Brown. Senator Brown's question was in the context of the recent challenge to the Constitution by academic and former barrister Bryan Pape against the payment of the one-off stimulus cheques to all eligible Australians. Although the High Court upheld the stimulus payments by a 4:3 decision, there is continuing uncertainty about whether the Commonwealth can make direct payments, and the exact constitutional mandate under which it can do so in the absence of a global financial crisis.

Senator Brown also asked for clarification about the ongoing uncertainty in relation to the constitutionality of the payments to local councils. The Attorney-General's response was that "Constitutional questions and considerations routinely arise in the development of Commonwealth programs, including programs which involve spending. The various judgements in Pape v Commissioner of Taxation (2009) 257 ALR 1 form part of a larger body of constitutional law which is taken into account where relevant." This is a heartening response for local government.

Railway boom gates

Over the next fortnight work will start on the installation of boom gates and other safety measures at a further two priority level rail crossings in NSW, with funding to the states and territories coming from the Federal Government's Economic Stimulus Plan.

Tragically, about 100 accidents occur at rail crossings every year. Between July 2007 and June 2008, there were seven level crossing collisions in NSW, with one resulting in a fatality.

Nationally, the $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program will fund the installation of boom gates and other safety measures at 292 level crossings. Details of the approved projects by States can be found here.

Healthy living NSW

Grants of up to $80,000 are now available to NSW councils for initiatives that promote healthy living under the newly announced Healthy Communities grant scheme.

The scheme provides up to $20,000 for individual councils and up to $80,000 for regional organisations of councils (ROCs.) It is coordinated by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) and funded by NSW Health.

To be eligible for the grant, initiatives must address one or more state health priorities - healthy weight, responsible drinking, tobacco control and falls prevention for older people.

Initiatives must also focus on communities vulnerable to ill health including people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds; rural and regional communities; people living in disadvantaged urban areas; people on a low income, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Councils interested in applying for the grant or finding out more about Healthy Communities can visit the Healthy Communities website and apply online.

For more information about Healthy Communities, please contact the LGSA Senior Policy Officer- Public Health, Helen Johnson on 02 9242 4028 or helen.johnson@lgsa.org.au.

Qld recycling initiative

A new recycling initiative at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre in Queensland is the first of a national rollout.

The combined industry and government initiative has been led by the Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and supported by the Queensland Government, the National Packaging Covenant and Lend Lease managed shopping centres nationally.

Lend Lease managed centres forecast several positive impacts associated with the roll-out of recycling initiatives across their centres nationally, including an increase of over 400% in recycling of bottles and cans. This equates nationally to at least 210 tonnes of waste saved from landfill each year - the equivalent of almost 100 rubbish trucks.

Solar credits for businesses

A scheme providing support to Australians installing rooftop solar panels is now available. Solar Credits were part of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation, passed by the Parliament on 20 August. Under the RET, electricity retailers are required to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates, known as RECs.

Through Solar Credits, households installing rooftop solar panels can receive five times as many RECs for each megawatt hour of solar energy produced by their solar panels. For example, based on a REC price of $40, a 1.5 kilowatt solar panel system installed in Sydney would receive $6200. Based on a REC price of $50, the same system would receive $7750.

Solar Credits are available to households, businesses and community groups for eligible small scale renewable energy systems, including rooftop solar panels and small scale wind and micro hydro systems. The scheme will be backdated to include eligible systems installed from 9 June 2009.

Applications for Solar Credits can be made to the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. Further details are available here.

Gum-buster

A gum-sucking golf buggy capable of removing sticky spots in three seconds could be added to the Cairns Regional Council's arsenal to clean dirty CBD streets. It comes as the council looks at spending as much as $20,000 for a contractor to use pressure cleaners on CBD streets in 2009. The Gum Removal Vehicle is a $55,000 battery operated, solar panelled, super-heated steam vapour machine. It heats water to 170C before blasting the streets with water at 115C while using detergent and a vacuum. The machine, which has been patented by the Brisbane City Council, costs $35 a day to run. It blasts gum in five seconds and uses less than three litres of water an hour.

Protect our children, urges PM's wife

Businesswoman and Prime Ministerial spouse Therese Rein, NAPCAN's National Children's Champion, is now calling on the community to participate in the largest community survey ever undertaken in Australia, to gain insight into the issue of child abuse and to assist in developing prevention strategies for the nation.

Launched in conjunction with National Child Protection Week, the simple online survey will provide NAPCAN and its partner agencies with information to improve the protection of Australia's children. Ms Rein believes all Australian's share in the responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the children in our community.

"Last year alone over 30,000 Australian children were either abused or neglected. This happens in all communities, and it is an issue which affects us all" Ms Rein said.

NAPCAN is calling on all Australian adults, not just parents, to start thinking and talking about preventing child abuse by giving a few minutes to fill out the online questionnaire.

The survey is available online or by calling 1800 126 456 and will be open for participation until 1 November 2009. For more information visit www.napcan.org.au.

Quote of the week

"Fall in love with what you are going to do for a living. To be able to get out of bed and do what you love to do for the rest of the day is beyond words. I'd rather be a failure in something that I love than be successful in something that I hate." -
George Burns

International news  

Recycling is down in the dumps internationally as a result of the global financial crisis, with manufacturers stock-piling, factories requiring fewer materials and commodity prices well down on their peak levels. Mountains of glass are reported to be building up in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, for example, as a country that produces a million tones of bottles a year - more than 40% from recycled material - and exports a large amount finds demand falling as far away as the US. In the US, recovered paper and cardboard that was being sold in mid-2008 for almost $US200 a tone has recently been priced at barely $US20. Media reports say American recyclers are being forced to store scrap materials for which they had a ready market before the economic slump. For plastic recyclers, the biggest problem in the first half of 2009 has been the slump in demand for recovered polymer in China with a large number of manufacturers not just reducing output but closing down. (source: The Australian)

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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