alga-logo
spacer
2 Oct 2009
spacer
» Australian Local Government Association
» Subscribe   » Archive   » Advertise   » Feedback
spacer

ALGA attends Housing Ministers' Conference

story1

ALGA Board member Cr Sam Alessi joined Commonwealth, state and territory housing ministers at last Friday's Housing Ministers' Conference held in Melbourne. The meeting was an opportunity for ministers to note the level of progress and achievements made to date in respect of the new National Affordable Housing Agreement, the various National Partnership Agreements and the more recent Nation Building and Jobs Plan Social Housing Initiative. The Commonwealth was represented by Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek (pictured with Cr Alessi) and the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin.

Cr Alessi used the opportunity to remind ministers of the important roles played by local government in the housing policy area and the significance of ensuring there is adequate supporting community infrastructure. He also argued that councils across Australia are committed to building sustainable communities, and that it will be necessary for many of the housing reform proposals to properly engage with local government if governments are indeed committed to delivering improved housing outcomes for a majority of Australians, based on integrated planning and service delivery models.

The National Affordable Housing Agreement replaced the long running Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement and consists of 25 reform proposals ranging from tackling homelessness, improving choice and mobility for social housing tenants, indigenous housing, reducing concentration of housing disadvantage, tackling public land supply issues and developing more relevant housing performance measurements and financial reporting standards. Housing ministers are required to report to COAG later this year on the status of progress in implementing the agreed housing reforms. The Communique is available here.

ALGA News reader survey update

Story2

The new-look 'ALGA News' will be launched on October 16th. More than 80 responses provided valuable feedback and strong support for the role of 'ALGA News' as an information source on national local government issues and campaigns. Of the policy issues the top ranking went to funding, followed by environment, human resources, planning, roads, broadband, federal issues, constitutional recognition and the National General Assembly. Suggestions included more stories on governance, citizen engagement, Indigenous issues, state news, and reforming and improving local government with best-practice examples highlighted. Although not the majority, a significant number of readers preferred a single-column, more reader-friendly format for 'ALGA News' which will be incorporated into the new edition. Readers also preferred a weekly edition due to importance placed on the timeliness of stories and reporting of events. 'ALGA News' would like to thank all those readers who had their say and we look forward to any further suggestions and comments from our readership. With almost 2,500 subscribers and the backing of our advertisers, we look forward to many future editions!

Challenges of digital switchover

story3

(This opinion-piece was contributed by the Executive Director of the Government's Digital Switchover Taskforce, Andy Townend)

As the New Year's Eve celebrations come to a close in December 2013 all Australians will have made the switch to digital only television and will be enjoying more channels and better quality sound and pictures than ever before.

As the date for the first region to make the switch, the Mildura/Sunraysia region in Victoria, rapidly approaches next year, more Australians are embracing digital TV and enjoying the many benefits it offers. According to the latest figures - more than half of all Australian households have now converted their main TV to digital. This is a significant achievement given the size of our country and its great physical diversity.

Because of these physical challenges, there remain some towns and communities across Australia that are struggling to receive digital television. That's why the Government's Digital Switchover Taskforce is working very hard with industry to ensure no Australian is left behind as we progressively make the switch to digital only television. Of particular interest to these communities is a package of measures announced by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, in January this year for a digital switchover pilot in Mildura/Sunraysia region.

This package features a number of measures designed to deliver a successful switchover to digital including a new satellite service to extend access to digital television throughout the switchover area. It is intended that this new satellite service will give those people living in areas of the Mildura/Sunraysia region where broadcasters have not built transmitters, or where broadcasters' signals do not reach, the ability to access digital television. The lessons learned from the switchover in Mildura at the end of next year will inform the rollout of the broader digital switchover program region by region through until the end of 2013.

The switch to digital TV, undoubtedly, represents a significant milestone for Australian television bringing as it does, more channels, better picture and sound and the opportunity to secure a digital dividend. The sheer scale of the digital switchover program is comparable with the 1966 switch to decimal currency change. The Government's leadership through this difficult process, working in close co-operation with industry, will help ensure all Australians, region by region, are able to plan and prepare for a successful switch before the end of 2013. We in the Digital Switchover Taskforce are determined to ensure that as the time for each region to switch from analog to digital TV approaches, people are adequately informed and ready to make the change. We're already working hard in Sunraysia/Mildura to do just that. For more information on digital switchover, people can visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call the Digital Ready Information Line on free-call number 1800 20 10 13.

From the President

ALGA's Board met last week to discuss a raft of matters including progress on local government's core policy agenda and action arising from National General Assembly resolutions. Along with weighty matters such as the Henry Tax Review, constitutional reform and ALGA's Federal Budget submission, the Board also looked at planning policy.

The discussion was timely in light of the recent predictions that Australia's population is set to hit 35 million in just 40 years and the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures which show a population increase of 2.1% for the year ending March 2009. The last time Australia saw higher growth rates was in the 1950s and 1960s as a result of post war migration and high birth rates.

Also last week was the announcement by the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Dr Craig Emerson, that 80% of leases that restrict competition to major Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in shopping centres will be abolished. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reached agreement with the major supermarkets to end existing restrictive provisions in supermarket leases with shopping centre owners. In addition to abolishing restrictive lease provisions the Australian Government has been working with states and territories to ensure zoning laws do not unjustifiably restrict competition in grocery retailing. Subject to what is recommended, this may have an impact on local government and the operation of retailing centres and transport infrastructure.

The other recent planning developments are the announcements by the WA and Victorian Governments to instigate development assessment panels. These proposals follow on the back of interventions undertaken by the SA and NSW Governments.

The roles and responsibilities of local government in planning and development are determined by state legislation and vary across jurisdictions. Constitutionally, planning is a state and territory responsibility and as such there is no single national planning and development legislative framework.

As a 'single gateway' for those wishing to develop land, including the majority of 'mums and dads' and the occasional one-off builders or developers, local government provides an essential service to the community. However, a potential downside of this role is that councils are seen to be responsible for the 'delivery' of all parts of the system, including processing times, which are often not in the control of councils (for example, where referrals are made to other state agencies).

The majority of development applications are approved under delegation efficiently and effectively by councils in accordance with state laws. However, some non-complying large and/or controversial developments may take longer than normal to process given the complexity of issues that require consideration. With these proposals councils are required to closely consider the competing interest between the developer and broader society within the terms of multiple pieces of legislation. Developers and/or third parties who do not agree with a council decision may appeal these decisions through the appropriate state appeal mechanisms.

Planning and development is a major contributor to economic activity within the local and Australian community. Billions of dollars are invested in land and property development every year. Not surprisingly, land use and planning are controversial subjects that generate substantial interest.

The planning system from a national perspective is increasingly being subjected to greater scrutiny. Over recent years there has been growing demand for planning reform including from the Australian Government, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) through the COAG Business Regulation and Competition Working Group (BRWG), the National Housing Supply Council and the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council (LGPMC). The BRWG has identified development assessment reform as a key regulatory reform item, both in the context of competition policy (to promote more competition at the retail supermarkets level) and more generally in the cost of facilitating development.

In 2008, the Australian Government allocated $512 million to the Housing Affordability Fund (HAF). This program provides funds to affordable housing projects that are linked to planning reforms. As part of this initiative, $30 million was allocated to facilitate the initial rollout of Electronic Development Assessment (eDA) nationally.

The pressure for even greater degrees of planning reform is expected to continue into the future. It is anticipated that state governments will continue to tinker with state planning systems including administrative reforms such as complying codes and enhancing the 'call in' powers of Planning Ministers. Given the variability in roles and responsibilities of local government in each state, this will remain a primary focus for state and territory local government associations, especially through facilitating initiatives designed to improve the administrative efficiency of planning systems. To assist this process ALGA will facilitate information exchange and promote best practice between local government associations on a regular basis, provide clarity on what the precise role is played by local government in planning and reinforce the benefits that may arise from integrated strategic planning and infrastructure programs.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Councils support arts

Local government contributed 15.8%, $1 billion, of the total public funding for arts and cultural activities, according to ABS figures for 2007-08. Local governments also contributed 19%, $147.6 million, in capital expenditure for arts and cultural facilities.

Safe and healthy communities

The Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities program at ICLEI Oceania works to assist local governments build capacity in addressing social sustainability (community health and wellbeing). 23 councils are currently involved across Australia, with recruitment still continuing.

Key resources guiding local governments in reducing alcohol-related harm will be launched at the Australian Council of Capital City Lord Mayors in November 2009, and the Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities program was recently endorsed as a valuable approach by Australia's advisory council to the Prime Minister on drugs and alcohol.

For further information, contact ICLEI Oceania's Director of Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities, mark.boyd@iclei.org

RDA NT has first meeting

The Regional Development Australia (RDA) committee for the Northern Territory has held its inaugural meeting in Darwin.

The committee comprises 10 members including the Chair, Alice Springs Mayor Damien Ryan, and Deputy Chair, Darwin City Council Alderman, Kerry Moir.

At the meeting, the Federal MP for Solomon, Damian Hale, impressed upon the committee the importance of the role it had to play in working with all levels of government, business and the community to promote the development of regional communities.

Mr Hale represented the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Maxine McKew. Mr Hale said the committee now had the challenging job of responding to local needs in its dealing with communities and government.

Mayor of Geelong for the day

The premiership party in Geelong continues, with free parking declared for a month - according to a decree by mayor for the day Tom Harley.

The dual-premiership captain donned the mayoral robes after he and his teammates paraded through Geelong's streets with the AFL premiership cup earlier this week, as workers and young fans swarmed into town to cheer them on.

Harley made the most of his role as the city's honorary leader for the day.

"Parking's free for the rest of today and the rest of October," he said.

And in another move strongly applauded by the crowds, the defender issued a final edict: "cancel all the fines".

Vice-captain Cameron Ling declared a public holiday when he was made Mayor for the day after the Cats won the 2007 premiership.

World city prize

The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is a biennial international award to recognise individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the creation of vibrant, liveable and sustainable urban communities around the world. It seeks to recognise individuals and organisations responsible for urban initiatives that display foresight, good governance or innovation in tackling the many urban challenges faced by cities. These urban initiatives can include (but are not limited to) urban planning projects, urban policies and programmes, urban management, as well as applied technology in urban solutions.

These urban initiatives should incorporate principles of sustainable development and demonstrate an ability to bring social, economic and environmental benefits in a holistic way to communities around the world. The Prize will also place an emphasis on practical and cost effective solutions and ideas that can be easily replicated across cities.

Through this prize, Singapore hopes to facilitate the sharing of best practices in urban solutions among cities and spur further innovation in the area of sustainable urban development. The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Laureate will be presented with an award certificate, a gold medallion and a cash prize of S$300,000, sponsored by Keppel Corporation. You can read more about the prize here.

World Habitat Day

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

The United Nations chose the theme Planning our urban future to raise awareness of the need to improve urban planning to deal with new major challenges of the 21st century. With over half of the world's population currently living in urban areas, and this number set to rise to two-thirds in another generation, there is no doubt that the 'urban agenda' will increasingly become a priority for governments, local authorities and their non-governmental partners everywhere.

Unfortunately, current urban planning systems in many parts of the world are ill equipped to deal with these major urban challenges of the 21st century and, to a large extent, have failed to acknowledge the need to meaningfully involve communities and other stakeholders in the planning of urban areas. By failing to take these factors into account, planning systems in several parts of the world have contributed to the problems of marginalization and exclusion in rapidly growing and largely, poor and informal cities.

This is why urban planning needs to be given a fresh focus starting on World Habitat Day 2009. After all, we know the problems, but we need to share the best solutions as efficiently and widely as possible by planning better and more sensitively for ourselves and our environment.

Lehman Brothers update

Moree Shire Council, in NSW is among a group of 38 local councils that has won the right to sue collapsed US banking giant Lehman Brothers, after a Federal Court ruling.

The decision opens the door for the council to try and recoup $500,000 of lost ratepayers' money.

Litigation funder IMF Australia, which is acting for the councils, has issued a statement announcing it will now fund the 38 councils in their legal action to recover millions of dollars lost when they invested in complex investment packages called Collateralised Debt Obligations, or CDOs, that were arranged by Lehman's parent company and its subsidiaries.

The soon-to-be commenced proceedings have been made possible after the full Federal Court found a deed between the councils and the collapsed bank was invalid.

Moree Shire Mayor Katrina Humphries says there is a long way to go, but it is a big outcome for a small group.

"It's been a very, very difficult situation - it was worth getting in there and fighting for and the outcome is good," she said.

So far, more than 16,000 worldwide claims have been filed against Lehman Brothers in the company's bankruptcy case.

Local government and housing

The cost of avoiding the financial calamity that hit Britain and the US will be house prices ever more out of reach of low and middle-income Australians, the Reserve Bank says.

And, the central bank argues, state, local and federal governments will need to increase the pool of affordable accommodation to prevent house prices simply widening the gap between rich and poor, and locking buyers into a lifetime of paying down debts.

Speaking in Sydney this week, the head of the bank's economic analysis department, Tony Richards, said that while much of the population was fixated on property prices, the central bank saw risks in another price spike.

"Six months ago the concern was we would see unhealthily large declines in asset prices, but clearly that threat has passed," Dr Richards said. "I think we're in a situation where we would not want to see strong growth in housing prices. That would be unhelpful from a social perspective."

National Rental Affordability Fund

The Australian Government announced it will deliver 6,741 new affordable rental homes for low and middle income earners under the second round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

The third round opened in September and has three different tracks. The first is targeted at those that have received contracts for the public stimulus housing build to allow further leveraging. The second is focused on development taking place on state and Commonwealth owned land. The third, where full details have not been released, will be focused on significant private sector investment geared to proposals of more than 1,000 homes.

The Government is investing more than $1 billion in the National Rental Affordability Scheme over the next four years.

Refugee settlement services

A new flexible client-centred approach will be the focus of DIAC-funded settlement services, the federal Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, announced last Friday in Brisbane. The new directions follow a national consultation process conducted earlier this year on the government's Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS).

Key features of the reshaped model will include an onshore cultural orientation program, tailored case management, a greater youth focus, better coordination of services and more effective links with other settlement programs. "We are also considering improvements to accommodation services and facilitating pathways to education and employment," Mr Ferguson said. "A flexible, client-focused approach will help start refugees on the right path, tapping into their strengths, and helping them to fully participate in the Australian community." A request for tender for the new initial settlement program will be issued in the coming months. See: Announcement of the Strategic Settlement Framework

Australian citizenship test

The new test will see potential new citizens assessed on their understanding of Australian civics and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship rather than undergoing a general knowledge quiz about Australia. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has released the revised citizenship test resource book, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, which provides the information required to take the new test, due to be rolled out on October 19. The Rudd Government has overhauled the citizenship test after an independent review by a committee of seven eminent Australians last year found it could be significantly improved. The resource book was written by educational and civics experts in plain English and divided into testable and non-testable sections. An audio-DVD on key parts of the citizenship test is currently being developed to assist people with low literacy levels. The resource book will also be translated into 37 community languages to assist people to study. For more information click here.

Walk to Work Day today

All across Australia, thousands of people are participating in the national Walk to Work Day today. Those that can't walk to work are asked to take a walk at lunchtime, walk to their first appointment or get off the train or bus a few stops on the way home tonight, and walk the rest of the way.

Harold Scruby from the Pedestrian Council of Australia said: "What a way for Australians to start the day - with a wonderful walk! It's fantastic to see so many people - from all around the country - are leaving the car at home this morning to enjoy a walk to work instead.

"Walking regularly is not only an effective way to get around, it can be a good medicine, to help prevent obesity, diabetes, heart illnesses and depression. The AMA officially prescribed a doctor's prescription to each and every Australian, effective today. The script is simple. A 30 minute dose of walking commenced today on National Walk to Work Day, repeat daily, 365 days a year. Walking is one of the best ways to exercise and its environmentally-friendly transport. So many of us reach for the car or hail a taxi when really, we could - and should - walk.

"Walk to Work Day is a wonderful way to kick start a healthy habit in all of us - one that can be sustained throughout the year. You don't need to buy any equipment to walk to work, it's free and easy for most of us.

"If walking all the way to work is impractical, get off the train or bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way, park the car a few blocks away and walk or walk at lunch time."
Bushfire pre-season briefing

ALGA attended the inaugural bushfire pre-season briefing last Friday convened by the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland.

The briefing, a recommendation of the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission Interim Report, detailed Commonwealth support arrangements that are available in the event of a serious disaster or emergency.

The briefing, conducted by Emergency Management Australia (EMA), included:

  • information on the availability and capability of Commonwealth assets;
  • natural disaster support arrangements;
  • cooperative response procedures under the Australian Emergency Management Arrangements, such as the Commonwealth Disaster Response Plan;
  • seasonal outlooks from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) in relation to severe fire weather and cyclone activity; and
  • bushfire detection and mapping capabilities within Geoscience Australia.

Consistent with the recommendations of the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission, the Commonwealth briefing will be provided on an ongoing basis each year to inform the States and Territories on available disaster support and emergency arrangements.

Police and EM Ministerial Council

ALGA was represented by Board member and Sunshine Coast Mayor Bob Abbot at the Ministerial Council for Policy and Emergency Management in Canberra last Friday. Ministers discussed projects under the $2 million for implementation of national priority emergency management funding prioritised by the Australian Emergency Management Committee. The Council noted progress on the development of the National Emergency Warning System capability which will be available by the end of October for comprehensive testing throughout November. The Council also endorsed the new national framework for scaled advice and warnings to the community with a new fire danger rating of Catastrophic (Code Red). Cr Abbot stressed the importance of the states working closely with local government to disseminate information to the community on the early warning system. Ministers also agreed to a number of measures relating to the use of Emergency Triple Zero numbers during emergencies. The full Communique is available here.

Call for consistent integrity rules

Local government in Queensland wants to see laws on disclosure, conflict of interest, political donations, gifts and hospitality in the public sector governed by one code and one set of rules, Local Government Association of Queensland president, Cr Paul Bell said today.

Cr Bell said a uniform process for all spheres of government was the focus of the LGAQ's response to the state government green paper, Integrity and Accountability in Queensland.

"The federal government is currently undertaking a review of all these matters. We are hopeful that its inquiry will recommend uniform processes across the board," Cr Bell said.

"We have recommended to the state government that, if it decides to regulate campaign funding and introduce public funding, it should give serious consideration to the model employed by New York City's independent Campaign Finance Board, which sets strict guidelines," he said.

"In the matter of limits on election candidates' expenditure on advertising, we have again made a plea for one set of rules for all. As it stands, local government candidates are constrained to just $1,000 as a tax deductible election expense.

Data competition

This week, the Australian Government's Web 2.0 Taskforce launched a MashupAustralia contest, in which either individuals or teams can enter.

The aim of the contest is to encourage innovative uses of a range of public sector data, much like similar competitions hosted previously in the United Kingdom (Show Us a Better Way) and the United States (the Apps for Democracy held by Washington DC). It is anticipated that local councils may wish to take part in this innovative Australian competition.

To encourage entries, around 59 different public sector datasets have been released by the Australian, State and Territory governments on licence terms and in formats that permit and enable mashup. Some of the data sets have been released by more than 15 Australian Government agencies, ranging from topics as diverse as Australian federal electoral boundaries to the location of Centrelink offices, and World Heritage listed areas in Australia.

Through the Digital Economy Group (which reports to the Online and Communications Council, on which ALGA is a member), State and Territory Governments have released datasets such as surface water gauging stations (Queensland) and barbeque facilities locations (ACT).

The datasets can be accessed at http://data.australia.gov.au.

The contest will begin accepting entries next week on 7 October 2009 and close on 6 November 2009. Prizes include:

  • $10,000 for Excellence in Mashing category
  • $5,000 for Highly Commendable Mashups
  • $2,500 for Notable Mashing Achievements

More information about the contest can be found on the Australian Government's Web 2.0 Taskforce website

Councils in swine flu prevention push

Students at twenty-two special schools in South Australia will be immunised against swine flu under a partnership arrangement between the SA Government and local councils.

LGA President, Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis said health workers from SA councils will visit the special schools in their areas after the school holidays, to begin the H1N1 swine flu vaccination program. Council health professionals are currently waiting for consent forms for students so they can begin the vaccination program.

SA Health has also asked councils to assist in the organisation of public clinics to increase the accessibility of the vaccination program to those at higher risk.

The impact of violence on youth

Although often perceived as the perpetrators of public violence, the reality is that young people are frequently also the victims. Young Australians have clearly identified violence as one of the top issues impacting upon their daily lives. Not only do they worry about their own personal safety, they also worry about the impact that violence is having on their friends, families and their communities.

The House of Representatives Committee on Family, Community and Youth has launched a public inquiry into the issue and is keen to hear from organisations, groups or individuals with an interest in this issue.

Young people are at greater risk of being violent and being a victim of crime. Research by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS Crime and Safety, 2006) has found that that one in ten young people aged 15-19 and one in twelve 20-24 year olds say they have recently been the victim of assault and that most of these assaults are not reported to the police. A 2008 Mission Australia survey of young Australians aged between 11 and 24, found that 22% identified personal safety as a significant concern.

Committee Chair Annette Ellis (Member for Canberra, ALP), says that committee members have become increasingly concerned about the impact of violence and hope the inquiry will enable young Australians to communicate their experiences and perceptions of violence to the committee. The terms of reference ask the committee to examine:

  • perceptions of violence and community safety among young Australians;
  • links between illicit drug use, alcohol abuse and violence among young Australians;
  • V\the relationship between bullying and violence on the wellbeing of young Australians;
  • social and economic factors that contribute to violence by young Australians; and
  • strategies to reduce violence and its impact among young Australians.

State and territory local government associations and which have a strong youth focus are encouraged to make a submission to the inquiry. The inquiry website can be found here.

Vic libraries

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) in partnership with the Public Libraries Victoria Network (PLVN) has recently concluded a collaborative procurement project to deliver significant savings to more than three-quarters of the state's public libraries.

Rob Spence, MAV Chief Executive Officer said the project harnessed the combined purchasing power of 29 of the state's 45 library corporations to deliver discounts and process improvement in the ordering and supply of library materials and services for 266 public and mobile libraries.

John Murrell, Chief Executive Officer of West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation and President of PLVN said the driving factor for libraries to participate was to improve the efficiencies in delivery of shelf-ready materials and provide access to greater discounts than could be individually negotiated.

Rural health alert

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) says a report showing a significantly higher rate of suicides, homicides and fatal accidents in rural and remote Australia, compared with those in the cities, is an urgent reminder to the federal and state governments that they must do more to get and keep in the bush more GPs who have advanced training in emergency, surgical and anaesthetic care.

The report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Injury deaths, Australia 2004-05, has found that, overall, rates of injury-related death in Australia during 2004-05 increased with the remoteness of the injured person's residence, with those who resided in very remote areas having a rate more than double that of the national rate.

When considering only deaths resulting from motor vehicle transport accidents, the mortality rate for those who resided in very remote areas was 4 times the national rate. When considering the state and territory of residence, those who resided in the Northern Territory (where much of the population lives in remote and very remote areas) had mortality rates almost 3 times the national rate for motor vehicle transport-related deaths, more than double the national rate for suicides, and more than 4 times the national rate for homicides. Across Australia, regional, rural and remote areas all showed higher rates of death from homicide, suicide, motor vehicle accidents, falls and some other accident types than the major cities.

RDAA President, Dr Nola Maxfield, said: "These latest worrying figures on rural and remote deaths will hopefully underline to governments the importance of enticing more doctors to the bush, and the importance of ensuring that local rural hospitals are kept open to let them save lives."

Stormwater recycling

A revolutionary $5 million stormwater recycling project in Orange, New South Wales, will deliver up to 35 per cent of the city's water supply this year and help alleviate recent drought conditions.

"By pushing the boundaries of current thinking, we have demonstrated that harvesting water from stormwater is a feasible reality for Australia," says Chris Devitt, Director of Technical Services from Orange City Council. Mr Devitt claims that the Orange model could be applied to many towns and cities in Australia. Stormwater harvesting is one part of a large suite of options being pursued by Orange City Council. Orange residents have improved the situation in the town by cutting their annual water use from 7000 megalitres in 2003 to 4100 megalitres in the last financial year.

Walktober

Kinect Australia is facilitating an important forum free of charge for leaders in the promotion of walking and walkable environments in Australia on the 26th of October in Melbourne. The forum is being held in conjunction with the 2009 Walktober campaign (www.walktober.com.au) and aims to contribute to shaping directions and continuing to build momentum for future, national walking development.

Key stakeholders and champions for walking development across government and non-government sectors are being invited to participate in the forum. An invitation is extended to your organisation to nominate a representative for this event.

A flyer and further information can be obtained here.

Or you can contact Theresa Whalen, Kinect's Health Promotion Programs Manager on (03) 8320-0127 or twhalen@kinectaustralia.org.au.

This event is being supported through Sport and Recreation Victoria and the 'Go for your life' InfoCentre program.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is pleased to announce that registrations are now open to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast on Monday 26th October, so join in the fun!

Hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast is a great way to bring your family and friends together to make a direct contribution to the breast cancer research you do every day! Some of our fabulous researchers and PRB veterans who have been leading the pack are A/Prof Sharon Kilbreath from University of Sydney and Dr Robin Anderson from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

To participate, you can simply visit www.pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au to register and to find some inspiration with recipes from the fabulous chef Pete Evans. This year, you can also choose to host a Virtual Breakfast to have your brekkie online, with your own fundraising page to donate to. It's easy, fun and convenient, and there's no washing up afterwards! Anyone who hosts, attends or donates to a breakfast is eligible to enter the competition to win a fantastic holiday for two to Thailand so there's even more reasons to register. Don't forget to send some photos from the day to researchinfo@nbcf.org.au - they would love to hear from you.

Global support for stimulus

'The Australian' reports that universal endorsement from US President Barack Obama, other G20 leaders and international bankers for economic stimulus as a means of protecting jobs has bolstered the Rudd government's argument for its massive building plans.

As Kevin Rudd declared the global economy was "still in the woods", Wayne Swan said much of the world growth was because of government spending and it was too early to withdraw stimulus for government building programs.

Mr Swan said "not one" world leader at the Pittsburgh G20 meeting or central banker said there should be an immediate withdrawal of government cash into building projects.

Quote of the week

"The only place you will find success before work is in the dictionary" -
May Smith

International news  

Workers worried about the security of their jobs are getting into the office earlier except in France, where the recent boss kidnappings show they take a rather more intransigent attitude to retrenchment. Oddly enough, Australians were the earliest arrivals, at 8.14am in March, seven minutes earlier than in November. The next earliest workers were Americans, at 8.32am, but actually almost a minute later than in November. And the Germans are rushing in 16 minutes earlier at 8.35am. In Britain, they are strolling in at a shade before 9am, or about 15 minutes earlier. The insouciant French however, saunter in almost 15 minutes later at a civilised hour of 9.22am, according to the survey by productivity enhancement company OfficeMetrics, which looked at the habits of 80,000 workers worldwide.

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.
Australian Local Government Association - 8 Geils Court, Deakin, ACT, 2600.
Copyright © 2001 Australian Local Government Association. ISSN 1447-980X 		spacer spacer spacer Advertise in ALGA News
Unsubscribe
spacer