Briefs
The National Broadband Conference
The National Broadband Conference: Possibilities and Practicalities for Local Government - 4th-5th March 2010
A conference providing councils with greater awareness of the opportunity to meet representatives from local government, state government and developers who are at the leading edge of fibre deployment will be held at the City of Whittlesea, Victoria, on 4th to 5th March. Local councils from across the nation are encouraged to attend.
The conference will feature many expert speakers, including Minister Stephen Conroy and Mr Paul Brooks from the Communications Alliance.
For further information or to register for the conference, please click here.
Women wanted for politics
While women have certainly stamped their marked on the political landscape since first standing for public office in 1903, greater female representation is needed at grassroots levels, according to Logan Mayor, Pam Parker.
To celebrate 2010 as the Year of Women in Local Government, Councillor Parker, who was elected to Council in 1997 and elected as Mayor in 2008, called on women to consider a role in local government - either in public office or in the public service sector.
The first female mayor in Logan's 30-year history, Cr Parker said women certainly had the skills and fortitude to make it in the rough and tumble world of politics.
click here for the latest events, news, activities about the Year of Women in Local Government.
Christie Report appeals to Local Government
Local Government welcomes the recommendations of the Christie Report, stating that it is a well-developed, sensible and equitable transport plan for Sydney.
"It's refreshing to see a transport infrastructure delivery program that's directly in line with the State Government's Metropolitan Strategy," says President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery.
"Extending the Cityrail heavy rail lines to North West and South West Sydney and within the CBD is a much better option than that currently being considered by the government," she says.
"It's more logical to build on and enhance existing established rail networks, rather than waste time and resources by creating a whole new system. Residents in greater Sydney are entitled to an efficient and reliable transport network that services their needs - this can't be achieved under the government's present shorter metro line proposals.
"We welcome the investigation of light rail and other mass public transport options to address road congestion issues in the CBD and inner suburbs. Also, creating a single overarching Sydney Transport Authority is an ideal recommendation that could overcome the confusing and inefficient plethora of government departments, agencies and planning authorities that currently oversee transport planning and development in Sydney.
"We're calling upon the government to embrace the key recommendations of the Christie Report in its upcoming Sydney Transport Blueprint, and at the same time provide commitments to the funding and implementation of any plans announced."
Contact Fay Daoud, LGSA Media contact on 0437 477 567 or Cr Genia McCaffery, President, Local Government Association on 0419 404 867.
Marvellous Melbourne
Melbourne remains the third most liveable city in the world, and just 2.5 percentage points short of perfection, according to the latest rankings by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Ranking 140 global cities on 30 criteria covering stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure, the think tank of The Economist magazine gives Melbourne a score of 97.5 out of a possible 100, reports The Age.
Winter Olympics host, Vancouver, remains No. 1, scoring 98.0, despite its unfortunate lack of snow, while Vienna was ranked second with 97.9.
Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, was judged the most unliveable city in the survey, with a total score of just 37.5. Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, tied with Algiers as the second worst, followed by Port Moresby.
Half of the top 10 cities come from lands Down Under. Sydney was seventh, Perth and Adelaide equal eighth and Auckland 10th (96.1).
Canada had three of the top five cities, with Toronto ranked fourth and Calgary fifth. London was ranked 54th, with a score of 88.4. European cities were ranked the most liveable by region, but only Vienna and Helsinki (sixth) made the top 10.
The unit highlighted the poor scores of cities hosting upcoming sporting events. Johannesburg, home of the 2010 soccer World Cup, ranked just equal 92nd with a score of 69.1 - the same as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the main hosts for the 2014 World Cup.
New Delhi, host of this year's Commonwealth Games, ranked 113th with a score of 58.6. It was the best of the cities that will host the 2011 cricket World Cup, with Mumbai 117th, Colombo 132nd and Dhaka equal 138th.
Inquiry into rural research and development
The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, have announced the terms of reference for a Productivity Commission inquiry into rural research and development corporation arrangements.
The inquiry will consider the economic and policy rationale for Australian Government investment in rural research and development.
The inquiry will also examine the interactions and potential overlaps across governments and programs to ensure Australia gets the best value for its research and development spending.
The Commission will hold public hearings and release a draft report for public comment, before delivering a final report to the Government in February 2011.
For more information, click here
Reform now voluntary
Local Government Minister John Castrilli says municipalities can now make up their own minds when it comes to structural reform. Mr Castrilli said participation in regional transition groups was voluntary, and local governments would be able to choose their partners in the groups.
This decision is a turnaround on a December announcement when governments were told there would be a formal, no opt-out agreement.
WA Local Government Association president, Bill Mitchell, said that the ministers' approach was one-sided, and that they were effectively ignoring the wishes of local governments and the communities they were representing.
He said local governments were rejecting the State Government's rigid approach to reform. Cr Mitchell said the representatives from more than 100 councils at last weeks meeting reinforced the lack of confidence in the process.
Mr Castrilli said the State Government remained committed to reducing the number of councils from 139 to less than 100 in five years.
Local governments have until March 26 to decide if they will join a regional group.
Skate parks beneficial for adolescents
The popular perception that skateboarders are anti-social vandals is inaccurate. New research, funded by Griffith University and the Gold Coast City Council, and published in the Journal of Adolescent Research, demonstrates that skate parks are positive environments for adolescents.
Psychologist, Graham Bradley, observed Gold Coast skate parks over 20 sessions, and interviewed about 600 people for his year-long study. He found little evidence to suggest skateboarders were in conflict with their families or engaged in anti-social behaviour such as vandalism.
"Despite polarised attitudes to skate parks, park users reported levels of personal adjustment and social integration similar to those of other adolescents," Professor Bradley said. "Most skaters seemed respectful of each other, of their skate parks, and of skateboarding customs and rules. Skaters as a whole were not alienated from mainstream institutions like family and school."
There was no evidence of fighting, bullying, intimidation or damaging of public property. During the times of observations, the parks were peaceful and harmonious places.
Despite overcrowding in the skate parks, different skill levels and little supervision, most participants abided by the norms of taking turns and sharing the available space.
Professor Bradley said that skate parks were shown to be valuable in youth development: "As well as encouraging physical activity and skills development, skate parks provide opportunities for young males to develop social skills such as co-operation, turn-taking and conflict resolution," he said.
Skate park knock-back
The Woologoolga Advertiser tells the sad story of Shai Bargwanna, who has taken his first step into the minefield of political lobbying.
The 13-year-old Woolgoolga High student started a petition to have a new skate park established at Mullaway last year.
He collected 288 signatures from local residents and presented the petition to Councillor John Arkan, who presented it as a Notice of Motion at last Thursday's council meeting.
While the proposal was knocked back, given that there were already skate parks at Corindi and Woolgoolga, it has been a valuable learning experience for Shai about the workings of local government.
Originally, he thought once he collected the signatures and handed the document to Cr Arkan, he would just have to wait for the bulldozers to arrive. Now, disappointed but more aware, he is still keen to campaign for a skate park if a new opportunity arises.
School student urban planners
The Advertiser reports that Catherine Douglas-Hill and Andrew Brummit won the Department of Planning and Local Government competition for South Australian students to design a better neighbourhood. Year 9 St Peter's Girls student Catherine designed Adelaide as the Emerald City, reflecting her passion for protecting green open spaces and broadening the use of solar power.
Pembroke student Andrew opted to submit plans for increased use of electric cars and creating a community feel. With plans to become an urban planner, the Year 11 student designed the suburb of Kensington with provisions to increase use of electric cars, develop more housing choices, including town houses and apartment blocks, as well as a retirement village, planned around open space with native trees.
The winners focused on some of the issues that Adelaide will face in the future, such as how to provide for an ageing population, access to employment, affordable housing and transport, and health and well-being.
Pittwater to be under water?
A Pittwater Council report says that 4,000 houses are at risk of flooding due to climate change. The report, which went before council recently, says sea level rise and an increase in storm intensity may flood several areas and affect thousands of houses.
2,500 residences have been identified in seven floodplains found in Great Mackerel Beach, Careel Creek in Avalon, Newport Beach, Mona Vale/Bayview, Warriewood Valley, North Narrabeen and Narrabeen Lagoon, reports the Manly Daily.
There are some 1,500 additional properties at risk around Pittwater foreshores identified in the report, which was prepared by the acting leader of catchment management and climate control at Pittwater Council, Mark Beharrell.
"All these catchments and foreshore areas have current flood studies which now require reassessment incorporating climate change scenarios," the report says.
Houses level with the beach in Newport cost $6m to $10m, according to real estate agency, Raine & Horne Newport.
The report was prepared to update several other flood plan studies following the release of the NSW Government's sea level rise policy and benchmarks. An issue for council staff was planning for sea level rise beyond the benchmarks calculated until 2100.
Pittwater Council general manager, Mark Ferguson, said the council will consider planning 100 years in advance.
"It is problematic but the way we plan for that is to consider the design life for the buildings then try to match planning to reflect the updated studies," he said. "A house is not going to stay in its current state for much more than 100 years."
The report is also in response to the risk of legal action from house or property owners in areas of coastal risk, for which councils are not currently protected.
The report states that coastal land in Pittwater will be lost via beach recession and landward migration of the mean high water mark. Pittwater Council will notify homeowners at risk and include the information in council building information.
West of Ingham flood-proofed?
The Herbert River Express reported that the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, and Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace, unveiled three alignment options designed to flood-proof the Bruce Highway between Ingham and the Cardwell Range. These are now available for public comment.
Mr Wallace said all three alignments started next to the Ingham Airport and joined the existing highway at Mt Cudmore Rd, at the foot of the Cardwell Range.
"The alignment option closest to the existing Bruce Highway is known as the Central Alignment and skirts the western edge of Ingham, and follows an alignment just west of the existing highway to Ripple Creek," he said. "The other two alignment options, known as Western 1 and Western 2, sit within the western zone of interest, further west from the existing highway."
Mr Wallace needs local community feedback to help choose the ultimate alignment.
The three proposed alignments will probably not add to highway travelling time, with the Central Alignment (15.6km) set to be shorter than the original stretch of road (16.1km), while the Western 1 (16km) and Western 2 (16.4km) will be only slightly longer.
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the options would mark the new stage of a three-year, $5 million federally funded planning study that commenced in October 2008 and that the alignment options, all of which are to the west of Ingham, aim to reduce the duration of flooding closures on this key section of the Bruce Highway.
"The study team took into account a wide range of factors, including engineering, hydrological, geotechnical and environmental studies, as well as extensive community engagement and cultural heritage analysis," he said. "We now want to hear from the people of north Queensland to hear their opinion on the most suitable alignment."
Affected landowners and stakeholders will receive letters, and the study team will also hold another Project Advisory Committee meeting.
The alignment options will be available for viewing at public displays as well as on the web and www.tmr.qld.gov.au.
For more information about the planning study, members of the community can phone 1300 139824 or email ingham@ebc.net.au
Plea to treble water harvest
Local councils want to harvest three times the stormwater currently captured and develop a trading system for recycled water, writes Lauren Novak in the Advertiser.
The Local Government Association's third pre-election blueprint, Green Living, outlines funding it is seeking from the next state government following the March 20 poll.
The document states that councils could harvest 60 billion litres of stormwater by 2013, but are only capturing a third of that and need an investment of up to $700 million to reach the estimated potential. It also suggests establishing a recycled water trading system that would set prices based on industrial, household or irrigation uses.
LGA president and Marion Mayor Felicity-Ann Lewis said that councils needed greater state and federal government guidance to prepare for climate change.
Savvy water advice
Auburn Council has launched a water-saving scheme called Water Savvy to help businesses save water and money.
The council has teamed up with Sydney Water to provide free audits and practical advice to small and medium-sized businesses. This new program will complement the council's other water-saving programs, which aim to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in council's water use.
"Because we live on the driest continent of the world and we are also experiencing one of the longest drought periods this century, it makes sense to implement long-term sustainable changes to water use within the LGA that will work for everyone," a council spokeswoman said.
"We will be offering free advice to give businesses a head start and to make it easy for them to implement an effective, easy-to-use water-saving scheme."
For a free assessment contact Sophie at Auburn Council on 9735 1364 or at sophie.peacock@auburn.nsw.gov.au
Council finds work for weevils
Work has been found for 200 weevils. They will eat the salvinia weed, which has infested Hervey Bay's Condor Lakes. Juliet Musgrove, a Fraser Coast Regional Council land protection officer, said that the council's smallest new workers feed on the leaves, stems and roots of salvinia then lay their eggs in the stems.
The larvae feed on the stems and leaf buds, finishing off the plant. Carlie Walker at the Fraser Coast Chronicle interviewed Ms Musgrove, who continued: "These weevils are particularly successful because they feed only on salvinia and have no adverse effects on any other plants or animals in the ecosystem."
Ms Musgrove said if weevils were not used, the salvinia would eventually take over the lake from bank to bank and it would be very harmful to wildlife. Condor Lakes is home to a wide range of wildlife, including cranes, ibises, swamp hens, magpie geese, turtles, fish and ducks.
Weevils love the Queensland climate and enjoy this time of year best, reproducing in temperatures ranging from 27 degrees to 35 degrees. They were introduced to Australia from Brazil in 1980.
The weevils used by the Fraser Coast Regional Council were bred by the Gympie Regional Council and supplied to the Fraser Coast in exchange for a $500 annual donation to help with the upkeep of the tanks, making the control program cost-effective as well as environmentally safe.
Five new community facilities for Deniliquin
The Deniliquin community today celebrated the opening of five upgraded and new community facilities - all adding to the quality of the local sporting and recreational infrastructure.
The Rudd Labor Government provided $357,000 to the Deniliquin Council for the five projects, from the $1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, said that the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program was a key part of the Economic Stimulus Plan and is delivering local jobs in communities across Australia by building infrastructure for the long term.
"Twenty jobs were created during construction of these projects and a further five ongoing jobs will be supported," said Mr Albanese.
The Program's remaining $220 million will be made available to councils in coming months, with the Deniliquin Council set to receive at least another $137,000. "This additional funding will support even more local jobs and rebuild even more of the nation's vital community infrastructure," said Mr Albanese.
"I congratulate the Deniliquin Council and the local community for helping deliver these five local projects, and helping to build a stronger region for the future."
Newcastle trees dropping too many branches
For Cooks Hill resident Caity Raschke there is no such thing as a bad tree, Frances Thompson in the Newcastle Herald writes, but the Cooks Hill ficus microcarpia trees are causing problems for the council.
Council believes that many of the trees need to be cut down, particularly those in Laman Street. The problem is that these native trees of Queensland are very old, and they drop their branches. They were first planted in Laman Street in the 1930s.
Caity Raschke has become the public face of opposition to a Newcastle City Council move to remove the Hill's figs in Laman Street. She believes the canopy formed by the trees over the street, which houses the city art gallery, cultural centre and library and residences, is a feature as important as Newcastle's beaches.
The council decided to remove the trees because of fears that branches would drop or the entire tree would fall over and hurt someone, leaving the city open to big compensation claims.
Raschke agrees that one of the Hill's figs needed to be removed, but Laman Street should be an example of how to preserve city trees rather than remove them. "That's Newcastle: you show people a picture of Newcastle and one of the things, along with the beaches, is Laman Street. I don't think we appreciate it a lot of the time and Newcastle hasn't ever been very good at promoting itself."
Raschke said if the trees had only five to 15 years of life, they should be cared for and retained as long as possible. The time should be used to replace them gradually.
Newcastle council has an Urban Forest policy, which promotes the public benefits of trees. Raschke thinks that this is good, but other councils have a "significant tree" register, and she would like Newcastle to establish one too.
Ben Elton versus Fremantle council
It isn't easy being green. Just ask comedian and writer, Ben Elton, who will probably make use of the irony for his next novel. He was asked to pay a $50,000 fine for installing solar panels without planning permission on the roof of his heritage-listed property.
Ben Elton and his Perth-born wife Sophie Gare, were living in London while their 1903 North Fremantle house was being renovated. They had to apply for retrospective planning permission after a heritage report deemed the panels detracted from the historical character of the home and the streetscape.
The report, prepared for Fremantle Council by an independent heritage architect, put the council on a collision course with its own policies, which are decidedly "green". The council eventually voted to approve the solar panels, providing the decision is reviewed in 25 years time, "in order to encompass technological advances".
Rural digital TV worries
People in rural areas are worrying that they will be left in the dark when the analogue TV signal is turned off, despite government assurances that many digital TV black spots will, in fact, have access.
LGA president Felicity-Ann Lewis said that she had written to the Government last year because councils feared gaps in regional areas.
Regional mayors and other representatives say they are not convinced that the Federal Government will be able to ensure coverage for all users using satellites and have also protested at a planned cost of $650 for a service now received for free.
South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils delegate, Peter Campbell, said a meeting with Digital Switchover Taskforce representatives last week had not resolved concerns, Miles Kemp reported in The Advertiser last Saturday.
Mr Campbell, also CEO of the Murray and Mallee Local Government Association, said the taskforce had initially refused to meet with the organisation.
"It is not fair to charge for a service which is currently free," he said. "They were sent back with the message that we are happy to provide resources to help people get connected but there is disappointment with the fact that there is going to be a cost involved."
The taskforce has agreed to supply a community liaison expert for South Australian regions from May, and many concession card holders would be given $300 subsidised satellite access. The analogue television signal will progressively be switched off between 2010 and 2013.
Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mayor Julie Low, said the unsubsidised cost that users would be charged was a significant amount for drought-stricken farmers and others feared they would not have a service.
"The Eyre Peninsula councils are looking for someone now who will be able to work through people's problems and we hope it will be able to answer people's fears about the changeover," she said.
Australian Library and Information Association's online content policy
ALIA supports the basic right of library and information services users to unhindered access to information regardless of format.
Australian library and information services provide extensive internet access services. Through these services, Australia's public libraries play a key role in addressing the need for equitable community access to online information and services.
For ALIA and Australia's library and information services, together with the support for freedom of information, comes the need to exercise due care in the provision of information.
ALIA has been active in the public debate on online content regulation since 1996. ALIA believes that freedom can be protected in a democratic society only if its citizens have unrestricted access to information and ideas. ALIA's policy position is set out in its statement on online content regulation
ALIA's Online Content and Regulation Advisory Committee advises the Board of Directors on public policy and legislative developments relating to online content regulation of concern to members.
ALIA does not recommend the use of internet filtering technology in public libraries. Filtering has been shown to vary in its effectiveness, blocking some sites with useful and legal information, while not fully protecting children and others from illegal, objectionable or offensive material.
Rate cap limit
Communities across NSW are at risk of losing vital services and facilities due to a State Government decision to reduce the rate cap to only 2.6%.
"Councils have a huge responsibility to provide for their communities, but it's going to be very difficult with such a reduced rate," says President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery.
"While it might be in line with current CPI, it's simply not enough to cover our escalating expenses, including a $6 billion infrastructure backlog," she said. "We already have to deal with an inadequate share of taxation and a cost shifting bill that totals $400 million every year - we can't keep fighting with one hand tied behind our back."
President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller, says that now is the time to completely eradicate rate pegging. "The government has, in the past, promised to consider the removal of rate pegging, but we're still yet to see some action," said Cr Miller. "Councils are answerable to their ratepayers and - as is the case in other states - should have the power to make rate increase decisions based on the needs and wishes of their communities.
"I urge the Minister to give favourable consideration to the special rate variations required by individual councils, particularly for infrastructure maintenance and improvement projects."
Remote Aerodrome Safety Program - Funding Round Four Opens
The final round of applications for funding under the Remote Aerodrome Safety Program has now been opened.
So far, $13.5 million has been provided for 116 aerodrome and airstrip upgrades, supporting jobs in remote communities while delivering long-term safety and access improvements.
The remaining $7 million available under this program in now available for bids.
Safety and access upgrade projects can include:
- Repairing, strengthening, sealing and upgrading runway surfaces;
- Safety equipment such as runway lighting and navigation aids; and
- Other infrastructure, such as animal proof fencing.
The funding is aimed at helping remote and isolated communities maintain access to air services for the delivery of essential supplies, mail, passenger transport and medical care, including emergency evacuations and Royal Flying Doctor Service access.
This is particularly important in communities where road access is unavailable, unreliable or disrupted for extended periods due to the wet season.
A key feature of the Remote Aerodrome Safety Program is partnership with state, territory and local governments.
Applications must be submitted by Friday 9 April 2010.
Click here for further information
Clean up Australia Day
On 7 March it is the 20th anniversary of National Clean up Australia Day.
For information about what is going on, please contact: Caitlin Dennehy (02) 8260 2848 or 0423 267 383; or Sophie Coleman on (02) 8260 2841 or 0406 648 144.
Symposium Advancing Bushfire Arson Prevention in Australia
25-26 March 2010
Monash University
Conference Centre, Level 7, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, Australia
For more information, including registration, please see the website or contact Simon Rowntree, Ph: (03) 9902 0730, simon.rowntree@msi.monash.edu.au
Quote of the week
"According to the UN, over two million people every year die from work-related causes. That's more than from drugs and alcohol combined." -
Tom Hodkinson, The Idler. October 2009
International news 
Wouldn't you rather get the reputed health benefits of wine by drinking a glass or two of it? Wine molecules are supposed to help ward off cancer and heart disease, but there are so many people who are giving it up that some wine producers are feeling compelled to try to put the beneficial elements of wine into pills, health tonics and other dietary supplements.
With vineyard revenues falling as alcohol consumption declines, The Times reports an attempt to tap into the teetotal market by creating the health foods from parts of the grape that used to be discarded.
David Ageron, business manager at Vitimed, a unit of l'Union des Distilleries de la Meditarranee, one fo France's biggest wineries said, "It's essential for us." His trade has traditionally involved transforming wine residue into state-subsidised industrial alcohol. But with the EU ordering an end to the subsidies, producers are developing medicines and supplements based on grape seed or grape skin extracts.
'We absolutely must find some way of extracting value from the waste products.' He makes a supplement based on a red wine extract containing polyphenols, an antioxidant touted as a shield against disease. He is trying to get the food industry to use the molecule as a health additive in drinks, yoghurt etc. He thinks market is ready now.
At Le Clos du Grand Riou, in western France, vinter Didier Hauret makes an organic red wine. But he has now set up a business that produces Dionysox, a drink made from the skins and other residue of his grapes, which he sells as a dietary supplement.
In southwest France, Oliver Godin has set up Vino-Cure, which sells cosmetics and dietary supplements made from vines at Chateau Vent D'Autan. "It's for people who don't drink wine but want to remain young and healthy."
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