Briefs
Budget Submission
The Australian Local Government Association has submitted the 2010-2011 Budget to Treasury. The initiatives that ALGA proposes in the budget submission would enable the Australian Government to maximise the economic returns already made by the Government, to build the capacity of communities so that they can adapt to new priorities and to help communities all over Australia to be resilient, sustainable and prosperous.
ALGA is the national voice of more than 560 local government authorities. Local government is the level of government closest to the people. Local and regional communities need support to respond to unpredictable events, such as climate change, natural disasters and the global financial crisis.
ALGA's strategic priorities outlined in the Budget Submission include improving local government financing, advancing constitutional reforms, addressing climate change and assisting in disaster management, as well as advocating equal access to high quality broadband and promoting social inclusion and community resilience.
The measures proposed in the Submission aim to achieve, among other necessities, an efficient public sector, improved national infrastructure, resilient communities and a socially inclusive and tolerant society.
The ALGA 2010-2011 Budget Submission is now on our website
MAV National Environment Conference: Transitioning to a climate resilient future Thursday 15 and Friday 16 April, 2010
The Municipal Association of Victoria's (MAV) inaugural National Environment Conference will consider climate change challenges and opportunities in the areas of mitigation, adaptation and adjustment for local government.
Transitioning to a climate resilient future will provide an opportunity to explore climate change responses and case studies from across Australia in a range of areas including the built environment, natural resource management, water, energy, communities, health, coastal planning and agriculture.
The conference encourages nation-wide participation from the local government sector, state and federal governments, the private sector and not for profit groups to build a shared understanding of the climate change challenges and opportunities for local government. To view confirmed speakers and the indicative conference program: www.mav.asn.au/enviro2010.
Register Online: www.mav.asn.au/enviro2010
Venue: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne
Conference enquiries: Simone Stuckey, Policy Adviser-Environment, 03 9667 5582 or sstuckey@mav.asn.au
Sponsorship enquiries: Ann Tok, Manager Events and Sponsorship, 03 9667 5557 or atok@mav.asn.au
Climate change
On Thursday 18 February, the Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Hon. Penny Wong released the Australian Government Adapting to Climate Change in Australia - An Australian Government Position Paper. Opening the first national forum on coasts and climate change in Adelaide, the Minister acknowledged the importance of adapting to the impacts of climate change that we cannot avoid, noting that '...rising to this adaptation challenge is a task that will require the commitment of all levels of government - local, state and national - working in partnership, not just with each other, but also with business and the community.'
A key message of the Position Paper is that '...adaptation is a shared responsibility and that businesses and the community must play their part'. The paper stresses that vulnerability to climate change is a critical new risk to the nation. The Government has identified the following initial national priorities: coastal management, water, infrastructure, natural systems of national significance; prevention, preparedness, response and recovery with regard to natural disasters; and agriculture. Copies of the Position paper can be downloaded from www.climatechange.gov.au
COAG looks at national energy legislation
As the first step in a commitment by the Council of Australian Governments, through the release of a National Strategy on Energy Efficiency in July 2009, to look at new National legislation for minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and energy labelling, the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) have released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on a proposed National Legislation for Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Energy Labelling for appliances and equipment for comment. The Consultation RIS is our final formal opportunity to provide input to the Decision RIS that will be prepared for Ministerial consideration later this year.
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) will be submitting a response to the Regulation Impact Statement and welcomes your comments. Contact Mark Amos
Mayor wants more women in local government
Logan Mayor, Pam Parker, has called for more women to take political positions at the "grassroots" level. Speaking after last Tuesday's Brisbane launch of the Year of Women in Local Government, Cr Parker urged Logan women to consider a career in local politics.
She told the Albert & Logan News that women had the skills and fortitude to make it in the rough-and-tumble of politics. "Being involved in local government gives you the opportunity to have a real impact on the community you are closely involved in and care about," she said.
"Women make up 52 per cent of our nation's population, but in Queensland only 34 per cent of councillors are female, and of Queensland's 73 councils only 11 have female mayors. 'There is certainly no lack of talented women in Australia and I would dearly love to see the percentage of women at all levels of public office reflect the population percentage."
Cr Parker was elected to council in 1997 and in 2008 became the first female mayor in Logan's 30-year history. Other female councillors are Cherie Dalley, Lynne Clarke, Lisa Bradley and Hajnal Ban. "Women make a very real and valuable contribution to many areas in the Logan community," Cr Parker said.
"I encourage them to believe in themselves and consider a role in the political arena. My 13 years in local government have certainly been extremely challenging and rewarding and I would love to see more females share that experience."
Thriving in a man's world
As her first serious achievement as a local government councillor, Mary Fraser lists gaining the support of her otherwise all-male council in North East Victoria to support the Save The Whales campaign.
Genevieve Barlow reports in the Weekly Times that such a campaign requires powers of the supernaturally persuasive kind. Mary does not give in easily. Last year, Mary earned an Emeritus Mayor award for serving more than three terms as mayor. As such, she's a fair subject in this, the Year of Women in Local Government.
She first entered local government by winning a seat on the then Tallangatta Shire Council in 1996 when the youngest of her five children was starting school. A farmer's wife, Mary won the election on the strength of a campaign to put powerlines underground in Tallangatta, the heart of her municipality.
She was one of nine councillors for six years. After she was voted out, the council reverted to the all-male enclave.
It wasn't always easy to put her hand up for power and it was intimidating for women to run for council and often to be the only female among men. Yet she got over that, and her confidence grew. "I have tried to be equal with men, which is a bit futile. It's still hard times for women in the country to be in local government.
She says the best advice she received before joining council was from her father-in-law. "He said you don't need to know about roads and bridges, you just need to be smart enough to ask the right questions and to employ good staff."
For details about the Year of Women in Local Government, check www.lgwomen2010.org.au
Council costs
An Australian study conducted by Objective Corporation on 120 Australian councils has found that, on average, each council across Australia is missing potential annual savings of more than A$3 million per year through inefficient document production processes.
Across the country, this equates to approximately half a billion dollars in hidden costs that could be saved each year for Australian local government. Similar research conducted by Objective in the United Kingdom uncovered potential savings for the public sector of GBP £1 billion.
Objective Corporation is a provider of content, collaboration and process management solutions for the public sector. Its solutions empower public sector effectiveness, efficiency and transparency, helping governments deliver better public sector outcomes at a lower cost to the community.
Tony Walls, CEO of Objective Corporation, says: "The sheer number of documents, many of which are statutory, produced each year by local government lent itself to this research. This study aims to highlight where, when and how real savings can be delivered against a backdrop of financial constraint and increased pressure for better service delivery to the community.
"Our research suggests business transformation and process efficiency improvements, through the use of our uCreate and uEngage solutions, offer local authorities a new opportunity for savings."
To find out more about the research, download your copy at www.objective.com/c2p. For more information please contact Elizabeth McKenzie at Recognition PR on 02 9252 2266.
Councils amalgamation consultation and contest
Gosford and Wyong residents will be asked if they think the two local government areas should be merged. The Association of Consulting Engineers Australia will launch a community consultation program on the Central Coast next month on the growth of the area in coming decades.
Terry Collins wrote in the Central Coast Express that the association's report, 'Sydney: towards Tomorrow' proposed amalgamations of many councils, including those on the coast. On March 15, a public meeting will be led by journalist George Negus, with speakers from Gosford and Wyong councils, local government, businesses and residential groups.
In conjunction with the community meeting, all coast high schools have been invited to take part in an essay competition, with entrants from Brisbane Water Secondary College, Gosford and Tuggerah Lakes high schools and Central Coast Grammar already having registered.
"What we want to know from the student community is if they think one Central Coast regional council would deliver better services and be able to create a prosperous, healthy and exciting living environment," an association spokesman said. "In 1000 words or less, students should explore and set out the advantages and disadvantages of having one council for the people living in, working in and visiting the area. They can choose to write their paper on their own or with one or two other students in their year (group entrants should not involve more than three people)."
The winner will be invited to present their paper on the morning of the community forum and will receive a $1000 'shopping spree' at Myer at Erina Fair. More information here.
MAV fears councils losing planning say
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is campaigning against what it says is the erosion of the role local government plays in the planning system, ABC News reported this week.
MAV claims that proposed changes to the Planning and Environment Act will override councils' planning policies. MAV president Bill McArthur says residents want to have a say in neighbourhood planning.
He says the proposal threatens the community's involvement because the Victorian Government will be given more power. "It's a real threat to remove community involvement and add uncertainty and cost to Victoria's planning system," Mr McArthur said. "It's a major concern and communities should be concerned because any erosion of councils' role in the planning system means less community input to the decision making process."
Councils cop a cap
Parramatta Lord Mayor Paul Garrard's response to the State Government's announcement that council rate rises would be capped at 2.6 per cent, a 1 per cent reduction on last year's cap, is that it is unfair, reports the Parramatta Advertiser.
Many would say that councils simply have to work smarter instead of raising their rates. But where would we be without the services councils provide? It's not as if we can rely on state and federal governments to deliver those essential services such as libraries, swimming pools and community halls, not to mention festivals and other events which are the life and blood of every community.
Local government is the government closest to the people. If councils are not doing a good job, residents let them know. So why doesn't the State Government ask the people if they are happy to pay what amounts to a few dollars more each year so they can continue to enjoy a high level of services?
The alternative is councils outsourcing some services, such as swimming pools and childcare, which would cost residents more money.
Councils urge cap rethink
The budgets of several Hunter councils have been thrown into chaos by the New South Wales Government's latest rate peg decision.
Local Government Minister Barbara Perry has set the rating limit at 2.6 per cent for 2010/2011, about 1 per cent below last year's cap. Newcastle council estimates it will throw its next budget out by up to $700,000.
Councillor Perry says the cap has been set according to the lower rate of inflation, but the council's director of city assets, Steve Edmonds, says a different approach is needed.
"The draft recommendations were that we were to go to a cost-based system called a productivity cost index which really looks at council's costs of service provision rather than basing a rating system on a CPI [Consumer Price Index] which is a consumer-based approach," she said.
The Port Stephens council has been pushing for a special rate rise of about 6 per cent to fix the shire's ailing road network and Mayor Bruce Mackenzie says the Minister's decision is ludicrous.
Big bills for south coast and far-west
The NSW government declared natural disaster zones in flooded regions of the South Coast and the state's far west last week.
More than 200mm of rain fell on the state's far south coast, causing the Moruya and Bega rivers to overflow. Emergency Services Minister, Steve Whan, declared the Bega and Eurobodalla local government areas natural disaster zones, and promised support for people affected by the floods.
Later, the same declaration was made for the Central Darling and Cobar shires, in the far west, which had also been hit by torrential rain and flooding. Mr Whan said roads, bridges and causeways had been damaged in both shires, causing up to $6 million damage.
"These declarations mean that a range of people who have suffered property damage, including residents, primary producers and business owners, can seek assistance," the Emergency Services Minister stated.
Clarification
Mark Beharrell notes that the Manly Daily incorrectly quoted the number of homes at risk from climate change impacts, which was quoted in last Friday's ALGA News. The 4,000 homes discussed refers to the number of currently identified properties in the Pittwater LGA at risk from flooding. The intent of the report was provide a time-frame for the updating of Councils' current flood studies, utilising the NSW Sea Level Rise Policy Statement benchmarks. For further information on this issue, please click here.
New Guide aims to cut deaths and injury in high risk public works jobs
In an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by driver fatigue, Pro-Visual Publishing is reminding local government and works officers of the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue Reforms with the 2010 edition of the National Guide to Public Works & Services Safety.
The new reforms, which took effect on 29 September 2008, are consistent with current obligations under OHS laws that require employers and employees to take all reasonably practicable steps to manage driver fatigue. The safety guide, which will be distributed in the coming weeks, explores the reasons for the new laws, and details how heavy vehicle drivers and their employees can avoid breeching them.
The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA), which helped to develop the guide, believes it is a practical health and safety resource chart for members of the public works sector. "The Guide provides managers and employees with up-to-date information, including driver fatigue, underground electrical safety, and asbestos in the workplace," said Mark Turner from the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, NSW Division.
The Guide will be distributed free of charge to heavy vehicle haulage companies and transport services across Australia. For further information, or to obtain additional copies of the Chart please call (02) 8272 2611, email enquiries@provisual.com.au or visit website.
Firm commitment to transport plan crucial, councils say
New South Wales councils have welcomed the State Government's Metropolitan Transport Plan for Sydney and say the next step is for the government to make a firm financial commitment and get projects underway.
"We're pleased the government has listened to our concerns and have come up with a well-developed and sensible transport plan that considers the needs of residents all over Sydney," says President of the Local Government Association Cr Genia McCaffery.
"Abolishing the CBD Metro and extending the light rail network from Dulwich Hill into the city was a logical and relatively inexpensive answer to the congestion issues in the Sydney CBD and inner suburbs. This decision will free up resources that will best be used on extending the heavy rail network.
"While we're relieved the North West and South West Sydney rail lines will be extended, we're concerned with some of the proposed time frames. It's unfair to make Western Sydney residents wait until 2015 for the new Western Sydney express line and 2017 for construction of the North West line.
"With the CBD metro project now cancelled, the focus should be on extending these heavy rail lines immediately, rather than forcing taxpayers to wait another five years for any sign of new construction - let alone a much longer wait for the projects to actually finish.
"It's disappointing the government has failed to recommence the Parramatta to Epping link - a critical connecting route between the job and growth areas of western and northern Sydney. "Failure to act on this critical public transport project will mean more cars on the road, more congestion and more damage to local business and community life.
"We support the creation of the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority to drive future transport development and urban renewal issues, provided it doesn't favour big developers and neglect transport issues across the whole of Sydney. As recommended in the Christie Report, we'd still like to see a single overarching body to overcome the confusing range of government departments, agencies and planning authorities that currently oversee transport planning and development.
"The government needs to make a firm financial commitment to the Metropolitan Transport Plan and get the ball rolling on projects to ensure residents all over Sydney have access to an equitable and reliable transport network."
Clean up Australia Day
Queanbeyan residents, schools and businesses are called on to get involved in Clean up Australia Day on March 7. This year the day celebrates its 20th year of urging people to make a difference by cleaning up their local areas for a couple of hours. Almost 630,000 volunteers participated and 7,000 sites were registered for Clean up Australia Day last year. Queanbeyan City Council has organised a local Clean up Australia site on Sunday, March 7 at Queen Elizabeth Park on the corner of Morisset and Collett Streets, Queanbeyan, from 9 am to 1 pm. You can register your own site or simply turn up at a site near you on the day with gloves, a hat, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen and register as a volunteer. Check the website below for sites near you. To register a Clean Up site simply visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or call 18000282329.
Quote of the week
"I'm encouraging young people to become social business entrepreneurs and contribute to the world, rather than just making money. Making money is no fun. Contributing to and changing the world is a lot more fun." -
Muhammad Yunus, Source: Interview with Muhammad by C4Chaos.
International news 
Nobel Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, is visiting Australia in March. He began his revolutionary bank, Grameen Bank, with a loan of $27 to a group of Balgladeshi women in 1974. Since then, the bank has lifted millions out of poverty by dispersing $6 billion in tiny loans like the one to those women of Bangladesh. Yunus believes that the dynamics of capitalism can be applied to the eradication of world poverty. With his idea of micro-credit, the banking program that provides poor people - mainly women - with small loans they use to start businesses, he has empowered countless people to lift themselves out of poverty.
In the past three decades, micro-credit has spread to every continent and benefited over 100 million families. Why do the loans mainly go to women? Because Yunus observed that women usually spend nearly all their income on their families, whereas men will spend money on entertainment, alcohol and other things that do not endure and do not benefit their families.
Now Yunis aims to go beyond the idea of micro-credit and to use the creativity of business to tackle social problems from poverty and pollution to inadequate health care and lack of education. In his new book, Creating a World without Poverty, he envisages a world transformed by thousands of 'social businesses' powered by a more humane form of capitalism. He wants to tap into Australian ideas as well as to share the lessons of his already profitable social business initiative. He will speak at two public forums organised by Business for Millennium Development in Sydney on March 8 and Melbourne on March 9.
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