Briefs
National awards for Local Government - Entries Open
Nominations have opened for the 2010 National Awards for Local Government. These prestigious awards, now in their 25th year, reward local governments for the innovative and important work they do in supporting local communities. The Rudd Labor Government recognises the critical role of local governments in making our communities more productive, liveable and sustainable. The National Awards are an important plank of the Government's partnership with local government.
The revamped National Awards recognise local governments' efforts in delivering infrastructure, collaborating with neighbouring councils, improving their assets and building their capacity to serve communities.
All elected councils are encouraged to submit entries that showcase best practice local projects and policies. The national winners will be judged by an independent panel and announced at the third Australian Council of Local Government meeting at Parliament House in June.
Since their inception, thousands of projects have been recognised and have highlighted creative solutions to local and national challenges. Entries close on 31 March 2010.
For further information on the National Awards for Local Government contact the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government on free call 1800 065 113, or visit the Department's website.
International Women's Day
The 8th March is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, without regard for divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political. For events on and around the day near you, go to www.internationalwomensday.com and click on your town or city.
The importance of planning
'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,' as the old saying goes. Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and a former NSW sustainability commissioner, thinks that the metropolitan transport plan for Sydney makes good sense. He regrets "how much we lost in the past 20 years due to the near-universal loss of belief in such planning. This was set in place by Thatcher and Reagan, based on Milton Friedman's idea that the market alone is needed to prioritise spending. Planning became a dirty word," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Former NSW public servants have told me that if any cabinet minute was to get through in this era it was never to use the word 'plan'. The result has been chaos, as the only transport of consequence to evolve during this time has been more than $10 billion worth of toll roads, many of which were not part of a bigger plan, so they are not well linked."
He stated that public transport cannot be built under such plan-free conditions and that it wasn't, apart from the Epping-Chatswood line, planned years before.
Peter Newman said that the market could function well in cities if there was a good plan showing how the infrastructure could be integrated into the city's economy. He pointed out that good planning has never been anti-market. It provides the context and the basis for confidence. Land development must also be linked to transport decisions, which is impossible without a plan.
The Council of Australian Governments is developing national standards and criteria for urban strategic plans. In Newman's view this is resounding recognition that the old era of anti-planning is over.
Councils back $2 billion railway link
Local government leaders have applied further pressure on the NSW State Government to complete the Epping to Parramatta Rail Link, reports the Northern District Times. An independent report by former transport chief, Ron Christie, recommended that the work must begin on finishing the $2 billion Epping to Parramatta Rail Link.
Mr Christie has won the support of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, which includes Lane Cove, Ryde and Hunters Hill. Its president and Hornsby Mayor, Nick Berman, said Mr Christie's inquiry "recognised our key priorities for public transport", that is, the Epping to Parramatta Rail Link and the North-West Rail Link, from Epping to Rouse Hill.
Local Government Association president and North Sydney Mayor, Genia McCaffery, welcomed the Christie Report: "Extending the CityRail heavy rail lines to northwest and southwest Sydney and within the CBD is a much better option than that being considered by the government."
Parramatta Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, said the Government needed to move on its other transport priorities now that the M4 toll had been removed: "Improving the dismal state of public transport, particularly for commuters to both Parramatta and Sydney central business district, has to be a priority for the State Government." He stated that completing the Epping to Parramatta rail link was urgent.
Work on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link, originally called the Parramatta to Chatswood Rail Link, began in November 2002, and was completed in December 2008.
Pape decision
Constitutional experts predict that a High Court ruling reining in the spending power of the commonwealth government may be ignored. Last year, in the Pape decision, the High Court rejected the commonwealth's unrestrained view of its spending power and found that spending must be connected to a head of constitutional power.
The validity of the Government's $900 bonus payments was upheld, reported Hannah Low in the Australian Financial Review last Friday, on the basis of the constitution's executive power and the incidental power in response to the national emergency, the global financial crisis. But the decision threw doubt on other funding, such as that for sport, the arts and local government, which also have dubious links to any head of constitutional power.
Shadow Attorney-General, George Brandis said that the decision had serious implications for local government and that if the federal government returned to the system of special grants to the states, much of the money would be absorbed into state bureaucracy and not reach people in communities.
In the opinion of Professor George Williams, from the University of NSW, the Pape case lends itself to a far less efficient and more bureaucratic form of administration. A spokesman for federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland insisted that the government "remains committed to supporting the role of local government and to delivering infrastructure programs which are fundamental to the process of nation-building."
UN Commission on the Status of Women
Two Indigenous women and a representative from the not-for-profit sector are among the Australian Government's delegation to the 54th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which began in New York this week. Leanne Miller, Mary O'Reeri, and Carole Shaw are representing Australia at the 12 day event, which brings together representatives from around the world to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, and set new policies and standards to promote the advancement of women.
Councils can't afford lights
Sydney councils are threatening to switch off their street lights to cope with soaring electricity costs. The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has recommended electricity price rises of up to 62 per cent between July this year and 2013, adding millions of dollars to council lighting bills.
Councils are demanding that the State Government share the cost of street lighting. Lights, maintained by electricity companies, are paid for by councils, writes Carmel Melouney in the Sunday Telegraph. Camden council has discussed reducing street lighting in new suburbs, having fewer lights on straight roads and even turning off street lights at night. A council report last year said new subdivisions at Oran Park and Turner Road would add an extra $500,000 to the council's annual lighting bill.
Cr Fred Anderson questioned whether lights needed to be on all night: "It's now possible to drive down a suburban street with high beams on." Camden Mayor Chris Patterson said the price hikes were "a huge concern. Not only is the cost of energy going up, but the cost of new poles and infrastructure is also going up," he said. "Obviously, we would have to meet the minimum standards with street lighting, but we're looking at every new development and whether there are extra lights that we could cut."
Penrith Mayor, Kevin Crameri, said his council may also consider cutting down on street lights. Penrith council spent $3,722,304 on electricity last financial year, two-thirds for street lighting, and has banded together with 27 other councils as part of a competitive group tender for lighting.
Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils president, Alison McLaren, said they were looking at joint purchasing of street lighting because the rising cost of electricity "is going to be a major problem."
Local Government Association president and North Sydney Mayor, Genia McCaffery, said councils may be forced to sack staff to pay rising power bills. Cr McCaffery said 22 Sydney councils have lobbied Energy Australia for five years to adopt lower-cost, more energy-efficient lighting.
Councils were angry that their electricity costs had soared when they had no control over Energy Australia's infrastructure, she said. Waverley, Woollahra, Willoughby, Kogarah and North Sydney are part of the Street Lighting Improvement Program, lobbying Energy Australia. Waverley council has entered into an agreement with other councils to buy electricity from Tasmania.
Victoria's levy option
The Victorian government is considering the use of expanded council-administered infrastructure levies on Melbourne's fringe to make up for the failure of it $2 billion growth areas tax legislation. The Australian Financial Review's Matthew Dunkley reported that the opposition and Greens combined to vote against legislation that would have moved Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundary, releasing thousands of hectares of land, and introducing a $95,000 per hectare Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC).
John Brumby, Victoria's Premier, said the government was now considering a number of options but would not go into any detail about them. It is thought that the government favours the use of expanded state-run development contribution plans as an alternative, to replace the $2 billion it had hoped to raise. Councils have used the plans as a way of leveraging infrastructure development in new subdivisions, and the government could implement these without having to secure parliamentary approval.
Victorian president of the Planning Institute of Australia, David Vorchheimer, thinks that if the government introduces a broader development contribution plan under its existing powers, it could raise the money it wants for infrastructure. It could be levied at the development stage.
The government has now announced reforms to the Victorian Civil and Administrative tribunal aimed at speeding up planning appeals for major developments, which could result in major cases being resolved within 16 weeks.
Centrelink's free Financial Information Service helps you get financially informed
Centrelink's Financial Information Service (FIS) is an education and information service available to everyone in the community. FIS helps people to make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for their current and future financial needs. FIS is independent, free and confidential and provides services through seminars, and by phone and appointment. You don't need to be a Centrelink customer to access FIS.
The importance of planning
It' never too early to begin planning for your future and working out what you want, looking at the options available to you, and setting some goals. If you do plan now, you will have more choices in the future. The Financial Information Service can help you by providing free, independent and expert information on various financial and lifestyle options. This will assist you to take control of your future by helping you to better understand the options available to you and the consequences of various options.
FIS seminar program
The FIS seminar program has been designed to assist people with planning and preparation for their financial needs. It provides a range of topics aimed at people in the workforce as well as people who are about to retire or have already retired. The seminars are free, and held in city and rural and regional locations. You can attend as many seminars as you like. Families and groups are welcome at all seminars, but bookings are essential and can be made by calling 13 6357, or you can email fis.seminar.bookings@centrelink.gov.au.
FIS seminars cover diverse topics such as:
- creating wealth - getting started
- understanding superannuation
- Age Pension and your choices
- understanding retirement income streams
- understanding your pension
- accommodation options in retirement
- financial planning and choosing a financial planner
- salary sacrifice
- succession planning
- reducing your mortgage
- retirement reality and investment choices
- understanding shares / managed investments / property investment
- home equity loans for older people, and
- running your own super fund.
For information about seminars in your region, phone 13 6357 or visit the Centrelink website.
Earth Hour coming soon
Canberra led the nation for the second year running with 62 per cent of the population signing up for Earth Hour last year, writes Ewa Kretowicz, from The Canberra Times. The ACT Government encourages people to switch off lights for one hour from 8.30pm on 27 March to show their support for action on climate change.
Environment Minister, Simon Corbell, said Earth Hour was more than a symbolic gesture. "There was disappointing news at Copenhagen but that's why individual action is so much more important," Mr Corbell said. "While we want as many people as possible to take part in this, we must also take heed of the theme for this year, Earth Hour, Every Hour. Turning off lights for one hour is an important symbolic gesture to help protect the world from the threats of climate change, but people need to adopt this habit more regularly both at home and in the workplace," he said.
The launch, held at the Legislative Assembly, was attended by business and industry leaders who pledged to flick the switch and vote Earth. A key supporter of the event, ActewAGL's retail general manager, Ayesha Razzaq, said.
There was a 9.3 per cent reduction in energy use last year. "That is a 27 tonne reduction in and the equivalent to taking eight cars off the road for an entire year," Ms Razzaq said. ActewAGL has again pledged to support Earth Hour by buying green energy for the hour to try to make Canberra electricity use carbon-neutral during the event. "That contribution for an hour was the equivalent of taking 60 cars off the road for an entire year," she said.
The Canberra Times general manager Ken Nichols urged Canberrans to visit the Earth Hour website and sign up as registered participants. "The Canberra Times will again be supporting the Earth Hour initiative, ensuring our readers are well informed and know where and how they can get involved. We'll also be looking at the effects of climate change and what locals are doing to address them," Mr Nichols said. "We will continue to highlight environmental issues and look at green initiatives in our schools. And of course on March 27, our Fyshwick offices will be plunged into darkness." The Canberra Times is a partner of Earth Hour 2010. For more information, click here.
Queanbeyan clean-up
Residents frequenting areas of Queanbeyan with large multi-unit properties may notice waste materials being placed on footpaths. A biannual clean up run by Queanbeyan City Council will be undertaken during March, one of two specific clean up days for larger unit developments this year. Residents in these properties are reminded that material should be placed out for collection only a day or two before the collection. Clean up services for premises which are not shared multi-unit premises are generally available through a book-in service. If you need further information about the clean up system, or would like assistance in arranging waste removal, please contact Queanbeyan City Council's environmental services on 6298 0268.
Smart power capital
The Hunter Region's efforts to use its world-leading expertise in coal and power as a lever to diversify into other energy technologies would be greatly helped if the region was chosen as a test-centre under the Federal Government's "smart grid, smart city" program.
The scheme envisages highly efficient energy distribution networks integrated with digital communication and monitoring systems. A smart system would maximise the benefits of green power sources, like the wind and solar farm planned for Scone, and minimise waste and pollution from excessive coal-burning. It would give households and businesses greater awareness of, and control over, their energy use and costs.
If successful, a Hunter smart-grid would be a model for similar efforts around Australia and overseas. The proposal is a perfect fit for the future of diversified energy expertise and technology that the Hunter is pursuing.
Local community Safety grants
Local community groups can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to make their communities safer under an NRMA Insurance program, according to a report in The Northern Star.
State Lismore MP, Thomas George, said the grants, of between $500 and $5,000, supported groups with projects which aimed to make the community safer, whether it was crime prevention, road safety or emergency response. Environmental programs could also qualify for the grants. Mr George's office can be contacted on 6612 3624 for details.
Hi-tech housing
Tweed Shire Council has been selected to participate in an electronic housing code pilot project, which the Tweed Economic Development Corporation says could be a real opportunity for investment attraction and job generation for the Tweed. The NSW electronic housing code pilot project hopes to develop and demonstrate a top-class computer-based system for processing development applications, including lodgement, tracking, referrals and approvals.
Car park saves Australia's dunes
In an environmental first for Australia, Clarence City Council in Tasmania has designed, developed and managed the construction of a car park using a break-through recycled glass product. In partnership with Veolia Environmental Services, Hazell Brothers Group and the Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Clarence has constructed a new car park at the Rosny Park Tennis Club, using 45 tonnes of recycled sand. This application of recycled glass has avoided the mining of 53 tonnes of virgin sand from southern Tasmania's rapidly depleting natural sand reserves.
Mayor Campbell said the City of Clarence was proud to lead the state and the nation in the use of the glass sand product. "It is valuable and a little shocking to remember that beneath the roads we use every day are thousands of tonnes of virgin sand mined from the country's dune systems," Mayor Campbell said. "This relatively humble car park has allowed Council and our partners to build a solid business case for the use of recycled glass sand in such applications."
The recycled glass sand was used in the pipe bedding, concrete and asphalt in the project, with the glass used in the mix ground to a maximum of 2.36mm diameter. Mayor Campbell congratulated Veolia and Hazell Brothers for forming an alliance with the intention of developing markets that will use up to 20,000 tonnes of recycled glass per annum.
Through Veolia's successful grant application to the National Packaging Covenant, Veolia will receive $170,000 in funding from the Covenant, which will help them to see their intentions come to fruition. Mayor Campbell also thanked the PSF for contributing $40,000 to the $88,000 project, noting that such cooperative projects between industry, local government and business are the key in building a culture of environmental stewardship.
"Councils are well placed to bring together this kind of engineering and project management expertise and we hope other councils around Australia will find practical assistance from the Rosny Park project," Mayor Campbell said.
Car pool invitation
The public are invited to participate in an innovative car-pooling project. Northern Rivers Carpool (NRC), which encompasses six shires, was previously only open to students and local government and health employees, reports the Tweed/Border Mail. But a new website has been launched, and anyone in the community who would benefit from car pooling is free to join.
The project aims to reduce cars on the road, therefore helping the environment, while also benefiting the hip pocket. NRC co-ordinator Gillian Edwards pointed out that most cars only have a single occupant, so it makes sense to share the journey: "It's also a great way to make new friends and even halve weekly fuel bills."
Sean Daly, from Kingscliff TAFE, said students should approach the carpool service like internet dating. Mr Daly said there were mechanisms in place to protect their safety and encourage the students to meet a potential partner before jumping in their car. See www.nrcarpool.org
Port plan certified
The Port of Mackay's Environmental Management System has received an international certification. North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation CEO, Brad Fish, said that the certification recognised the port's methods of controlling the impacts of activities on the natural environment.
"NQBP is one of the few regional port authorities across Australia to attain the certification," Mr Fish told the Daily Mercury. NQBP is also responsible for Hay Point and Abbot Point.
Ballina favourite of over-65s
In the Ballina Senior Citizens hall each week, a group gathers to play cards, and while there are enough players to fill plenty of tables, they are but a small sign of a much broader trend occurring in Ballina, and the Northern Rivers at large, writes Matt Meir of the Northern Star. Ballina has the highest proportion of retirees in Australia
The population is ageing. Figures from the Bureau of Statistics show nearly one in five (20 per cent) Ballina local government area residents is aged 65 or older, the highest proportion on the Northern Rivers.
Over-65s make up 18 per cent of residents in Richmond Valley and 16 per cent in Kyogle and Lismore. Byron has the lowest proportion of over- 65s at 12 per cent. Excluding Byron, the other local government areas on the Northern Rivers have a retired population greater than the rest of Australia. Nationwide 13 per cent of us are 65 or older.
Talk to members of the Ballina Senior Citizens Club and they will tell you there are plenty of reasons why thousands of retirees call Ballina home. "The services are good. We have plenty of doctors, the hospital is close, and we have lots of chemists," member Clare Smith said.
"The churches are local and most of the denominations are covered for. I believe we have everything we need to attract new people to the area. It speaks for itself."
Beyond their Friday card game, Ballina Senior Citizens members take part in weekly line-dancing classes, tai chi and indoor bowls. And while members at the club have made the most of a burgeoning elderly population, there is a recognition our region must adapt to meet the changing demographics.
The Northern Rivers Social Development Council's CEO, Tony Davies, said that the ageing population presented both challenges and opportunities. "It contributes to employment growth as people work to support elderly," he said. "The challenges include the need for medical services and transport infrastructure to maintain quality of life."
Councils against new State planning laws
Ballina's natural environment will be more poorly protected under a new environmental planning framework being imposed on councils by the State Government, councillors have warned.
And the problem is not just in Ballina, with the Northern Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC) now also taking up the fight against the new planning requirements. Alex Easton of the Northern Star reports that in discussing work on a new shire-wide Local Environment Plan at last Thursday's council meeting, councillors unanimously voted to note the new plan would "not lead to adequate protection of areas of high conservation".
One of the key problems was the slashing of the number of environmental zone categories from seven to two. This meant council had to mix areas that could have uses ranging from tourism to retail mixed in with the same category as environmentally sensitive areas, which would otherwise be marked as off-limits to developers.
"I'm greatly concerned about these things happening in protected coastal areas and other areas of high conservation value," Cr Jeff Johnson told the council.
Council's strategic land use planning executive planner, Steve Barnier, said similar concerns had been raised with staff in the lead-up to Thursday's council meeting.
"The difficulty we have is ... trying to condense seven zones into two zones," he said. "We have to squeeze that range of uses into two new zones and it's not as simple as making them (those activities) prohibited (in a zone)."
Mayor Phillip Silver said any problems in the new environment plan could be chalked up to the NSW Planning Department and Ballina was not alone in its concerns.
"I'm getting the word from other mayors that there's considerable discontent at the moment," Cr Silver said. "It's one of the reasons councillors are bringing it to NOROC - to see if there's a regional response." He said that the environmental planning documents the new framework would replace had, in the case of many council areas, been honed and refined over many years to make sure they were suitable for their areas. The new framework would force councils to start that process again.
Cr Silver urged all interested residents to inspect the new document, due to go on public display next month, and give their feedback to the council.
Fighting the council
Mosman pensioner, David Kelly, has been fined $20,000 and faces a $5,000 fine every month because he is refusing a council directive to pull down his garage, writes Carmel Melouney. David Kelly, 66, has been fighting Mosman Council in the Land and Environment Court, determined to keep the shed at the rear of his Ourimbah Road home.
He has refused to demolish the garage despite court orders, claiming he tried to lodge plans with the council but they refused to receive them. Last week he was found guilty of contempt of court. Justice Biscoe stated: "In my opinion, the contempt is serious. The construction of the garage and the disobedience to demolition orders were a deliberate flouting of the planning regime." He said that Mr Kelly has attempted to "engage in a form of civil disobedience by erecting the garage as a protest against the council's failure to accept the plans he put forward".
He did not accept the claim that Mr Kelly attempted to lodge plans and the council had refused to accept them, because there was no evidence of this.
Mr Kelly built the shed in 2002, and was first taken to court in 2006. He was ordered by the court to demolish the illegal structure in February 2007, then again in July 2008, before being back in court in June 2009, and charged with contempt for refusing to demolish the shed.
When The Sunday Telegraph spoke to Mr Kelly he said he felt as if the council had "declared war" on him. "No, I won't tear it down, I need a shed, we all need a shed!" Mr Kelly is appealing the court's decision.
Sunday March 7 is Clean up Australia Day
Did you know that people throw 7.2 billion cigarette butts a year into the landscape? Each butt contains 4,000 chemicals, including lead, arsenic and cadmium, which leach into water. Cigarette butts are washed into the seas via storm water drains, and they take up to five years to break down. And plastic bags are serial killers. When they get into the oceans, sea animals mistake them for food or get entangled, leading to painful injuries and death. When the animal decomposes the plastic bag floats up to kill yet another animal, and the cycle is repeated.
The Premier of NSW, Ms Keneally, launched Clean up Australia recently in Sydney, and she believes that more needs to be done to keep NSW clean. "I encourage schools, businesses, community organisations and individuals to roll up their sleeves and volunteer for Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 7. We still have some work to do."
Clean up Australia activities are happening all over Australia. It's a great thing to do - extremely worthwhile, and yes, it can even be fun. Every little bit helps. Check your local council for details or go to www.cleanup.org.au.
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 click here.
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
Quote of the week
"Leisure is essential to civilisation." -
Bertrand Russell, 1932.
International news 
High winds and driving rain battered western Europe earlier this week, leaving more than 50 people dead and more than a million households without power. The foul weather stretched from Portugal to The Netherlands and inland as far as Germany.
Most of the casualties were in France, where 150 km per hour gusts of wind and eight metre waves battered the coast.
|
