Local government calls for community infrastructure boost

Future investment in local community infrastructure should be on the Government's agenda as the budget is restored to surplus in the next two years, according to the president of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Cr Geoff Lake.

"Local government welcomes the early return to surplus foreshadowed in the 2010-11 Budget and the opportunity this creates for renewed investment in community infrastructure in coming years", said Cr Lake.

"We believe this is a responsible budget which positions the country well for increased nation building investment in coming years. We want to see local infrastructure investment included in that future investment."

A major report by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2006 highlighted a massive infrastructure spending gap at the local level of more than $14 billion.

"The allocation of $1 billion for community infrastructure under the economic stimulus package was a good start, however, once the budget returns to surplus, we need an ongoing program to boost infrastructure investment at the local level.

"Without doubt, the great success story of the stimulus package is the community infrastructure component, with more than 3,000 projects delivered across every corner of the country. While other parts of the stimulus package have been criticised, these projects have been chosen, designed and delivered on time and on budget by councils on the ground in each community.

"Major sporting grounds, opera houses and national highways are important, but what really makes a difference in people's everyday lives is the local facilities and services that support where they live - the local parks, main streets, libraries and civic spaces. Taxpayers have a right to see some of their tax dollars invested in these important areas."

Rural National Broadband Network Coordinators sought

On 6 May 2010 the Australian Government called for applications for up to eight Rural NBN Coordinators to work with regional, rural and remote communities in priority backbone blackspot regions to take full advantage of the opportunities of broadband. The Rural NBN Coordinators will complement the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program, which is the first building block of the National Broadband Network on the mainland.

The Coordinators will play an important role in raising awareness of broadband and the opportunities of competitive backhaul services, promoting broadband take-up and use and improving community understanding of the opportunities of broadband and engagement in the digital economy.

Rural NBN Coordinators will work closely with key community organisations in their coverage areas in particular, local governments, Regional Development Australia offices, state and territory governments, local chambers of commerce and community groups.

Eight positions are being advertised for Coordinators to work with communities along and near the following backbone routes being constructed under the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program:

• Geraldton, WA
• Victor Harbour, SA
• Gawler to Renmark, SA
• Shepparton through Mildura to Broken Hill, VIC/NSW
• South West Gippsland, VIC
• Toowoomba to Arcadia, QLD
• Emerald through Longreach to Mt Isa, QLD
• Darwin through Katherine to Tennant Creek, NT

Further information, including on how to apply, is available on the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy careers website. Applications can be lodged online and close on 23 May 2010.

The Budget 2010-11 on Tuesday contained a number of funding announcements for the NBN. Readers who wish to find out more about this may go to: www.budget.gov.au

National Compact welcomes 150 Partners

The National Compact welcomes Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia Inc. (NFAA) as the 150th organisation to sign up as a Compact Partner. Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia Inc joins a diverse range of other Third Sector (not-for-profit) organisations who have committed to work with the Australian Government in the spirit of the National Compact's Shared Vision, Purpose and Principles.

The NFAA is a small not-for-profit supporting those with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis, or NF. Susan Horsley, Support and Development Officer of Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia Inc, said, "We chose to join the National Compact to support this Government's innovative and inspiring commitment to the Australian Third Sector.

"We need to work together - bringing the resources and coordinating capacity of government together with the social capital of community organisations and the entrepreneurial spirit of business," Ms Horsley said.

The Compact is an agreement between the Government and the Third (not-for-profit) Sector. It gives community organisations, large and small, real input into Government policy and program delivery. It enables true collaboration on key social, economic and environmental challenges facing our communities and it allows the broad range of Australian not-for-profit groups to work with Government to achieve a shared vision.

The 150 Compact Partners reflect the diversity of the Third Sector which includes community groups working in areas as diverse as health and social welfare, mental health, homelessness, heritage, the arts, the environment, sport, employment, volunteering and advocacy.

The Australian Government believes a strong, vibrant, independent and innovative Third Sector is essential to creating the policy environment and social conditions for all Australians to be able to live, learn, engage and have a voice. The Government is also seeking to foster a healthy Australian democracy through the Third Sector, one that is participative as well as representative.

Through the National Compact, the Government wants to encourage an environment where organisations feel safe and valued in voicing opinions and contributing to policy or to the redesign of processes. Organisations from across the broad Third Sector are encouraged to get involved throughout the implementation of the Compact. For more information on the National Compact please visit www.nationalcompact.gov.au

One of the things which struck me when reading the Henry Tax Review is of the more than 100 taxes which exist in Australia, only one of them - rates - is administered by local government.

While there's been exponential growth in local government roles and responsibilities in response to community needs and demands, there's been virtually no change to the way local government is funded.

Councils are still predominately funded by a property tax - rates - collected in the same way as it was 100 years ago.

There is a compelling case that the way we fund local government today is antiquated and in need of reform and rejuvenation.

While it's still the ratepayer who picks up the tab, the correlation between the people services which councils provide and property is rapidly diminishing.

Simply - the tax base has not kept pace with the evolution of the local government system itself.

As services have been switched from the state to the local level, state governments have got the benefit of getting service delivery off their books but local government has had to rely on property tax to meet these new costs.

Local government is a $25 billion per annum industry and employs over 170,000 people. Communities have a right to expect a more solid funding base.

The limited tax base for local government is something the Henry Review team no doubt had in mind when they recommended that councils should not be constrained in setting and controlling their rating strategy.

This was a clear message to the NSW and NT governments which restrict the ability of councils in their jurisdictions to manage their finances by 'rate capping'.

Rate capping is a crude and inefficient method which impacts on the ability of local councils and communities to effectively plan for the future. Given the significant financial imbalance which exists across the three levels of government, the NSW and NT governments should butt out of council rate revenue settings and leave annual rate rises as a matter between councils and their residents.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Briefs

Active transport in motion

There was a win last week for the Healthy Spaces and Places national planning guide (brought about last year through a unique collaboration between ALGA, the National Heart Foundation and the Planning Institute of Australia, with support from the Australian Government) when the ACT Greens successfully passed a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling on the Government to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport in planning, traffic, and urban design policies in Canberra.

In the wake of the $97mil transport package in the 2010-11 ACT Budget the Greens and Government have agreed on a series of measures to encourage active and sustainable transport in the Territory.

Caroline Le Couteur's motion committed Government to:

• Convert appropriate areas into 'pedestrian priority' spaces;
• Redesign Northbourne Avenue to improve transport options, including more efficient and safe travel for bus and bicycle commuters; and
• Investigate formalising the principles from the Healthy Spaces and Places design guide and the International Charter of Walking into the Territory's planning rules.

The Government must report to the Assembly on the progress of these items by December 2010.

Full ACT Greens Active Transport Plan: www.act.greens.org.au/issues

For full text of Motion click here (pg 690)

Heart Foundation / Local Goverment awards deadline 4 June

Friday 4 June will be the last day for Local Governments to submit an entry into the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards 2010.

The awards recognise valuable Local Government initiatives that build a sense of community, encourage people to be active, be smoke free and make healthy food choices.

Not only do you have the chance of receiving recognition from the Heart Foundation but you could also receive part of the $34,000 in cash awards and a plaque.

The 2010 awards program has six categories:

• Employee Health and Wellbeing
• Facilities
• Healthy Weight
• Planning for Active Living
• Priority Groups
• Tobacco

For entry forms and information about the 2010 awards visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/lga or call 1300 36 27 87.

Sustainable Growth

Jon Dee has written Sustainable Growth, which gives tips on creating more efficiency and energy-saving for small to medium business. Launched this week in Sydney, the book claims that energy costs are one of the easiest items to reduce, and that 20 per cent saved in energy bills is equivalent to a 5 per cent increase in overall profit.

In 2009, Marks and Spencer spent the equivalent of $80 million on green initiatives as part of its sustainable procurement strategy. If it works for 'Marks and Sparks', it will probably work for smaller businesses. The author of the book founded Planet Ark with Pat Cash. The book is part of the Sensis series, Small Business, Big Opportunity.

Land Supply and Management

Since the early-1970s, The NSW Government has maintained the supply of new home sites to accommodate Sydney's growing population through its urban development program. Since 2001, this has been known as the Metropolitan Development Program (MDP).

The MDP is the Government's key program for tracking and managing housing supply and covers major infill sites in existing urban areas as well as the release of land not previously urbanised, known as greenfield areas, typically on the metropolitan fringes.

The MDP develops an indicative ten-year dwelling supply forecast, which is an important tool in tracking the probable future availability of land for housing purposes, thereby ensuring the demand of the housing market can be met adequately, and the affordability of housing maintained. It is also a valuable resource for Government agencies which are responsible for the provision of infrastructure. It does this by keeping them informed of probable future land release areas which will require infrastructure services, such as connection to sewerage, electricity and transport networks.

To assist with these functions, it is a typical requirement that proposed land releases in the metropolitan region are included on the MDP before they can proceed to formal rezoning. The Government also releases MDP update reports, which provide the latest information on greenfield land and dwelling supply as it becomes available. These updates are based on information and consultation with local councils, service agencies and industry.

2008/09 Metropolitan Development Program report released

Housing in Sydney is well placed to rebound strongly, with 125,000 houses currently at the planning or construction stage in existing areas and land for 69,000 new houses zoned for building in greenfield areas. The latest Metropolitan Development Program report shows that housing construction has turned the corner and is forecast to exceed 27,000 new homes a year by 2012/13 - up from an estimated 18,600 last year. More >>

FECCA's new director

The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) recently announced the appointment of its new Director - Megan Layton. Ms Layton has worked in the multicultural sector in Australia since 1997. She has 15 years experience working with refugees, migrants and asylum seekers of all ages.

"I am delighted to be taking on the role of Director in this important organisation," said Megan Layton, praising FECCA for representing culturally and linguistically diverse Australians over the past 30 years. She said that "FECCA will be working towards an Australia where our political leaders are not afraid to speak out strongly in favour of multiculturalism and to actively promote strong progressive multicultural policies. If as a nation we can truly embrace diversity and embed it in the social, political and economic fabric of our country, then we will be a much stronger, smarter and safer Australia with a more secure and positive future."

Ms Layton said that she was looking forward to working closely with FECCA's Executive and its grassroots network and with other advocacy bodies, government agencies, services and businesses.

Incentive for the mature-aged to work longer

The Government will spend $43.2 million over five years to help mature-aged people to stay in particular industries, to retrain or to move to a supervisory or training role. The Australian Financial Review reported on 12 May that the initiative recognises that increasing labour market participation by older workers will assist the country's economic growth and mitigate the effects of Australia's ageing population.

Council crackdown on student boarding houses

A Sydney council has voted to stamp out crowded, illegal boarding houses accommodating university students in Sydney's northern suburbs, after action was taken against 150 such dwellings in the past 15 months, reported the Sydney Morning Herald last week.

Responding to an angry campaign by residents, the City of Ryde will spend at least $70,000 on a project to reduce the number of illegal boarding houses, believed to be accommodating many of the 11,000 overseas students at Macquarie University.

The crackdown comes amid a campaign by the National Union of Students for universities to respond better to the shortage of affordable accommodation. The council passed a motion to tackle the illegal boarding houses after a campaign by the residents' group Marsfield Against Residential Suffocation (MARS).

The Liberal MP for Ryde, Victor Dominello, said that while the welfare of students in overcrowded rental properties was his main concern, the "house-proud" appearance of the neighbourhood was under threat and that the state government should overturn the recently introduced affordable rental housing policy which made it easier to open legal boarding houses in residential areas. The council refused an application for a legal boarding house last week.

But local Labor councillors, who believe the crackdown is overly harsh, said allowing legal, regulated boarding houses in the area was a good way to combat the problem.

The National Union of Students recently released a survey that found 66 per cent of university students in Australia were suffering from rental stress. It called on governments and universities to improve student living conditions.

LGSA praises Leaders' Forum intentions

The Local Government and Shires Associations have commended Local Government Minister Barbara Perry for organising the first leaders' forum for Local Government.

President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller, said that he appreciated this first step towards genuine consultation between the two spheres of Government, and hoped to see more in the future.

President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery, said that while Local Government has in the past felt that there had been little genuine State consideration of Local Government views, she was somewhat encouraged by the attitude displayed at the forum, and was pleased to hear a willingness expressed by respective State departments to work closely with Local Government.

Cr Miller said that it was heartening to see the State respond to moves instigated by the Local Government sector to begin a proactive reform process, rather than waiting for the State to dictate a reform agenda.

Cr McCaffery also welcomed in principle the announcement of a new Budget template. "Of course we support any moves to help our councils provide better governance for their communities," she said.

Building approvals rise 15.3 per cent in March

Building approvals hit a six and a half year high in March because of a boost in flats and townhouses, economists say. Australian building approvals rose 15.3 per cent to 16,383 units in March, seasonally adjusted, from an upwardly revised 14,208 units in February, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said on Wednesday. It was the highest number of monthly building approvals since October 2003 and the first rise in overall approvals since last December. In the year to March, building approvals were up 51.6 per cent.

The median market forecast was for building approvals to have risen 0.8 per cent in the month and 25.6 per cent in the year. Approvals for private sector other dwellings rose 59.9 per cent to 4,558 units in March, while private sector houses increased by 0.5 per cent to 9,779, the ABS said. "It has been an unbelievable increase there," JP Morgan economist Helen Kevans said.

National transport regulation reforms

The Australian Transport Council (ATC) received progress reports about the major projects it has responsibility for under the reform agenda of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). The aim is to have new national transport regulators up and running by 2013. The ATC agreed to advise COAG that a satisfactory way forward has been reached on key issues associated with the development of a National Partnership Agreement in relation to the single national system of maritime safety regulation, and COAG will be asked to approve that Agreement.

The National Transport Commission has begun drafting national law for heavy vehicles and rail safety and the National Partnership Agreement for heavy vehicles is developing well for consideration by the ATC and then COAG, by the end of this year.

ATC Ministers reconfirmed COAG's position that the improvement of safety is a central point to these reforms and reconfirmed that current rail safety standards will be maintained through the establishment of the National Rail Safety Regulator. The annual work program, reporting and consultation for the National Rail Safety Regulator will ensure that each jurisdiction's rail safety issues are addressed.

The ATC endorsed new National Guidelines for Integrated Passenger Transport and Land Use Planning for reference to Local Government and Planning Ministers Council for counter endorsement. These Guidelines will support the essential contribution of Transport Ministers to the development of capital city strategic plans by 2012.

Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards 2010

Do you know of a program that has reduced crime and violence in your area? Are you involved in a project that works towards a safer community?

Nominations for the 2010 Australian Crime & Violence Prevention Awards, recognising programs to reduce crime and violence in Australia, are now open. Last year, 30 projects from around Australia under this joint Australian, state and territory government initiative received awards of up to $15,000 in support of their efforts.

Programs of all sizes that help to reduce crime and violence against children, women, men, Indigenous people or ethnic communities, are encouraged to nominate. National winners will be flown to Canberra for the awards presentation at Parliament House.

For more information on how to nominate please visit: www.aic.gov.au email acvpa@aic.gov.au or call 02 6260 9216. Nominations close on 16 June 2010.

Funding for WA Local Government Reform Projects

The Rudd Labor Government will provide $2.3 million to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of local governments in Western Australia. The funding will be provided through the $25 million Local Government Reform Fund and will support the regional and collaborative transition groups established by the Western Australian Government, to better plan and serve local communities.

This will fund two projects to support collaboration on a regional basis and to improve the planning, management and delivery of infrastructure, assets and services to local communities across Western Australia.

Of this funding, $1.6 million will be used to implement asset and financial management systems within local government and to improve the knowledge and skills of council staff in managing the communities' infrastructure and finances. This funding will help councils to meet nationally agreed principles for asset and financial management.

The remaining $670,000 will go towards developing long-term strategic planning in up to 50 councils so that they are able to assess and implement community needs. The Western Australian Government is providing more than $2.4 million towards these projects, bringing the total value to $4.8 million. Already, the Rudd Labor Government is delivering record funding to local governments for infrastructure projects through the $1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Local Government & Multiculturalism Conference

In partnership with the Standing Committee on Local Government & Diversity, the Victorian Multicultural Commission is proud to present the 2010 'Local Government & Multiculturalism Conference: Innovation and Leadership on the Ground'. The Conference will be held in Wangaratta on Friday 27 August 2010, and be preceded with a pre-conference dinner on Thursday 26 August 2010.

The Conference will be an opportunity for representatives from local councils across Victoria to come together to learn about outcomes from current research, share examples of innovation and leadership, and develop a richer understanding of the challenges and benefits that diversity brings to local areas.

Registrations for the event will open soon. For further information, please contact the Victorian Multicultural Commission on 9651 0651.

Volunteering Policy Advisory Group

The fourth meeting of the Volunteering Policy Advisory Group, chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Voluntary Sector, Senator Stephens, was held on Thursday 6 May 2010. The Advisory Group is providing expert advice on volunteering and helping develop Australia's National Volunteering Vision and Strategy.

The Strategy will outline a vision for volunteering in Australia and a framework for achieving that vision. The group welcomed Ms Dimity Fifer, CEO of Australian Volunteers International, as a new member. Ms Fifer's role in the group will assist in identifying key issues that impact on volunteers both globally and locally and ensure the National Volunteering Vision and Strategy is relevant to those who volunteer outside Australia's borders.

The group discussed the evolving nature of volunteering in Australia and the need this generates for innovation in supporting volunteering. The group agreed that there is a role not only for government, but also for not-for-profit organisations and the corporate sector in developing and implementing innovative approaches.

Further information about the group and the progress of the National Volunteering Vision and Strategy is available on the Social Inclusion website