Government announces guidelines to Promote Livable Housing Design

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, the Hon Bill Shorten, launched national guidelines to promote disability-friendly livable housing design in Sydney on 13 July 2010. The guidelines, and an accompanying Strategic Plan (which can be accessed here), are the results of a dialogue between industry, disability groups and all three levels of government held over the past year.

The Australian Local Government Association participated in the dialogue and ALGA President Geoff Lake attended the launch with Mr Shorten. The guidelines, which are voluntary, are an important tool in promoting the value of housing design which meets the needs of the disabled, the aged and young families. The Government's expectation is that livable design will be an attractive and marketable feature of new housing and that market pressure will drive the increasing application of livable design principles over the next decade. The need for such design was highlighted at last month's 2010 National General Assembly of Local Government where councils from around Australia passed a resolution calling for the introduction of guidelines.

ALGA President advocates NBN principles

This week, the ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake expressed concerns that unless permits are streamlined for the NBN, local councils could be swamped.

In the article, Legislation Needed to Streamline Council Permits, Cr Lake also noted the importance of building up the capacity of officers in councils to ensure they can respond effectively to the efforts of NBN Co. to work with local authorities.

At last month's National General Assembly of Local Government, Cr Lake released a guiding set of principles for the engagement of local government in the NBN, which note the importance of consulting local authorities about the NBN as it is rolled out across Australia and the need for local government to be provided with the capacity supports that can enable it to facilitate the roll-out and handle queries from community members about the NBN. The principles also state the need for local councils to be able to assess and understand any new requirements for planning and development introduced as part of the NBN implementation.

ALGA understands that to date, relevant councils have been actively engaged in consultations with the NBN Co.

For a copy of the principles, please click here.

Broad consensus needed for successful referendum

Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke about the need for a strong groundswell of public support before Constitutional change was able to be achieved in the context of the Australian republic. In her first address as Prime Minister at the National Press Club (pictured, by Andrew Meares on the Sydney Morning Herald website 16/7/10), Ms Gillard said that her own electorate had voted against the republic referendum and she had come to the conclusion that community activism was needed to create an environment where a referendum would be successful.

This is consistent with ALGA's position on Constitutional Recognition for local government. ALGA's 10-Point election document calls for a public education and awareness campaign about the nation's Constitution. This type of civics education will contribute to effective democracy and government in Australia and was backed by a 2009 House of Representatives Committee looking into the machinery of referenda. At ALGA's recent National General Assembly, Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese announced a grant to ALGA of $250,000 to help to build support for a referendum to include local government in the Australian Constitution.

ALGA has also identified a need to reform the provisions that currently apply under relevant Commonwealth legislation for the funding of the 'yes' and 'no' cases to ensure that substantial public funding is provided.

The Prime Minister's Press Club speech outlined the Government's economic credentials as part of its case for re-election. She emphasised the need for spending restraint to deliver the Government's goal of a $3 billion Budget surplus in 2013. However, Ms Gillard mentioned infrastructure investment as being one of the core priorities of the Government and placed a high value on investment in communities. In terms of COAG and dealing with the States, she would continue with the 'force of persuasion' which had been successful in delivering the national reporting of educational standards and other reforms.

A few people have been asking about what has been happening with the resolutions passed at the National General Assembly (NGA) in June. The resolutions will be considered by the ALGA Board and state and territory local government associations at a special meeting on 29 July 2010. At this meeting, the Board will decide what action to take in relation to each resolution passed at the NGA.

A total of 127 motions were submitted by councils for the NGA and these were then consolidated into 67 composite strategic motions which appeared in the NGA Business Papers. A total of nine motions were lost in debate and three special urgent business motions were received during debate.

The resolutions address a wide range of issue with the bulk of them focussed on the key themes for this year's NGA: population, participation and productivity. ALGA will shortly write to each council which submitted a motion to advise of the outcome of the NGA's deliberations.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Briefs

Local Government Represented on Population Panels

The Minister for Sustainable Population, the Hon. Tony Burke announced the establishment of three advisory panels to advise him on sustainable population issues. The minister indicated that the panels are the first step in establishing an open dialogue on the Government's Sustainable Population Strategy. The three panels are: Demographic Change and Liveability Panel; Productivity and Prosperity Panel; and Sustainable Development Panel.

The membership of the sustainable population panels reflect a diverse range of community views, including local government, and provide advice on sustainable population issues, trade-offs, opportunities and challenges associated with population growth and population ageing.

The Demographic Change and Liveability Panel will be chaired by Professor Graeme Hugo and includes Logan City Mayor Councillor Pam Parker and Darwin Lord Mayor Councillor Graeme Sawyer. The Productivity Panel chair is Ms Heather Ridout and includes Shire President Nicole Lockwood, and the Sustainability Panel will be chaired by the Hon. Bob Carr and also includes Sunshine Coast Mayor Bob Abbot.

Further information on the panels can be found here.

Councils' coastal erosion laws

The NSW Local Government and Shires Associations (NSW LGSA) and the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) are calling on the NSW Government to defer their debate and decision on the Coastal Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (the Bill) pending a full consideration of the implications and workability of the proposed changes.

The Bill makes a number of sweeping changes to the way coastal councils and residents respond to short and long term erosion threats to the NSW coastline. Both NSW LGSA and SCCG believe the Bill is a flawed and rushed attempt to address the significant issues facing coastal and estuarine environments of NSW.

Given the significant nature of the Bill, the NSW Local Government Association President Cr. Genia McCaffery believes that its progress through Parliament should be deferred until the Spring session of parliament and not rushed through.

Cr Bruce Miller, President of the NSW Shires Association highlighted the need to prevent the adversarial, litigious situations which have arisen in coastal local councils and their communities.

The amendments shift the focus of responsibility and liability squarely onto councils and the SCCG believe this is unworkable. SCCG Chairperson Cr Wendy McMurdo states that "coastal management in NSW has traditionally been a partnership between councils, State Government and the community, and this is how it should remain."

Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has launched the Australian Government's Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy.

"Critical infrastructure underpins the delivery of essential services such as power, water, health, communications and banking. It supports our defence and national security and also provides the basis for our economic and social wellbeing," Mr McClelland said.

The Strategy promotes a resilient approach to ensuring the continued operation of critical infrastructure in the face of a major disaster or emergency. It outlines the various activities undertaken by the Australian Government, including how it engages with business, community and individuals.

The Critical Infrastructure Resilience strategy can be viewed here.

International Workshop - Maubisse 27-28 August 2010

The Timor-Leste Ministry of State Administration in conjunction with Australia Timor-Leste Friendship Network http:austimorfn.com is inviting registration to attend the 'Haforza Relasaun Amizade/Strengthening Friendship Workshop' in Maubisse on the 27-28 August 2010.

The workshop follows the successful Australia and Timor-Leste Friendship Conference in Dili in July 2008 in which participants requested a bi-annual meeting. It will again provide Friends of Timor-Leste groups a face-to-face opportunity to discuss with each other how we can continue and enhance good and productive friendship.

In particular, the workshop objectives build on the outcomes of the first conference and include: Consolidate the principles of the Australia Timor-Leste friendship groups; Plan for future activities; and Improve coordination and communication.

Accommodation booking processes will be assisted by the Ministry of State Administration and will be advised upon registration. Please note that there will be a limited number of places available for participants for the day and a half workshop. To register, please complete the following details and return this form to nswaustimorfn@gmail.com:

• Your name
• Affiliation/friendship group, email - Accept Australian Embassy Drinks Dili, 28 August 2010 (please tick)
• Cost and Payment details: $135 (Aus) - Your Registration fee of $135 (Aus) supports the fees/costs for a Timorese delegate to also participate.
• Payment can be made by BSB transfer to:
  • Account name: Leichhardt Council
  • BSB number: 062 193
  • Account number: 00410100
  • In 'transaction description' please enter: FN Forum (This is critical as it will identify your payment as Forum registrations)

Accessible Public Transport guidelines

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA) seeks to eliminate discrimination, 'as far as possible', against people with a disability. Public transport is a service covered by the Act and in 2002 the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (the DSAPT) were issued to assist public transport operators and providers to meet their obligations under the DDA.

The proposed Bus Stop Guideline has been prepared to assist bus infrastructure providers to ensure that their bus stops comply with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT). Any bus stop which is constructed after 15 August 2002 is required to comply with the DSAPT. In addition, Schedule 1 of the DSAPT sets down the following timeline by which all existing bus stops are required to comply with the DSAPT:

• 31 December 2007 - 25% of bus stops
• 31 December 2012 - 55% of bus stops
• 31 December 2017 - 90% of bus stops
• 31 December 2022 - 100% of bus stops

This Guideline gives bus stop providers the basic information necessary to assess the compliance status of a bus stop. However, for those who require more detail, such as the design specifications of tactile ground surface indicators or kerb ramps, references are included to the sections in the DSAPT which underpin each requirement and to clauses in Australian Standards.

The Guide also covers situations where it is not possible to provide a fully-compliant bus stop and makes suggestions on prioritising works to upgrade bus stops to compliant status, and a checklist for assessing the compliance status of a bus stop.

The proposed guideline can be found here.

Comments on this final draft of the Guidelines should be made to Michael.small@humanrights.gov.au by Monday 2 August 2010.

Disability award nominations extended until 23 August

Local governments play an important role in improving the lives of people with disability in our communities through initiatives such as improved access or better facilities. Has an individual, team or council challenged or lobbied and successfully implemented change by breaking down barriers faced by people with disability? If so, you should nominate them for a National Disability Award in the Local Government Award category.

Other categories of the award include the Minister's Lifelong Achievement, Young Disability Challenge, Accessible Housing, Business, which has two categories - one for large businesses and one for small (with 15 employees or fewer) - and the Social Inclusion Award, which also has two categories - one for schools and one for community groups.

The finalists of the Local Government Award along with the finalists in other categories will be invited to the Awards ceremony in Canberra on 23 November where the recipients of each category will be announced.

Entering the Awards is easy. Download a nomination form and guidelines at www.idpwd.com.au or call 1800 440 385 to order hard copies. Nominations close at 5pm AEST Friday 23 July 2010.

Show your support for the Awards and International Day of People with Disability by becoming a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/idpwd or following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/idpwd.

ATUG events

ATUG has contacted ALGA to advise that it will be conducting a series of Regional Roadshows and NBN Update Forums.

The Roadshows will be held in the following states as follows:

• Victoria (2 to 6 August): Warnambool, Horsham, Shepparton, Bendigo
• WA (16 to 20 August 2010): Bunbury, Karratha, Pt Headland, Geraldton
• NSW: Kiama, Armidale, Woollongong
• Queensland (13 to 17 September): Mt Isa, Roma, Emerald, Longreach
• SA ((30 August to 3 September): Gambier, Clare, Berri
• NSW (21 to 24 September): Woollongong, Kiama, Armidale
• in train are - Logan City on 20 July, program attached - Melbourne on 27 July and Sydney 29 July specifically targeting 'End User Migration' program to follow

NBN Update Forums will also be held in Logan City on 20 July, Melbourne on 27 July and Sydney on 29 July.

For further information and details about the above events, please visit the ATUG website or contact Ms Elizabeth Lawler at ATUG on 02 9495 8900 or email her at elizabeth.lawler@atug.org.au

Rural Health Continuing Education (RHCE) grants program

Applications are now sought for grants in Stream Two of the Rural Health Continuing Education (RHCE) grants program. The Rural Health Continuing Education program, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Ageing, supports qualified health professionals living and working in rural and remote Australia to undertake continuing professional development activities.

The scope of RHCE Stream Two is to provide grants for continuing professional development (CPD), multi-disciplinary training or Inter-Professional Learning (IPL) and orientation activities that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, allied health professionals, general practitioners and nurses and midwives living and practising in rural and remote areas of Australia.

RHCE Stream Two is administered by the National Rural Health Alliance, with funding of approximately $2.5 million available in grants until June 30, 2013.

Grants available under RHCE Stream Two comprise: project grants to support organisations to develop and/or deliver relevant CPD, IPL and orientation programs and activities, and to help build stakeholder capacity to deliver suitable programs; and grants to eligible health professionals or groups of health professionals to select and participate in CPD, IPL and orientation programs, especially in their usual working environments. Guidelines outlining the objectives, selection criteria and priorities that apply to grants, and the associated Application Forms, are available here.

If you have any queries please contact the RHCE program management team on (02) 6162 3374 or Freecall 1800 987 440 or email RHCE@ruralhealth.org.au.

Management of Trees on Public Land

An issues paper to stimulate public discussion and submissions was released recently by the Independent Inquiry into the Management of Trees on Public Land. The Inquiry was commissioned by the Local Government Association in conjunction with the LGA's Mutual Liability Scheme to form guidelines for Councils in the management of trees.

Inquiry chairperson, Brian Cunningham said his three-member Board will address issues of risk to public safety and infrastructure through tree and limb failure, the value of trees and how they can be managed to minimise risk.

"Trees on public land, whether they are on Council parks, reserves or roadsides, have important social and environmental benefits. They contribute to the landscape, have heritage value, increase property values and provide important habitats for native animals and birds [but] trees have the potential to fall and drop branches which poses an important safety issue and there is a concern that the risk imposed by trees may worsen under climatic change. These issues will be included in our Inquiry."

Mr Cunningham said responses to the issues paper from members of the public, interested organisations and Councils are now being called for with written submissions to be lodged by 20 August 2010.

Road Safety Conference in Canberra

The Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference 2010, 'Safe System from Knowledge to Action' will be held at the National Convention Centre, Canberra from 31 August - 3 September 2010.

This is Australia's most important road safety conference. The Safe System approach has been endorsed by the Australian Transport Council as the basis for Australia's road safety improvement efforts and will underpin the next National Road Safety Strategy.

As we head into a new decade, the challenge for researchers, policy makers and practitioners will be to harness the potential of the Safe System paradigm to drive road safety improvements. The conference will provide an important opportunity to share expertise, experience and aspirations.

For detailed program and speaker information and to register on line, please go to www.roadsafetyconference2010.com.au

Please note the change of month for this annual event. It is being held in September, not November as in previous years, so make sure you don't miss out.

The Development Assessment Forum

The Development Assessment Forum (DAF) met in Sydney last week to progress the 2010 work program and consider a communication strategy to enhance DAF's engagement with the broad range of stakeholders interested in improving the development assessment processes nationally.

Key outcomes of the meeting included the agreement that the following individual projects: notification and referral guidelines, private sector planning involvement and certification, guidelines to support track based assessments, and developing templates for model development/permit applications forms be pursued in accordance with agreed project briefs.

The DAF also endorsed an overarching DAF communication strategy which will see the creation of a new website and a stronger advocacy role played by the DAF Chair and individual members of DAF.

Two Productivity Commissioners addressed DAF on the current Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation: Planning, Zoning and Development assessment investigation. DAF subsequently agree that it will prepare a submission outlining the significant work undertaken by the Forum since its inception in 1998.

DAF members were also briefed on the current status of the eDA Interoperability Specification (eDAIS) and considered the implications of the range of significant development assessment reform initiatives being undertaken by the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council and COAG.

A DAF working group will now progress the DAF projects out of session and report back to the full DAF later this year. For further information on membership and work undertaken to date see www.daf.gov.au

Smart Home Family experiment unfolds on blog

Watch the Smart Home Family's year-long experiment unfold on their blog www.smarthomefamily.com.au as they describe life in Australia's first Smart Home in Newington, Sydney.

Clare Joyce, Michael Adams and their daughter Ava, aged four, moved into the home this week to road-test the latest energy efficient technologies, including a solar pergola, electric bike and a heat pump clothes dryer. The family was chosen from 160 applicants from across Australia and overseas to live in EnergyAustralia's Smart Home rent-free for 12 months while they write about it, good and bad.

EnergyAustralia Managing Director George Maltabarow said the home was fitted out as part of a trial with Sydney Water to help show the future of household energy and water use in Australia. The Smart Home will generate and store its electricity via a specially-built solar pergola, rooftop solar panels, a ceramic fuel cell which converts gas into electricity and battery storage technology.

More than 20 of the latest energy efficient appliances have been installed in the home including LED lights, a new-type of heat exchange air-conditioner and a 6-star LED backlit television. The family will also test an electric car.

Recycled material has been used throughout the home, including recycled copper from EnergyAustralia substations in the kitchen, cupboards made from recycled plastic sheeting, and dining chairs made from recycled car batteries.

The Smart Home is part of a two-year Smart Village trial in Newington and Silverwater by EnergyAustralia and Sydney Water. The trial is supported by $1.5 million from NSW Government's Climate Change Fund.

Housing Australia - policy challenges and commercial reality

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with over 900 members from business, government, and academia. For 50 years, CEDA has informed, influenced and raised the standard of discussion about the issues shaping Australia's economic and social development.

CEDA's upcoming forum: Housing Australia - policy challenges and commercial reality is on Friday 23 July 2010 at the Hilton on the Park in Melbourne.

The forum will cover some key housing issues such as the best management of housing funding models, the future of housing supply and development innovations, as well as local government and their role in the provision of affordable housing.

Please ring Jieh-Yung on 0400 235 363 for further information.

Succeeding in a resource-limited world

If you bought $100 worth of petrol for your car today, $85 of it went on noise, heat and pressure. $15 went towards propelling the car forward or powering the air conditioning. (Australian Financial Review 10 May).

The Sixth Wave: How to succeed in a resource-limited world, a new book by James Bradfield Moody and Bianca Nogrady (Vintage Australia) states that there were five waves of innovation since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution: cotton spinning, iron production and water power; railways, steam power and mechanisation; steel production, heavy engineering and electrical equipment; oil, cars, aircraft and mass production; and information and communication technology and biotechnology.

The sixth wave, claim the authors, will be based on the necessity of reducing the volume of waste generated in a world of limited resources. Each of the above five was stimulated by stressed global economies and technological and social revolution. This is what we are experiencing now. The authors suggest that economics, social forces and technology will force innovation on a sustainable path. Many possibilities resulting from this are mentioned in the book, for example, windows that generate enough energy to run the building and gyms that make money from the treadmill power of their customers.

For more ideas for improving life and solving problems, you can buy the book for $34.95, or you could borrow it from your local library and read it for free. If it is not in the library, you should order it.

Busman's holiday?

Those council workers who would like a reminder of their job on holiday overseas can now stay in an ex-town hall. Bethnal Green Town Hall, in London's East End, has been transformed into a hotel but it has kept many original features, such as the council chambers, meeting rooms, marble stairs and several sculptures. There are rooms and one-and two-bedroom apartments on offer.

Rates for a one-bedroom apartment start from $318. Perhaps council workers could try bargaining for a discount?

For more information, look up the web at www.townhallhotel.com/