National Local Roads and Transport Congress - book by 8 August and save

There is still time to take advantage of the super early bird registrations and make very significant savings.

Super early bird registrations can be made online until 8 August at https://www.conlog.com.au/ei/getdemo.ei?id=403&s=_45C0O9WLY or through the ALGA website.

The "super early bird" rate of $795 offers a substantial saving compared to the early registration price of $845 and the standard registration of $960.

The Roads Congress is being held from 13-15 October immediately following the WA Roads Forum in Bunbury, Western Australia.

An extensive program of tours has been developed and can be booked at the time of registration for delegates and partners wanting to explore the marvellous south west of Western Australia.

The registration brochure for the Congress can be viewed on the ALGA website and has also been posted to all councils.

Women urged to stand for council elections

ALGA's 'Women in Politics' booklet launched recently as part of the Year of Women in Local Government has proven to be a big hit, with copies literally walking out of our store-room.

Just this week ALGA sent Bega Valley Shire Council 60 copies to spearhead its plan to mentor women who might be considering standing for election at the next council election in 2012.

The booklet also made its way to South Australia where it was embraced enthusiastically by the Local Government Association.

In the Year of Women in Local Government it is unacceptable that women should account for less than 27% of council members in South Australia, LGA President and ALGA Vice-President Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis (pictured) said.

"Although numbers are on the increase, from 166 in 1987 to 194 following the 2006/07 local government elections," Mayor Lewis said, "I would like to see more women putting themselves forward this year. "It is not a true representation of the make up of our communities when women held only 194 out of a possible 739 positions as elected council members."

Local Government used to lead other governments on women's participation but since 2003 both State and Federal Governments have moved ahead. The call has now gone out for women to run in the November local government elections to redress the gender imbalance. To this end the Local Government Association of South Australia in partnership with Norman Waterhouse Lawyers is running a free one-day seminar on Saturday 14 August at the Adelaide Pavilion for women interested in nominating to stand for council. For further information contact Mary Ann Stenberg on 0428 860 274. For more information about the Bega Valley program, phone Cr Liz Seckold on 0447 272 893 or email her at lizseckold@gmail.com

Infrastructure flavour for election campaign

The Minister for Local Government Anthony Albanese and the Federal Leader of the Nationals, Warren Truss (pictured), both delivered major election speeches this week on infrastructure.

Speaking in Melbourne at the Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Conference on Thursday, the centrepiece of Mr Albanese's speech was that a re-elected Gillard Labor Government would begin the work needed for the Inland Rail Link. The rail link would be some 1,700 kilometres long, with rail stretching from Brisbane to Melbourne through Central West New South Wales. The identified route would involve upgrading 430 kilometres of existing track and laying 600 kilometres of new track. "This visionary nation building infrastructure project will create a rich new corridor of jobs and economic benefits right through our inland regional communities, passing through Parkes, Moree and Toowoomba. It will provide a boost to our national economy and regional industries, especially agriculture and mining," Mr Albanese said. If re-elected, pre-construction activities would start in late 2014. Federal funding towards the construction works on this project will come from the next rounds of the Nation Building Program, commencing in 2014-15, beyond the forward estimates. The full Inland Rail Study can be downloaded at: www.artc.com.au. Mr Albanese also announced that a Gillard Labor Government would undertake a $20 million detailed feasibility study on a high-speed rail network for the east coast of Australia. He said that infrastructure funding for major roads would be linked to the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems by State and Territory Governments. These sensors improve traffic flow and ease urban congestion.

At the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr Truss reiterated the Coalition's commitment to a $600 million Bridges Renewal Program which was announced at ALGA's National General Assembly in June. He also announced 500 more roadside stops for the transport industry, and a regional health plan to get more doctors, nurses and dentists into rural areas. He promised $1.5 billion for mental health and said that local boards would be put in charge of local hospitals. The Coalition would make further announcements on transport and infrastructure in coming days. He said the Nationals' focus was on the seven million people or more who live outside the capital cities. "Our motivation is to return a fair share to the people who create much of this nation's wealth - not take it away," he said. Mr Truss also announced that an elected Coalition Government would undertake a feasibility study into high speed rail to consider the viability of possible passenger routes along Australia's east coast between Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. The study would also undertake a specific analysis of a possible high speed rail link between Sydney and Newcastle. Greens Leader Bob Brown is also a strong advocate for a study into High Speed Rail between Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

As the Federal election reaches the half-way mark, an important issue of relevance to local government and local communities received widespread coverage in the nation's media this week.

The Victorian Government released its initial response to the Final Report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The report examined a wide range of issues including the role of local government in relation to emergency management, land use planning and building and roadside maintenance.

26 councils in Victoria were impacted by the 2009 bushfires and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) coordinated the local government response. MAV CEO Rob Spence appeared as a witness three times during the course of the hearings and the MAV and councils made numerous written and oral submissions on topics including land use planning, roads and roadsides, the fire services levy and insurance and neighbourhood safer places, community fire refuges and relief centres. The MAV is currently working through the implications of the recommendations and developing a comprehensive local government response.

Much of the national media attention focused on Recommendation 46: that 'The State develop and implement a retreat and resettlement strategy for existing developments in areas of unacceptably high bushfire risk, including a scheme for non-compulsory acquisition by the State of land in these areas.'

Recommendation 46 may have broader implications for land use and planning, particularly in the context of climate change. Should governments also consider purchasing properties and land in flood or cyclone-ravaged areas or land that is being lost along our coastlines due to rising sea levels? The report highlights the challenges that face us and some hard decisions that may need to be made.

This Friday ALGA will consider the report along with other members of the National Emergency Management Committee - the Committee of Senior Officials which supports the Emergency Management Ministers' Council. The frequency and intensity of natural disasters is increasing. However, the demand from state governments on the Disaster Resilience Australia Package means that the funding available to local government to meet increasing responsibilities in disaster mitigation has fallen. In its most recent Federal Budget submission ALGA argued for the establishment of a dedicated program for local government to engage in local disaster mitigation at $10 million per annum for 5 years.

The Royal Commission report is available here.

The MAV's submissions are available here.

Cr Geoff Lake
ALGA President

Briefs

Implications of Royal Commission findings

A briefing attended by 150 representatives from more than 50 municipalities agreed that adequate funding was critical to ensure local government has the capacity to deliver Royal Commission findings directed at councils.

Rob Spence, Chief Executive of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said councils had a key role to play in local implementation of many recommendations, but State financial support was essential.

"MAV analysis estimates it could cost small shires with high-risk areas up to 10 per cent extra in rate revenue, which their communities simply could not sustain. Councils could conservatively need $20 million a year to expand their current responsibilities to deliver the Royal Commission's recommendations," he said.

Proposed new and expanded roles for councils include provision of community shelter options; local emergency management planning for vulnerable people and evacuation; monitoring of planning permit conditions; identifying dangerous trees and enhanced roadside clearance; and broader land use planning for bushfire risk.

"The MAV supports a regional settlement policy to guide future land use planning decisions, however retreat and resettlement is not the preferred approach for existing communities in high-risk areas. Instead the MAV believes State-supported treatment options such as fuel management, refuges and personal bunkers could, in many cases, address the risks without uprooting established communities. If people choose to rebuild, buy into or remain in a high-risk area then they must also accept there are additional costs associated with insurance, bushfire building standards and ensuring personal safety."

In the coming days the MAV will participate in Ministerial roundtables to discuss specific bushfire topics, and will collate councils' concerns into a formal submission to the Government within the next fortnight.

Playspace design awards

Kidsafe (the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia) has announced details of their 2010 National Playspace Design Awards, aimed to promote safe design and cut injuries Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said the awards were recognition of the work done by many local councils in Australia who have created entertaining, stimulating and safe playgrounds.

Entries close at 5pm AEST on Tuesday 31st August 2010
For more information and to enter contact Kidsafe NSW on 02 9845 0890 or
kidsafe@chw.edu.au http://www.kidsafensw.org/playsafety/design_awards.htm

Greens support constitutional recognition

The federal Greens' candidate for Cunningham, George Takacs, has nominated as key issues the return of elected councils to Wollongong and Shellharbour, along with climate change and transport infrastructure. "Many people see that if we had constitutional recognition of local government that would be a good thing for this area," he said.

FluoroCycle

FluoroCycle is the national, voluntary scheme that aims to increase recycling of lamps that contain mercury. It targets the commercial and public lighting sectors and gives recognition to businesses and organisations that become Signatories.

Lighting Council Australia has been appointed as the Administrator of the scheme, which opened for business on 21 July 2010.

To find out more about the scheme and how you can apply to join it, please visit the FluoroCycle website. Businesses and organisations that apply before the end of October 2010 will be given special recognition as 'Foundation Signatories' for their early commitment to recycling lamps that contain mercury.

Disaster relief extension

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland announced earlier this month that that the Australian Government will extend the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to include terrorist events as well as natural disasters.

"This change will ensure that funding arrangements will be implemented without confusion in the event of a terrorist attack, just as they would be for a flood or bushfire," Mr McClelland said. The NDRRA are a set of cooperative arrangements under which the Commonwealth assists the States and Territories with disaster relief and recovery costs, after they exceed certain thresholds. Previously, they have applied to bushfires, earthquakes, floods, storms and storm surges, cyclones, landslides, tsunamis, meteor strikes and tornadoes.

The announcement ensures that the NDRRA will be extended to jointly fund recovery assistance in the event of a terrorist incident, using the same thresholds for damage that apply to natural disasters. The Commonwealth has already reimbursed $112 million this financial year under the NDRRA.

Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) - training

ARRB will be undertaking the following training sessions in Queensland:

• Geometric Road Design and Intersection Design information session, Gympie - 31 August - 1 September 2010
• Treatment of Crash Locations workshop, Brisbane - 8 - 9 September 2010
• Mining Roads - Safety and Design workshop, Brisbane - 14 - 15 September 2010
• Mining Roads - Safety and Design workshop, Mackay - 30 November - 1 December 2010
• Basic Geometric Road Design workshop, Brisbane - 7 - 9 December 2010
• Traffic Theory and Applications workshop, Brisbane - 31 March - 1 April 2011

For further information about these contact Angela Juhasz, ARRB Group Ltd by email at angela.juhasz@arrb.com.au or phone 03 9881 1694

Boost for Indigenous youth projects

Eleven Indigenous youth projects will share in more than $1.4 million. The funding includes:

• $200,000 for AFL Cape York (Qld) and $300,000 to Jigalong (WA) Community Incorporated for youth diversionary activities in the school holidays.
• $50,000 for the Building Strong and Resilient Families project in Innisfail (Qld), which will support families and young children at risk of violence due to alcohol abuse.
• $80,000 for the RespectED project in Ceduna (SA) to promote the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families by breaking the cycle of abuse, neglect and harassment through prevention education.
• $20,000 for the Tackling Violence project in NSW for education and training. The project provides domestic violence education workshops for NRL players, officials and women and children in the community; school sexual assault prevention programs for high school students and a protective behaviour program for primary school students.
• $250,000 for a suite of youth diversionary activity projects for young Indigenous people in Victoria, including a dance music project, drop in centres, education projects, youth network and support and mentoring projects across Victoria.
• $320,000 to expand the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation premise in East Tasmania to improve access to services for vulnerable Indigenous families.
• $125,000 for Big hArt to work with Indigenous youth who have either witnessed or been subject to family violence in the Namatjira (NT), Nyuntu Ngali (SA) and Pilbara (WA) regions. The project aims to link young and older people through narrative, film, performance and music.
• $24,000 for the Halls Creek (WA) Better Life Project, which uses the performing arts to build confidence and leadership skills in Indigenous school aged girls.
• $20,000 for the Sturt Street Supported Accommodation (SA), which provides intensive intervention and accommodation assistance for Indigenous women and children caught up in the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness. Funding will provide freezers, computers, school bags, art materials, books and cultural awareness activities.
• $60,000 for the Shoalhaven (NSW) Safe Community Aboriginal Partnership project to build leadership skills and improve service delivery for young Indigenous people. The Government is pleased to support community leaders and the non-profit sector in providing young Indigenous people with healthy and safe activities aimed at building self confidence and tackling family violence.

Alliancing guidelines cautiously welcomed

Australasia's peak collaborative contracting industry body cautiously welcomes two draft components of a new national Alliance Contracting framework released by a joint committee of state treasuries.

Alliancing Association of Australasia (AAA) Co-Founder and Executive Director Alain Mignot said it is important the framework strengthens the adoption and practice of alliancing, rather than strangle the essence of collaboration which has served public infrastructure very well so far.

Mr Mignot said the new framework is a step in the right direction and alliancing practitioners are urged to review and comment on documents released by the Inter-Jurisdicational Alliancing Steering Committee, chaired by Victoria's Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF).

Two drafts for comment include the DTF's Practitioner's Guide to Alliance Contracting and Model Project Alliancing Agreement (PAA); and the recently approved Victorian Policy for Alliance Contracting has been released to apply to Victorian Government agencies and departments.

Mr Mignot said the new practitioners' guidelines replace the well-regarded 2003 version, which provided a critical point of reference for industry and agencies as the then "new" form of collaborative contracting was embraced.

"This framework validates and formalises alliancing in the government sector, similar to the earlier framework developed for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)," Mr Mignot said.

"Sectors such as health, urban planning and sustainable redevelopment as well as energy would benefit greatly from a more collaborative approach to planning, development and delivery. Broader application of the model would assist tackle the significant infrastructure and productivity challenges we face in the next decade."

For more information on group discussions being held visit AAA's website

For details of the DTF Alliancing Framework click here.

New chief for Emergency Management Institute

Ms Raelene Thompson will be joining the Attorney General's Department on 30 August to take up the position of Executive Director of the Australian Emergency Management Institute, Mt Macedon. Raelene was Acting First Assistant Secretary of the EHealth Group in the Department of Health and Ageing. In announcing the appointment, Roger Wilkins, Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said: "Raelene brings a wealth of experience to the position and I wish her every success in continuing to establish the AEMI as a Centre of Excellence in the delivery of knowledge and skills development within the emergency management sector."

Workshop on road safety

A workshop on Local Government and Safe System Approach to Road Safety will be included in the program of the Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference to be held in Canberra from 31 August to 3 September 2010.

Local Government is an important stakeholder and partner in delivering national and state government road safety initiatives to reduce the impact of road trauma on the nation's roads, but have had limited exposure to the national framework known as the Safe System approach. The ARRB Group and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) have been working to develop the Safe System approach to road safety to enable it to be readily adopted and applied by local government.

This workshop brings together ARRB and WALGA to deliver to participants an overview of this important national framework for road safety and to encourage discussion about how local councils can apply the concept within their organisations to improve road safety at a local level.

Presenters will include David McTiernan (ARRB) and Ruth Wernham (WALGA).

To register for the conference and/or workshop, click here. If you need further information, please contact Bala Chettur on (02) 6274 7391.

Free statisticians' event

The Community of Statisticians' Event - GIPA & Open Government: Implications for Statistical Data - willl be held on 2 September, 2010 at Australian Bureau of Statistics, Level 5, St Andrews House, cnr Bathurst & Kent streets, Sydney.

The objectives of this no-cost event are to:

• Explore the move to Open Government in NSW, with particular reference to statistical and factual data
• Examine implications, benefits and issues raised by the release of data under the NSW GIPA Act; and
• Address best practice in data release in relation to GIPA and Open Government, enable meaningful interpretation and use.

Some of the key speakers will include representatives from the Office of the Information Commissioner, Government Chief Information Officer, NSW Police, Australian Bureau of Statistics, etc. There will be case studies, a Q & A session and open discussions. Those wishing to attend should send an email either to verica.sabljak@abs.gov.au or anthony.nalbandian@abs.gov.au

Call to reject tobacco lobby pressure

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia has called on the Liberal Party to reject a tobacco industry-funded scare campaign against plain tobacco packaging, and to honour a government commitment to mandate plain packs by July 2012.

ASH has written to all major party leaders seeking their endorsement of key policies to reduce tobacco's devastating toll of deaths, chronic diseases and costs to the Australian economy.

Says Anne Jones, ASH Chief Executive: "The world's biggest drug pushers are using the election campaign to attack the government and reverse an important health policy.

"We believe plain packaging will make smoking less appealing and reduce tobacco sales. The tobacco industry also believes this will happen - if they didn't, they wouldn't be spending $5m to lobby against it."