Briefs
Funding to build stronger communities
Local government can apply for grants of up to $50,000 under the federal government's Diversity and Social Cohesion Program for communities to build stronger community connections. Councils can apply for funding of up to $50,000 to develop projects that aim to address issues of cultural, racial or religious intolerance or to develop community capacity-building skills. Projects can use a wide range of avenues such as sports, theatre and leadership programs to address issues that affect their communities. The projects must provide an opportunity for participation and interaction by different members of the community. Funding is available through the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program which is flexible and responsive to the issues faced by communities at a municipal level. Funding will also be open to groups such as school communities, universities and colleges of education, non-profit organisations, service clubs, faith groups, sporting bodies, community organizations and youth organizations, as well as local councils. Applications should be lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship by 31 January 2011 to be considered for the first round of offers. A second round of applications closes on 31 March 2011. For further information visit the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program website or contact the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program hotline.
See: Diversity and Social Cohesion Program
Telephone: 1800 782 002
ALGA President Cr Genia McCaffery responded to an opinion piece by Vice-Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University Greg Craven on constitutional reform in Monday's 'Financial Review.' An edited version of the letter follows:
Dear Sir
I look forward to Greg Craven's occasional contributions to the AFR. This time (Opinion, December 20) however, I must rise to the defence of local government and the proposed referendum.
The phrases "suburban politicians" and "governmental social climbing" betray a lack of understanding about the challenges facing thousands of local communities and the very real need to ensure that those communities get the local services and infrastructure they need and deserve.
No-one denies that local government is a state government responsibility. But in the face of enormous challenges in terms of health, education and public transport, state governments are struggling to meet their own core responsibilities let alone trying to help local government deliver the necessary services.
Direct funding from the Commonwealth Government, which collects almost 85% of the nation's tax revenue, seems an obvious answer - and one which both sides of politics have already adopted through programs such as Roads to Recovery. As Greg knows, however, the constitutional validity of such support for local communities is questionable and last year's High Court decision in Pape v Commissioner of Taxation simply underlined that doubt.
Changing the Constitution so it meets the needs of ordinary Australians should not be the blood sport that Greg Craven tells us it is but while commentators insist on instantly categorizing every proposed change as a threat to the continuation of the States or some nefarious strategy of the Commonwealth, we are selling ourselves short as a nation.
Yours sincerely, Cr Genia McCaffery
President, Australian Local Government Association
Accessible Communities Program
In January 2011 the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) will be writing to local governments inviting applications for funding for up to $100,000 GST exclusive for the Accessible Communities Program.
The notice for applications will be posted on 24 January 2011. Applications will close 25 February 2011 at 2pm AEST. In order to be considered the applications must be received by FAHCSIA within the application period.
Accessible Communities is an initiative under the National Disability Strategy that will provide a total of $5 million (GST exclusive) funding in 2011-2012. The program aims are to make more accessible public buildings and spaces for people with disabilities. Funding of up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) will be available to local governments for improvements to community infrastructure, including new construction, major renovations or refurbishment of assets.
Applicants must prove that they can provide a matched amount of funding for their proposed project. The project must commence within 6 months of approval and should be completed within 12 months (no later than end of June 2012).
If you would like more information or further updates regarding the Accessible Communities Program please check the FaHCSIA website from 4 January 2011
The application process, including application forms and essential information, will be available from the FaHCSIA website also from 4 January 2011.
Departmental Secretary changes
After 10 years as Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ken Henry is moving on and will be succeeded by Dr Martin Parkinson, who is well-known to local government in his role as Secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Other changes are: Finn Pratt as the new Secretary of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Service and Indigenous Affairs; Blair Comley as Secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency; and Kathryn Campbell as Secretary of the Department of Human Services. We are also delighted that Glenys Beauchamp has been appointed to the position of Secretary of the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. Ms Beauchamp has been the Acting Secretary of the Department since September and has forged a good relationship with ALGA.
The Excellence in Local Government Leadership Program 2011
The local government Excellence in Leadership program originally planned for November-December 2010 will now go ahead in mid 2011. This prestigious new program for senior managers and elected representatives is being offered by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) on behalf of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG).
It is envisaged that the first block of the course will be held in late July or early August, and the second block in September. Details on dates, venue and fees will be released in late January.
For further information, please contact v.musgrove@anzsog.edu.au or phone Phone: 03 8344 1968
WA floods
The Federal Government will provide natural disaster assistance to Western Australia following severe flooding in parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid West.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Commonwealth assistance would be provided to the Western Australian Government through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
A total of 99 Local Government Areas in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland - as well as a number of regions in Western Australia and South Australia - have now been declared natural disaster zones following flooding over the past three weeks, making them eligible for Commonwealth assistance through state government agencies.
For information about assistance, contact the following WA Government agencies:
Personal Support: WA Dept of Child Protection - 1800 199 008.
Primary Producers: WA Dept of Food and Agriculture - 1800 198 231.
Small Business: (08) 9323 9552.
Information is also available at www.fesa.wa.gov.au
Northern Territory disaster resilience
Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson have announced a $1.26 million joint implementation plan to improve local natural disaster resilience in the Northern Territory.
"From all forecasts, this summer is shaping as particularly challenging for emergency services at the top end," Mr McClelland said. "While this time of year is traditionally known as the festive season, many people in the emergency services refer to it as the natural disaster season. In other parts of Australia, the threat of bushfires remain strong while we're already seeing the devastating impact serious flooding can have in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and over the weekend, in Carnavon in Northern WA. This summer, authorities are predicting an extremely difficult cyclone season across the Top End and North Queensland."
The implementation plan focuses on delivering projects aimed at:
- reducing community vulnerability to natural hazards;
- improving community resilience and self reliance;
- building partnerships between sectors;
- supporting local volunteer capabilities;
- encouraging a regional approach to mitigation initiatives; and
- considering potential impacts due to climate change.
Further information on the Natural Disaster Resilience Program can be found here.
ABS Statistics - we are a nation of walkers and Aussie rules fans
Documents released recently by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:
1345.4 Women entering SA's workforce at a rate of 1.7 times that of men (Media Release), Dec 2010
3101.0 Australia's population growth rate lowest since March 2007 (Media Release), Jun 2010
4174.0 Australian Rules still our favourite spectator sport (Media Release), 2009-10
4177.0 Walking still Australia's favourite physical activity (Media Release), 2009-10
Broadband for Seniors kiosks
2,000 internet kiosks are being established in community organisations across the country to help senior Australians stay in contact with family and friends, learn new skills and meet new people.
Senior citizens can use kiosks free of charge to access computers, search the internet and receive individual and workshop training. For more information, or to find kiosks in your area, contact the Broadband for Seniors hotline on 1300 795 897. (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, AEST/AEDT, except on Public Holidays) or go to the Broadband for Seniors Website.
Not for Profit Reform Council
The Minister for Social Inclusion, Tanya Plibersek, has announced the composition of the Australian Government's Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council (the Council). The Council fulfils an important election promise and demonstrates the Government's ongoing commitment to the not-for-profit sector. The Council is made up of eminent figures from the not-for-profit sector. To help drive the Government's plans to reform the sector, the Council will examine the scope of a national one-stop-shop regulator, provide advice on streamlining tendering and contracting processes for Government-funded not-for-profits, consider harmonisation of federal, state and territory laws on fundraising and support the implementation of the National Compact. Details here.
Local government responds to climate change
In 2010, the NSW Local Government and Shires Association surveyed councils about their climate change actions including barriers, drivers and future needs. The survey received a total of 106 complete responses representing 101 councils and 2 regional organisations of councils (70% of councils). The results of the survey are now available from the Associations. The survey showed most councils are taking action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change impacts. The biggest barriers to achieving progress were identified as competing priorities and lack of funding. Most councils have not allocated a budget for climate change action and many councils are seeking external funding to enable the planning and implementation of measures to address climate change. Having the support of senior management within council was seen as the most significant driver, among other mechanisms, to accelerate action on climate change within councils. The report highlights the needs of NSW councils in responding to climate change and includes recommendations for all levels of government in addressing these needs. For further information contact Amy Lovesey, Climate Change Project Manager, LGSA at amy.lovesey@lgsa.org.au or Ph (02) 9242 4128.
UN climate talks in Cancun: New level of recognition
For the first time, the crucial role of local governments in fighting climate change has been recognized officially at the UN climate talks in Cancun (COP16). The local government delegation has achieved a tremendous success, with cities and local governments now being recognized by states as 'governmental stakeholders'.
Marcelo Ebrard, Mayor of Mexico City and Chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change, says the recognition finally gives credibility to cities as key actors and marks an important step in enabling cities to keep delivering real climate change action.
View the video briefings and statements and read all about the work for local governments at the UN climate talks here.
Developments in the National Broadband Network
There have been several major announcements in relation to the National Broadband Network (NBN) recently and are summarised below. Over the coming months ALGA will provide more detailed information to councils to ensure smooth rollout as councils are approached.
The long-awaited NBN Co Corporate Plan was released on 20 December, and provides detailed financial and operational information covering a 30 year period, including projected pricing, how much NBN Co will charge retail service providers to provide broadband services, government capital required, when it will need to seek additional private sector investment and the network construction schedule for fibre, wireless and satellite rollouts.
NBN Co will require $27.5 billion in Government capital and will seek around $13.4 billion in debt funding from the private sector. The rollout process will occur over 9 years until 2021. The national wholesale access price for 12 megabits per second (Mbps) upload and 1 Mbps download will be $24 per month. The first 5 release sites are under construction and a further 19 second release sites were announced in July.
An important component of the Government's regional focus is that it has asked NBN Co to ensure that fibre be built in regional areas as a priority. It has also encouraged NBN Co to explore mechanisms by which community inputs and advice on regional priorities - in order to overcome the digital divide and improve the efficiency of the rollout - can be considered by NBN Co including through existing coordination structures like Regional Development Australia committees.
The press release accompanying the launch of the Corporate Plan is available here and the 160 page Corporate Plan available here.
NBN Co has also produced a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on current operations, network plans and proposed services on its website, which answer many of the questions being asked by developers. Councils approached by developers can direct them to the FAQs in the first instance. A separate site deals with new developments. For questions not answered by the existing FAQs, the "contact us" button allows developers to lodge questions, and NBN Co will answer within a short turnaround time.
On 9 December the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced that due to the magnitude of the original proposal to connect every new home built after January 1, 2011 with fibre cable for the National Broadband Network, the plan would be phased in. NBN Co would be responsible for the installation of fibre in all broadacre developments, all infill developments where it has fibre that is ready for service and capable of connection, and newly approved infill developments of 100 or more premises.
Telstra would continue to provide infrastructure in developments of fewer than 100 premises. Those developments would initially be connected to Telstra's copper network and later be hooked up to the NBN. The Minister's announcement can be accessed here.
A parliamentary inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network was recently launched by the House of Representatives Infrastructure and Communications Committee. The Committee will examine the capacity of the NBN to achieve regional growth, health outcomes, delivery of government services and programs and management of resources and environmental sustainability. Full terms of reference are available on the committee's website
The committee is currently writing to councils and encouraging them to promote the inquiry within their communities and asking them to provide their council's views, so that it receives input from communities across Australia. Submissions are due by 25 February and should be sent to ic.reps@aph.gov.au. ALGA will prepare a submission to the inquiry.
Sustainable population growth critical for local government
An issues paper and three discussion papers released by the Federal Sustainable Population Minister Tony Burke on developing a sustainable population policy for Australia will be a critical issue for Local Government which will be most affected by poorly planned and managed growth.
This discussion paper will mark the start of public consultation on the development of a sustainable population policy due at the end of March 2011. This will lead to a Sustainable Population Policy and a set of key sustainability indicators to allow measurement of progress towards sustainability.
CEO of ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) - Oceania Bill Forrest was a member on the sustainable development panel chaired by former NSW Premier Bob Carr. He described the sustainable development discussion paper as a cautionary tale - looking at the upsides and downsides of growth.
"This is a debate that local government has a very keen interest in, as we are left to manage many of the consequences of poorly planned and managed growth" Mr Forrest said. "From the cradle to the grave - early childhood services to aged care, the quality and sustainability of our built and natural environment.
The sustainable development panel proposed a series of sustainability indicators or benchmarks that should be met as a precursor to sustaining high levels of population growth. Other panels looked at ways and means to better manage growth including better urban planning and more investment in infrastructure.
A full copy of the documentation is available here. The Minister's press release can be seen here.
PC Inquiry into the Economic Regulation of Airport Services
The Productivity Commission is undertaking a public inquiry to consider the appropriateness of the current regime of economic regulation and whether improvements can be made.
The purpose of this inquiry is to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the current economic regulation and quality of service monitoring regime for airports and whether new arrangements are needed. It is will also to make recommendations in relation to the requirement for future regulation and monitoring of services and the scope and appropriate mechanism for the provision of greater transparency and accountability in airport infrastructure provision, planning and services.
The terms of reference for the Inquiry:
- aeronautical services and facilities provided by airport operators
- passenger-related aeronautical services and facilities provided by major airline tenants
- the provision and quality of land transport facilities providing access to the airports
- The effectiveness of existing remedies in dealing with potential abuses of market power
- The effectiveness of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions' monitoring regime
- How the current regime impacts on the ability of airports to price, operate and invest in infrastructure in an efficient and timely manner
- Arrangements for the control of planning, operation and service.
The full terms of reference and ways to make submissions can be found here.
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has announced the members of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians. The panel will be led by indigenous academic Professor Patrick Dodson and co-chair of Reconciliation Australia Mark Leibler. The 18 other members include Noel Pearson, former federal MP Fred Chaney and indigenous academic Marcia Langton as well as other community leaders and legal experts. The Expert Panel will lead broad consultations throughout 2011, providing options on the form of the constitutional amendment and guidance on the information needed for public discussion, culminating in a report and recommendations to Government by December 2011.
Quote of the week
"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day a year to remind us that we're here for something besides ourselves." - Eric Sevareid
International news 
When they reach middle age, Irishmen and Frenchmen drink the same amount of alcohol in a week but experience different health effects. While the French drink regularly throughout the week, the Irish tend to binge on the weekend. A new study, published in the 'British Medical Journal,' suggests bingeing is responsible for almost double the risk of heart attacks among the Irish. Another factor may be that the Irish tend to drink beer while the French drink wine, which is thought to provide moderately protective effects against heart disease.
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