Program guidelines released for Regional Development Australia Fund

The Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean has released the program guidelines for the Regional Development Australia Fund.

The Regional Development Australia Fund is a $1 billion five-year program that will boost economic and community development and is part of a $1.4 billion commitment to regional Australia announced recently.

The allocation of funding will be competitive, merit-based and only applications that have been endorsed by the local Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees and fit with RDA regional plans will be considered.

An independent panel will be established to assess and provide advice on projects to be funded. Resources for the Regional Development Australia Fund have been allocated as part of a $1.4 billion agreement struck with the Independents last September. The Federal Government has announced more than $1 billion will be available under the Regional Development Australia Fund, which is in addition to the $350 million already committed to rebuild regional Australia devastated by recent natural disasters. Applications require RDA and Local Government involvement.

The Fund is comprised of $450 million from the Priority Regional Infrastructure Program and $573 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund which is funded from the Minerals Resource Rent Tax.

Key features of projects that are being sought under this program include:

• Delivery of concrete economic and social benefits
• Commitment to innovation and building capacity in local communities
• Linking regional communities across traditional boundaries
• Ability to leverage additional funding across government and the private sector.

Examples of projects that could be funded include regional economic infrastructure projects and community infrastructure such as sporting facilities or childcare centres.

Funding for projects will commence on July 1, 2011 with applications for the first funding round of up to $100 million closing on May 13, 2011. There will be a further funding round announced later this year.

The program guidelines for the Fund can be found here.

Impressive line-up of speakers at this year's National General Assembly

The program for this year's National General Assembly (NGA) is taking shape with key federal politicians addressing the Assembly and a line-up of some of Australia's foremost political and public relations minds participating in a panel session on constitutional reform.

The Registration Brochure will be hitting mailboxes shortly with full details of the speakers, program and associated functions. In the meantime, you can register online and access program information here.

Federal politicians:

• Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard
• Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean
• Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon Greg Combet
• Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Bob Brown
• Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water, Senator Barnaby Joyce
• The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott, has indicated his desire to address the NGA, however he is confirming the administrative arrangements before formally accepting.

Keynote Speakers:

• Woolworths CEO, Michael Luscombe
• Mayor of Auckland Council, Len Brown
• Financial Expert, Robert Gottliebsen

Constitutional Reform 'The Pitch' Panelists:

• James O'Loghlin
• John Hewson
• Annabel Crabb
• Jane Caro

National television and computer recycling scheme by the end of 2011

Governments and the peak television and computer industry associations are committed to reducing the amount of e-waste going to landfill.

To help achieve this the Australian Government will soon introduce the product stewardship legislation into Parliament. The legislation will pave the way for the launch of an industry-run television and computer collection and recycling scheme by the end of 2011. The aim of the scheme is to achieve a collection for recycling rate of 80% by 2021.

Under the scheme, liable television and computer manufacturers and importers will fund the collection and recycling of end-of-life products. Australian Government regulation will underpin the scheme and set the outcomes to be met, including targets and an Australian wide implementation within five years. Liable parties will have discretion in how they meet outcomes, including determining the method of collection and the specific locations of any collection points.

Householders and small business will be able to recycle end-of-life televisions, computers and computer peripherals through the industry determined method of collection free of charge.

The scheme will also include arrangements for recycling of end-of-life televisions, computers, and computer peripherals from commercial users.

The Australian Government has established two working groups to ensure stakeholders are engaged throughout the development of the scheme.

1. The Implementation Working Group comprises representatives of the television and computer industry and jurisdictional governments.
2. The Stakeholder Reference Group includes local government, recyclers and environment and community groups in addition to the television and computer industry and other government representatives. Members are responsible for disseminating information and putting forward the views of stakeholders they represent. To find out who your representative is please email ewaste@environment.gov.au.

The scheme does not change the existing role (where applicable) of local councils in providing safe and environmentally-sound waste management and resource recovery services. Local councils will continue their current role in making and enforcing local laws and implementing policies on other matters relevant to the scheme, including improving local community awareness of product stewardship services available, combating illegal dumping, planning of land-use, and assessing applications for development of new waste facilities or changes to existing facilities.

Local councils may also choose to partner with the television and computer industry to provide designated collection services. There is no obligation for councils to participate, this will be the decision of each individual council.

A consultation paper on the design of the regulations underpinning the scheme was released on 8 March 2011 and will provide an opportunity for public comment. Public consultation meetings will be held in all capital cities as well as select regional areas. The consultation paper and information regarding times and venues for the public forums is available on the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities' website.

If you wish to receive updates about the scheme you can subscribe to the E-bulletin here.

For more information on the National Waste Policy, please click here.

Councils across Australia were relieved to learn that Australian Government funding for infrastructure projects will continue next year. The Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean, released the program guidelines for the Regional Development Australia Fund late last week. The fund has $1 billion for regional development, with $573 million subject to the passage of the Minerals Rent Resource Tax.

The fund is a successor to the $1.1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP), which was a key part of the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan. RLCIP delivered around 5,000 projects for communities and was extremely successful in creating local jobs and boosting local economies in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis.

Local Government has proved that we can deliver projects efficiently, responsibly and within budget under programs such as the RLCIP and Roads to Recovery. I am delighted that we will continue to have the opportunity to do so.

The definition of regional Australia is broad. As Minister Crean has said in his introduction to the guidelines: "Our regions range from remote regions, to growing coastal sea-change and tree-change regions. They include the non-metropolitan urban centres in rural Australia and the fringes of our major capital cities that are absorbing our growing population." Examples of projects that could be funded include sporting and recreational facilities, playgrounds, swimming pools, and childcare centres. The guidelines also ask councils and community groups to leverage additional funding across government and the private sector.

Applications for grants are now open and funds will start to be allocated from 1 July. The guidelines stipulate that proposed projects must align with Regional Development Australia (RDA) Regional Plans. At my recent meeting with Minister Crean, I expressed my concern that there are significant gaps in the relationship between Regional Development Australia Committees (RDAs) and some councils. It is critical that RDAs engage fully with local councils and equally critical that councils engage with their RDA. Councils that have not already done so, need to make contact with their RDA as an urgent matter of priority.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report into local government financial sustainability commissioned by ALGA presented a compelling case for funding a dedicated community infrastructure program to address the $14.5 billion backlog faced by cash-strapped councils. Thankfully, the Australian Government is responding to that need.

Don't miss this opportunity to improve the infrastructure and facilities in your area. You'll find information on how to apply here.

Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

National Awards for Local Government - entries closing soon

Entries for the National Awards for Local Government will close on Wednesday 23 March.

The National Awards for Local Government recognise, reward and promote the innovative work of local governments across Australia. The National Awards are an important component of the Government's new partnership with local government, showcasing unique local solutions to common problems. The annual National Awards were set up in 1986 and are run by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. Australian Government Departments and agencies sponsor different categories of Awards.

There are ten Awards this year: Leading Community Climate Change, Youth Engagement, Promoting Reconciliation, Engaging and Strengthening Indigenous Communities, Excellence in Alcohol Management, Inspired Cities, Asset and Financial Management, Innovative Infrastructure Development, Regional Collaborations, and Women in Local Government. Further information here. If you have any questions, please contact the Awards team on Freecall 1800 065 113 or email awards@regional.gov.au

Constitutional support continues to grow

Following last week's article in ALGA News more councils have passed resolutions supporting constitutional reform. These resolutions are important in generating the impetus required by the Federal Government to proceed with a referendum. ALGA urges all councils who have passed resolutions to inform ALGA of their resolution, so that their support can form part of our lobbying to government. It is important for as many councils as possible to pass resolutions of support and write to politicians, prior to the National General Assembly in June. More than 560 councils supporting constitutional recognition of local government sends a powerful message to the Government and Opposition.

Councils which have recently advised ALGA of their resolutions:

• Lismore City Council
• Fraser Coast Regional Council
• Cowra Shire Council
• Shellharbour City Council
• District Council of Grant
• Gympie Regional Council
• Shire of Lake Grace
• Huon Valley Council
• Town of Bassendean
• District Council of Mount Barker
• Kingborough Council
• District Council of Mallala

Many more councils have indicated that they are planning to pass resolutions supporting constitutional reform at their next council meeting. Any councils requiring further information should contact monica.telesny@alga.asn.au or on (02) 6122 9433. Keep up the momentum!

Sustainable Cities Awards 2011 submissions open

The ACT Sustainable Cities Awards recognise the efforts made by residents, community based organisations, businesses and local government agencies in achieving sustainability in the ACT. The awards are an initiative of Keep Australia Beautiful National. 2011 marks seven years of the awards being held in the ACT. The overall winner of the ACT Sustainable Cities awards goes on to represent the ACT at the National awards held later in the year. If you would like to enter the awards, or know somebody who would, fill out the registration and entry form at the link below. Entries are due on April 15. More details here.

Waste & Recycle Conference 2011 - call for papers

Take a selection of exciting local, national and international speakers, an enthusiastic and informed audience, one large trade display and mix well in a world class venue-the result is the Waste & Recycle Conference 2011. The theme for this year's Conference is Waste or Resource? Food for Thought.

The Waste & Recycle Conference is organised by the Western Australian Local Government Association, Department of Environment and Conservation and the Waste Management Association of Australia. The Conference runs from 13 - 16 September 2011, at The Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia.

If you would like to present at the Conference the Call for Papers is out now! Be quick, abstracts are due Monday 28 March 2011.

For more information or visit the Conference Website

Neighbour Day

Neighbour Day is Australia's annual celebration of community, bringing together the people next door, across the street or on the next farm for a beer, a barbie or just a cuppa.

Held on the last Sunday in March every year, it's the perfect day to say thanks for being a great neighbour and for being there when I needed you most. For further information and to register your event click here.

Plastic bag ban

Lightweight polyethylene plastic shopping bags will be banned in the ACT from 1 November this year. Banning these bags will reduce harm to the environment through litter and waste to landfill.

During a transition period commencing in June, retailers may continue to provide the polyethylene bags but must also offer alternative bags, such as green bas or biodegradable bags. The ban will not apply to barrier bags typically used to carry fruit and vegetables, retail boutique bags and biodegradable bags that meet the Australian Standard. For more information click here.

Carbon pricing and reducing Australia's emissions

Professor Garnaut launched his sixth Update Paper, Carbon pricing and reducing Australia's emissions yesterday at the National Press Club of Australia. The paper evaluates Australia's policy options for greenhouse gas mitigation and sets out the important elements of a fair, efficient and credible carbon pricing regime in the current, post-Cancun world. It considers the implications of Australia's current fiscal position on the use of carbon-pricing revenue, and discusses the various potential uses of revenue. The paper also examines the rationale for, and approaches to, providing assistance to trade-exposed industries, electricity generators and households to manage the effects of mitigation policies, and to reduce the national costs of transition. The Paper and Paper number 5, The Science of Climate Change, are available here.

Join the Climate Change Adaptation Research Network

The Australian Climate Change Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure (ACCARNSI) is one of eight Adaptation Research Networks hosted by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), Griffith University. The aim of ACCARNSI is to initiate and develop effective strategies to respond to climate change through mitigation, adaptation and implementation, bringing together researchers and stakeholders with an interest in climate change adaptation for coastal settlements, public and private infrastructure, the built environment and urban regional planning. Research direction will assist government, the private sector and vulnerable regions and communities to make informed decisions on how best to educate, plan and manage adaptation for the risks of climate change on coastal settlements, urban and built environments and infrastructure.

The Network hosts a number of activities to promote and support collaboration amongst key stakeholders including for 2011, a number of local government Initiatives. It is seeking to increase local government representative membership in order to maximise stakeholder participation. You are invited to become a member of the Network by subscribing, emailing at accarnsi@unsw.edu.au or telephoning the ACCARNSI office on 02 9385 5084.

National Construction Code information seminars

This is your opportunity to hear from experts about the National Construction Code which will be introduced on 1 May. The Australian Building Codes Board will take the first step in delivering the National Construction Code (NCC), when it publishes the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) as Volume Three of the NCC, for the first time in 2011. It is expected that future editions of the NCC will eventually comprise all on-site construction regulation (building, plumbing, gas, electrical and telecommunications). The implementation of this national policy initiative will improve regulatory consistency across jurisdictions and deliver benefits for both the industry and community. The 2011 National Seminar series will play an important role in raising practitioner awareness of issues associated with the launch of the NCC and other code amendments scheduled for 2011. The seminars will be divided into two sessions, which will provide an opportunity for practitioners to hear about relevant aspects of the consolidated code and how it will affect their work. More Information here.

7th National Housing Conference postponed

The National Housing Conference is a significant event in the housing research, policy and practice calendar, and the Queensland Government was scheduled to host the 7th Conference in September 2011 in partnership with AHURI. However, the recent cyclones and flooding in Queensland have impacted heavily on the demands of Government, non-government services, and the housing and construction industries. To allow time for recovery and rebuilding to proceed, the Queensland Government and AHURI have agreed to postpone the 7th Conference until 30 Oct-2 Nov 2012. Further information regarding the 7th Conference will become available here as it is released.