Productivity Commission releases Urban Water draft report

This week the Productivity Commission released a Draft Report on Australia's Urban Water Sector. The Productivity Commission is seeking submissions on the report by 18 May 2011. The purpose of the Draft Report is to identify opportunities for efficiency gains in the structural, institutional, regulatory and other arrangements that govern the sector. The Draft Report's findings make interesting reading and are relevant to councils in a number of jurisdictions. Of particular interest is the Commission's wish to obtain a better understanding of:

• how developer charges are levied in each jurisdiction and how they reflect cost of providing services;
• how elected members are involved in decision-making of Government Trading Enterprises (GTEs) e.g. water authorities owned by local government; and
• a range of financial matters including the rate of return on investments; local government finance restrictions; subsidies; and whether there might be economies of scale through possible aggregations of small water and wastewater utilities where possible.

Information on how to prepare and submit a submission is available here.

New not-for-profit universal housing design organisation

The partners in the National Dialogue on Universal Housing, which is now called Livable Housing, met in Canberra on 11 April. ALGA attended the meeting, chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Senator Jan Lucas, on behalf of local government. The meeting agreed on the establishment of a new organization, Livable Housing Australia, which will be responsible for encouraging Australians constructing new homes to comply with design standards which make housing more accessible for older Australians and people with disabilities.

Senator Jan McLucas, announced the new not-for-profit organisation on 11 April. She said that livable housing design aims to make homes easier and safer to use for a variety of groups including older people, people with disabilities, people with temporary injuries and families with young children. It will also add value to homes and make them easier to sell, she added.

Livable Housing Australia will assist in achieving the milestones and targets in the Livable Housing Design guidelines and Strategic Plan. The voluntary guidelines are intended to apply to all new homes, helping builders ensure homes are prepared for the changing needs of residents and visitors.

Leaders of the housing industry and disability sector have agreed to an aspirational target that all new homes will be built to reflect the new standards by 2020. The Government has committed $1m to encourage the building and property sectors to promote Livable Housing Design. More information on livable housing design is available here and Senator McLucas media release is available here.

New report confirms road safety challenge

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King has released the latest report of the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), Fatal Road crashes in Australia 1990s and 2000s: crash types and major factors.

She said: "Despite significant effort across all levels of Government over recent decades to drive down fatalities on the nation's roads, speed and alcohol or drugs remain major causes of those fatal smashes. She added that "One in three of all fatal road crashes are categorised with alcohol or drugs being a major factor. Excessive speed similarly accounts for one in three crashes. Looking at single occupant, single vehicle crashes, the report shows that 70% involve alcohol, drugs or speed."

"These statistics are alarming. While we have been successful in reducing the road toll in the past 10 to 20 years, some realities have not changed at all and we really need to continue to drive home the messages," Ms King said. "The messages from the past must inform our road safety strategies for the future and we will ensure they do when we release the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020."

While identifying and confirming the major factors in crashes, the report also identifies new trends. These include:

• in 2009 more than double the number of motorcycles were on our roads compared to 1990 and with an increase in motorcycle road deaths from 10 to 15 percent of total deaths;
• by 2006, nearly three-quarters of vehicles involved in fatal road crashes were vehicles with only one occupant, compared with 58 per cent in 1990; and
• by 2006, over one-third of fatal crashes involved a vehicle running off the road into an object such as a tree or light pole, compared with over a quarter in 1990.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analyses changes in patterns in serious injury and death from road crashes. Its latest report shows significant increases in life-threatening injury in the 2000s. Part of the National Road Safety Strategy 2011 - 2020 is a proposal for national data collection to ensure the measures implemented as part of the strategy will address these major problems.

The BITRE report Fatal Road Crashes in Australia in the 1990s and 2000s: crash types and major factors is available here. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report Trends in serious injury due to land transport accidents, Australia 2000-01 to 2007-08 is available here.

I can't believe I have been ALGA President for six months already. As New South Wales Local Government Association President and now ALGA President, I'm continually astounded by the remarkable work Councils do in their communities. For most councils, especially in rural and regional Australia, funding of their road system is the largest and also the most important item in their budget. At our recent meeting the ALGA Board signed off on our new strategic plan for the next 3 years. So it is not surprising that road funding remains as one of the top priority issues for ALGA. Over the next three years we are faced with many challenges and several opportunities. One thing is for sure - the continuation of Roads to Recovery is a key priority.

Local Road Needs

In 2010 we commissioned Geoff Roorda and Associates to estimate the backlog on local roads. The report, presented at the 2010 Local Roads and Transport Congress in Bunbury, revealed an estimated shortfall of $1.2 billion annually, a figure which came as no surprise to local government and quantified what we all thought. That shortfall has, of course, been the subject of representations, on behalf of all councils, to the Federal Government and in particular to Minister Albanese. The Report gives us a strong and credible piece of work to argue for continuation and increases in the Federal funding directed at local roads.

Local Roads Data

Geoff Roorda also reported that the work councils have been doing over the past decade to improve their asset management systems, especially in relation to roads, means that it is now feasible to collect and publish data describing the condition of local roads on a national basis. The ALGA Board subsequently commissioned a scoping study to determine the methodology and cost of national reporting of the condition of local roads. Armed with that study, ALGA approached the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) to seek a partnership with them in producing a regular national report on local roads. The Federal Government recently allocated $700,000 to the ACELG for work on data and I hope that the ACELG will see the value to all levels of government of the regular national report we are proposing.

Constitutional Change to allow for Direct Funding of Local Government

The Roads to Recovery model of direct funding from the Federal Government to councils is one that local government favours. It is also a model that is under threat because of doubts about the ability of the Commonwealth to directly fund local government. The very substantial effort being made by ALGA on constitutional recognition is, in part, designed to protect the Roads to Recovery direct funding arrangements.

COAG Road Reform Project on Heavy Vehicle Charging

ALGA has been making strong representations to ensure that local roads are included in any model of charging and funding of road damage from heavy vehicles that might be developed. We are pleased that the Project has involved direct consultation with local government. ALGA's engagement in this area is a recognition that local roads must not be excluded from any model that might be developed.

Emergency funding

ALGA has strongly and successfully advocated for additional funding for local government to assist with repairs of flood damaged roads, rather than an adjustment of existing funding.

It's a busy agenda but local road funding is an important and multi-faceted issue. ALGA has been and will continue to represent the road and transport interests of all councils as we approach the end of the current Roads to Recovery Program in 2014. The difficult budgetary situation faced by the Federal Government means that we cannot take for granted its continuation, let alone, an increase in funding. While individual councils and groupings of councils will always be terrific in advocating their needs and position on issues to the Federal Government, we also need to be conscious of the overall needs of the sector and to work hard as a sector to achieve the best results for all councils.

Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

Queensland Coastal Plan released

The Queensland Government last week released a 71 page coastal plan to:

• Protect future coastal communities from threats such as storm tide surges from cyclones
• Protect Queensland's precious coastline from development in high risk areas of coastal erosion and storm tide inundation caused by climate change
• Safeguard areas of high ecological significance from development

The plan is designed to ensure that plans are in place and that policy is there to manage and develop exposed areas along the coastline. It will come into effect in mid-2011. The Queensland Coastal Plan is the culmination of a three-year statutory review process of the existing State Coastal Management Plan (2001).

Queensland Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones was joined by Local Government Association of Queensland general manager Greg Hoffman to jointly release the new consistent approach to coastal planning.

"This year almost all of Queensland was declared a disaster zone after our communities were knocked for six, first by record floods and then a category five tropical cyclone," Ms Jones said.

"Predictions from climate scientists for more severe extreme weather events leave no room for complacency when planning for Queensland's long-term future so we must confront these challenges now - it's what any responsible government would do.

"The Queensland Coastal Plan will allow state and local governments to work together, to utilise climate science, advanced mapping technology and sound policy direction to prevent further community exposure to coastal hazards.

"Councils will now be able to make planning decisions for the future of their communities."

The plan is available at Queensland Coastal Plan.

Constitutional resolutions pass the 100 mark

Over 100 councils have passed resolutions in support of constitutional recognition and there is an increasing amount of media coverage surrounding councils' resolutions. Councils which have this week advised ALGA of their resolutions:

• District Council of Tumby Bay (SA)
• Adelaide City Council (SA)
• Renmark Paringa Council (SA)
• City of Salisbury (SA)
• Town of Walkerville (SA)
• Central Highlands Regional Council (Qld)
• Town of Claremont (WA)
• Town of St Vincent (WA)
• Northern Midlands Council (Tas)
• Mosman Council (NSW)
• City of Gosnells (WA)
• Loddon Shire Council(Vic)
• Narrabri Shire Council (NSW)
• Shire of Roebourne (WA)
• Shire of Nannup (WA)
• North Sydney Council (NSW)
• Colac Otway Shire Council (Vic)
• City of Canterbury (NSW)
• Randwick City Council (NSW)
• Shire of Moora (WA)
• Moorabool Shire Council (Vic)
• Shire of Capel (WA)
• Wyndham City Council (Vic)
• Launceston City Council (Tas)
• Southern Mallee District Council (SA)

Any councils requiring further information should contact Monica Telesny on 02 61229433 or at monica.telesny@alga.asn.au.

New report reaffirms the need for early childhood reforms

A new report from Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has highlighted the importance of the Australian Government's national reforms to early childhood education and care. The State of the Sector report: Our future on the line; keeping the early childhood education and care reforms on track was released on 12 April.

The Australian Government is working with State and Territory governments to introduce a National Quality Framework for child care, which will lift the standard of care across the country. The new reforms will improve staff to child ratios, so that every child gets more individual care and attention and raise staff qualifications, to ensure staff are better able to lead activities that help children learn and develop.

The Australian Government is also introducing a quality ratings system for all child care services so that parents know the quality of care on offer and can make more informed choices. The reforms will also see a reduction in red tape related to services, so that providers can spend less time on paperwork and more time with the kids in their care. The ECA report is available online. For more information about the National Quality Framework, click here.

Protection for young people online

Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor has announced the next step in the successful ThinkUKnow program, launching a new youth section of the ThinkUKnow website and a Facebook and Twitter account to help empower and protect young Australians in the online environment.

Mr O'Connor officially launched the youth section of the ThinkUKnow website as part of National Youth Week events. The new ThinkUKnow Facebook, Twitter and youth pages directly engage young Australians, providing them with important support while they are online, enabling them to access advice in the same space where they might experience issues and where things can go wrong. It can help people who are bullied online.

"The Australian Government is serious about preventing the exploitation of children online, which is why we hope to educate people on the risks young people face and how to mitigate these risks."

To download fact sheets or book in a ThinkUKnow presentation, click here.

Get the big picture with a local perspective

The Australian Business Register (ABR) is contacting over 160 local councils across Australia to let them know about ABR data and how they can use it at no cost, to support their business objectives. Local councils will learn how to benefit from:

• free data that can be downloaded from the internet
• a free, electronic tool to provide fast, easy access to sort and search ABR data
• a client service program designed to help you get the most out of ABR data

ABR data is already being used by over 110 local councils to assist with economic planning and other activities within their region. Here is what some satisfied ABR partners have said: 'ABR industry coding data has been essential to our economic development plans for the city.' Belmont City Council, Western Australia

'ABR data allows us to more accurately identify where businesses are located, helping with infrastructure planning and compliance in our region.' Manningham Council, Victoria

To find out more, download the ABR brochure and booklet, or contact the ABR staff at abrenquiries@ato.gov.au

New report shows Australian aid helps save millions of lives

Australian aid dollars have contributed to significant declines in child deaths, gains in school enrolments and the provision of clean water and sanitation for the world's poorest people, says a new report released by World Vision Australia.

The report, Effective Aid: Helping Millions, calculates the impact of aid over the past 20 years and shows the 10 countries who receive the most Australian aid have all shown significant progress in combating poverty - with the exception of Afghanistan which is affected by conflict.

"Rich nations spend just one third of one percent of their income on aid each year. Global military spending was 13 times higher than all aid from wealthy countries in 2009 and more is spent on soft drink each year than aid for poor countries," World Vision CEO Tim Costello said. He added that although some people have recently questioned the effectiveness of aid, World Vision program results listed in the report suggest aid is helping to combat poverty.

"Despite this small investment in aid, the report shows it's having a big impact. And that should give Australians confidence that their aid dollars are going to good use.

"According to the report, since 1990, global aid efforts have helped prevent 45 million child deaths and an additional 1.8 billion people have gained access to improved water sources.

Macular Degeneration photo competition

Raise awareness in your area of the leading cause of blindness in Australia; Macular Degeneration.

The inaugural mEYE World Photographic Competition invites enthusiasts and budding photographers alike to showcase their talent whilst raising awareness of the disease Macular Degeneration. There are a number of categories to enter including Open, Junior (Under 18 years), Healthcare Professional and the Macular Degeneration Community. Entries will be judged by a panel of independent professionals including Macular Degeneration Foundation patron Ita Buttrose, and renowned Australian artist Ken Done.

Go to: www.meyephotocomp.com.au to submit your favourite image along with 50 words or less of how this conveys the message 'Eyes on the future'.

Entries close midnight Wednesday 27 April. The winners will be invited to attend the Macular Degeneration Foundation 10th anniversary - One Decade Gala Fundraising Dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney, Friday 20th May. The Gala dinner is also the launch of Macular Degeneration Awareness Week (22 May - 28 May 2011). There are over $6,800 worth of prizes to be won, including a Canon EOS camera, Adobe Photoshop software, vouchers and more.

How can you support the Macular Degeneration Foundation in your community?

• Enter the competition!
• Post the competition link on your Facebook page
• Tell friends and neighbours about this exciting competition
• Look out for flyers and posters at your local library

My First Speech competition

High school students in years 10, 11 and 12 are being invited to take part in a new national competition called "My First Speech". Organised by the House of Representatives, students need to write and video a 3 minute speech as if it was their first speech to parliament. First speeches, previously known as maiden speeches will give the students an opportunity to have a voice on issues that matter to them.

In this competition, students need to imagine they've been elected to the House of Representatives and write and video a speech which expresses their concerns, hopes and ideals. It may be a personal, local or national issue or issues, or maybe even a global concern.

Entries will be judged on language, content and delivery and the videos may be used as part of an upcoming public exhibition in Parliament House in Canberra. The winner will receive a cash prize of $250 for themselves and $500 for their school. The runner up will receive $100 for themselves and $250 for their school. Entries close on Thursday 16 June 2011. For more information - and inspiration - go to the competition's website or contact Melissa Watters 0414 742 348

Mayors are getting younger

The image of the mature mayor is changing, with younger Generation Y aspirants landing the position. The fresher faces are using the position of mayor as a training ground for politics at state or federal level. Experience in policy at local level and influencing the shape of their local communities is seen as valuable training for young Gen Ys with ambition.

Last November, ratepayers elected two of SA's youngest-ever mayors - both aged 27. Residents are no longer voting for what they see in the mirror but are instead seeking leadership from those they think can reinvigorate the suburbs in which they live, according to the Sunday Mail on 10 April.

History shows that some of our national political leaders started out at the same age - Malcolm Fraser did it by 24, Andrew Peacock and Paul Keating by 26. Liberal Chris Pyne became a Federal MP at 25.

They are showing a different leadership style, less concern with bureaucratic processes and a can-do attitude. They are doing their apprenticeship in the full glare of media exposure and the current incumbents are not always ready to move over.

President of the Local Government Association of South Australia and Marion Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis says: "Change is always hard. It's hard on people's egos if they lose."

Mayor Lewis says there are benefits to an elected body reflecting the community it serves, and fostering young leaders is critical to future governing. "It's early days for these young people but they're engaged and enthusiastic and willing to listen and learn, which are good qualities for anyone in a leadership role," she says.

Beach numbering to improve surf safety

A uniform beach accessing numbering system is set to be implemented by Sunshine Coast Council. The new numbering system was developed in response to an audit produced for council by Surf Life Saving Queensland. The new system will improve safety at local beaches.

Three numbering systems that were used to identify beach access points across the Sunshine Coast will be replaced with one consecutive system to eliminate confusion and make it easier for emergency service crews to find precise locations faster.

Sunshine Coast Council conducted comprehensive consultation and gained the support and approval for its new beach access numbering system from lifesaving, police and emergency bodies. More information can be found here.

Census Collectors needed

Australia's largest ever peace-time job drive - the hunt for 29,000 Census Collectors - to collect 14.2 million census forms, is underway.

Head of the Population Census program, Paul Lowe, says Collectors help ensure a successful Census. The Census data, he says, has benefits for every state, every town and every community in Australia. Being a Collector is a fantastic opportunity to help your neighbourhood while earning some extra money. It is an ideal time for part-time workers, students and semi retirees to earn some extra cash while helping out the community. Census Collectors will receive between $1,300 and $2,800 for the casual position and will be employed from 1 July until 8 September. The recruitment drive has commenced. Applicant information kits are available online or call 1800 420 182.

Showers more valuable than car spaces

The change in work locations and lifestyle has meant shower facilities are taking over from car spaces as the priority for a leasing contract.

In Sydney City more people are now cycling to work or taking public transport. This is backed by evidence that the financial and legal industries are the biggest lessors of space in the CBD. Where a car park was once an integral part of a leasing deal, office fitouts and green-star ratings are now sought. The trend has put pressure on developers to redesign the basement areas of new buildings to cater for fewer vehicles and more bicycles and scooters.

The director of CBD sales and investment services for Colliers International, Stephen Kovacs, said reduced demand was due to a combination of changing social trends and planning policies, including the Sydney City Council's reduction in car-parking allowance to a maximum of one space per 50 square metres of site area in new office developments since the mid-1990s.

Sydney City trials outdoor urinals

The City of Sydney is trialing portable urinals on Friday and Saturday nights in a bid to stop drunk people who ignore proper toilets and urinate on residential properties. The portable urinals are being trialed as part of range of measures to improve safety, assist people in getting home after a night out and to help keep the city clean.

"Residents have been complaining for years about public urination on their doorstops, in driveways and on house and building walls," City of Sydney's Late Night Economy Manager Suzie Matthews said.

"It's disgusting and they shouldn't have to put up with it. People are ignoring proper toilet facilities provided throughout the city centre but our research shows that they will use these temporary outdoor urinals and that's why we are trialing them."

The four temporary outdoor urinals will be trialed over four weekends on Friday and Saturday nights and then removed early the following morning. They will be situated in areas which have been receiving most complaints from residents - Fitzroy Gardens, Springfield Mall and Roslyn Plaza in Kings Cross and in Oxford Square.

Ms Matthews said the outdoor urinals are used extensively in other cities and during large music festivals in Australia to combat the same problem.

Portable urinals are already being used in London, Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Canada. Research shows they have significantly reduced urination in alleyways and around buildings.

"The city faces huge clean up bills after each weekend and cleaning-up this disgusting mess costs ratepayers more than $7 million a year."