ALGA President meets with Minister Crean in Lead-up to NGA

ALGA President, Mayor Genia McCaffery, met with Regional Development and Local Government Minister Simon Crean in Canberra on 16 June. The discussion was wide-ranging and covered constitutional recognition, the review of the Financial Assistance Grants (announced in the Budget in May), the review of the 2006 Cost Shifting Inter-governmental Agreement, the future of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) and Regional Development. Mayor McCaffery updated Mr Crean on progress in ALGA's campaign for recognition, noting that more than 300 councils had passed supporting resolutions, and urged the Government to make a decision regarding its position on recognition and a process to determine the question to be asked in any referendum.

Mayor McCaffery also noted the importance of the FAGs review to local government and the need to engage the sector. In response, Mr Crean reiterated the importance of gaining support for constitutional recognition across the political spectrum and from state governments. Mr Crean will be speaking at the National General Assembly on the morning of Tuesday, 21 June following a breakfast meeting of the Steering Committee of the ACLG, which is co-chaired by the ALGA President.

President McCaffery talks Constitutional Recognition with Minister Nick Sherry and Ken Wyatt MHR

Mayor Genia McCaffery held some detailed discussions on constitutional recognition on 16 June with Senator the Honourable Nick Sherry, Minister for Small Business and Mr Ken Wyatt, Member for Hasluck. Mayor McCaffery was particularly interested in talking to Senator Sherry about support in Tasmania for ALGA's proposal for financial recognition of local government involving a simple and pragmatic change to Section 96 of the Constitution to allow for direct funding of local government by the Commonwealth. Around 40% of Tasmanian councils have passed supporting resolutions so far, although a further 25% of councils have indicated they will consider supporting resolutions at their next council meeting.

Discussions with Mr Wyatt, the first Indigenous Member of the House of Representatives, focused not just on ALGA's proposal and support in Western Australia but also on the issue of Indigenous constitutional recognition, given that Mr Wyatt is member of the Expert Panel advising the Government on Indigenous constitutional recognition. ALGA is engaging with the leading figures involved in the indigenous recognition to explore opportunities for cooperation on the two referenda questions.

Regional Independent Windsor Signals Strong Support for Constitutional Recognition and Greater Local Road Funding

The Independent Federal Member for New England, Mr Tony Windsor, signaled his strong support for constitutional recognition and greater local roads funding in a lengthy meeting with ALGA President Genia McCaffery in Parliament House on 16 June. Mayor McCaffery raised the ALGA proposal for a change to Section 96 of the Constitution to formalize the capacity of the Commonwealth to directly fund local government and the importance of securing the Roads to Recovery Program. She also discussed with Mr Windsor the finding of a report commissioned by ALGA which identified an annual shortfall in local roads funding of $1.2 billion. Mr Windsor expressed his strong support for additional local roads funding and his commitment to work with councils on the issue. Mr Windsor is planning to speak at the 2011 ALGA National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Mt Gambier in November.

State of the Regions Report to be launched at NGA

This year's State of the Regions Report - commissioned by the Australian Local Government Association and prepared by National Economics - will be launched on Sunday, 19 June, at the National General Assembly.

The Report highlights that inequality between Australian regions has been growing for the past five years as a result of the mining boom and suggests that this trend will not only continue but in all likelihood accelerate during the next five years.

The Report also analyses Australia's "patchwork economy" and acknowledges that about 80 per cent of Australia is dependent on non-mining, trade-exposed industries, which are being adversely affected by the high exchange rate and relatively high interest rates.

To find out more about the state of our regions, attend the launch of the Report at the Australian Local Government Association's National General Assembly in Canberra on Sunday at 11:45.

This year's NGA will be the biggest ever, with almost 900 registrations received from local government representatives across Australia. The program is guaranteed to inform and entertain with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Greens, as well as a number of other key federal Ministers addressing the Assembly.

It is not too late to register, to find out more or to lodge your registration, http://nga.alga.asn.au

While last week's release of the Productivity Commission's study into effective carbon prices and emission reduction policies in Australia and overseas received considerable media attention and stirred public debate the same cannot be said of the Commission's benchmarking study into Planning, Zoning and Development Assessments, which was released last month.

This is a pity, as the report provides valuable insights into the different ways each level of government zones land and assesses development proposals. It also recognises some significant challenges in current planning processes.

In its report, the Productivity Commission compares the various state regulatory frameworks, land supply processes, developer contributions, assessment and referral processes, and the impacts of planning and zoning on competition in retail markets. Governance, community engagement and transparency and accountability are also explored. Findings, rather than recommendations, are made with suggestions for addressing some of the perceived deficiencies.

From a local government perspective, it is pleasing that the Commission acknowledges issues that ALGA has been arguing for some time.

According to the Commission, the local government's planning process suffers from "objectives overload". A growing number of issues and policy agendas impact on land-use considerations, including population pressures, climate change and risks posed by fires and floods. The report identifies that the "many cases where the costs of land use are borne by people in localised areas, while the benefits are shared across a whole city or region - such as major residential developments or waste disposal sites - pose a core challenge". It also recognises that "the state and territory planning systems have been subject to rolling reforms which are often not fully implemented or evaluated before being replaced with further reforms".

The Commission also recognises the following: "In looking at how our cities are functioning, it is important not to attribute all outcomes to planning" and whilst "longer development approval times may seem to be less efficient, if they reflect more effective community engagement or integrated referrals, the end result may be greater community support and preferred overall outcome". Hear hear!

Also welcome is the acknowledgement that while planning allows a great deal of discretion on the part of decision makers, it is important that such decisions deliver an overall benefit to the community. This is summed up by the Commissions in the following: "ultimately, though - given the nature of 'trade-offs' in many of these planning decisions and the value-judgments that must be made - such decision making is not, in the end, technical or administrative, but essentially 'political' in nature".

The report identifies numerous 'leading practices' which can contribute to smoother processes and improved outcomes, such as:

• ensuring that local plans are more quickly brought up to date with the strategic city plans;
• completing structure planning of greenfield areas before development commences;
• ensuring alternative development and rezoning assessment mechanisms are transparent and independent and have clear criteria for triggering them ; and
• engaging the community and business as partners and clients in planning.

Although each jurisdiction is home to at least one leading practice, the report concludes that there are opportunities for all jurisdictions to improve the way they operate in this important area, in order to reduce burdens on business and costs to the community, as well as to increase competition and improve the liveability of cities.

I recommend you have a look at the report if you have time. Click here if you wish to download it.

Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

Constitutional campaign intensifies

We have now received more than 300 resolutions supporting constitutional recognition of local government - a fantastic start to take to the National General Assembly next week. The state breakdowns are as follows: South Australia still leads with 78% of their councils passing resolutions of support; Northern Territory 58%; NSW 56%; Victoria and West Australia both on 49%; Queensland on 48%; and Tasmania on 38%.

Councils which have this week advised ALGA that they have passed resolutions:

• Waratah-Wynyard Council (TAS)
• East Arnhem Shire Council (NT)
• Junee Shire Council (NSW)
• Yass Valley Council (NSW)
• City of Albany (WA)
• Albury City (NSW)
• City of Glen Eira (VIC)
• McKinlay Shire Council (QLD)
• Parkes Shire Council (NSW)
• Shire of Dumbleyung (WA)
• Marrickville City Council (NSW)
• The Hills Shire Council (NSW)
• Barkly Shire Council (NT)
• Shire of Carnarvon (WA)
• Shire of Ravensthorpe (WA)
• City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (WA)
• Shire of Toodyay (WA)
• Bankstown City Council (NSW)
• Tiwi Islands Shire Council (NT)
• Litchfield Council (NT)
• Shire of Goomalling (WA)
• City of Cockburn (WA)
• Gwydir Shire Council (WA)
• Shire of Cunderlin (WA)
• Shire of Derby/West Kimberley (WA)
• Murray Shire Council (NSW)
• Orange City Council (NSW)
• City of Port Lincoln (SA)
• Coorong District Council (SA)
• District Council of Franklin Harbour (SA)
• City of Melbourne (VIC)
• City of Belmont (WA)
• Break O'Day Council (Tas)
• District Council of Peterborough (SA)

There will be a giant poster containing all the names of councils that have notified ALGA of passed resolutions at the ALGA booth at the NGA. All councils are welcome to take a look at the list.

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

Local Government Awards to be presented at National General Assembly

This year's NGA will incorporate the presentation of the National Awards for Local Government. The 17 category winners will receive their awards during the three day Assembly, with the two national winners receiving their award during the Official Dinner at Parliament House on Tuesday, 21 June.

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 partnership with local government, showcasing unique local solutions to common problems.

In the 2011 awards, 101 councils took part, submitting 152 entries from across the nation. Categories included leading community climate change action, strengthening and engaging Indigenous communities, innovative infrastructure development and youth engagement.

All the projects entered, and especially the category winning entries, demonstrate the ingenuity and dedication councils display in delivering essential services and improved amenity for their communities every day.

Digital Switchover Taskforce at National General Assembly

The Digital Switchover Taskforce will be present at this year's National General Assembly to answer questions and provide advice about issues associated with the switchover to digital television. The Digital Switchover Taskforce is part of the federal Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy, and is responsible for the implementation of digital switchover in Australia.

The Taskforce would particularly welcome questions from councils that operate analogue self help retransmission towers about their transition to digital television, the new government funded direct-to-home free-to-air digital satellite service, VAST, and the government schemes that provide financial assistance to people to move to digital, the Satellite Subsidy Scheme and the Household Assistance Scheme.

The Taskforce will be available to answer questions at the Department's stand throughout the NGA, but if you would like to make an appointment to discuss an issue in detail at a specific time, please contact Gavin Oakes at gavin.oakes@dbcde.gov.au or on 02 8023 3742.

Please note that the booth number for Digital Switchover has switched to number 21.

Climate change public information campaign

The Australian Government will undertake a public information campaign to explain to Australians how its policies for tackling climate change will affect them.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, said the campaign would provide information about the Government's plan to reduce Australia's carbon pollution including through a carbon price.

The Government is committing $12 million for a national advertising campaign. This is in addition to Government's decision in the 2011-12 Budget to fund a community-based public engagement campaign.

Mr Combet said a final decision on proceeding with advertising would depend on the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee discussions and on an advertising campaign meeting the requirements of the Government's Guidelines on Campaign Advertising.

Disaster assistance for flood affected NSW communities

Attorney-General Robert McClelland this week announced that the Australian Government will provide financial assistance to communities affected by serious flooding in New South Wales.

Joint Commonwealth/State disaster assistance announced includes:

• Personal hardship and distress grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household items have been damaged or destroyed.
• Concessional interest rate loans of up to $130,000 for eligible small businesses and primary producers.
• Concessional interest rate loans of up to $25,000 for voluntary, non-profit organisations.
• Transport freight subsidies of up to 50 percent to assist primary producers for the carriage of livestock and fodder.
• Restoration or replacement of essential public assets and certain counter disaster operations.

Winning design for flood resistant homes

A Flood Design Competition co-sponsored by LJ Hooker, The Future Housing Taskforce and Archicentre has been won by Queensland based Dion Seminara Architecture.

Archicentre, which provided the community with information in dealing with homes after the floods, believes the design competition provided valuable opportunities to look at safer ways to rebuild homes in flood prone areas.

Up to $63 billion of existing residential buildings, including as many as 247,600 individual buildings, are potentially at risk of inundation in Australia this century, according to Climate Change Risks to Australia's Coast, published by the Australian Department of Climate Change.

Winning Architect Dion Seminara said: "One of the main aims of the design was to provide for an easy clean up after the flood with a flexible multipurpose use of the ground level for vehicles or storage. The concept home has a flood clearance level of 4.5 metres to the first floor."

Productivity Commission report into Carbon Pricing

The Federal Government tasked the Productivity Commission to undertake a study into effective carbon-prices that result from emission-reduction policies in Australia and other developed economies.

The Productivity Commission examined over a 100 carbon policy measures in nine countries. These ranged from limited emissions trading to support for abatement technology.

The full report is available for download here

Refined arrangements for fibre in new developments

Refinements to the arrangements for the provision of fibre in new developments were announced this week by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.

Under the refined arrangements the key principles are:

• NBN Co is responsible as fibre provider of last resort for developments of 100 or more lots or units that receive planning approval after 1 January 2011;
• Telstra is responsible as provider of last resort for developments of less than 100 lots or units approved after 1 January 2011, pending NBN Co rolling out fibre; and,
• Telstra is also responsible as provider of last resort for developments approved before 1 January 2011 and still awaiting infrastructure.

"Developers can still use any provider they wish to provide their communications infrastructure. These arrangements relate to the provider of last resort," Senator Conroy said.

Six million migrants call Australia home

Almost six million migrants, born in more than 200 countries, live in Australia. According to figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 27 per cent of Australia's resident population were born overseas, as at June 2010.

People born in the United Kingdom continued to be the largest group of overseas-born residents, accounting for 1.2 million people. The next largest group was born in New Zealand with 544,000 people, followed by China (380,000 people), India (341,000) and Italy (216,000).

The majority (76%) of overseas-born residents were of working age, 15-64 years at June 2010. Migrants born in Asia, America and Africa had proportionally larger young (0-14 years) and working age (15-64 years) populations compared to those from Europe.

For more information on migrants living in Australia, data on overseas and interstate migration, or international students who have contributed to net overseas migration estimates, click here.

Community Action Grants now open

Community groups can now apply for small grants to help fund local environmental and sustainable agriculture projects.

Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 are available to help local community groups undertake activities such as revegetating landscapes, removing weeds, controlling pests, holding field days and improving sustainable land management practices.

Applications for the 2011-12 Community Action Grants round will close Monday 1 August 2011.

More information, including how to apply, is available here or by calling 1800 552 008