Interim report reinforces need for community preparation and resilience

The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry released its interim report on the 2010/11 flood events to the Queensland Government this week, which includes the following recommendations for local governments:

• Councils should prepare SMS alert templates covering a range of different flood scenarios before the wet season;
• Councils should ensure that residents are aware of the frequency of the radio station or stations in their local area that will disseminate important information;
• Councils should consider how social media may be used effectively to provide accurate information;
• Councils should examine the feasibility of and priorities for installing additional river height and rainfall gauges;
• Local governments should consider adopting uniform disaster management software, to enable inter-council assistance to be given more easily and effectively;
• To ensure effective co-ordination in larger-scale disasters, deployment of personnel (and other resources) between local governments should be facilitated through the Council to Council (C2C) program.

Local Government Association of Queensland President Paul Bell said councils were tackling reforms to the way they prepare for and manage disasters in three broad areas: better training and skills development, a greater focus on community engagement, and better use of communications tools.

He said the importance of engagement and communication with local communities to ensure they were more resilient in the face of natural disasters was the big message for councils out of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry's interim report.

ALGA President, Genia McCaffery has strongly supported Cr Bell's comments and reinforced that ALGA will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth and states and territories to ensure the community is better prepared for natural disasters through initiatives such as the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience that was endorsed by COAG earlier this year.

Determining the effects of carbon pricing legislation

Following the release of the Australian Government's legislation relating to carbon pricing policy on 28 July, ALGA is in the process of developing a submission that is as representative of the broad interests of local government as possible.

There are 13 Bills in all, ranging from the overarching Clean Energy Bill to technical and regulatory Bills. The number and diversity of proposed legislative changes show that these reforms are significant and will require considerable diligence to ensure that local government will not be unduly affected by these changes.

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will be accepting submissions on these Bills up to 22 August 2011. The submission process is fully open to the public and any interested party is able to participate in this process. The Bills and submission information is available here.

Another element of the Government's clean-energy package, and one local government feels should be utilised to a greater degree, is the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). ALGA and the state and territory local government associations have been involved in the development of the CFI, especially as it regards waste.

Information on the CFI is available here.

ALGA to attend national Tax Forum

The Federal Government has released details of the Tax Forum to be held in Canberra on 4-5 October, including the list of invited participants and a process for identifying others who will be chosen to attend. ALGA has been invited to the Forum which will be attended by the Prime Minister and Premiers, senior federal and state ministers and public servants, parliamentarians, community and business leaders and academics. A total of 156 participants will attend the Forum including three local government representatives. In addition to an ALGA representative, two other local government representatives will be chosen from those who express interest in an online process. The site for councils and associations who wish to register their interest is www.futuretax.gov.au. The deadline for registering to participate is 12 August.

The Government also released a Tax Forum Discussion paper to guide debate. The paper - which can be accessed by clicking here - focuses in particular on personal tax and business tax reform but also on state tax reforms. It does raise issues of interest to local government including a discussion around the future of land tax (and whether the states should abolish stamp duties), future road tax and road funding (which is critical for local governments which maintain 80% of the nation's roads) and congestion taxes. These are all issues which ALGA covered in its submissions to the Henry Tax Review, although a major issue for local government remains not only the need for efficient and equitable revenue raising but also the need to ensure a fair distribution of tax revenue between the three levels of government.

Last week, I wrote to all councils urging them to pass a motion calling on the Federal Government to increase and extend the Roads to Recovery Program and address the estimated shortfall of investment in local roads.

With the Roads to Recovery Program due to end in 2014, I believe it is now time for us to begin our campaign for the Program's continuation. In the past, we have been very successful in securing two extensions to the Program and an increase in funding, which saw allocations rise to $350 million in 2009. By the time the Program ends in 2014, more than $4.5 billion in additional funding will have been provided for local roads.

Our previous success has stemmed from the execution of a strong and united campaign that has sent clear messages to the Federal Government about the needs of councils in meeting the expectations of our communities and industries. For future success, our next campaign requires the support and involvement of every council, as the continuation of Roads to Recovery is not a certainty in the current economic environment.

There is no question that local government needs the funding. Research commissioned by ALGA and released at the 2010 National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Bunbury, shows that the annual national shortfall in funding for local roads is about $1.2 billion.

The resolution for councils that I have suggested also calls for a continuation of the current, simple and effective administrative arrangements for the Roads to Recovery Program, which give councils the power to make decisions about the use of the funds without the need for a complicated bureaucratic approvals process. We need to ensure that any new Program continues with similar administrative arrangements to avoid a web of red tape.

ALGA will be launching local government's Roads to Recovery campaign at the 2011 National Local Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Mount Gambier from 16-18 November.

Our advocacy on this vital issue will be strengthened by a show of unity and it is important that as many councils as possible attend the Congress in Mount Gambier for the launch of the Roads to Recovery campaign to show local government's strong support for its extension. Councils are encouraged to register for the Congress via the ALGA website and take advantage of our "early bird" registration rates.

By working together, I have no doubt that we can deliver a convincing argument and achieve an ongoing Roads to Recovery Program.

Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

ALGA President provides update on constitutional recognition campaign

The ALGA President has provided an update on the national campaign for constitutional recognition of local government to the Western Australian Local Government Association during their annual conference in Perth held on 4 August.

ALGA President, Mayor Genia McCaffery outlined ALGA's case for financial recognition of local government, noting that more than 80 councils had passed resolutions supporting constitutional recognition of local government.

This followed a presentation by Professor George Williams, which outlined in detail the proposal for change to the Constitution and the need to address doubts raised about the validity of direct federal funding to local government by the High Court during the 2009 Pape Case.

Professor Williams reassured State MPs in Western Australia that the proposed change was not intended to impact on State Governments' control and responsibility of local government.

Support for constitutional recognition continues to build

A total of 392 councils have now passed resolutions supporting constitutional recognition of local government. The Northern Territory has nudged into the lead, ahead of South Australia, with 87.5 per cent of its councils passing resolutions. In South Australia, 85 per cent have passed resolutions; New South Wales has reached 84 per cent; Tasmania is on 72 per cent; Queensland has 58 per cent; Western Australia is on 57 per cent; and Victoria sits on 54 per cent.

The following councils have this week notified ALGA that they have passed resolutions.

• Gosford City Council (NSW)
• Young Shire Council (NSW)
• Moree Plains Shire Council (NSW)
• Shire of Manjimup (WA)
• Shire of Coorow (WA)
• Shire of Perenjori (WA)
• Belyuen Community Government Council (NT)
• Shire of Augusta-Margaret River (WA)
• Shire of Leonora (WA)
• Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes (WA)
• Burnie City Council (Tas)
• Circular Head Council (Tas)
• Glamorgan Spring Bay Council (Tas)
• Sorrell Council (Tas)
• Southern Midlands Council (Tas)

Western Australian Government contributes more to local roads

The Western Australian Government will contribute more than $145 million to local roads in Western Australia in 2011-12, an increase of more than $9 million on the past financial year.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the funding, derived from State motor vehicle licence fee revenue, would be allocated to councils in several categories, including road project grants ($70.994 million) and direct grants ($15.439 million).

The Minister said the Local Roads Program in 2011-12 would provide funding to important areas on the local road network, including specific road improvements; traffic management and road safety initiatives; bridges and maintaining access roads serving Aboriginal communities.

Employers key to reducing Australia's road toll

According to the National Transport Commission, cutting the number of deaths and injuries on the nation's road network would be greatly enhanced by businesses taking action on road safety within and beyond their workplaces.

This week, the Commission released a discussion paper exploring how corporate commitment to workplace safety can contribute to achieving Australia's National Road Safety Strategy targets.

The Discussion Paper opens the conversation with corporate Australia about the best way to harness their influence to implement positive, sustainable actions on road safety. The paper features corporate case studies and existing road safety initiatives that are leading the way in creating shared responsibility for road safety.

The road safety discussion paper and details regarding the submission process are available at the website.

Latest Austroads publications now available

A series of reports has recently been published and is available for download from the Austroads publications website free of charge to councils, thanks to ALGA's membership with Austroads.

AP - T184-11: The Influence of Multiple Axle Loads on Pavement Performance: Interim Findings
This research study investigates improved methods for assessing the pavement damage caused by different multiple axle group loads. Click here for more.

AP - T185-11: A Laboratory Study of the Influence of Multiple Axle Loads on the Performance of a Cement Treated Material - Interim Report
This report details a laboratory investigation of the effects of different multiple-axle load groups on the fatigue performance of cement treated materials. Click here for more.

AP - T186-11: Testing Plan to Examine the Effects of Multiple Axle Loads on Asphalt Using Four-point Beam Tests
This report presents a testing plan to examine the effect that multiple axle group loads have on the flexural fatigue performance of asphalt, and forms a component of long term Austroads project work. Click here for more.

AP - T187-11: The Influence of Multiple Axle Loads on the Performance of an Unbound Granular Pavement under Accelerated Loading Construction of Test Pavements
Recognising the importance to pavement designers, asset managers and policy makers of an improved understanding of the relationship between different multiple axle group loads and road pavement performance, Austroads initiated a research project to improve the understanding of these loads on Australian flexible pavement types. This report details the construction of the test pavement, and collates an extensive amount of data collected during the construction works. Click here for more.

Dwelling approvals continue to weaken

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the total number of dwellings approved fell by 3.5 per cent in June 2011, in seasonally adjusted terms, after falling 6.3 per cent in May.

Dwelling approvals decreased for the month of June in Queensland (by 18.6 per cent), South Australia (by 12.2 per cent), Tasmania ( by 8.1 per cent) and Western Australia (by 3.0 per cent) while Victoria and New South Wales recorded increases in seasonally adjusted terms.

In seasonally adjusted terms, approvals for private sector houses fell by 3.2 per cent in June with falls in Victoria ( by 8.1 per cent), New South Wales (by 4.8 per cent), Queensland (by 4.5 per cent) and South Australia (by 3.4 per cent) while there was a rise in Western Australia (by 11.3 per cent).

Further information is available by clicking here.

NBN rolling out to second release sites

NBN Co, the company delivering the national broadband network (NBN) will start work on another six new sites in Queensland, NSW and the ACT during the next six months.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said Springfield Lakes and Aspley in the Brisbane region, Toowoomba in Queensland, Riverstone in Western Sydney, Coffs Harbour, NSW, and Gungahlin, ACT, are next in line for the NBN.

The Federal Government-owned NBN Co will also extend its current network in Armidale, Kiama and Jamberoo in NSW as well as Townsville in Queensland, he said.

NBN Co plans to provide a fibre-optic cable network to 93 per cent of the population while the remaining seven per cent will have either fixed wireless or satellite broadband over the next decade.

Public comment on draft code encouraged

The Communications Alliance is inviting public comment on a draft industry code relating to Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment.

This code applies to carriers who are installing and operating mobile phone base stations. Improvements in the revised code include:

• new and revised methods of communicating with local councils and the community (e.g. via the Radio Frequency National Site Archive (RFNSA) and Communications Alliance websites, simpler notification letters and better signage);
• better guidance and examples of the type of letters, plans, signs and reports which Carriers will use when notifying and consulting with local council and the community;
• up-to-date RF Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Health and Safety information, reports and signage in keeping with the current and relevant standards;
• information on notices to inspect the land, maintain facilities and install low impact facilities, Facilities Installation Permit, compensation and land owners' rights.

Copies of the draft Code and the Explanatory Statement can be downloaded by clicking here.

Campaign for more funding for libraries

Following strong opposition expressed by councils and regional library corporations to the recent cuts in State recurrent library funding, the Save Our Libraries - Fairer Funding campaign has kicked into action by the Municipal Association of Victoria.

The MAV is encouraging all councils to:

• Adopt an urgent council resolution to write to the Premier and Minister for Local Government requesting the reversal of operational library funding cuts and a fairer funding model;
• Write to local Members of Parliament asking for the matter to be raised in the next sitting of Parliament;
• Join and promote the facebook page to local communities; and
• Make community petitions available at libraries and council customer service centres.

To join, visit www.facebook.com/stoplibrarycuts and www.mav.asn.au/saveourlibraries

Preparing for Census

The Australian Census on Population and Housing will be held on 9 August, providing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds an important opportunity to ensure that relevant ethnicity data is recorded.

The Census plays an important role in ensuring that government, community and private sector organisations have an understanding of the linguistic, cultural and ethnic composition of the total Australian population so that they can plan, fund and deliver appropriate services to Australian residents from all backgrounds.

For more information, click here.

Rural Women's Award applications open

Rural women wanting to take their leadership and contribution to primary industries to the next level are encouraged to apply for the 2012 RIRDC Rural Women's Award.

The Award supports women with demonstrated leadership capabilities who have the desire and commitment to make an even greater contribution to their industries and communities.

Applications can be downloaded and submitted online from the RIRDC website. Applications close on 15 October 2011 - Rural Women's Day.

Action for local councils to Keep Australia Beautiful

Local councils are being reminded that Keep Australia Beautiful Week kicks off on 22 August.

Local councils can support the Week by promoting anti-litter messages to remind residents and visitors that the litter dropped on the streets can damage waterways.

Themed posters and other resources can be downloaded from the Keep Australia Beautiful website to help spread the anti-litter message.