AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Winning support for constitutional recognition of local government

ALGA President Genia McCaffery this week met with newly-elected Greens Senators who had requested briefings on the process for gaining constitutional recognition of local government.

ALGA has received support from all political parties for a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government to be held by the end of 2013.

Earlier this year, the Australian Government appointed an Expert Panel on the Constitutional Recognition of Local Government to examine options for constitutional recognition and gauge the level of community support for such a development. The Panel is expected to report its findings to the Government in December.

During this week's briefings with Greens Senators Lee Rhiannon and Larissa Waters, ALGA was assured that its preference for financial recognition of local government in the Constitution had the Australian Greens Party’s full support.

Financial recognition to allow the direct funding of local government by the Commonwealth would address uncertainty surrounding the legitimacy of direct federal funding confirmed by the Pape case in 2009.

To date, almost 80 per cent of councils across Australia have passed resolutions in support of financial recognition of local government in the Constitution.

The briefings also provided an opportunity for ALGA to brief the Senators on environmental issues affecting local government, including the Australian Government’s response to the Hawke Review of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Local government has long expressed concerns with the operation of the legislation and encouraged the Commonwealth to introduce appropriate changes that would address the cumbersome administrative processes whilst strengthening the level of strategic protection of key environmental attributes. ALGA is pleased that the Australian Government has responded to the Review by committing to a new approach to environmental regulation.

Round Two of national Regional Development Fund opens

Local government organisations across Australia can now apply for funding under Round Two of the Australian Government's Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).

The $200 million funding round was announced today by Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP.

The RDAF, worth almost $1 billion over five years (some of which is subject to the passage of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax) is designed to boost economic and community development as part of the Australian Government's commitment to regional Australia.

Below is a snapshot of the changes to Round Two:

A two-stage application process, including a short paper-based Expression of Interest (EOI).
One EOI per applicant for a single project.
A maximum grant value of $15 million.
Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate partnership funding on a dollar for dollar basis for grant requests of $5 million and less, and on a 1:2 basis for grant requests of more than $5 million.
At least 50 per cent of partnership funding must be cash.
Not-for-profit organisations must have a minimum annual income of $1.5 million.
Projects located in capital cities must demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit the broader region, or other parts of regional Australia.
Guidance is provided on the content of mandatory documents.
A new web-based lodgement form for full applications.

More information is available at www.regional.gov.au

Heavy Vehicle Regulator will be influenced by local government

Local government has an important role to play in shaping the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) according to NHVR Project Director, Richard Hancock.

"Local government input is critical to delivering up to $30 billion in national economic benefits that the regulator is estimated to bring," Mr Hancock said.

"Vehicle access is where most of those gains will come from and as councils often own the 'final mile' of infrastructure in a truck's journey, we want to make sure that we hear local government views and are really ramping this up at the moment," Mr Hancock said.

"Since October, we have been meeting with representatives of all local government associations on vehicle access and a dedicated local government engagement strategy."

In addition to the above work, Mr Hancock said he was enjoying getting out and discussing first-hand the heavy vehicle issues facing local governments.

"I recently met with the Mayor and CEO of Queensland’s Carpentaria Shire in Normanton to discuss heavy vehicle accreditation and some of the unique challenges that shire faces in meeting the fatigue management obligations created under existing laws and the future Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and how meeting those challenges comes at a significant cost to council.

"The message I would like to give to local government is that we are listening and will continue to listen to ensure that your issues are taken into account in the building of the national regulator," Mr Hancock said.

"I'm looking forward to reporting back to local government representatives on this important work in my presentation at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Mount Gambier later this month, Mr Hancock said.

President's column

From the President

Earlier this year, I joined many other local government leaders around the country in welcoming the release of the National Urban Policy. The Policy was a positive step by the Commonwealth in acknowledging the critical importance of cities and the benefits of enhancing how they are collectively managed. It was also an important first step in greater engagement by the Commonwealth in playing a role in our cities, albeit that the Policy lacked any specific resource commitments.

The release of the 2011 State of the Cities Report by Minister Albanese two weeks ago is further demonstration that the Australian Government remains committed to do more in this area. The report makes interesting reading and underlines the importance of having a Major Cities Unit and senior Minister at the national level fully appreciative of the complexity of our cities and the ongoing and systematic challenges they face. The various trends and impacting circumstances on Australia's population growth and settlement patterns, productivity, sustainability and liveability need constant surveillance and analysis if Australia is to ensure that our international living standards are to remain among the highest on the planet.

Having said this, I am disappointed by the section of the Report dealing with governance. I think that the debate on cities should be about how we can improve engagement with all stakeholders (residents, businesses, visitors) to deliver the cities we want for ourselves and our children. Instead, the State of the Cities simply focuses on the number of local governments in each city and by inference continues the line that governance cannot be improved until some form of amalgamation is undertaken. The opportunity to make some real assessment of how well we are managing our cities has been missed.

The Productivity Commission in its report on benchmarking of planning and zoning earlier this year noted that the planning task suffers from serious 'objectives overload' thanks largely to state and Commonwealth Governments. A growing number of issues and policy agendas impact on land use, including population pressures, climate change and risks posed by fires and floods. The Commission reported: "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."

And one of my favourites :"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 outcomes."

The State of the Cities Report is valuable but I would like to see the 2012 report go beyond a descriptive commentary on what is happening across Australia and provide an evaluation of programs and progress in our cities.

Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

Have your say on proposed changes to the road rules

The Australian road rules could be improved to ensure their benefit to the community, according to a National Transport Commission (NTC) discussion paper released this week.

The NTC's discussion paper, Review of the Australian Road Rules and Australian Vehicle Standards Rules, makes recommendations for improvements to ensure their relevance in today's society. It was informed by extensive research including a nationwide survey of over 2,000 adult Australians.

NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos said the review was essential to ensure the rules are responsive to Australia's ever-changing transport environment: "With the emergence of new vehicle and fuel technologies and a growing but ageing population, it's important the rules support national goals for safer and more sustainable transport."

The paper found that on average, changes to the road rules are implemented within 18 months but could be implemented sooner and on a common date across states and territories. This would help reduce deaths and injuries, where new or updated rules deliver large road safety benefits.

The survey found that 67 per cent of Australians believe the current road rules are appropriate. It also found that 35 per cent of participants were made aware of road rules changes by television and radio advertising, with 54 per cent admitting to using common sense when unsure of rules. "We need to ensure that changes to road rules are effectively communicated to the community so that motorists, riders and pedestrians are fully informed," said Mr Dimopoulos.

Other areas for consideration include developing a mix of performance-based rules and advice rather than the current prescriptive approach to reduce the number of rules and keep pace with technology.

To download the Review of the Australian Road Rules and Australian Vehicle Standards Rules discussion paper or make a submission, visit the NTC website.

Feedback received during the consultation period will inform the development of a draft evaluation report for public consultation in April 2012.

Push for compulsory local government voting

There is a renewed push for compulsory voting at the local government level after a low turnout in the latest Tasmanian elections.

Just over half of the Tasmanians eligible to vote in this month's elections returned their postal ballots.

It is a slight decrease on the previous election two years ago and has prompted calls for the issue of compulsory voting to be debated.

Hobart's new Lord Mayor Damon Thomas says it is time everyone was required to vote: "I think we need to come of age."

The Premier, Lara Giddings, also supports compulsory voting: "There are issues around how you do it and what costs there would be."

Greens MP Tim Morris wants electronic voting to be considered for future elections.

Electoral Commissioner Julian Type says he is pleased with the participation rate.

"The response rate at this year's election was 54.3 per cent and that compares with 55.5 per cent in 2009. By comparison, South Australia run local government elections in much the same way and I understand that their turnout was 32 per cent, so we're still tracking ahead of an equivalent jurisdiction," he said.

Second report on economic potential of senior Australians

The Australian Government this week welcomed the second report from the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians, which looks at how Australia can make the most of the opportunities presented by a larger and more active community of older citizens.

The Panel, chaired by Everald Compton and also including Professor Gill Lewin and Professor Brian Howe, has identified a number of themes from its public consultations including increasing workforce participation, access to suitable housing, lifelong learning and healthy ageing.

Most Australians moving into their senior years now are better educated, healthier and more financially secure than previous generations.

As a result, older Australians are contributing to society, the workplace and their own wellbeing to an extent not previously experienced.

To make the most of this demographic shift, the Panel has identified four key areas where Australia needs to take a fresh approach: healthy living, housing, participation and lifelong learning.

The growing cohort of senior Australians has the potential to help tackle skills shortages in our economy, add to the quality of the volunteering effort and create a strong market for new customised products and services.

The Panel has completed consultations in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Armidale, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and will soon be holding consultations in Canberra.

The second report, Realising the Economic Potential of Senior Australians: Enabling Opportunity can be found on the Treasury website.

Update phone details to prepare for disaster season

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has urged Australians to update their mobile phone service address so they can receive Emergency Alert disaster warning text messages this summer.

Mr McClelland said Australia's national telephone based emergency warning system, which sends messages to mobile phones and landlines, is ready for this year's disaster season.

"Emergency Alert is one tool in the suite of emergency warning mechanisms that State and Territory emergency service organisations use to let people know about a disaster or local emergency," Mr McClelland said.

"Emergency Alert proved to be an invaluable addition to the range of warning and information systems used to alert communities during one of the most severe disaster seasons Australia has ever seen last summer."

"In the lead up to summer, people should be aware that if their service provider does not have up-to-date information about their current home address, a warning about an emergency in their area cannot be sent to them."

"This might be the case if they have changed address since purchasing their mobile phone or if their primary mobile phone is provided by their employer."

"The Commonwealth Government is distributing information outlining the steps people can take to update their mobile phone service address details to receive accurate emergency warnings."

Mr McClelland said a review of the Emergency Alert found the system is working well and achieves its purpose if activated properly.

National Injury Insurance Scheme Advisory Group meets

The Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, this week announced the appointment of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Advisory Group, which met for the first time on Wednesday at Parliament House in Canberra.

ALGA is a representative on the Advisory Group, appointed following the release of the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Disability Care and Support.

The Productivity Commission recommended the establishment of two schemes, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS). The NIIS is intended to cover the lifetime care and support needs for all people who experience a catastrophic injury.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said that "if someone suffers a catastrophic injury at present, the level of treatment that a person receives will vary depending on where it occurs. It's a postcode lottery - and it isn't good enough."

"Why should the state you are injured in or the cause of your injury determine the level of care you receive? Your medical and support needs, not any other factor, should determine your level of care." The Government has tasked the Assistant Treasurer to progress consideration of a NIIS with the states and territories.

The Advisory Group comprises a diverse range of experts and key stakeholders, including representatives from the insurance, legal, disability and medical sectors, as well as local government and unions.

The group plans to meet regularly over the coming months to consider the issues associated with the establishment of a NIIS.

Fall in dwelling approvals

ABS Building Approvals show that the number of dwellings approved fell 13.6 per cent in September 2011, in seasonally adjusted terms, following a rise of 10.7 per cent in August.

Dwelling approvals decreased for the month of September in New South Wales (-32.2%), Victoria (-13.6%), Queensland (-12.7%), Tasmania (-4.8%) and Western Australia (-1.5%) but rose in South Australia (11.3%), in seasonally adjusted terms.

In seasonally adjusted terms, approvals for private sector houses rose 1.1% in September with rises in New South Wales (3.9%) and Victoria (2.1%), while there were falls in Queensland (-1.3%), South Australia (-1.2%) and Western Australia (-0.7%).

The value of total building approved decreased 13.3% in September in seasonally adjusted terms, following an increase of 14.6% in August. The value of residential building fell 9.4% while non-residential building fell 19.9%.

Widespread flooding, and other natural disasters, in the eastern states during late 2010 and early 2011 have not adversely affected participation by providers in the Building Approvals collection or the quality of estimates in this release. However, these events may have had an impact on the number of approved dwellings and the value of approved work.

Further information is available in Building Approvals, Australia (cat no. 8731.0) on the ABS website.

More than a third book summer holidays online

Australians are being urged to Stay Smart Online as they increase their summer holiday travel bookings over coming weeks.

Findings from the International and National Visitor Survey, conducted by Tourism Research Australia 2010 confirm that nearly half of all domestic travel was booked online in 2010, increasing annually more than six per cent each year since 2007.

Mr Abul Rizvi, Deputy Secretary of Digital Economy & Services at the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy said Australians were embracing the ease of making travel arrangements online and comparing the best holiday deals.

"We're seeing the world become smaller and smaller and, while the convenience is obvious, we can also inadvertently place ourselves at risk of fraud when making holiday bookings," Mr Rizvi said.

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy provides some simple tips for Australians planning this year's summer holiday online.

Be wary of travel websites that look suspicious, unprofessional or make unrealistic promises
Read all the fine print when making flight bookings, including refund and cancellation policies
Make bookings via secure websites beginning with 'https' and look for a locked padlock in the browser
Check the currency for international bookings and be aware of any additional charges
Use a secure payment method for reservations
Avoid money transfers and direct debit, and never provide your bank details via email
Always print and keep a copy of any receipts for flight bookings or accommodation

Night time economy is worth billions say new report

New research shows Sydney's night life pumps $15 billion a year into the local economy, and alcohol trails food as a money spinner after dark.

The City of Sydney Council has released the figures in a discussion paper as it develops a late night economic policy. It is believed the research is the first of its kind in Australia.

The research found restaurants, entertainment venues and bars contributed $2.7 billion to the economy in 2009.

Other businesses, such as accommodation providers, retailers and transport services brought in nearly $12.5 billion.

In contrast, the total cost of managing Sydney's night life, including transport, policing and hospitals, is around $120 million a year.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore says greater diversity and improved transport are the key priorities to broaden the city's night-time appeal: "We really do want families to come in."

"What people have told us is they'd like to be able to do is shop late, they would like to be able to have a range of things to do."

Police Commander Mark Murdoch is pleased the research shows food and entertainment generate more money than alcohol after dark.

"The vision for Sydney moving forward is about entertainment, retail, food - not only about alcohol and licensed premises," he said.

Tackling litter is child's play for a new national committee

Keep Australia Beautiful has announced a new national initiative to tackle Australia's litter problem. The LITTLE Committee is made up of 10 children under the age of fifteen who will take on the challenge of tackling litter in Australia. They will feature in advertising campaigns and partake in workshops and meetings with key stakeholders.

Research has found that children under the age of 15 make up only 1.5 per cent of the nation's litterers. Senator Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, launched the LITTLE Committee at Parliament House last week, with the group's mentor, former Senator Natasha Stott Despoja.

Ms Stott Despoja said it had been exciting to meet so many committed young Australians during the recruitment process for the Committee.

"While the Committee might be little, their job isn't. Adults do most of the littering in Australia, so we're putting kids in charge of fixing the problem."

The members of The LITTLE Committee will begin their 12-month term today and their first job will be to start work on a new national advertising campaign, including shooting two commercials while they're in Canberra. The LITTLE Committee's website provides more information about their work and a profile of each of the children.

LITTLE stands for the Leading Integrated Taskforce Tackling Litter Everywhere.

Remembering former Mayor Tom Pyne

The former Mayor of Cairns, Tom Pyne, has died, aged 76.

Mr Pyne was elected to the Mulgrave Shire Council in 1961 and served as the Cairns Mayor after the area’s councils were amalgamated.

His son, Rob Pyne, serves on the current council.

Current Cairns Mayor, Val Schier said his death, following a stroke, served as a shock to the community.

"Tom was a fantastic human being," Mayor Schier said.

"He was a giant in local government. He was a genuine person: very, very strong in his commitment to public service and just a great bloke."

"They don't make them like Tom any longer. He would probably be the most significant figure in local government in this area since settlement and since local government began 126 years ago."

Tom was on the ALGA Board in 1992 and was previously President of the LGAQ.