AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

National Roads Congress to unveil campaign for better roads

Local government will launch its campaign for more federal funding for community roads and bridges next week during the 2011 National Local Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Mount Gambier.

President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and North Sydney Mayor, Genia McCaffery said a study into local road funding estimated a shortfall of $1.2 billion annually.

"Local roads make up more than 80 per cent of the nation's road system and are maintained by councils. Since 2000, the Federal Government has recognised that the needs of local roads are beyond the financial capacity of local government and has provided supplementary funding under the Roads to Recovery program, which is due to run out in 2014," Mayor McCaffery said.

"The Roads to Recovery program has been successful in improving local roads and it is now time for local government to mount its campaign for increased and permanent funding that will ensure the safety of our national local road system beyond 2014."

"To this end, a 300-strong army of council delegates dressed in blue polo shirts will unite at Mount Gambier's Sir Robert Helpman Theatre on the second day of the Congress to send a strong and colourful message to the Federal Government that the Roads to Recovery program must be enhanced to meet the ongoing needs of growing communities."

"There is much more to do on our local roads. The continued under-investment hinders the social and economic development of our communities."

"We are calling for the continuation of arrangements that let councils know what they will be receiving up to five years in advance, so that they can prepare their budgets and plan their work program with certainty."

The Congress will be addressed by transport industry experts, senior government officials and Members of Parliament.

Due to the National Roads Congress, there will not be an edition of ALGA News next week but a comprehensive issue dedicated to the event will be distributed the following week.

For more on the Roads Congress, read ahead to the President's Column.

ALGA meets with all sides of politics on constitutional recognition

ALGA President Mayor Genia McCaffery has held meetings with incoming Labor Senator Matt Thistlethwaite and Liberal Senator Sue Boyce to outline the potential benefits of securing financial recognition of local government in the Constitution to address uncertainty surrounding the legitimacy of direct funding confirmed by the Pape case in 2009. The meetings are part of ALGA’s consultation process with all political parties in the lead up to a referendum.

Both Senators pledged their support for the constitutional recognition of local government and for ALGA's preferred option of financial recognition. This follows support from all political parties for a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government to be held by the end of 2013.

An Expert Panel on the Constitutional Recognition of Local Government, appointed by the Australian Government earlier this year to examine options for constitutional recognition and gauge the level of community support for such a development, is due to report to the Government in December.

The Expert Panel has received 657 submissions from the community and interest groups on the issue of constitutional recognition of local government, including around 230 submissions from councils, during the two month consultation period which closed on 4 November.

All state and territory local government associations have made submissions supporting the financial recognition option. In addition the Panel has received submissions of support from several individual councils, regional associations of councils (ROCs), Regional Development Australia committees (RDAs), the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) and Members of Parliament, including a submission from the Australian Greens spokesperson on Local Government, Senator Lee Rhiannon.

Only two state governments lodged submissions to the Expert Panel: Victoria and Western Australia. Both submissions stressed that local government was already recognised in State Government Constitutions and were of the opinion that nothing would be gained through recognition in the Australian Constitution.

In advance of the Expert Panel process, almost 80 per cent of councils across Australia have passed resolutions in support of constitutional recognition of local government, recognising that by including local government in the Australian Constitution, councils will have the funding security to provide the level of services that local communities need and deserve.

Carbon pricing legislation to take effect next July

Following the passage of the amended Clean Energy Future Package through the Senate this week, ALGA will be working closely with the Australian Government to ensure councils are informed of their obligations under the new legislation.

Under the carbon tax, Australia's biggest polluters will be required to pay a starting price of $23 a tonne in carbon tax from July next year. The carbon tax will then convert from a fixed price to an emissions trading scheme in 2015.

Amendments to the legislation have meant that small landfills will be exempt from carbon pricing, with the Government deciding to set the prescribed distance at zero to ensure that no landfill facilities with direct emissions of between 10,000 and 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be liable under the carbon pricing mechanism.

While mitigation of emissions is important, ALGA remains committed to address adaptation to climate change as a subject of equal importance. ALGA is focused on adaptation to climate change and is in the early stages of developing a submission to an issues paper - Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation - recently released by the Productivity Commission.

The submission will stress the importance of effective adaptation policy as well as greater clarity and harmonisation of responsibilities across all levels of government.

Information on the Productivity Commission's project, as well as submission information is located here.

President's column

From the President

Next week we will hold our 2011 National Local Roads and Transport Congress. About 300 delegates from councils from across Australia will attend the 12th Congress in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Just like the first Congress in Moree in 2000, the main focus of next week's Congress will be our local roads: the capillaries of our communities and industries.

It is worth remembering that nearly every journey begins and ends on a local road and this year’s Congress looks at local roads from the perspective of road safety. Our theme is Better Roads are Safer Roads.

Every year, about 1,500 lives are lost and 30,000 people are hospitalised as a result of crashes on Australian roads and the cost to the nation is some $27 billion a year. But the statistics do not capture the far-reaching emotional effects of road accidents on communities. Unfortunately, there are few of us who have not experienced, either directly or indirectly, the trauma resulting from a fatal or serious road crash.

The impact on smaller communities of road fatalities, particularly when young people are involved, can be devastating. Road crashes cut lives short and leave many people with permanent injuries. They turn people's lives upside down and cause untold personal suffering. We can and must do more as a community to ensure the safety of our roads.

I am pleased that ALGA has been directly involved in the development of the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020, with ALGA fully supporting the Strategy's objective to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in fatalities and serious injuries by 2020.

Road safety is a complex issue which involves numerous factors. The condition of our roads is only one aspect of road safety and we will hear a lot more about that during the Congress. Having said that, there is no doubt that better roads are safer roads!

The local road system represents more than 80 per cent of the length of all roads in Australia and the National Transport Commission has estimated that 36 per cent of all kilometres travelled in Australia are on local roads. The maintenance of the local road system is therefore one of local government's major commitments and for most councils, road maintenance is the single largest item of expenditure. Total expenditure on local roads by councils was estimated to be $4.2billion in 2008-09.

ALGA's 2010 study into local road funding found that the shortfall in expenditure is about $1.2 billion annually. The study quantified what councils know - our local road system is at risk of breaking down. This is an untenable position for Australia.

The Roads to Recovery program has been successful in improving local roads and it is now time for local government to mount its campaign for an increase in funding under the program and to make Roads to Recovery a permanent feature of the federal budget.

I look forward to the official launch of our Roads to Recovery renewal campaign at the Congress.

See you in Mount Gambier! (By the way, it is not too late to register!)

Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

ALGA attends Australian Waste and Recycling Expo

ALGA President Genia McCaffrey represented the interests of local government at a panel at this week's Australian Waste and Recycling Expo held at the Sydney Convention Centre at Darling Harbour. The panel included James White from the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency; Max Spedding, Secretary of the Australian Landfill Owners Association; and Rob Oakeshott, Independent MP for Lyne and Member of the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee.

Panel discussion revolved around the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future package and the Carbon Farming Initiative, which is appropriate considering the waste sector's exposure to many issues the legislation and related programs address.

The discussion was positive and reflected a strong unity across the sector to use the new arrangements under the carbon price as an incentive to act.

Mayor McCaffrey, in her statement, spoke of the work ALGA has undertaken to have small landfills exempt from the carbon price, as well as ALGA's overall commitment to the carbon price and the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Applications open for 2012 rural medical student scholarships

Applications are now open for the Rural Australia Medical Undergraduate Scholarship (RAMUS) Scheme, funded by the Australian Government and designed to encourage medical students with a rural background to pursue a medical career in rural, regional or remote Australia.

Successful applicants will receive un-bonded scholarships worth $10,000 a year while completing a standard medical degree at their chosen university.

Subject to availability, 120-140 new RAMUS scholarships will be awarded in 2012 through a competitive application process. Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of their background of having lived in rural Australia, demonstrated financial need and their commitment to work in rural, regional or remote Australia in the future.

Medical students who are currently enrolled, in any year of study, as well as those who have applied to study medicine but do not yet have a confirmed university place, can apply for RAMUS.

"Applications must be submitted by 5pm on 16 January 2012,” said RAMUS Manager, Susan Magnay.

To access the online application form, or find further details about the RAMUS Scheme, applicants should visit the RAMUS website.

New rural health agency welcomed

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has welcomed the establishment of the Federal Government's new rural health agency, Rural and Regional Health Australia, saying it is recognition of the need to improve access to healthcare for country Australians.

But it has warned that the agency must be prepared to "show its teeth" in fighting for additional rural health funding within the Government and bureaucracy.

The RDAA has also urged the agency to adopt a formal regime of "rural proofing" under which existing and proposed federal health policies would be carefully assessed to ensure they are not adversely impacting on local healthcare models that are already working well in rural communities.

"We welcome recognition by the Federal Government that rural health and rural medicine is different from that in urban Australia, and that the rural health sector needs a dedicated agency to represent its interests in the federal bureaucracy" RDAA President, Dr Paul Mara, said.

"But it is critical that this agency has bite. It needs to be a strong, independent advocate for rural health, it needs to go into the ring fighting for better funding for rural health services, and it needs to have real influence within the policy-making activities of the federal health department and the wider bureaucracy."

"We thank the Federal Government, and independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, for their efforts in establishing Rural and Regional Health Australia, and look forward to working with the new agency to improve access to local health services across country Australia."

For more information, visit the Rural and Regional Health Australia website.

Education projects to change attitudes and prevent violence against women

Community organisations, not-for-profit organisations and local government bodies are being encouraged to apply for Federal Government funding to deliver education projects to young Australians, aimed at preventing violence against women.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis is inviting applications for total funding of up to $3.6 million, which is available under the Respectful Relationship Round Three.

"In this country, nearly one in three women has experienced physical violence and almost one in five women has been the victim of sexual assault," Ms Ellis said.

"Stopping violence before it occurs means we have to ensure our young people have healthy attitudes towards how they will behave in their relationships."

The Respectful Relationships initiative seeks to prevent violence against women through education of young Australians.

Funding is available for projects to educate these young people, to help them understand ethical behaviour and develop protective behaviours. For this round of Respectful Relationships, organisations will be able to apply for funding to support programs aimed at children as young as 8 in recognition of the fact that attitudes about violence can be formed at an early age.

The Australian Government is encouraging community organisations, not-for-profit organisations and local government to apply for a total of up to $400,000 for each project.

The National plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children is the first of its kind to focus so strongly on prevention, including building respectful relationships amongst young people and working to increase gender equality to stop violence from occurring in the first place.

Applications close 3pm AEDST 9 December 2011 and details are available here.

New research tackles depression among older Australians and carers

The Australian Government has launched the start of research into a program that aims to tackle depression among older Australians and their carers by improving their fitness.

The study is the first of its kind and will investigate whether the use of the Otago Exercise Program by older Australians and their carers can reduce the incidence of depression and improve mental wellbeing.

The Australian Government is providing more than $690,000 grant funding for the four year study.

"Carers provide the majority of direct care to older Australians and the invaluable work that they carry out underpins the lives of many families right across the country," Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said.

"Often this care is provided at a cost to their own physical and mental health."

"As Australia's population ages and an increasing number of older frail and disabled people require care, it's important we support people who are adjusting to the needs and responsibilities of being a carer and help them to stay happy and healthy. Providing support to carers will improve their quality of life and the quality of the caring relationship."

Carers and care recipients will take part in the personalised home exercise program together which will include balance and strength training. Improving the fitness of carers and care recipients will help build confidence, reduce isolation and depression and prevent falls.

Australian Government to deliver pay rise for social and community workers

The Australian Government has announced that it will make a joint submission with the Australian Services Union to Fair Work Australia supporting a national wage increase for workers employed under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SACS) Award based on Queensland's 2009 Pay Equity decision.

Of the 150,000 workers in the sector, 120,000 are women.

If Fair Work Australia agrees to the Government's proposal on the extent of this undervaluation, this will deliver very significant pay rises.

With Fair Work Australia's approval, the increases would be phased-in over six years, starting on 1 December next year.

The phased introduction recognises the complex funding arrangements in the sector, which involve local, state and territory governments, not for profit organisations, commercial providers and the Commonwealth.

This will allow community sector organisations delivering Commonwealth-funded programs to pay the new rates, without reducing services to the community. The Government will also increase funding under Commonwealth-State agreements that cover social and community sector employees.

Through the Community Sector Wages Group the Government has been working with all parties to examine the potential implications of a pay increase, taking into account the need to ensure a sustainable and effective social and community services sector.

City of Joondalup internationally recognised for lifestyle opportunities

The City of Joondalup has been named the World's Most Liveable City of 2011 at the United Nations-endorsed International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom), winning the category for cities with populations of between 150,001 and 400,000.

The LivCom Awards focus on international best practice in environmental management and in the creation of liveable communities.

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said winning the award was a significant achievement for Joondalup, with the city now being recognised at an international level for its fantastic attributes and lifestyle choices.

"The city has come a long way in a few short years, providing the community with a great range of services and a sense of place, whilst developing sustainable planning and environmental strategies for the future," Mayor Pickard said.

"Local governments face many challenges and must plan for them all. From climate change to population growth, community services and emergency management in the face of disaster, the city of Joondalup is leading the way in Local Government in WA, and, as this award now shows, internationally."

Alan Smith, Chief Executive and founder of LivCom said that he had long championesd the fact that many of the world's most pressing challenges can be met by working at regional level and the cities represented demonstrated that they were actively taking a lead role.

The city of Joondalup was recognised for fulfilling a range of key criteria covering environmental best practice, healthy lifestyle of citizens, community involvement as well as arts and cultural heritage.

For more information visit the City's website.

Nominations open soon for National Awards for Local Government 2012

The National Awards for Local Government recognise, reward and promote the work of local government across Australia and all elected local government organisations are being invited to enter the Awards when entries open on 1 December.

The 2012 Award categories include:

Active Arts
Sponsored by the Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Asset and Financial Management
Sponsored by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
Engaging and Strengthening Indigenous Communities
Sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Excellence in Alcohol Management
Sponsored by the Department of Health and Ageing
Improving Services to Remote Communities
Sponsored by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
Innovative Infrastructure Development
Sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport
Land-Use Planning - Addressing Disaster Risk and Enhancing Resilience
Sponsored by the Attorney-General's Department, through the Australian Emergency Management Institute
Promoting Reconciliation
Sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Regional Collaborations
Sponsored by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
Rural and Remote Health
Sponsored by the Department of Health and Ageing
Strength in Diversity
Sponsored by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

There will also be awards for Excellence in Road Safety and for Women in Local Government.

More information can be found here.

National Healthy Community Award winners announced

The Heart Foundation's 2011 National Healthy Community Awards Winners have been announced, rewarding councils for their commitment to creating healthy communities at a national and state level with cash awards, plaques and certificates.

The New South Wales Bellingen Shire Council was awarded for best practice in creating a healthy community, winning the category for populations of 15,000 or less. The council's incorporation of healthy planning principles within standard local government planning policies and instruments has resulted in environmental changes which will have a positive health impact in the region.

The Hobart City Council took out the category for populations greater than 15,000 with their investment in community facilities and various communication and engagement strategies to encourage awareness and participation in healthy activities, community programs and events in the city. One of its initiatives - the 'Smoke Free Strategy' - has banned smoking in all council owned buildings, children’s playgrounds and the three pedestrian malls within the CBD.

Congratulations to all national and state winners, finalists and entrants who entered the Heart Foundation Healthy Community Awards in 2011!

Funding available under Liveable Cities Program

The Australian Government has developed the Liveable Cities Program to support state, territory and local governments in meeting the challenges of improving the quality of life in our capitals and major regional cities.

The Australian Government is seeking to leverage off its significant investment in transport and other infrastructure, health, housing, education, social services and welfare. It is seeking to encourage partnerships between the levels of government to foster innovative solutions to promote high quality urban design, improve the quality of open space and public places, address high levels of car dependency and traffic congestion and support cities in tackling the challenges of climate change.

The Program seeks to improve the capacity of the 18 capital and major regional cities to undertake strategic planning in line with the COAG agreed criteria and will support the development of demonstration projects that facilitate urban renewal and strategic urban development.

The Liveable Cities Program will provide $20.0 million over two years. It will comprise two streams:

Stream 1 - Planning and Design
Projects seeking funding under this stream can apply for a maximum Australian Government funding contribution of up to $500,000.
Stream 2 - Demonstration Projects
Projects seeking funding under this stream can apply for a maximum Australian Government funding contribution of up to $4 million.

Funding in both streams will be provided up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the project costs. Applications will be assessed under the criteria set out in the Program Guidelines.

Applications will close on 15 December 2011. Enquiries regarding the Program may be directed to liveable.cities@infrastructure.gov.au or to the Program information line at (02) 6274 6758.

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