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Briefs
The Federal and State Environment Ministers meeting as the Standing Council for Environment and Water agreed on 30 November to release the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on Packaging Impacts for public comment on 7 December 2011. The Consultation RIS is an important step in the decision-making process and is consistent with the Council’s commitment to a transparent stakeholder consultation on the approaches for improving packaging resource recovery rates and reducing litter, including a container deposit scheme, an advanced disposal fee and co-regulatory industry product stewardship schemes. The consultation RIS did not include a preferred approach and stakeholder input will be vital in testing a range of approaches. Copies of the meeting communique are available at: www.ephc.gov.au
ALGA Vice President, Mayor Troy Pickard, is a member of the new Standing Council for Environment and Water. For further information, phone John Pritchard: 02 61229414.
The Australian Government has announced natural disaster assistance for Western Australia following catastrophic bushfires which commenced on 23 November, 2011.
Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that assistance would be provided to the Western Australian Government through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
"People affected by the bushfires in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River will have access to a range of support jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments and administered through WA Government agencies," Mr McClelland said.
Assistance includes:
- The provision of emergency assistance including emergency accommodation, food, essential clothing and other personal items - payments of up to $388 per eligible adult and up to $194 per eligible child on the 1st day of assistance (with reductions in payment levels on subsequent days)
- Temporary living expenses of up to $110 per day per adult/family in the metropolitan area and up to $150 per day per adult/family in country areas.
- Up to $10,000 - for the replacement of white goods and floors coverings.
- Up to $ 10,500 for essential repairs to make houses habitable
- Restoration of essential public assets for local councils
- Interest rate subsidies for loans of up to $150,000 for small businesses and primary producers; and
- Professional advice grants and freight subsidies for primary producers.
For further information on disaster assistance available in Western Australia www.fesa.wa.gov.au
The Victorian Government has launched a $5 million advertising campaign in a bid to shock Victorians out of complacency and reinforce the importance of preparing for fires before summer arrives.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan said the government made no apology for the graphic nature of a series of television commercials, which will air during primetime news services.
"We've tried to strike the balance .... Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world," Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said the ads described "the horror of what it would actually be like to be caught in a bushfire".
He said an estimated 75 per cent of home owners in bushfire-prone areas still did not have a fire plan.
Creating Places for People was launched in Melbourne on 30 November by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese.
The urban design protocol is a collaborative commitment to best practice urban design in Australia and the result of two years of collaboration between peak community and industry organisations, states, territories, local governments, and the Australian Government.
Creating Places for People does not take a one size fits all approach to designing cities. It provides broad principles for urban design that take into account the unique characteristics of a location, people's enjoyment, experience and health, and encourages excellence and collaboration in the design and custodianship of urban places.
The protocol will inform and equip government and industry practitioners involved in designing our cities and suburbs.
The full protocol is available at www.urbandesign.gov.au
Almost half of people with a disability in Australia are living in or near poverty, making Australia the worst in the developed world, a new report says.
The report by accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), published this week, also found that Australians with a disability were half as likely to be employed as people without a disability, News Limited reported.
Australia is ranked 21st out of 29 developed nations in this category.
The report, Disability Expectations: Investing in a better life, a stronger Australia, found that 45 per cent of people with a disability in Australia live in or near poverty, the worst out of OECD countries, where the average is 22 per cent.
The report says broader social and cultural changes are needed to redress the problem.
"It's clear the current system is broken big time," PwC government sector leader Chris Bennett said.
"When you see Australia sitting last in OECD rankings on poverty for people with disabilities, it's just wrong."
To access the report, click here.
If you are proud of your council’s innovative approach to meeting your community’s needs, enter the National Awards for Local Government.
The National Awards recognise, reward and promote the work of local government across Australia. They are an important component of the Government's partnership with local government, showcasing unique local solutions to common problems.
Local government organisations have until 17 February 2012 to get their entries in. The national award winners will be named in June.
2012 award categories:
Read more about each category and submit your entry through the online system here.
If you have any questions, please contact the Awards Team by email awards@regional.gov.au or freecall 1800 065 113.
More information can be found at www.regional.gov.au
It is time to start planning for your council's events and activities to celebrate cultural diversity in March 2012.
Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on 21 March each year. It is a day where all local councils across Australia are encouraged to celebrate cultural diversity at the municipal level.
The day also marks the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Harmony Day is managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and gives people the opportunity to celebrate what makes each Australian unique and share what we have in common.
For more information, click here.
A new report prepared by the Climate Change Commission is warning that more Australians face dying in heatwaves and catching infectious diseases as a result of climate change.
The report - The Critical Decade: a report from the Commission - says climate change-related injury, disease and deaths will continue to grow in decades to come unless sustained action is taken.
It suggests climbing temperatures will lead to more natural disasters and changing rainfall patterns, which will have an impact on people's health as much as on the environment.
It includes a worst-case scenario where deaths from hotter temperatures in Queensland and the Northern Territory could multiply tenfold by 2100.
Report co-author Professor Lesley Hughes says even a small rise in temperature can be detrimental to people's health.
"A small rise in average temperature actually means a fairly large rise in the number of days, for example, over 35 degrees [Celsius] every year," he said.
"So as average temperatures go up, the number of extremely hot days go up in a disproportionate way. So what we're concerned about with climate change, amongst other impacts, is the impact on heatwaves."
To access the report, click here.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) is encouraging road users to stay safe on the roads this Christmas, reinforcing the need for drivers to take personal responsibility for their behaviour.
The NTC has provided the following top five tips for staying safe this festive season:
- If you plan to drink, arrange alternative transport to get home such as booking a taxi, taking public transport or carpooling with a designated (non-drinking) driver.
- Plan regular rest breaks on long trips to combat fatigue.
- Allow enough time to arrive to your destination, to ensure you comply with designated speed limits.
- Have your vehicle serviced before departing for holidays to ensure it is in good condition.
- Familiarise yourself with your journey ahead of time to be prepared for any differing road rules or driving conditions.
NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos said safety must be a top concern for all Australians to
avoid the holiday season being marred by tragedy.
On 15-16 March 2012, the International Property Tax Institute in co-operation with NSW Revenue Professionals Society Inc., present a conference on Local Government Rates and Revenue - Leading the Change, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Valuation Agencies Conference.
Session topics to include:
- Global Perspective: Financial/Economic Trends in Post-Financial Crisis;
- Land Value vs Rental Value vs Capital Value for Rating and Taxing;
- Rates/Property Tax Regulation and Community: Processes, Trends, Impacts, Consultation, Independent Pricing and Regulation Tribunal (IPART);
- Natural Disasters: Recovery and Rates/Tax Relief;
- Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUA’s); and
- Alternative Revenue Sources for Local Government.
Venue:
Vibe Hotel Rushcutters Bay, 100 Bayswater Road, Sydney, NSW
Registration Deadline:
1 March 2012
Program and registration details can be found
here.
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ALGA has welcomed the Australian Government's introduction of new Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) methodology, describing it as an opportunity for councils to reduce pollution and make productive use of methane emissions from old landfill waste.
The release this week of the Australian Government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook underlines the fiscal constraints facing the Commonwealth and sets the context for ALGA’s submission for the 2012-13 Federal Budget.
Following this week's release of the Murray-Darling Basin plan, ALGA is encouraging councils to be fully engaged in the public consultation process and provide feedback on behalf of their communities during the 20-week consideration period.
The recent fires experienced in Western Australia and flash flooding in parts of central and northern New South Wales are stark reminders of the challenges that local communities may face during the summer season. Current forecasts seem to be for above average rain over the summer in southern Queensland and the eastern half of New South Wales and above average temperatures in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and coastal parts of Western Australia. We all hope that there will be no repeat of last summer's events in Queensland but communities and their councils need to prepare for all eventualities. 
