 | |  ALGA met with a delegation from the Kenyan Government this week as part of its visit to Australia to seek advice on how to make a devolved system of government work best. Under constitutional reforms in Kenya in 2010, a two-tier system of government – national and local government – was established, although questions relating to the allocation of roles and responsibilities and the matching allocation of funding remain to be resolved. The delegation was particularly interested in the inter-governmental structures that exist in Australia – such as the Council of Australian Governments – and the mechanisms by which the Federal Government funds councils including the Financial Assistance Grants and direct funding programs such as Roads to Recovery. The delegation was also interested in the issue of constitutional recognition of local government in Australia. The delegation also met with officers of the WA, NSW and Victorian departments of local government and the South Australian Local Government Association to gain a fuller understanding of the issues facing individual jurisdictions and councils. | | | | |  Councils have until 15 March to comment on a set of guidelines which constitute a new draft National Airports Safeguarding Framework (the draft Framework). The draft Framework aims to achieve a balanced approach to community amenity by minimising the impacts of noise on developments near airports and improving safety by ensuring aviation requirements are recognised in land use planning decisions. The draft Framework has not been endorsed by governments at this stage but is expected to be considered by Transport Ministers and then the Council of Australian Governments over coming months. The draft Framework has potential implications for councils, particularly in possible changes to the way noise is measured from aircraft operations, how this then flows into planning decisions and ultimately how this might constrain land use around airports. The views of councils are therefore critical to how ministers will consider the draft Framework. A copy of the draft Framework can be found here. Comments on the draft Framework should be provided by 15 March 2012, directly to: safeguarding@infrastructure.gov.au; or Mr Scott Stone
General Manager Aviation Environment
Department of Infrastructure and Transport
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601 Queries on the detail of the draft Framework may be directed to Mr Stone, on (02) 6274 7605 or Scott.Stone@infrastructure.gov.au. | | | | |  ALGA has welcomed this week’s announcement by Prime Minister Julia Gillard of the formation of a new Business Advisory Forum to engage CEOs of the nation’s biggest companies in dialogue with federal, state and territory leaders. The President of ALGA would be included in this Forum, which is aimed at cutting red tape, previously identified as a key priority for the Government. The Council of Australian Governments has identified 27 areas of priority for cutting red tape. Of the 27 priorities, 16 have already been implemented. The reforms, which were agreed to by all states and territories in 2008, aim to deliver a seamless national economy. The Forum will have two main roles: - To advise Governments on how best to coordinate and progress the remaining areas of competition and regulatory reform; and
- To nominate new areas of regulatory reform that will help lift productivity and drive investment, therefore growing businesses and creating new jobs.
The Prime Minister will chair the Forum, with the inaugural meeting to be held on 12 April 2012, prior to the next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments. | | |
| |  Next week I will be attending the first meeting of the new Urban Policy Forum convened by the Federal Government to advise the Minster for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese on the implementation of the National Urban Policy. This is a significant initiative in the urban policy area and comes at an important time given that COAG will shortly consider the outcomes of the recent review of capital city strategic plans. Around a quarter of Australia’s 560 councils are located in, or on the fringes of, our capital cities and they hold about three quarters of the nation’s population. Improving the sustainability, livability and efficiency of our major capital cities must be a key objective of any national government and developing and implementing a national urban policy is a challenge that requires the effective collaboration of all levels of government. The Forum will bring together 25 representatives from the federal, state and local governments, the private sector, professions such as planning and architecture, and non-government organisations with a focus on providing services in the cities. There are many significant challenges facing our cities but from my perspective it really comes down to maintaining equality of access to services and employment and ensuring an acceptable standard of liveability for city residents. Some years ago, ALGA’s State of the Regions Report looked at housing affordability and identified the lack of dispersed employment opportunities across our cities as a major problem. Put simply, it found that our jobs were too concentrated in the CBD, meaning that too many people trying to live close to the city was driving up house prices and too many people trying to travel into the city was causing congestion. Part of the answer is to try to stimulate the creation of jobs in suburban areas and for that reason ALGA was very pleased with the Suburban Jobs Program announced by the Government in the 2011-12 Budget. This program is a good example of the practical measures needed to tackle the problems of our cities and I look forward to discussions in the Forum on other initiatives which all three levels of government can support. Mayor Genia McCaffery
ALGA President | | |
| | Local governments across the country are working hard for their communities and promoting their achievements, with more than 370 entries received for the 2012 National Awards for Local Government. Local Government Minister Simon Crean announced this week that the annual awards had attracted more than double the entries received last year. “This is a tribute to the local government sector and proof of the growth in community-based initiatives addressing social, economic and environmental priorities of the regions,” he said. “As the tier of government closest to the community, they play a vital role in developing local solutions to local challenges.” This year, eight new categories have been added to the annual awards, highlighting growth areas in local government activity. The new categories are Active Arts, Energy Smart, Excellence in Road Safety, Improving Services to Remote Communities, Innovation in Natural Resource Management, Land-Use Planning, Rural and Remote Health and Strength in Diversity. Category winners for the National Awards for Local Government will be announced in early April. The national winners will be judged by an independent panel and announced at the National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association in Canberra in June 2012. For further information and the full list of award categories visit www.regional.gov.au/local/awards | | | | | Held each year on 8 March, International Women’s Day provides the perfect platform to promote the outstanding accomplishments and the important contributions women have historically made to society and the opportunities ahead for future generations of women. President of the Local Government Association of NSW (LGA), Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM, said this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment’, is a relevant theme for local communities in NSW, with many councils hosting International Women’s Day events. “With at least 100 councils throughout the state participating in International Women’s Day 2012, it’s pleasing to see so many communities getting behind this important cause by promoting local women.” International Women’s Day events hosted by NSW councils included: - A morning tea in Bland with guest speakers and a live webinar that will provide local women with financial advice, planning and life skills.
- A breakfast at Carss Park Café in Kogarah with the theme, 'I wanted to change the world, but I couldn't find a babysitter’.
- An art exhibition of local female artists in Bega Valley as well as a Sistas Speak Aboriginal Wellbeing program.
| | | | | The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) held a Cities Forum at Parliament House last week, which was attended by about 50 participants, including representatives of ALGA. In addition to the Lord Mayors of capital cities, elected officials and officers from some of the largest regional cities in Australia such as Albury, Greater Geelong, Gold Coast, Launceston, Parramatta, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Wodonga and Wollongong were also in attendance. The Forum heard from several speakers, including Minister Albanese, on the critical importance of cities and the desire of local government to see stronger Federal government engagement with, and investment in, Australia’s major cities. Commonwealth officials from a number of government departments participated in subsequent discussions related to climate change, sustainability and Regional Australia. While no new agreements were reached, Commonwealth officials were left with no doubt about the importance that Australia’s major cities place on a strong and integrated Commonwealth urban policy agenda. The CCCLM represents the interests of capital cities in each State and territory on major issues common to all capital cities which are directly relevant to federal government policy. The CCCLM secretariat is based in Canberra. | | | | | The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher has extended the Natural Disaster Declaration to an additional seven councils that have experienced significant flooding after heavy rainfalls. Minister Gallacher said the councils include Urana, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Bathurst, Blacktown, Yass, Harden and Balranald. These declarations are in addition to announcements earlier in the week for the local government areas of Tumut, Lockhart, Forbes, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Corowa, Gundagai, Snowy River and Cooma-Monaro, Young, Upper Lachlan, Boorowa and Weddin Councils. “A total of 21 councils have been declared for this severe weather event,” Minister Gallacher said. “This declaration makes a number of supportive schemes available to assist with the cost of restoration and recovery under the Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.” Anyone needing help from the SES should contact their local media unit on 132 500. Up-to-date information on road closures is available on the Roads and Maritime Services website www.rta.nsw.gov.au or from local councils. | | | | | A coalition of Cape York councils in far north Queensland is arguing for an exemption from restrictions on disaster recovery funding. The councils, which experience flood damage almost every year, say they are now forced to hire contractors, instead of running their own rebuilding projects. Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott says the councils have prepared a submission to try to convince the Federal Government that the restrictions are wasting money. "Each of the councils put together a table that shows what it would cost them to do the work, versus what it would cost an external contractor to do the work," he said. "It is substantially different, so it is vitally important that we get the message across that the model that we use up here, that we want to use up here, will deliver best value for money." "Now, when this damage happens to your only access road, those councils and those communities are best placed to respond quickly to get out there. "It's just ridiculous to think we would have to pull in a contractor from Townsville or Mackay or Rockhampton.” | | | | | The Planning Institute of Australia has received numerous enquiries from local governments regarding the Healthy Spaces and Places training. The training is specifically aimed at local government staff (including senior managers and elected members) who are involved in designing, building and maintaining the built environment so as to improve the health of their communities. The training focuses on: - Developing an understanding of the relationship between health, wellbeing and the build environment and how evidence base research supports this.
- Learning how to apply healthy design principles to different development types
- Learning how to influence decision makers to achieve planning for healthier communities
- Implementing practical strategies, case studies, research and resources to gain quality results.
| | | | | Tasmania’s Minister for Climate Change, Cassy O’Connor, this week spoke at the Australian Coastal Councils Conference in Hobart about her vision for a Tasmanian Coastal Act that would provide a strong management and planning framework for coastal areas. “Tasmania has over 5000km of spectacular coastline and coastal waters home to diverse marine environments which form an integral part of the lifestyle of many Tasmanians,” Ms O’Connor said. “To manage this properly, I believe we need a Coastal Act that embeds key principles for managing and protecting our coasts in State legislation. “This would enable State and Local Governments to develop strong planning and management frameworks, and support local communities, and prepare for long term climate change adaptation strategies. Ms O’Connor said that she was also working cooperatively with other Ministers, with the Tasmanian Climate Change Office and the Tasmanian Planning Commission to develop a Sea Level Rise allowance that takes into account current inundation levels and understanding of risk around our coastlines. The Conference, organised by the National Sea Change Taskforce, brings together delegates from across the country including local government representatives, researchers, policy makers and others with an interest in the future of Australia’s coast and its communities. | | | | | Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh has announced a new $300 million plan over the next four years to develop new social infrastructure, with an aim to develop sustainable communities with the state’s royalty revenues. “To ensure our regional communities remain sustainable places to live and raise a family, we need to ensure the delivery of social infrastructure matches the considerable investments made by the Bligh Government in recent years delivering better schools, hospitals and roads,” Ms Bligh said in a campaign statement. In announcing the Sustainable Regional Communities: Royalties for Our Regions initiative, Ms Bligh said more must be done to distribute wealth in the state’s booming regional areas. Federal Regional Minister Simon Crean welcomed the announcement, acknowledging the Liberal National Party’s commitment to implement a $170 million Royalties for Regions Scheme and called for a bipartisan approach to regional development. “Additional resources from the States are important to the regions, but such support must be underpinned by genuine partnerships between all three tiers of government,” Mr Crean said. | | | | | Labour force figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the ongoing financial volatility on global markets and the deterioration in world growth is beginning to impact on the Australian labour market. Against this background, the unemployment rate rose slightly, by 0.1 percentage points to 5.2 per cent (in line with market expectations) but remains one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the industrialised world and less than half that of the Euro area. Nevertheless, the data suggest that the pace of employment growth has moderated, reflecting the impact of increased international uncertainty, the high Australian dollar and the cautious domestic household consumer. The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, said that businesses were understandably being more hesitant in their hiring intentions in a more uncertain global environment, and it was clear that they were instead giving their existing employees more hours of work instead of hiring new workers. “Clearly, Australia is not immune from developments in Europe and, if conditions were to deteriorate further, this would inevitably put further pressure on the Australian labour market,” Mr Shorten said. | | | | | Coffs Harbour's walk of discovery has been recognised at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, with the Muttonbird Island attraction - known as Giidayn Miirral - now holding a national award for indigenous tourism. The $320,000 harbour-side structure, featuring the artwork of local Aboriginal artist Shane Phillips, stands in tribute to Coffs Harbour's Gumbaynggirr heritage. NSW outshone the other states at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, scoring 11 wins out of 27 categories. The 27th annual event acknowledges the best travel companies around the nation including tour operators, adventure trips and accommodation. Winners for NSW include Jenolan Caves, Tri State Safaris for tour/transport operators and Newcastle Airport for specialised tourism services. Queensland won one award for Fantasea Adventure Cruising as the top major tour operator. Other winners include the Melbourne Museum as best major tourist attraction and Maria Island Walk for the adventure tourism category. | | |
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| | | | | |  User Pays— Exploring the Myths of Free Infrastructure Infrastructure Australia’s national conference on User Pays aims to raise awareness about Australia’s infrastructure funding challenges, and discuss both the opportunities and issues associated with a wider application of user pays models of paying for our economic infrastructure. Speakers will include senior representatives from Australia and international representation from the OECD. Upcoming conferences | Do regional Australians deserve quality drinking water? | Sydney | 18 April | | Roads—User pays | Brisbane | 16 May | | Road Safety and National Productivity | Melbourne | 14 June | |
| | | | | | Ports and Cities: Partnerships that Work 11-13 March 2012 in Newcastle Infrastructure Australia is hosting a conference aimed at fostering informed debate about the importance of port development for the future of our cities. Australia is highly urbanised, and nearly all of its cities are based around an internationally-significant port. The importance of such trade gateways is now achieving international prominence. There is world-wide recognition that interactions between a city and its port are important for city, and national, trade performance. The conference will pay particular attention to the issues cities and ports need to address in developing and implementing plans for port development; especially what needs to be done to use ports as a catalyst for economic development in cities, and how that success will improve national economic performance. Speakers will include representatives from international organisations, including the OECD, and from across Australia. For further information and to register for this conference, visit www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/conference_series Upcoming Conferences | User Pays – Exploring the myths of free infrastructure | Melbourne 22 March | | Do Australians deserve quality drinking water? | Sydney 18 April | | Roads – User Pays | Brisbane 16 May | | Road Safety and National Productivity | Melbourne 14 June | Register your interest in upcoming conferences at conferences@infrastructureaustralia.gov.au |
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