 | |  Felicity-ann Lewis, Mayor of the City of Marion in South Australia, has outlined her aspirations for local government during her first week in the role of ALGA President. Mayor Lewis was appointed to the presidency, following the decision by previous President, Genia McCaffery not to recontest the position of Mayor of North Sydney in last weekend's local government elections. Mayor Lewis said her main priority was championing ALGA's case for constitutional change. "Securing recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution is the only sure way of protecting direct federal funding for community services and infrastructure," Mayor Lewis said. ALGA had put forward its proposals to the Australian Government on holding a referendum on the issue at a time that maximises local government's chances for success. "We have called for the establishment of a Parliamentary Committee to look at the issues related to a referendum on the constitutional recognition of local government," Mayor Lewis said. "This week, I wrote to each political party, including the Independents, requesting a commitment that they will support the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Committee, with a request that ALGA be consulted on its terms of reference," Mayor Lewis said. ALGA is seeking an amendment of Section 96 of the Constitution so that it would read: "Parliament may grant financial assistance to any state or local government body formed by or under a law of a state or territory on such terms and conditions as the Parliament sees fit." Mayor Lewis will also be working hard to ensure councils receive sufficient funding as a result of the federal government's planned review of the Financial Assistants Grants (FAGs). FAGs were designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of local government but ALGA has long argued that the amount provided to councils is not adequate and does not reflect increased costs to local government in construction and wages. For more on Mayor Lewis' plans for local government, read ahead to this week's extended President's Column. | | | | |  ALGA will be asked to provide input into cross-government considerations on how to improve asbestos awareness and management flowing from the recommendations of the Australian Government's Asbestos Management Review. The Review, issued in mid August, recommended that an Asbestos Content Report should be prepared for all homes built before 1987 and a labelling system implemented to identify the presence of asbestos. The Review also recommended that councils should administer these arrangements and it also said that councils should be resourced for the task. The Federal Minister responsible for responding to the Review, the Hon Bill Shorten, has written to ALGA foreshadowing a cross jurisdictional reference group to look at each of the Review’s 12 recommendations and the development of a national strategic plan. Capacity, resourcing and liability for local governments were among the issues individual councils and local government associations flagged with the Review following its establishment in October 2010. The Asbestos Review and its implications for councils will be one of the issues considered by the ALGA Board at its next meeting in late September. The Asbestos Management Review Report - June 2012 report is available online. | | | | |  ALGA is considering an independent report released this week which has recommended changes to the way the residents and communities of remote Australia are consulted, treated and serviced by governments. Fixing the hole in Australia’s Heartland is the result of more than three years consultation and research by the remoteFOCUS Group, which is facilitated by Desert Knowledge Australia. The Group believes there is a compelling case for new systems and approaches to remote area governance which must embrace genuine participation of local residents and organisations in policy, administration and financial decisions on matters which affect them. “Unless major changes are made to governance, policies and infrastructure and service delivery practices there will be dire economic, social, cultural, environmental and security consequences for Australia as a whole, with many of these consequences already becoming apparent,” says the convenor of the group, the Hon Fred Chaney, AO. Mr Chaney, a former Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister, is Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia, the national organisation which initiated the remoteFOCUS program. The report states: “There are many potential ways of remedying these structural governance problems, but the more promising prospects involve greater degrees - and varying patterns - of community engagement and decentralised governance. While there is some spasmodic attention on remote Australia (particularly on “crises” such as Aboriginal disadvantage, or as the social and personal fall-out of fly-in-fly-out workplace practices), normal politics and public administration are unlikely to achieve the structural reforms needed to address these issues, and others." “Special purpose initiatives will be required and these will need cross-party political commitment and support from business, professional and community organisations”. The former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Professor Peter Shergold AC, believes governance reform is crucial. “Change is necessary and we need governance systems that meet that challenge in remote Australia. This issue is crucial to Australian public policy. A genuine commitment is needed from the highest levels of government to ensure the national interest in remote Australia is sustained.” Professor Shergold, Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, is a member of the remoteFOCUS reference group. To access Fixing the hole in Australia’s Heartland click here. | | |
| |  As ALGA President, I am looking forward to championing local government's case for constitutional change and reinforcing ALGA's commitment to a referendum on this issue at a time that maximises the chance for success. This will involve working with all sides of politics to progress our proposal for constitutional recognition of local government, which includes the establishment of a Parliamentary Committee; funding of a public education and awareness campaign; and suggestions for the specific wording of the amendment to the Constitution. We believe that a Parliamentary Committee is necessary to consider the timing and wording of a referendum and to ensure support across the political spectrum. The whole question of adequate and certain federal funding for local services is of great concern to councils and communities alike and I will be working hard to ensure a better deal for councils. The Federal Government recently announced a review of the Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) for local government. While ALGA has welcomed the Commonwealth review, we have also stressed the need for the review to be broad enough to address the issue of whether current funding is sufficient. We have long argued that the amount of funding provided by the Federal Government to councils is not adequate. We would like to see the Government assess the adequacy of the amount of grants and whether the current approach to indexation is effective, given the annual cost increases faced by councils do not reflect CPI. Local government costs are related to increases in construction costs and wage levels and these have been well in excess of the CPI, which means that the value of the FAGs is going down.
Another area of priority for local government is the issue of cost shifting. In April 2006, all Australian governments signed the Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing Principles Guiding Intergovernmental Relations of Local Government Matters (the IGA). The IGA outlines a set of principles designed to establish an ongoing framework to address future cost shifting, and prevent the cost shifts that have occurred in the past. It is due for review after five years of operation and ALGA welcomed Local Government Minister Simon Crean's announcement in November 2011 to start this process. ALGA believes that the IGA must be continued and strengthened so that all levels of government agree to comply with its principles whenever new or additional functions, or new or increased service standards affecting local government are being considered. Without a strong agreement, local and regional communities cannot be confident that their social, economic and environmental needs are being fully and openly appreciated by other levels of government. Similarly, a renewed IGA must continue to ensure that funding flows to local government so that it can properly discharge the functions expected of it. While local government provides a wide range of services and infrastructure, many of these are in partnership with other levels of government. Participating at COAG and ministerial councils is therefore important, as it provides ALGA with an opportunity to ensure that local government's collective interest and concerns are taken into consideration in the development of intergovernmental policy arrangements. It should be noted that much of the work of the Commonwealth, states and territories in relation to their respective programs and policies is still developed and pursued unilaterally by governments. This is not unexpected given jurisdictional autonomy of all governments, constitutional responsibilities and obligations. However, public policy challenges require inter-state and intergovernmental collaboration and coordination. Solutions to address problems must be developed collaboratively, in order to achieve shared goals. Given local government's knowledge and understanding of local communities, expertise in community consultation and planning, coordination and provision of infrastructure and services for local communities, our involvement is essential in coordinating policies and programs that are suited to local circumstances. As ALGA President, I will focus on promoting better alignment of all three levels of government, especially in areas such as infrastructure and planning, which rely on place-based solutions. Meaningful partnerships between the levels of government can only improve the quality of government decision-making for all Australians, and confidence in elected representatives. Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | Low Carbon Australia is helping Central Goldfields Shire Council lower its energy costs and reduce carbon emissions of three of its buildings by an estimated 14 per cent. The Council’s leisure centre, resource centre and council offices at Maryborough in central Victoria will undergo a $164,000 upgrade of energy efficiency and solar equipment using finance from Low Carbon Australia. Mayor Paula Nixon said the Council would install a solar PV system at the resource centre, while other improvements would include lighting sensors, more efficient, targeted lighting, timing devices, insulation and upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. “This will help reduce our energy use and running costs at all three buildings by about $22,500 a year at current electricity prices,” Cr Nixon said. “Low Carbon Australia’s assistance with the upfront cost of this equipment has helped us make this project a reality sooner. The savings we make on our energy bills will be used to pay back the finance. “We’ll be able to keep our operating expenses down by reducing our energy costs and we’ll also be meeting our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint, which is good news for our residents,” she said. Low Carbon Australia’s CEO Meg McDonald said Low Carbon Australia was working with several councils in Victoria and New South Wales on projects including street lighting upgrades, the installation of cogeneration plants at aquatic centres and upgrading administration buildings with energy efficient equipment. “We’re pleased to be helping Central Goldfields Shire Council take the lead in realising such a comprehensive energy efficiency plan,” she said. | | | | | The Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) has announced a new system to ensure that the issuing of energy rating certificates for new homes is simpler, more robust and less open to manipulation. “Only a fully accredited ABSA assessor (with proper training, CPD compliance, current PI insurance, commitment to the ABSA Code of Practice and use of NatHERS approved rating software) can access the online Rating Certification System (RCS) and produce a rating,” Rodger Hills, ABSA’s CEO said. “Once an assessor has input all the necessary thermal performance data about a project the RCS produces a Digital Stamp. “On the stamp is a Certification Number which is a unique check-digit (similar to that used by BPay). Council staff can input this number into the ABSA website and validate the rating presented on the plans by seeing if the rating also exists in ABSA’s database. If not, staff can question why the information on the Digital Stamp does not match the details on the website and are free to reject the application,” he said. To further help council staff authenticate a rating for a building, effective from October 1, 2012 energy raters will be required to provide two copies of the Summary Report produced from the software rating tool they have used (AccuRate, BERS Pro or FirstRate5). The information on this report should also correlate with the information on the Digital Stamp and on ABSA’s website. ABSA’s new Rating Certification System provides a faster and higher stringency process for Council staff to use. | | | | | A new employment precinct will receive support under the Australian Government's Suburban Jobs program. The Suburban Jobs program is a Government initiative to support employment precincts in the outer suburbs of our major cities to create local jobs, helping to reduce congestion and build more sustainable cities. The City of Playford will receive $11.3 million to support the Stretton Centre, part of the Playford Alive project. Federal Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion, said the project would create real benefits for the Playford community. "I am delighted that the City of Playford's bid for a share of the Suburban Jobs program funding has been successful," Mr Champion said. "The Stretton Centre will deliver skills training, provide for the co-location of business support services and conduct relevant local employment research to assist this growing population." The Stretton Centre in Playford, South Australia will be an employment research and development facility which will contribute to the regeneration area. The centre will co-locate business support services to ensure local businesses can easily access the support they need to grow and thrive. The centre will be a central hub in the Playford Alive community, bringing industry development services together with learning for job seekers and timely, relevant, local employment research. The Australian Workplace Innovation and Social Research Centre at the University of Adelaide will lead innovative research into employment trends and how workforce development training programs can provide for the development of appropriate responses to the economic needs and opportunities in the area. A competitive application process was conducted to select projects for funding under the Suburban Jobs program. Construction of projects will be completed by 30 June 2015. More information about the Suburban Jobs Program is available at http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/suburbanjobs/index.html | | | | | The University of Canberra is hosting a public symposium on Tuesday, 9 October from 9am to 430pm to discuss the National Broadband Network (NBN). The NBN is the most significant Australian national infrastructure project in decades. It promises to revolutionise the underlying telecommunications infrastructure of the nation while reshaping Australia’s policy environment for telecommunications. Broadband is not just about higher speeds and ubiquitous connectivity but a complex social system that can affect the various aspects of social productivity, community engagement, education and health systems. The Symposium will offer an exciting and challenging look at the critical questions and issues being faced as the NBN commences widespread operations in Australia. A list of speakers follows: - Matthew Allen (Curtin University)
- Keith Besgrove (Dept. of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy)
- Sean Casey (NBN Co. Limited)
- Tony Eyers (Tektel)
- Robin Eckermann (Robin Eckermann & Associates)
- Gerard Goggin (University of Sydney)
- Geoffrey Heydon(CSIRO Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation)
- Gwang Jae Kim (Hanyang Cyber University)
- Catherine Middleton (Ryerson University)
- Lesley Osborne (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
- Franco Papandrea (University of Canberra)
- Sora Park(University of Canberra)
- Rosemary Sinclair (UNSW Australian School of Business)
This symposium is part of an ongoing investigation of the “Broadband and Society” research team launched in October 2011, in order to systematically review the users, industries and the government in adopting new technologies. This is a free event and light lunch and tea will be provided to registered attendees. To register, click here. | | | | | A constitutional expert says there could be a High Court challenge to Joanna Gash remaining as a federal Liberal MP now that she has been elected Mayor of the Shoalhaven. Mrs Gash has announced plans to continue as the Member for Gilmore until the next federal election. Under Section 44 of the Constitution, a person is disqualified from the Federal Parliament if they hold an "office of profit" under the Crown. Professor George Williams says there is no precedent for Joanna Gash's situation and it's difficult to predict the outcome of a legal challenge. "I actually think this is really hard to pick," he said. "It's one where I can see that she may have legal advice to say that she's on safe ground, but you really can't know that until the High Court has looked at this situation. "I think the best we can say is that it's certainly arguable that she does have a problem." | | | | | The Mayor of a Canadian mining town has told an Australian parliamentary delegation that Fly-In-Fly-Out workers can destroy a community if proper planning does not take place. Four members of Australia's FIFO inquiry, including New England MP Tony Windsor, have visited Fort McMurray, where massive oil deposits have been discovered. Tony Windsor says 40,000 of the Alberta city's population of 100,000 are Fly-In-Fly-Out workers. He says the Mayor of Fort McMurray has warned the Committee not to be complacent about the impact of such workforces. "We had various meetings with the Mayor and some of the various Canadian government departments, even the mounted police," he said. "If you don't get the land and planning issues right and the infrastructure funding right you just end up in a mess because you can't keep pace with the issues that will arrive and that will force rentals and property values up." Tony Windsor says the petroleum industry centre is feeling the strain of the rapid expansion brought about by a large FIFO workforce. "Fort McMurray actually doubled in size in about eight years and that is the warning given to us by the Mayor of Fort McMurray," he said. "Infrastructure, housing and services are all feeling the strain in Fort McMurray and our FIFO committee here in Australia is considering if local government is going to need a hand trying to deal with it." | | | | | Anti-Poverty Week is a week where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity that aims to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship. With Anti-Poverty Week just one month away, time is running out to organise an activity! During Anti-Poverty Week, councils can help to fight poverty and hardship by: - strengthening public understanding of poverty and hardship around the world and Australia
- encouraging research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, organisations and governments
- inspiring commitment to make a difference.
Councils organising an activity are asked to register that activity on the following website: www.antipovertyweek.org.au The success of Anti-Poverty Week depends on individuals and organisations taking action to organise an activity with friends, colleagues or other groups. Any activity, large or small that helps people to express their interest and concern about any aspect of local, national or global poverty is very welcome. For information and ideas, visit the website, or email apw@antipovertyweek.org.au or call 1300 797 290. | | | | | The Alliance for Healthy Cities is an international network aiming at protecting and enhancing community health through the approach called ‘Healthy Cities’. Many national, state and local government community plans and health, environment and transport strategies across the Asia and Pacific region (including Australian Cities) have been informed by this participatory approach. The 5th Global Healthy Cities Conference, to be held in Brisbane from 24-27 October, will attract politicians, policy makers, practitioners, academics, NGOs, community residents and those who work on the front line of health, environmental and sustainable development. The main theme of the conference is “Healthy Urbanisation - Healthy People”. For more information, click here. | | | | | The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics would like to thank those Local Government Authorities who have responded to the Road Construction and Maintenance Price Index Survey. The responses received will help ensure that the revised index accurately reflects costs to local government of road construction and maintenance. | | |
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