 | |  Despite outlining a range of spending cuts in the Mid-Year Economic and Financial Outlook report this week, the Federal Government has confirmed that the remaining three rounds of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) will be delivered to provide investment in regional communities across Australia. In announcing new guidelines and opening rounds three and four of RDAF, the Minister for Local Government, Simon Crean, said the Federal Government had improved the program in response to community feedback. "Round three will see $50 million dedicated specifically to projects in small towns, while round four will distribute $175 million to support strategic infrastructure projects," Mr Crean said. "Both rounds will be rolled out at the same time - so $225 million is available now for partnership projects right across Australia. "We will also soon be announcing details of round five, which will confirm in full our commitment to delivering RDAF. It will mean all our commitments in relation to this program will be announced in advance of the next election. "RDAF will continue to drive a cultural change in regional funding by focusing on priorities of persistence and projects that stack-up, partnership and leverage, and regional reach. "This approach to regional funding has seen the $350 million committed in the first two RDAF rounds leverage $1.2 billion in total project investment. "The regions are determining 'what' is needed and the Federal Government is providing the 'how'." Mr Crean said the Federal Government has improved the RDAF guidelines to make it easier to apply and broaden the sorts of projects which can be funded. "Round three will directly address feedback from communities by targeting $50 million - in grants of between $50,000 and $500,000 - for projects in towns with a population of 30,000 or less," he said. "Round four will see $175 million allocated through grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to deliver priority regional infrastructure in partnership with funding from state and local governments, and the private sector. Mr Crean said it was important for projects unsuccessful in the first two rounds of RDAF to persist. Rounds three and four are now open for EOIs and applicants can submit one EOI for round three and one for round four – for different projects. The EOI process will close on Thursday, 6 December, 2012. For further details of the remaining rounds, revised guidelines and to access an EOI form, click here. | | | | |  Asset management, improving asset performance and longevity, and developing accurate asset measurements will be a key focus of this year's National Local Roads and Transport Congress. The Congress, to be held in Hobart from 14-1 6 November, will bring together about 300 local government leaders and experts to examine strategies to ensure Australian communities continue to enjoy safe and well managed roads and transport infrastructure. Director of BAS Consulting and Past President of Engineers Australia, Peter Godfrey says asset management is one of the more difficult but highly beneficial aspects of infrastructure provision for local government. According to Mr Godfrey, "Managing your assets well can ensure long term benefits for your community and council. Through effective asset management you can ensure you are making sound investment and financial decisions based on solid information and advice". "Strong asset management will make an extraordinary difference to your council's provision of roads, how your council makes road and transport investment decisions, and how you can maximise your infrastructure budget," he said. "Sound and vigilant asset management also helps to make assets more resilient to natural disasters, such as floods. Mundane activities such as clearing table drains and culverts and sealing cracks in roads can make an enormous difference when the rains come tumbling down." Themed Delivering Your Agenda, the Congress will allow councils to focus on the key issues affecting the provision of road and transport infrastructure in Australian communities. The Congress will feature speakers from the UK, New Zealand and Australia showcasing best practice and innovative projects. For more information or to register your attendances at the Congress visit www.alga.asn.au | | | | |  The Australian Government has provided a first set of responses to resolutions carried by councils at ALGA's 2012 National General Assembly , which brought together hundreds of delegates from local governments across Australia to discuss and develop national policy initiatives. In June this year, more than 800 council representatives met in Canberra to debate issues of national significance for local government, resulting in 79 of 86 motions being passed and referred to the ALGA Board for consideration in the development of future work programs. Following Board agreement, ALGA wrote to relevant federal Ministers for support in progressing a range of initiatives including the regulation, planning and funding of decentralised renewable energy production facilities; improved affordability of child care; increased assistance for councils adapting to the impacts of climate change; and clarification of legal liability issues for local government in relation to coastal planning as a result of climate change. ALGA has received advice from Minister for Resources and Energy Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson outlining the Government's agenda for providing the framework for efficient levels of distributed generation in Australian energy markets. According to Minister Ferguson, a new Chapter 5A in the National Electricity Rules will streamline the process for many distributed generators working with distribution businesses to establish a network connection. Distribution businesses would be required to publish annual planning reports, making it easier to identify opportunities for distributed generation connections. Minister for Child Care Kate Ellis has advised ALGA that the Australian Government is working hard to improve child care affordability for Australian families. According to Minister Ellis, the Government increased the Child Care Rebate, from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of out of pocket child care costs, and raised the maximum amount claimable from $4354 to $7500 per child per year. Minister for Climate Change Greg Combet has also provided advice to ALGA regarding issues relevant to climate change. Minister Combet says that the Australian Government is working with the state and territory governments to deliver a range of building and planning measures following the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) 2009 agreement to the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency (NSEE). The NSEE measures are expected to set a pathway for future increases in the stringency of the energy efficiency provisions for all new commercial and residential buildings. Websites have been established to provide a range of practical information about design and construction and how to save energy and cut power bills. These include www.yourhome.gov.au and www.livinggreener.gov.au In his advice, Minister Combet reinforces the need for a coordinated national approach - involving federal, state and local governments - to legal and planning issues around managing coast climate risks. | | |
| |  Following meetings earlier this month with members of all sides of politics to argue ALGA's case for constitutional recognition of local government and the need for a Joint Select Committee of Parliament to progress the issue, I am pleased to say that Local Government Minister, Simon Crean will be introducing a motion into Parliament early next week to establish such a Committee. If the motion is carried, the proposed Committee would be formed to look specifically at the findings of the independent Expert Panel on the Constitutional Recognition of Local Government, which reported late last year that financial recognition of councils in the Constitution was the most viable form of recognition. This week, I wrote to each member of Parliament to reinforce the urgent need for a Parliamentary Committee to consider this issue, emphasising that the uncertainty around the constitutional validity of direct federal funding to local government remains and can only be addressed through a referendum to amend the Constitution. My letter has been prompted by comments from a number of Members of Parliament who believe that the local government issue has been resolved by the enactment of the Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2012. This is not correct and I want to reinforce the need for and local government's commitment to a referendum on the financial recognition of local government. The outcome of the Williams case, touching upon issues raised in the earlier High Court case of Pape v. The Commonwealth, was anticipated with great concern by local government and that concern proved justified as the case reinforced the narrow view of the extent of the Commonwealth’s ability to fund programs in the absence of specific legislative power. The Government’s response - the Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2012 - addressed some of the issues raised in the Williams case but did not resolve the uncertainty around the validity of direct federal funding of local government through programs such as Roads to Recovery. While financial recognition of local government in the Constitution has bipartisan support at the federal level, Minister Crean has urged local governments to lobby their state governments on the issue and refer to ALGA's suggested wording for an amendment to Section 96 of the Constitution in their discussions. I will be taking the opportunity to reiterate this message next week, when I address the NSW Local Government Association's Annual Conference in Dubbo. I see success in the referendum as dependent on gaining bipartisan support, significant support at the state government level and getting commitment to a publicly funded education campaign. Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | On Monday, Treasurer Wayne Swan released the Mid-Year Economic and Financial Outlook report (MYEFO). The purpose of this report is to essentially provide an update on the Budget information that might have changed between the traditional Budget announcements in May and now. Overall, the MYEFO is telling in that the Government's already conservative estimations of economic growth and unemployment have both been revised to show growth will be slightly lower and unemployment slightly higher. The other is that Commonwealth taxation revenue is going to drop by a further $22 billion over the forward estimates. There are three elements which are forcing down revenues. The first is the continued high-value of the Australian dollar, this is making it more expensive for those who wish to import Australian goods, so exports are dropping. The second is related to the first, as revenues from the "mining tax" are lower than anticipated due to reduced demand. The third is the continued exposure to external economic instability, mostly in Europe, but declining growth in China is also of concern. Despite this, the overall outlook for the Australian economy is strong albeit not invulnerable from continued threats. In order to maintain its promise of a surplus in this financial year, the Government is announcing $16 billion in spending cuts and other economies over the forward estimates. Some of the biggest savings identified include saving $700m by limiting the indexation of the private health insurance debate and reducing the amount of the baby bonus to $3000 for second and subsequent children. The majority of the other 'adjustments' are deferring payments and making small changes around the edges. Overall, the impacts on local government are expected to be very limited and not directly related to one particular change. Due to these changes, the Government believes it can deliver a surplus in 2012-13 of $1.1 billion, which is down from the $1.5 billion projected in May. | | | | | Brisbane City Councillor Margaret de Wit has become the first woman elected as President of the Local Government Association of Queensland in its 116 year history, defeating Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O’Connell in a secret ballot. Cr de Wit assumed the role following the LGAQ Annual Conference on Thursday to begin serving a 4 year term. "I am passionate about fighting for the needs of local government," said Cr de Wit. "Councils do it tough - they don't get a lot of recognition for the work that they do and there are many issues that need to be addressed, like funding cuts and the loss of grants and subsidies. "We do realise that the state government has a big job to do in cutting debt but it’s my job now to fight for the needs of councils and taking it to the Premier when he is looking at budgets. Cr de Wit says she has no qualms about political allegiances, in terms of dealing with either the State or Federal Governments. "I have very good working relationships with the Premier, Treasurer and the Minister for Local Government, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be knocking on their door if I’m not happy with what we are getting from George Street. "I believe I can also work just as effectively with the federal minister and anyone else at that level." Cr de Wit is already one of four LGAQ directors. She was first appointed when LGAQ Ltd was constituted in August 2010, and has been the junior vice-president since 2008. She is also the first LGAQ President to come from Brisbane in 91 years, Cr de Wit steps into the shoes of Central Highlands Councillor Paul Bell. | | | | | According to the Western Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, the State's local government structure badly needs to be overhauled and reduced to no more than 20 metropolitan councils. Mayors and chief executives from Perth's 30 metropolitan councils met Mr Barnett and Local Government Minister John Castrilli on Wednesday to discuss a planned shake-up, including slashing the number of metropolitan councils. Mr Barnett said he imagined 15 to 20 would be "about right". "I think we do need less," Mr Barnett told ABC radio. "The structure of local government in Perth is much as it was in the early 1900s. "The city is growing very rapidly, many of the issues that we face are cross-metropolitan - transport, congestion, public facilities ... and I don't believe Perth can develop best as a city if we have got 30 different local decision-making groups." Mr Barnett said homeowners in smaller areas were paying more in rates than residents in larger areas, but there was no discernable difference in the services they received. "The larger local authorities can provide better facilities for their residents and they can also enter into agreements with both state and federal governments; they can take part in major metropolitan-wide planning and that does bring forward a local view. "I don't believe going into the future the smaller authorities can do that." Mr Barnett said it was about having a relevant system of local government that suits this century, not the last century. Following this week's briefing, the matter will now be subject to further public comment, which will extend until after the election in March. | | | | | Delegates from South Australia's 68 Councils are meeting in Adelaide to work through a series of local issues for possible addition to the Local Government Association's work program. Adult entertainment premises, e-waste, water rates, illegal dumping and a reduction in the voting age in Local Government elections were on the agenda for debate at the LGA's 2012 Conference and Annual General Meeting being held at the Westpac Centre, AAMI Stadium. LGA President, Mayor Kym McHugh said the AGM provided Councils with a forum to debate the15 Notices of Motion, on this year's agenda, to test the views of other Councils. "Where motions are supported the LGA will work to achieve the outcomes and we’ve had a history of success in areas such as getting Parliament to amend legislation," President McHugh said. Items for debate or information in the 245 page agenda also include regional development, stormwater management, water industry regulation, Local Government fees and charges and various matters on the LGA's 2012 work program. | | | | | The Mayor of Albany says it is vital that the city improves its disability access to ensure the safety of its increasing elderly population. The City of Albany is due to consider its five-year plan on access and inclusion at this month's council meeting. The plan outlines ways the city can become more accessible to disabled people, given its aging infrastructure. Mayor Dennis Wellington says a lot of the city's building are not currently accessible to the entire population and that needs to change. "The visitors' centre, the administration building, the aquatic centre, the library, all of those sorts of things have got to have ready access to them," he said. "If you were in a wheelchair and you wanted to cross, say, York Street, there's only probably one or two places where you can cross on the length of York Street, whereas an able-bodied person would just walk over a kerb, walk across the middle and just go over the other side. "That's not open to people with a wheelchair." | | | | | Regional Australia continues to be at the forefront of the digital revolution thanks to Federal Government funding helping communities and business develop innovative uses of the National Broadband Network (NBN). Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean announced that 20 Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees would benefit from about $500,000 in Federal funding for 14 projects that will ensure communities are ready to take full advantage of the NBN. "The NBN is a game-changer for regional Australia and regional Australia knows it-it will transform the way small businesses operate, how health services are delivered, and how students of all ages access educational opportunities," Mr Crean said. "These projects will encourage regional communities to engage with the possibilities of the NBN through local expos, roadshows and other activities. "Each project has a focus on practical initiatives which will engage communities and attract people from across the region. "A number of projects are collaborations across RDA boundaries, where committees have joined the dots and come up with a partnership approach to maximise the investment. The RDA committees to be awarded funding are: - RDA Sunshine Coast, RDA Gold Coast, RDA Logan & Redlands and RDA Moreton Bay (QLD) will receive $100,000 for the Digital Futures Program - Telework Readiness
- RDA Far North Queensland and Torres Strait (QLD) will receive $24,950 for the Implementation of the Cairns Digital Economy and Community Engagement Strategy
- RDA Peel (WA) will receive $24,600 for the Catch the Broadband Wave project
- RDA Wheatbelt (WA) will receive $24,776, for the Pathway to Digital Region project
- RDA Far North and RDA Yorke & Mid North (SA) will receive $50,000 for the NBN Localised Website and Supporting Roadshow project
- RDA Hume (VIC) will receive $25,000 for the Digital Economy and NBN Readiness Planning for the Hume Region
- RDA Mid North Coast (NSW) will receive $24,966 for the NBN Satellite Champions Awareness project
- RDA Central Coast (NSW) will receive $25,000 for the Teleworking on the NSW Central Coast project
- RDA Northern Rivers (NSW) will receive $25,000 for the Digital Business Development project
- RDA Orana (NSW) will receive $25,000 for the Orana to the Digital Economy Expo project
- RDA Riverina and RDA Murray (NSW) will receive $50,000 to present 42 information sessions across the regions business sectors
- RDA Central West (NSW) will receive $25,000 for the Connecting Communities in the Central West project
- RDA Southern Inland (NSW) and RDA ACT will receive $25,000 to carry out a readiness assessment and workshops across the region
- RDA Illawarra (NSW) will receive $25,000 for the Illawarra NBN Expo project.
| | | | | Twenty-seven outstanding individuals and organisations have been selected as finalists for the 2012 National Disability Awards, recognising their valuable contribution to improving the lives of people with disability in Australia. The Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas, announced the finalists across the nine award categories. The National Disability Awards, now in its sixth year, celebrates the remarkable achievements of people with disability and those who support them to create a more inclusive and diverse society. Finalists were chosen from more than 200 nominations for the Awards, which include the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Disability Reform and the Emerging Leaders Award. The finalists are made up of individuals, support organisations and national companies. Their achievements include improving community accessibility and employment opportunities for people with disability, promoting the rights of people with disability and advocating for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This year's Awards come at an exciting time for people with disability, their families and carers, as the Australian Government invests $1 billion for the first stage of an NDIS. The first stage of an NDIS will be launched from the middle of next year. More than 20,000 people with significant and permanent disability in five locations will benefit from this first stage, receiving a care and support package that is individually tailored to their needs and having decision-making power about their care and support. Critical to the success of an NDIS will be the continued commitment of all Australian governments to the National Disability Strategy, which is a framework to embed the inclusion of disability in policies, programs, services and infrastructure across all areas of the community. These 27 finalists are showcasing some of the achievements and progress being made in these areas. The National Disability Awards will be presented at a gala dinner at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on Wednesday 28 November 2012. The Awards form part of the Australian Government’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability, which occurs annually on 3 December and which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Communities across Australia are celebrating International Day of People with Disability. Visit http://www.idpwd.com.au to register your event and download a toolkit to help you prepare and promote your celebration. | | | | | The Retirement Village Association (RVA) and Property Council of Australia have announced their intention to merge and form a new powerful voice for retirement communities in Australia. "After months of productive discussions, the RVA and Property Council Boards have now unanimously endorsed a model to merge our two organisations, bringing together the breadth and experience of the RVA with the strength of the Property Council’s advocacy and member services around the country," RVA CEO Andrew Giles says. "The RVA has grown its membership greatly over the past decade, and this merger will provide more benefits and a stronger future for the industry and residents", Giles says. The two Boards have agreed to create a new leadership group - the Retirement Living Council - as a new division of the Property Council to spearhead advocacy and public affairs for the industry. This will comprise around 20 of Australia's leading for-profit and not-for-profit firms. Other RVA members will be welcomed into the Property Council and enjoy the benefits of an expanded suite of member services, with existing RVA resources and knowledge ported to the Property Council. "The Retirement Living Council’s mission is to place the future of retirement communities at the centre of the policy radar of every government in Australia,” Property Council of Australia chief operating officer, Ken Morrison says. "This merger gives the industry the political muscle it has been looking for and more benefits for the whole sector." | | | | | Applications for the 2013 National Awards for Local Government (NALG) will open in a few weeks. These prestigious awards recognise and highlight some of the extraordinary efforts of individuals within councils. Since the inception of the Awards, thousands of projects have been recognised and many more have provided creative solutions to problems through sharing of knowledge. The NALG are managed by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport with sponsorship provided by various sponsoring departments. Involvement in the Awards by departments, enables the sponsors to better understand issues faced by local governments. This knowledge can then be used to shape government programs to address areas of current community concern. Applications for the Awards address specific selection criteria and proceed through a two stage judging process which culminates with the finalists receiving the National Award for Excellence, which will be presented by the Minister at Parliament House in June 2013. Key dates are listed below: | 1. Entries open | 3 December 2012 | | 2. Entries close | 15 February 2013 | | 3. Category judging | Late February to mid March 2013 | | 4. Category winners announced | End March 2013 | | 5. National judging | Early May 2013 | | 6. Award presentation event | Mid June 2013 | Further information can be found here. | | | | | A senior Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency staff member has been nominated for a Carbon Market Institute award in recognition of her contribution towards a clean energy future. Shayleen Thompson, First Assistant Secretary of the department’s Land Division, has been nominated for Most Outstanding Contribution to Carbon Markets for the Year, at the inaugural Carbon Market Institute (CMI) awards. Other individual nominees for the award include David White, Manager Sustainability and Climate Change at Virgin Australia, Elisa de Wit, Partner and Head of Climate Change for Norton Rose Australia, and Martijn Wilder, Partner, Baker & McKenzie. Companies nominated include Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Climate Friendly, CO2 Group and Ernst and Young. The awards recognise excellence, leadership and outstanding achievement in carbon markets. The awards also recognise the importance of people and their positive impact on building capacity in carbon markets to enable growth in a low-carbon world. "There are some inspiring individuals who have the passion and drive to make a difference. We recognised there are some really good stories that can be told and the CMI Awards allow that to happen," CMI executive director Mike Tournier said. "The number and quality of nominations received has been impressive to say the least, and finalists can take great pride in their selection," he said. The winners will be announced at the CMI Awards Dinner on Thursday, 8 November, at the Showtime Events Centre in Melbourne. | | |
| | |  Get involved with Australia's largest network of walking groups Is your organisation looking to set up walking groups or do you have walking groups that you would like to grow? Heart Foundation Walking is Australia's largest network of free community-based walking groups, with over 1,300 groups and 19,500 active members. Our walkers join the program to improve their fitness or health, but it's the fun, social aspects that motivate them to stay. We're always on the look out to partner with local governments, health services and workplaces to expand this community network and get more Australians active. What support do you receive from the program? - A quality, proven and sustainable framework for starting and operating walking groups in your community
- A step-by-step guide to coordinating the program
- Resources and training provided
- Public relations and media support
- Evaluation tools and a centralised database
- Regular reports about Heart Foundation Walking groups in your area
If you're interested in being part of Heart Foundation Walking or would like more information, please contact us today. Visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking, email walking@heartfoundation.org.au or call 1300 36 27 87. Heart Foundation Walking is funded nationally by the Medibank Community Fund and the Australian Government.
It is also funded by the QLD Government to get more Queenslanders active and the ACT Government through ACT Health. |
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