A Queensland parliamentary committee has backed the passage of amendments to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), but has raised concerns about the state’s decision to modify work diary requirements. 

The Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee has recommended Parliament pass the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill, which is designed to fix policy and technical matters unresolved when legislation to create the NHVR passed last year. 

The Bill amends policies relating to Performance Based Standards, road access decisions and penalties and brings the NHVR into line with executive liability provisions set by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

However, the committee has questioned whether Queensland’s decision to tighten the requirement for when truck drivers need to maintain a work diary will be too much of a burden on small operators. 

Unlike other states, Queensland exempted operators working within 200km of their base from filling out a work diary when fatigue management laws began in 2008. Under national regulations, Queensland agreed to wind it back to a 100km radius to bring the state into line with other jurisdictions. 

"The Committee is concerned that the requirement...may not be flexible enough for smaller operators required to travel slightly longer distances, as is often required in large states such as Queensland,” the committee notes in its report on the Bill.

It wants the NHVR to use its power under the Bill to exempt drivers from work diary requirements for up to three years if it believes doing so will not jeopardise safety and if it considers the 100km requirement will be too restrictive.

The report also recommends all governments work together on any further amendments to national regulations to ensure cross-border consistency is maintained. 

Queensland is the only state to have passed legislation creating the regulator. Other jurisdictions are due to pass the relevant legislation to establish the NHVR on July 1. Western Australia has not yet decided if it will support the reforms.

Community members have until the end of February to provide feedback on the draft strategy setting out the Australian Government’s proposed approach to recovering water for the environment in the Murray-Darling Basin.

The proposed approach builds on consultations with state governments, Basin communities, industry bodies through stakeholder panels, community meetings and public submissions.

The strategy will involve an adaptive approach taking account of Basin Plan developments such as the operation of the sustainable diversion limit adjustment mechanism and water yields from the Government's investments in infrastructure savings.

To read the Environmental Water Recovery Strategy and make a submission visit the draft Water Recovery Strategy for the Murray-Darling Basin.

Comments on the draft strategy are requested by 28 February 2013, and can be submitted by email to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities at: waterrecovery@environment.gov.au, or by mail to the Water Recovery Team, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities, GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601.

The Federal and Queensland Governments have signed a National Partnership Agreement (NPA) that will deliver for the rebuilding of Queensland.

The agreement streamlines assessment processes, fast tracks urgent assistance and cuts red tape between Governments.

For the first time, the NPA covers the damage caused by the floods and cyclones from November 2010 through to February 2013. It strengthens and complements the long standing Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to reflect the needs of Queensland.  The NPA ensures all levels of Government can work together to get Queensland back on its feet as quickly as possible.

The agreement locks in a proven model for delivering for the Queensland recovery and rebuild.  The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) acts centrally to lead and oversee the recovery operations while the Commonwealth Taskforce provides oversight and coordination of Commonwealth interests.  Finally, the Australian Government Reconstruction Inspectorate is charged with delivering value for money for all Australian taxpayers.

The Agreement paves the way for Category C and Category D applications to be quickly brought forward by the State Government and assessed by the Commonwealth.

The NPA includes specific measures to allow sporting, recreation and community facilities affected by the 2013 floods and ex-cyclone Oswald to be eligible for joint funding.

Governments have also agreed to develop frameworks for both betterment and the appropriate standards for the reconstruction of assets including roads. Both will be agreed within the next two weeks.

Independent MP Peter Wellington says the Queensland Government needs to provide councils with greater protection to prevent inappropriate development on flood plains.

He says Queensland is the only state that still has laws allowing compensation for developers if changes to planning schemes affect development rights.

Mr Wellington has told State Parliament that many councils are afraid to rezone flood-prone land because of the threat of being sued.

"It's time the Government made the change and stopped bowing to the whim of the development industry in Queensland," he said.

"They've certainly had the ear of governments in the past.

"As far as I'm concerned from what I've seen to date they certainly seem to still have the ear of the Premier and the leadership team of this Government and I say on behalf of all Queenslanders it's time it changed.

"Let's see if this Government is fair dinkum in giving councils the real power they need so they aren't intimidated or afraid of back-zoning land because they know that if they back-zone land and they are taken to court they will have to pay compensation.

"If it's good enough for other states it's high time Queensland followed suit."

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Duty Senator for Cowper, Matt Thistlethwaite, this week switched on the first National Broadband Network fibre services in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

To showcase the benefits of the NBN, young people from the Coffs Regional Conservatorium and children from Sawtell Public School took part in a virtual singing lesson with Opera Australia singer, Taryn Fiebig.

"Today's singing lesson is just one example of the possibilities for education offered by the Gillard Government's world class National Broadband Network, particularly for people living outside our capital cities," Senator Conroy said.

"Coffs Harbour is the third site that can now access the NBN in New South Wales, with the rollout ramping up across the state."

"This is an exciting time for local Coffs residents, who will now be able to experience the benefits of faster, more reliable broadband through the NBN," Senator Thistlethwaite said.

"As well as Coffs Harbour, work has also commenced in parts of Korora, Sapphire Beach, Sawtell and Tormina. This construction is expected to be completed during 2013."

"By 30 June 2015, fibre construction will have commenced or been completed to 1,010,700 homes and businesses across NSW and to over 3.5 million homes and businesses nationwide."

For more information about the NBN rollout visit www.nbnco.com.au/rollout

A new report reveals that Melbourne's growth corridors need almost $10 billion worth of infrastructure investment over the next 15 years.

The study commissioned by a group of outer suburban councils confirms a significant lack of transport, jobs, education options, medical and aged care facilities.

The report warns that the problem will become worse, as Melbourne's outer suburban population increases by half a million people by 2030.

The chief executive officer of the Municipal Association of Victoria, Rob Spence, says investment is desperately needed now.

"You don't want to create a situation in outer Melbourne where there is a significant amount of growth occurring, where [these communities] become really dislocated," he said.

"It's an issue that really has be dealt with."

Hume Mayor, Geoff Porter, say the problem is set to get worse with a growing population.

"What we would be asking from the State Government is to talk to us, listen to our concerns and let's get this right," he said.

The Hobart City Council has invited other local governments to begin serious merger talks.

Aldermen unanimously voted in favour of beginning merger discussions.

The Lord Mayor Damon Thomas said Council will also consider changing boundaries.

"We're very open to be approached, we will then model the outcome," he said.

But he could not detail prospective partners or a title for a combined council.

"Until we actually have someone as a suitor, those sort of issues are off the table."

But Aldermen have rejected an independent report's recommendation to form one super council by merging with Glenorchy, Clarence, Brighton and Kingborough.

Tasmania has 29 local councils but so far none have agreed to amalgamations.

The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) in association with the International Association of Public Transport, Australia and New Zealand has released Moving People: Solutions for a Liveable Australia - a report focusing on land use and transport integration, funding future infrastructure needs and social exclusion in the coming years in Australia’s land transport systems. 

The Central Coast water supply reached a significant milestone, with storage levels tipping the 50 percent mark, a level not seen in the region for more than 16 years.

Wyong Shire Mayor Doug Eaton said it was a credit to the community and both councils to see how far the area had come in such a short time.

"Six years ago storage levels hit an all time low of 12.8 percent and today, after all the work of the Councils and the community, not to mention some much needed rain, we have reached the 50 percent mark for the first time since December 1996," he said.

"This is an amazing turn around and shows how the efforts of the community and the Councils have helped secure our water supply for the future.

"As a result we have been able to move off water restrictions and now, with our water wise rules, the community has a much greater freedom to use more water responsibly around their home.

"Even if it stopped raining tomorrow, if we all follow these rules, we would have sufficient water supply for another seven months before triggering the first level of water restrictions."

Gosford City Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the results of the Councils' multi-million dollar recovery program were now clear.

"Seeing storage levels increase so significantly in the past six years has really demonstrated the benefits of the Councils’ recovery program," he said.

Residents and business are reminded that there are currently permanent Water Wise Rules across the Central Coast and the Councils continue to encourage the community to live water smart.

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) will hold its national conference over three days in June 2013 (25 - 27 June) at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney.  The theme of this year’s conference is 'Climate Adaptation 2013: Knowledge + partnerships'.  The call for abstracts is closing next week on Friday 15 February 2013.

The Climate Adaptation 2013 conference will be a major Australian forum focusing solely on climate change impacts and adaptation It brings together scientists and decision makers to share knowledge and experiences and to build partnerships for action.  This year it will explore the way forward in a world where impacts are increasingly observable and adaptation actions are increasingly required. We would like to encourage researchers and students, stakeholders and practitioners to consider submitting an abstract about their research, on-ground work and experience as well as researchers and students.  For more information, please visit the conference website: www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2013.