The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, this week congratulated 53 Australians, including ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis, who have been recognised for their outstanding work in building strong and cohesive multicultural communities.

The local champions have been independently selected as People of Australia Ambassadors and were officially appointed at a ceremony at Parliament House on 21 March.

"These ambassadors are leaders in their community and will play a critical role in providing the Australian Government and the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) with important grassroots information about life in multicultural Australia," Senator Lundy said.

"I am particularly pleased to announce 17 new ambassadors from around the country will join the program this year."

The new ambassadors are all people with a demonstrated commitment to the community and Australia's rich cultural diversity. They reflect a call for nominations from youth and regional areas and join 36 ambassadors continuing in the program from last year.

The 2013 ambassadors' appointment coincided with Harmony Day celebrations at Parliament House this week.

The People of Australia ambassadors are appointed for a one-year term.

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, was present at this week's hauling of National Broadband Network fibre in South Perth, where the NBN rollout is reaching the final stages of construction.

“Construction of National Broadband Network fibre has now commenced for around 17,000 homes and businesses in South Perth,” Senator Conroy said.

“Hauling the green NBN fibre is the final stage of construction, so people living locally should be able to start connecting to the NBN progressively from around June this year.

“The NBN will be available for prices that are similar to or less than what people are paying now on the aging copper network, but the NBN will provide a much more superior and reliable service.

“NBN fibre construction has commenced for 112,800 homes and business across Western Australia.

“This includes 68,000 homes and businesses across Perth, in areas such as Applecross, Ardross, Bateman, Booragoon, Brentwood, Burswood, Carlisle, Como, Victoria Park, Kensington, Kewdale, Lathlain, Mount Pleasant, Murdoch, Rivervale, South Perth, St James, Victoria Park, Welshpool, and Winthrop.”

While in Perth, Senator Conroy also officially launched the NBN Digital Hub and Digital Enterprise in Melville, which provides free expert advice to local residents and businesses on how to make the most of the National Broadband Network.

“Every Australian will have access to the NBN's fast, affordable and reliable broadband. These hubs allow all of us to learn about the NBN and embrace the opportunities it presents," he said.

The NSW Government has today moved to implement its policy prohibiting coal seam gas (CSG) operations in residential areas and critical industry clusters.

A proposed amendment to the Mining State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining SEPP) is on public exhibition until Friday 12 April 2013 and feedback is being sought.

The amendment seeks to prohibit CSG exploration and production on, and within two kilometres of, land zoned residential and proposed future residential areas. Drilling underneath these areas will also be prohibited.

These CSG activities will also be excluded from land identified as a Critical Industry Cluster - which currently includes the Upper Hunter horse breeding and wine making industries.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, this week announced the appointment of a new member of the Clean Energy Regulator.

“I am pleased to announce that Mr Michael D’Ascenzo AO will join the Clean Energy Regulator from 2 April 2013,” Mr Combet said.

Mr D’Ascenzo is recognised internationally for his leadership and expertise in tax administration and governance as well as his technical and design skills in tax law and superannuation.

He brings a wealth of public sector experience to the role, including as Commissioner of Taxation.

In 2010 Mr D’Ascenzo was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to public administration, particularly through reform and innovative engagement with the taxation profession and other government agencies.

“Mr D’Ascenzo has extensive public sector experience and expertise,” Mr Combet said.

“His strong background and significant standing in public administration, tax policy, and regulatory processes will prove a valuable asset to the Clean Energy Regulator.”

Mr D’Ascenzo’s experience and qualifications will complement those of the other members of the Clean Energy Regulator.  He replaces Jennie Granger, who has relocated to the United Kingdom.

Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC and Queensland Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey have this week announced the Goondiwindi local government area will receive further assistance following the severe weather and flooding between 25 February and 5 March.

“Goondiwindi residents have shown great resilience. We are ensuring the local council receives the help it needs to move forward with rebuilding and recovery efforts,” Mr Dreyfus said.

The financial assistance is provided under the jointly funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and will assist the local council in Goondiwindi to restore damaged essential public assets that are vital to the normal functioning of the community.

Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery assistance is now available for this weather event in the local government areas of Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Moreton Bay, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic  Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs.

Queensland Minister for Police and Community Safety, Jack Dempsey paid tribute to affected Queenslanders.

"Our thoughts are with individuals and communities still dealing with the devastation of ex-tropical Cyclone Oswald, and now faced with the task of cleaning up again following these storms,” Mr Dempsey said.

Further information on natural disaster recovery assistance can be found at www.qraa.qld.gov.au or www.disasterassist.gov.au.

The National Library of Australia is calling for applications for the 2013 Community Heritage Grants.

The grants of up to $15,000 are available to community groups around the country to help preserve and manage locally held, nationally significant cultural heritage collections of documents and objects for future generations.  Projects supported include significance assessments, preservation needs assessments, conservation activities and collection management.

Director-General of the National Library, Ms Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, encouraged representatives from historical societies, museums, public libraries, archives and Indigenous and migrant community groups to apply.

"To the many groups around the country which are playing their part to help preserve Australia’s history, we invite you to apply for the 2013 grants so the nation can continue to benefit from your culturally significant work," Ms Schwirtlich said.

Applications, which should be submitted online at www.nla.gov.au/chg, close on Wednesday 1 May 2013 at 5pm (AEST).

Since 1994, a combined total of around $4.5 million in funding has been provided to 966 projects.

The 2013 Community Heritage Grants Program is funded by the Australian Government through the National Library of Australia; the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport through the Office for the Arts; the National Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound Archive; and the National Museum of Australia.

Information, guidelines and application forms are available at www.nla.gov.au/chg/

Individuals, groups and organisations in the planning, development and design industries recently involved with Australian urban design initiatives, projects or developments that deserve national recognition are urged to enter the Australia Award for Urban Design.  The winning project, partners and stakeholders are held in high esteem within the industry, among peers and are widely recognised in the media.

The Award intent and scope is broad and invites entries for design initiatives, projects, built developments, and publications that will make a significant difference to the places, spaces, buildings and infrastructure of Australian cities.

The Australia Award for Urban Design is hosted by the Planning Institute of Australia with support from the Australian Institute of Architects, Property Council of Australia, Green Building Council of Australia, Consult Australia, The Australian Urban Design Forum and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

The final date for submissions is 4pm, Monday, 13 May.  For more details, visit www.planning.org.au

An opportunity exists for every local council in Australia to join a unique road safety campaign within a few minutes just by linking to the central hub of information at www.kidsafevic.com.au

From the website, all parents with toddlers, day care centres, pre-schools and local schools can download safety materials and watch the community service announcement on their PC or laptop to spread the safety message.

Councils are especially encouraged to promote their involvement in letters or emails.        

Pedestrian and driveway incidents, major causes of serious injury and death in young children, will be targeted in the Kidsafe road safety campaign as part of the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety.  Spearheaded by Sesame Street’s Elmo and Grover, the campaign was launched this week in Melbourne.

In the three year period from 2006-2008, there were six deaths and 430 seriously injured pedestrians aged 0-14 years in Victoria.  A further 14 children under six years of age were killed and 73 were seriously injured as a result of a driveway run over between January 2000 and September 2012.

Click here for more information about the campaign.

The Local Government Association of NSW (LGNSW) is calling for papers for the 2013 Water Management Conference.

Councils and other stakeholders are invited to forward papers and/or suggestions for the conference program.

The annual Water Management Conference provides an opportunity for councillors, Local Government professionals, government representatives and the broader industry to tackle key water management issues and discuss emerging issues in the water portfolio.

Councils and other stakeholders are invited to forward papers and/or suggestions for the conference program.  In particular, papers are invited on the main topics of the conference including:

• Regional water supply solutions The two host councils will present on the Mardi Mangrove Pipeline Link a joint, large scale infrastructure project prompted by the need to ensure water security in the rapidly growing Central Coast area. The conference will look at how this was done and the challenges the councils faced. Others may have similar projects to share.
• Demand management and water sensitive urban design Growing water supply needs have also led innovative measures such as decentralised stormwater harvesting and recycling schemes taking into account water sensitive urban design principles as well as community education and rebate programs.
• Review of regulatory and institutional arrangement for local water utilities in regional NSW The conference will continue discussing the reform of local water utilities in regional NSW. It will have a look at implications from the recommendations on local water utilities made in Infrastructure NSW's Infrastructure Strategy, potential outcomes from the review of the Local Government Review Panel, as well as discuss the implementation of the Central Coast Water Corporation.

Papers/suggestions should include:

• A brief outline of the issue/main focus of your paper/suggestion.
• The preferred format for its inclusion in the program (conference paper, presentation, display, workshop topic).
• Possible presenter/s and a brief bio (50 words maximum).
• The type of outcome that could be expected by conference delegates.

Please note that LGNSW does not accept presentations which are solely commercial in nature.

Closing date for papers:
Friday, 19 April 2013

Send papers to:
sascha.moege@lgnsw.org.au

Date and location:
Sunday 8 - Tuesday 10 September 2013, Terrigal, Central Coast

Host:
Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council

Water Conference Website:
www.lgnsw.org.au/waterconference.

National Cyber Security Awareness Week (20-24 May 2013) is an annual Australian Government initiative held in partnership with industry, community and consumer organisations and all levels of government. Part of the broader Stay Smart Online program, the Awareness Week aims to help Australians using the internet - whether it be at home, the workplace or school - understand the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online.

The initiative is supported by more than 900 partners across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. The message of cyber security is delivered through a range of events, seminars, webinars, media, social media and other channels.

The Australian Government invites your council to join as an official partner for the 2013 National Cyber Security Awareness Week. By becoming an official partner, your council can help educate the wider community about online safety alongside a Federal Government initiative. You will have access to free materials, latest research and insights, attend events, invite speakers to your council’s events and collaborate with other partners during Awareness Week.

There are no financial or legal contracts involved. All that is needed is your commitment to help spread the message of cyber security.  To speak with someone about your involvement, please contact Adriana Musumeci on 03 9289 9555 or via staysmartonline@porternovelli.com.au.