 | |  The President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis, has called on leaders of the Labor Party, Liberal Party and National Party to give priority to community infrastructure funding and to honour funding commitments already made under the current Government. ALGA called for significant funding for community infrastructure in its election plan for resourcing local community priorities released in June 2013 and Mayor Lewis wrote to political party leaders on 21 August asking them to honour funding allocations of at least $150 million and projects already identified under the existing Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF). "Funding provided under regional development programs for community infrastructure is critical to allowing councils to address deficiencies in such infrastructure which is fundamental to communities’ social and economic wellbeing," Mayor Lewis said. "The allocations made to councils under recent rounds of RDAF have been taken up by councils across Australia. But the decision to bring forward the election to 7 September meant that there was no time for the Commonwealth to finalise the funding agreements for hundreds of projects. As a consequence these vital projects are now at risk." Mr Truss reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to community infrastructure last week when he announced funding of $200 million a year for five years for a new National Stronger Regions Fund to be established in 2015 but there is great concern in local government that existing funding allocations will not be honoured. "I urge all parties to support the projects which councils have already identified as community priorities under announced funding allocations and I will be seeking an early meeting with the Minister for Regional Development in the incoming government to pursue this issue," Mayor Lewis said. | | | | |  Following ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis's invitation to councils across Australia to participate in "The Local Government Challenge: A Council's Experience" at the upcoming National Local Roads and Transport Congress, ALGA has been inundated with submissions demonstrating how local government initiatives have improved community infrastructure. The Congress, to be held from 12-14 November in Alice Springs, will include two sessions providing an opportunity for councils to showcase significant road and transport projects in their local area. As part of the Local Government Challenge, councils have provided details of projects including road resurfacing, bridge replacements, road duplications and upgrades with details of the steps they took to overcome difficulties to deliver successful projects in their communities. All submissions will be displayed at the Roads Congress, with about six councils being invited to speak about their projects. Upon receiving details of local projects for the competition, Mayor Lewis said that she had been "privileged to hear about the many great road infrastructure projects which councils have been able to deliver for their communities, most of which have relied on federal funds through programs like Roads to Recovery". One of the aims of the Roads Congress is to highlight the importance of federal funding in overcoming road and infrastructure challenges and to reinforce the need for increased and permanent funding under the Roads to Recovery program. This year's Congress provides a unique opportunity for local government to unite and shape a national proposal for the local roads agenda for the new federal government. With the theme, Sustaining our Roads: Good Business, Good Governance, Good Bottom-line, this year's Congress will include the launch of the 2013 State of the Local Roads Assets Report, which will assess current levels of expenditure and the standard of community roads and infrastructure. For more information about the Congress, visit the ALGA website, or click here. | | | | |  A national charity - Touched by Olivia - is working to make playspaces appropriate for everyone in the community, including those with disabilities. Six inclusive playspaces have recently opened across the country - in Campbelltown, Five Dock, Dubbo, Brisbane, Ryde and Melbourne - and over 30 more are in various stages of development across Australia. From early development, through to recreation in the twilight years, play is an important activity for increasing brain activity, decreasing obesity and encouraging vital social connections. Touched by Olivia hopes that there will be an inclusive playspace in every community through a unique partnership model that brings all levels of government together with communities and corporations. The initiative has the support of Mayor of Marion and ALGA President, Felicity-ann Lewis: "As the President of ALGA and as the Local Government Disability Champion, I urge councils to consider a Touched by Olivia inclusive playspace when they are upgrading an existing playground or planning a new playground." "It is a way that councils can strengthen connections with their communities and create more socially inclusive facilities. My council of Marion is currently working with the Touched by Olivia Foundation to install an inclusive playspace and I look forward to seeing the joy and benefits it will bring to people of all ages in our community. "On a broader scale, the City of Marion is doing a lot to help people with disabilities. This week, I updated members attending the National Disability Services Members' Annual General Meeting in Marion on the specific work we are doing to remove barriers that make it hard for people with a disability to be active members of their community." Mayor Lewis told the meeting that three facilities in the City of Marion had been upgraded to meet disability access standards in the past financial year as part of a $2.6 million commitment to making buildings more user-friendly over the next decade. "Park Holme Community Hall, Marion Swimming Centre and Clovelly Park Community Hall have been upgraded with ramps, disability access toilets and handrails. These halls are now easier to access for the many people that use them for everything from exercise classes to social groups," Mayor Lewis said. Touched by Olivia led a workshop last year that came up with six principles that any local government can bring to their next playspace design: - Everyone can play
- Access to nature
- Total experience
- A connection to the community
- Play independence
- Friendship
Inclusive playspaces are important in communities because: - 1 in 5 Australians have a disability.
- 61 per cent of children aged 5-14 years with a disability have an intellectual disability.
- Nationwide spread of high density living in units and apartments highlights the need for access to quality inclusive community spaces.
- More than a quarter of Australian children are overweight or obese
- 14 per cent of children aged 4-17 have mental health problems.
A panel of corporate partners will be working in numerous communities with local councils. To read more about the inclusive playspace principles, and access research and resources, visit: www.inclusiveplayspace.com or go towww.playgroundfinder.com to can find the closest inclusive playspace . For further information, please contact Rebecca Ho, Executive Officer at Touched by Olivia on 0414 506 606. | | |
| |  After five weeks of intense campaigning by political candidates contending federal seats in the 2013 election, Australians will be asked to cast their votes at the ballot box tomorrow, noting that more than 2.5 million people have already made their selection through pre-polling and postal voting. The campaign has seen a conservative approach to promised spending, reflecting the fiscal realities for whichever party forms government on Saturday. Despite that, there have been some announcements which have focused on important issues for local communities which local government has been concerned and these are welcome. Overall though, it is disappointing that none of the major parties has issued a specific local government policy and of course this election will go down in history because of the decision not to proceed with the referendum on financial recognition of local government. There have been announcements to ensure the continuation of the Roads to Recovery program and the Black Spots funding program. The Coalition has promised $300 million for a new bridge renewal program, which is an issue that ALGA has been strongly advocating for. We would hope that if the Labor Government is re-elected, it will match that commitment. Local government is also pleased to see renewed focus on community safety, Indigenous employment, invasive species management and community sporting facilities. These are issues our communities care about and we hope that the next government will be able to follow through with previous commitments made in these areas. Prior to the election, we saw an additional $150 million in infrastructure funding promised to communities under the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) and of course we keenly welcomed that announcement. But we are now concerned that an incoming government may not honour those promises. This week I issued a media release calling on leaders of the Labor, Liberal and National Party to give priority to community infrastructure funding and to honour funding commitments made by the current Government. The Labor Party has committed to these projects but the Coalition has warned that projects where funding agreements have not already been signed will not proceed. Leader of the Nationals, Warren Truss, has said that a Coalition Government would create a new regional funding program worth $200 million each year for five years. While we support this initiative, we note with concern that this program would not commence until 2015. That timing would create a period of more than a year without significant regional development funding following tomorrow's election if a Coalition Government was to be elected. Therefore, should the Coalition form government on Saturday, we will be urging them to re-consider their timing. While many of the promises have been modest, a lot have been community-focused and that is to be welcomed. ALGA will work to ensure that we continue our strong relationship with whichever party forms the next government and that the interests of our local communities are given priority.
Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | New population figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) include the latest population estimates for the current Commonwealth Electoral Divisions.
According to the ABS Director of Demography, Bjorn Javis, Fraser - in Canberra's north - is Australia's most populous electorate, with just over 202,000 residents. "The smallest is Franklin - right at the bottom of Tasmania - with around 101,000 people," Mr Javis said.
"The four electorates with the oldest population were all on the New South Wales coast, and the very oldest was Lyne, which stretches from Hallidays Point to Crescent Head.
"With a median population age of 47 at June 2012, Lyne beats the neighbouring electorate of Cowper, 45 years, as well as being older than Gilmore and Richmond who tied for third with a median age of 44 years.
"The inner-city electorate of Melbourne, along with Lingiari in the Northern Territory were the youngest electorates in Australia, both with median ages of 31 years.
"Men outnumbered women the most in the electorate of Durack in northern Western Australia, where there were 124 men for every 100 women, but the NT's Lingiari (113 men per 100 women) and Queensland's Flynn (110) also had high ratios of men to women.
"The electorates with the highest proportion of women are Sturt, on the eastern outskirts of Adelaide, Goldstein in Melbourne and Bradfield on the northern fringe of Sydney - all with 93 men per 100 women."
For further information on total populations, see Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2012 (cat. no. 3218.0). For statistical breakdowns, see Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia (cat. no. 3235.0). | | | | | Queensland Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli has backed a report suggesting cash donations are more beneficial to victims of natural disasters than material goods or gift cards. The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) report found victims of Cyclone Yasi in Cardwell, south of Cairns, had to drive 50 kilometres to use food vouchers they were given. Mr Crisafulli says cash donations also help local economies recover. "The greatest gift that people can give is cash," he said. "We always acknowledge that that is not always available, not always easy, but it does make a big difference when you've got cash to be able to respond." Mr Crisafulli has also backed the report's recommendation that infrastructure damaged by natural disasters be upgraded rather than just replaced. The report found in the rush to get things back to normal, communities often failed to take strategic advantage of government investment. Mr Crisafulli says councils should be aware of the report. "Wherever practical, to actually repair it to a higher standard and that's one I have been at pains to explain - I want to see infrastructure replaced to a better standard," he said. "It will cost a little bit more up-front but it will save bucketloads of pain and money in the future." | | | | | Coffs Harbour City Council has joined other councils in writing to NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell asking for another iteration of the Planning Bill 2013 Exposure Draft and further consultation. There are widespread fears that the proposed new NSW planning legislation will not provide satisfactory environmental and social outcomes. Director of land use, health and development, Chris Chapman said the NSW government was looking to have 80 per cent of development applications "code-assessable" which means they comply with a development code already accepted by the community. There are fears neighbours will not be consulted and environmental issues will not be adequately considered. | | | | | "Top down" regional development doesn’t work according to a new paper prepared for South Australia's Local Government Association. The paper, prepared by South Australia's Centre for Economic Studies (SACES) says South Australia's regional communities need regional structures and assistance to capitalize on local assets. The paper notes that regional communities benefit from tripartite partnerships between the three spheres of Government. It suggests current partnership agreements should be kept relevant through regular review but that the best results for economic growth occur when local communities are assisted to develop local assets, using local players. Current Regional Development Australia bodies are jointly supported by federal and local government in SA but were recently dealt a blow when the SA Government reduced support. It is not clear what will happen to the bodies under a Coalition Federal Government. SACES Executive Director, Associate Professor Michael O’Neil said the latest paper "Further Consideration to the Task of Strengthening Regional Development" builds on previous policy papers commissioned by the LGA “Partnering with Local Government to Deliver Regional Outcomes" and "Growing Country Communities". "We know that good economic development flows from assisting local people to make the best use of social, economic and environmental resources in the local area," Michael O’Neil said. "Understanding the processes of economic development and what drives growth and development in the long term will lead to new approaches. Included in the new approach should be the realisation that communities benefit better if local assets are capitalised on, a 'bottom up' approach to economic development rather than the 'top down' method so frequently favoured. Professor O’Neil said some two-thirds of additional investment in local and regional economies comes from existing local business and new start-ups by local people. "Local Government and regional bodies have an instrumental role in designing and implementing ‘bottom up’ development strategies and facilitating ‘place based’ solutions," he said. LGA President, Mayor David O’Loughlin, said Local Government was well aware of the need to stimulate and support local business and industry. "Local Government has direct impact on local economic activity including expenditure on goods and services in the local area, providing services to residents and upgrading, renewing and maintaining local assets," Mayor O’Loughlin said. "However, some of the most important measures for improving economic development are not under the direct control of Councils. Schools and healthcare facilities are not the province of Local Government but they are essential community services. "For this reason tripartite agreements and partnerships between the three spheres of Government are vital for community health and economic wellbeing.” | | | | | The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is disappointed that the issue of water fluoridation hasn't been raised during the federal election campaign. Dr Karin Alexander, Federal President of the ADA, said: "We understand that the Federal Government does not have direct power over water supplies. However, that does not mean the future Federal Government has the right to stand idly by while Queensland and NSW divest their responsibility to public health." "The Federal Government should not allow local councils to be swayed by fringe groups who peddle fear, innuendo and conspiracy theories to remove fluoride or discontinue its use from water supplies," Dr Alexander said. "The political parties during this election campaign have so far failed to take the lead and combat these developments. We expect more. "Water fluoridation is safe and offers oral health benefits for all people regardless of whether they are rich or poor. Not having fluoride in drinking water will cost the community more in the form of higher incidence of dental decay. "Public hospital and private practice dentists will be placed in a position where they will be required to treat more cases of dental emergencies which could have been prevented through water fluoridation. "The Child Dental Benefits Scheme, which has bipartisan support, will be called on to fund more fillings or extractions if there is no longer support for fluoride. Does the future Federal Government really want to create further dental problems that will cost more to fix later? "The ADA calls on the political parties to show their commitment to one of the top 10 public health initiatives of the 20th Century by requiring that water fluoridation of communities be a condition of funding for the states and territories." | | | | | To help celebrate 20 years of running stewardship programs for the agvet chemical and reseller industry, Agsafe hosted a commemorative dinner in Brisbane last month. The dinner was held at Brisbane's Eagle Farm Race Course to coincide with Agsafe's annual conference. Attendees included members of CropLife Australia, AgStewardship Australia, The Veterinary Manufacturers & Distributors Association, Elders, CRT, AgLink, and Ruralco. Members of ToxFree, VIP Packaging, A&C Packers, Accensi and Ecopolymers who are major partners with drumMUSTER and ChemClear also attended. During the official proceedings, Chairman of Agsafe and Managing Director of Sipcam Australia, Damien Ryan spoke of the importance of Agsafe and its programs - Accreditation & Training, drumMUSTER and ChemClear. From his extensive experience in the industry, Damien Ryan was proud that Agsafe had helped change the attitudes of resellers towards introducing safety into their workplaces, one of those priorities was to ensure that workers return home safely each day. One of Agsafe's long-term trainers Rosemary Henderson told a number of stories of her time training agribusiness staff for the past 20 years. In addition to training thousands of industry personnel, Ms Henderson has help guide the evolution of Agsafe over the years, through her participation on various Agsafe committees. Ms Henderson has also been the recipient of numerous industry achievement awards including Agsafe course provider of the year, Agsafe Award for Service and CropLife Australia President’s Award. Vernon Keighley, who has served as Agsafe's Operations Manager drumMUSTER National Manager and currently as drumMUSTER and ChemClear Southern NSW Consultant, was the final speaker of the night. Mr Keighley spoke about his 20 years of service with Agsafe, highlighting his efforts to help bring in self-regulation to the industry and establishing Agsafe as an independent body. For photos visit our website. | | | | | The Wellington Council, in NSW, has been advised to purchase and voluntarily raise a number of local homes in the town's flood prone areas. The council has adopted a draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan, now on public exhibition, which replaces and updates a 1996 document. The consultants who developed the plan admit while Burrendong Dam has a significant affect on any flooding event, extreme events can still happen in both the Macquarie and Bell rivers. The purchasing and raising is estimated to cost nearly $2 million. "So we'll be sending out letters to those individual property holders, letting them know about the plan and encouraging them to contact council, if they want more information," Mayor Rod Buhr said. "It really depends on the response we get from them and the public generally as to what we'll do going forward, whether or not we initiative a buyback scheme or not." Councillor Buhr says if a flood-prone property buyback scheme was initiated in the town, it would be largely funded by the state government. The council is calling for submissions on the draft plan, that outlines areas likely to be affected by flooding in the Macquarie and Bell rivers, and what can be done to mitigate damage. | | | | | A north western council devastated by bushfire earlier this year has been named the "Most Positive Shire Council" of the year. The Warrumbungle Shire Council was announced the winner by the Australian Education and Leadership Centre in Perth. The region is recovering from a bushfire that destroyed 53 homes and more than 90 per cent of the Warrumbungle National Park earlier this year. The Mayor, Peter Shinton, has praised the efforts of staff in the recovery process, saying many volunteered time and took on extra work duties. "They all stepped up to the plate, a lot of them volunteered in the fire fighting effort anyway but when it came to setting up the recovery centre staff stepped up to take positions there and they did an excellent job." He says the disaster tested the council's organisation and resilience. "It was in response to the rapidity that the council launched the Mayor's Bushfire Appeal, and the way we sought government assistance when we realised the tragic events in January were larger than we'd ever experienced before. "We've got very well trained staff and they all stepped up." | | | | | Nominations are being encouraged for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award before applications close on 31 October. The RIRDC Rural Women's Award is Australia's pre-eminent Award for rural women. The Award identifies and supports emerging leaders and change agents who have the capability and resources to drive innovation, productivity and sustainability within primary industries, and build economic and social development within rural communities. The Award acknowledges that women offer a unique approach to leadership, which involves connecting and collaborating to effect change and influence, often without the need for position or authority. The Award supports women with demonstrated leadership capabilities, or leadership potential and community contribution, who have the desire and commitment to make a greater contribution to their industries and communities. It provides women with financial and professional support to implement their visions for primary industries and enhance their leadership capabilities. Each State and Territory winner will receive a $10,000 financial bursary to implement their Award vision. Each State and Territory winner and runner-up will have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course and will be supported to develop an individual integrated leadership plan. State and Territory RIRDC Rural Women’s Award 2014 winners and runners-up can expect to be interviewed by the media and where practical attend and speak at relevant public functions. The National winner and runner-up will each be given an additional $10,000 bursary to assist in meeting national commitments such as speaking engagements. RIRDC and relevant State/Territory agencies reserve "non exclusive" rights to publish any material generated from successful applicants’ involvement in the Award. For more information, click here. | | | | | Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils will next week host the Local Government New South Wales (LGNSW) Water Management Conference. The conference will provide an opportunity for Councillors, local government professionals, government representatives, and the broader industry to tackle key water management issues and discuss emerging water industry issues. Wyong Shire Mayor, Doug Eaton said the conference will showcase the Central Coast to delegates from across New South Wales. "The Central Coast has a compelling story to tell, not only do we have a strategic and well managed water supply system in place, but the completion of the Mardi-Mangrove Link in 2011 was an enormous feat from an infrastructure and water management perspective," he said. "And now the statistics tell the story - water storage levels are currently the highest since August 1994, and the region's water consumption reflects a significant decrease in water use. "The current levels are a direct result of both the investment Councils have made in the water supply system, as well as the commitment of the people of the Central Coast." Gosford City Mayor Laurie McKinna said a number of key projects and achievements for the region will be promoted during the conference. "Around 200 delegates from the water industry and Councils throughout New South Wales will be attending this three day conference, with Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils given the opportunity to promote some of our key projects," he said. "Many of the delegates will have to opportunity to tour part of the Mardi-Mangrove Link infrastructure and some of the innovative works completed within Gosford City as well as attend a presentation on WaterPlan 2050 - our region’s long term water supply strategy." The LGNSW Water Management Conference will be held from Sunday 8 September - Tuesday 10 September 2013. | | |
| | |  "Supporting Local Government, Supporting Safety". The development, design and installation of a cities CCTV system can be costly, both financially and in staff time. Auctoritas Group offers a full range of CCTV consultancy and CCTV analysis services to Local Government. Our knowledge of CCTV systems and how they interface with broader community "Safe City Programs" allows us to support Local Governments with specific advice on system design and camera placement. We don't align ourselves with CCTV installers, nor do we work with product wholesalers. Our independence allows us to drive the best possible outcomes for our client partners. We offer a range of specialist services to Local Government; - Engagement with law enforcement, local business and the community to ensure alignment of system design to stakeholder needs.
- Detailed CCTV system design.
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- CAD drawings.
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- Current system audit and system capability reports
- Coordination with other stakeholders.
- Tender package documentation.
- Tender issue and evaluation.
- Funding Bid Support
- Installation tender specification compliance in progress inspections.
- Post inspections and detailed reports.
- Training coordination.
- Procedure implementation.
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