 | |  ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis has written to Prime Minister elect Tony Abbott and Deputy Prime Minister elect Warren Truss to congratulate them on the Coalition's success in the 2013 federal election and their appointments to high office. In her correspondence, Mayor Lewis has requested early meetings with Mr Abbott and Mr Truss to discuss the Coalition's policies concerning local government and the current policies facing communities. Mayor Lewis reinforced the need for certainty for direct funding to councils, following the previous Government's decision not to proceed with a referendum on financial recognition of local government at the time of the recent federal election: "Councils need to be assured that direct Commonwealth funding is not at risk and gaining this assurance from the Australian Government will continue to be one of our top priorities. A referendum is the most effective way to provide that assurance." Mayor Lewis also raised the issue of community infrastructure funding. "I am also keen to discuss the Coalition Government's new regional funding program - the National Stronger Regions Fund - and the status of existing funding allocations of at least $150 million for community projects under the former Regional Development Australia Fund." "While ALGA welcomes the new regional funding program, we are concerned that funding promises made under the former program may not be honoured. We are also concerned that the National Strong Regions Fund will not be established until 2015." ALGA has invited Mr Truss to speak at ALGA's National Roads and Transport Congress in November and to attend ALGA's next Board meeting. | | | | |  ALGA will be inviting federal Ministers with responsibility for local roads and infrastructure to address ALGA's 2013 National Local Roads and Transport Congress and outline the Coalition's policies for local government. Councils have identified local roads and infrastructure as a major priority for their communities and the sector is keen to hear how the Federal Government will be working with local government to build the infrastructure of the 21st century across Australia. The local roads and infrastructure agenda has been adopted by the new Government, which has given commitment to a National Stronger Regions Fund. The Fund will allocate $200 million a year to building local infrastructure in regional areas. In addition, the Coalition has promised a national Bridge to Renewal Program, which would provide $300 million a year to spend on fixing bridges across the country. It has also said that it will seek to ensure that Roads to Recovery (R2R) is continued and is adequately funded so that local councils can continue to provide essential transport infrastructure for their communities. In 2011, ALGA successfully lobbied to the Commonwealth to extend the Roads to Recovery program to 2019. The decision to renew R2R was announced at the 2011 National Roads Congress. The Coalition will also continue funding for the Black Spot programme, which provides approximately $60 million a year to address road sites that are high risk areas for serious crashes. The 2013 Roads Congress to be held in Alice Springs from 12-14 November will be important event for councils wanting to engage with the new Government and the Opposition on their agendas for local government. To register, or to find out more, please click here. | | | | |  ALGA has this week heard first-hand from experts experienced in managing the risk of pandemics and mitigating threats to the natural environment from invasive species, which will inform the role of local governments in protecting the environment. ALGA attended a two-day workshop and seminar in Canberra, organised by the CSIRO, to discuss the science of bio-security and bio-invasion. The CSIRO has been the lead scientific agency working on how to best manage current threats and to reduce the impacts of future threats. The event attracted researchers and practitioners from across the country to discuss how Australia should best prepare for the future. Central to this will be role of local government in land management and planning. The issue of land management is an important one for many councils across the country. A key element of this is how to best deal with the constant threats of invasive pest species and their effects on the land and natural eco-systems. Examples of invasive pest species include the cane toad, red fox, feral dogs and cats and the fire ant. The threat of pest species is an issue that governments of all levels have been working to address and local government is especially concerned about the impacts these species can have on their communities. They can degrade land, destroy crops and financially jeopardise entire areas. The most obvious example is that of the mouse and rabbit plagues that have hit Australia over the last century and devastated large tracks of agricultural land. This issue is experienced not only by rural and less-developed areas. Urban areas also deal with pests such as bamboo and the Indian Myna Bird. Councils have become increasingly engaged at the grass-roots level to not only boost their own capacity to guard against invasive species but to increase community awareness and better inform them about what they can do. | | |
| |  On behalf of local government, I have written to congratulate our new Prime Minister, Tony Abbott and our new Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss on the Coalition's victory in the 2013 federal election and their appointments to high office. I have also sought early meetings with them to discuss the Coalition's policies concerning local government and the current priorities facing communities. Of particular urgency for local government is the need for certainty for direct federal funding to councils. This is an issue which ALGA has been advocating for over many years and despite the decision not to proceed with a referendum on financial recognition of local government at the time of the last federal election, councils need certainty that direct Commonwealth funding is not at risk. The referendum would have provided that certainty and we need to know whether a Coalition Government is committed to a referendum or whether it has an alternative solution. Gaining assurance from the federal government on this issue will continue to be one of our top priorities and I am keen to discuss our continued work in this area with the new Government as soon as possible. I am also keen to discuss the Coalition Government's new regional funding program - the National Stronger Regions Fund - and the status of existing funding allocations of at least $150 million for community projects under the former Regional Development Australia Fund. While ALGA welcomes the new regional funding program, we are concerned that funding promises made under the former program may not be honoured. Prior to the election, I urged all parties to support the projects that councils have already identified as community priorities under previously announced funding allocations. We are also concerned that the National Stronger Regions Fund will not be established until 2015, this leaves a gap of more than a year between the time of the federal election and the establishment of a regional funding program through which communities can apply for federal assistance for important infrastructure. Once the Government's ministry has been sworn in, I will also be seeking a meeting with the Minister for Regional Development to pursue this issue. ALGA has welcomed the Coalition's commitment to building the infrastructure of the 21st century, as the provision of quality community and regional infrastructure is an issue of priority for local government. We also welcome the Coalition's commitment to ensuring the continuation of the Roads to Recovery program and the Black Spots funding program and delivering a $300 million bridge renewal program, all of which are issues that ALGA has been strongly advocating for. ALGA is pleased that the Coalition is focused on issues affecting Indigenous employment and community safety and we are especially pleased that the Coalition has outlined specific health programs with a rural and regional focus. As part of its health policy, the Coalition has announced that it will double the Practice Incentive Payment to encourage newly trained doctors to practise in rural and remote areas for a set period of time. It is also investing $52.5 million in grants in rural and remote health infrastructure and a further $40 million for 100 additional intern places, with first priority to be given to non-government hospitals in rural and remote areas. I look forward to working with the newly elected Coalition Government to ensure that the interests of our local communities are given priority. | | |
| | Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Joint Presidents have strongly urged NSW Premier the Hon. Barry O'Farrell to restore the balance back to the community in his Government's proposed planning reforms or risk a council-led direct action campaign against the legislation. Concerns about the proposed changes have been raised repeatedly by councils and LGNSW since the initial Green Paper was released by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure in July 2012. In the most recent correspondence to Mr O'Farrell this week, the LGNSW Joint Presidents reiterated their concern that the planning reforms favoured developers at the expense of the community. Joint President of Local Government NSW, Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM, said the NSW Government is not only ignoring the community, but breaking an election promise. "The Coalition's election Contract with NSW promised the return of planning powers to the community, and Premier O'Farrell and his Ministers have failed, and in fact broken their election promise, and we have had enough!" Cr Rhoades said. "Councils and the broader community do not accept that the proposed new system delivers on this promise and many actually believe that it is doing quite the opposite." "With the NSW Government ignoring repeated calls from Local Government NSW to amend its proposed changes to the planning system, councils are becoming increasingly frustrated." "If Premier O'Farrell does not respond to our letter within the next fortnight as we have requested, it is highly likely that some form of direct action campaign against the legislation will be proposed at the LGNSW Annual Conference next month." Joint President of Local Government NSW, Cr Ray Donald, said most concerning to councils was the reduction in the community’s ability to have a say in local development. "The reduction in community engagement during assessment of contentious developments seriously risks reducing transparency," Cr Donald said. The proposed changes to the planning system is one of the five strategic themes that will be debated by delegates at the upcoming LGNSW Annual Conference, taking place on 1-3 October 2013 at the Sydney Town Hall. | | | | | New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate the greater Melbourne area has recorded the largest growth of any capital city in Australia. That growth continues to strain infrastructure and resources. The population has increased by 406,600 people in the five years to June 2012. Suburbs in the Melbourne's northern and western suburbs have growth substantially. The population of the South Morang area, north of Melbourne, including Doreen and Mernda increased by 25,800 people over a five year period. In nearby Craigieburn, the population rose by 12,895. In the western suburbs, the population of Point Cook has grown by 19,863 and nearby Tarneit has expanded by 15,348 in that same five year period. Heather Marcus is the mayor of Wyndham, which includes the Point Cook and Tarneit areas. She is also the spokeswoman for the National Growth Areas Alliance, which represents 25 of Australia's fastest-growing municipalities. Ms Marcus says in Wyndham, the demand for services is great: "We're struggling to keep up with sporting ovals, community centres, kindergartens, libraries, all the essentials that the residents need in the cities of today," she said. "I think probably people think it's very cheap to go to these fast-growing areas because the land is cheaper. "So therefore they're all coming out and that's where you're getting the explosion in these outer growth areas." Ms Marcus says local and state governments have to come to the party and help pay for new infrastructure. "There's a whole lot of areas that have to be examined very, very closely because we cannot continue to grow at this rate without the governments providing some of this infrastructure to the councils," she said. | | | | | With planning well advanced on a new metropolitan strategy to manage Melbourne's growth and retain its status as a vibrant liveable city, delivering a more coordinated approach to metropolitan planning is critical. Cr Bill McArthur, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said councils had advised Minister Guy about the preferred shape, role and functions of the new Metropolitan Planning Authority. "The operational model developed by councils calls for an independent statutory authority that can forge whole-of-government commitment to the strategy. It must also focus its efforts on addressing issues that are only within the State's jurisdiction to influence, rather than duplicating the role of local government. "It is expected that the Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) would also ensure smooth and constructive resolution of the inevitable tensions that arise between metropolitan and local interests. "While generally Melbourne 2030 was a solid planning strategy, we must learn from the inadequate leadership that contributed to ongoing implementation problems. The Authority must coordinate and deliver city-shaping infrastructure and services that address prioritised needs." Minister Guy announced the establishment of a new Metropolitan Planning Authority earlier this year to assist with implementing the metropolitan strategy, and sought the views of councils on its operation. To inform this process, the MAV convened local government to develop a preferred model that could inform the Minister's decision on its role, responsibilities and how it should be governed. The preferred operating model, developed with expert assistance from SGS Economics and Planning, was presented to Minister Guy last month. Cr McArthur said that anticipated interim arrangements whereby the current Growth Areas Authority (GAA) may take on functions of the new Metropolitan Planning Authority would not be welcomed by councils. "We understand that this solution is practical, but it would be less than ideal given the absence of local government representation on the GAA. Council representation on the MPA from Melbourne's west, north, east, south and central regions, together with the inclusion of key State authorities and agencies is a must." View the preferred Metropolitan Planning Authority model at www.mav.asn.au | | | | | A final version of the Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2013-2020 was released last week at the second DestinationQ forum on the Gold Coast. The plan pledges to encourage local government to support ecotourism via development opportunities that can complement rural and conservation land uses. It aims to provide tourism operators, government, community and other stakeholders with a clear direction on how Queensland will leverage its competitive advantage to become a world leader in ecotourism.
As part of a three-year action plan local government authorities will be invited to participate in regional forums involving QPWS regional directors, regional tourism organisations and other key stakeholders in order to promote coordination and information sharing about ecotourism opportunities and emerging tourism trends and priorities.
To access the plan, click here. | | | | | NSW peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber, has welcomed the NSW Government's piloting of its proposal for a 'Small Business Friendly' certification program for local councils to encourage them to be more responsive to small businesses. The pilot program, in partnership with the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, will be trialled in Parramatta City Council along with Boorowa, Tenterfield and Lismore representing regional and rural councils. The Small Business Friendly Councils pilot will: - Develop a ‘Small Business Friendly Charter’ outlining key principles for becoming ‘Small Business Friendly’;
- Provide a diagnostic evaluation tool to assist Councils to identify their strengths and weaknesses in becoming ‘Small Business Friendly’;
- Provide a tier recognition system for Councils to recognise their efforts in engaging with their small business community.
'This initiative, that the NSW Business Chamber has put forward to the NSW Government and the Small Business Commissioner, is about getting local councils to be a helpful partner to their small business communities, rather than a hindrance," Stephen Cartwright, CEO of the NSW Business Chamber, said. "Local councils have an important role to play in supporting the success and growth of small businesses but what we find is a disjointed experience for our members depending on which Local Council area they are located in. "I commend the Small Business Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson, and the Small Business Commissioner, Yasmin King, for embracing this initiative. The NSW Business Chamber looks forward to making a lasting positive difference to the relationship between councils and small business." | | | | | Northern Territory's agvet chemical users can now return their empty and clean agvet chemical containers for recycling thanks to a new agreement with a local council. Litchfield Council has signed on to host the brand new drumMUSTER site at their Humpty Doo Waste Transfer Facility. The new community service will provide a simple solution for farmers and other chemical users to dispose of their eligible agvet chemical containers used in their operations in the surrounding regions. drumMUSTER is free to farmers thanks to a 4 cents per litre/kilogram levy they pay on eligible products made by chemical companies who have signed onto the drumMUSTER agreement. Litchfield Mayor, Allan McKay said he welcomes the drumMUSTER service at Humpy Doo Waste Transfer Station. "This free service offered to local farmers and other chemical users plays a huge part in protecting our local environment," he said. "It is safer and cleaner solution to our local farmers." drumMUSTER's National Program Manager, Allan McGann said Litchfield Council will join the hundreds of councils across the country who provide the service to rate payers. "drumMUSTER is an essential community service for a lot of regions. Farmers, pest control operators and other chemical users will benefit from having a regular service to offload drums that are becoming an environmental problem on their land," he said. "With a few small to medium farming operations, along with a few large melon farms, in the council region, there’s guaranteed to be drums just waiting to be returned and recycled." The new site will be run with the help of the NT Farmers Association, who recently signed on to take over the drumMUSTER and ChemClear services across the territory. Since 1999, drumMUSTER has collected more than 22 million drums nation-wide. That represents more than 27,000 tonnes of waste avoiding landfill and being recycled into new and useful things again, like plastic cable covers, wheelie bins and pipes. For further information on the drumMUSTER program, call 1800 008 707, or log on to www.drummuster.com.au
| | | | | Hundreds of local events were held by community organisations across Australia this week in support of suicide prevention. Tuesday 10 September marked World Suicide Prevention Day. Australians were encouraged to take the time to learn about suicide, recognise the signs and help to ensure that everyone knows that there are ways to receive and provide help. Thursday 12 September marked R U OK?Day which is dedicated to reminding people to regularly check in with family and friends. To access resources to use throughout the year to help you ask 'are you ok?' regularly of family, friends and colleagues, click here. | | | | | A free guide has been developed to help councils considering a CCTV program. State and federal government schemes are available to help local governments fund the implementation of CCTV systems and other crime reduction initiatives. The incoming federal government has committed about $50 million for grants assistance to local councils for CCTV and other measures. If councils are considering a CCTV program, there are several issues to factor in - from how to obtain a grant, to how to engage with the community, find the right solutions, ongoing maintenance, policy and procedure development and privacy considerations. Whether councils are seeking a grant or have received funding and are tackling the selection and integration aspects of CCTV, the free Safe City CCTV Local Councils guide could assist. The guide has been designed by an expert in CCTV, who has worked with multiple local councils around Australia. The guide outlines what councils need to know to get funding, and what to do once they have received funding. The Safe City CCTV for Local Councils guide is available to download from www.councilcctv.com.au
| | | | | The Australian Centre of Excellence in Local Government (ACELG) 2012 Annual Report has been released. The Report outlines key achievements and research between January and December 2012, and includes a complete list of publications and financial statements for the year. This will be a useful document for those interested in the progress of ACELG to date and its ongoing contribution to the local government sector in Australia. The current ACELG Project Plan is an affiliated document that provides further detail about ACELG and its current work for 2013. | | | | | Amidst the bright lights and constant commotion of Australian politics, it's easy to overlook the important work and exceptional leadership that takes place behind the scenes. The Institute of Chartered Accountants' Leadership in Government Awards™ recognises the outstanding skills and experience of our best Public Servants. In 2013 there are two awards - the Federal Government Leader of the Year Award and the Outstanding Contribution in Public Administration Award. Each acknowledges the personal qualities (like integrity, determination and professionalism), and the professional abilities (such as relationship building, negotiating with influence and facilitating change) that make great leaders in Public Service. Nominations are now open. So if you work with, or know of, a leader in government worthy of recognition, take the time to put their name forward. Applications close on 1st October. For more information, and to make your nomination, visit leadershipingovernment.com.au | | |
| | |  "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.
- CCTV specification documentation and policy implementation.
- CAD drawings.
- Project management.
- 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.
- General security advice.
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