 | |  ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis is today meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss to discuss a range of local government issues, including ALGA's request for Commonwealth reimbursement of costs for a national campaign on constitutional recognition of local government; plans to address the issue of ensuring direct federal funding for local government is put beyond doubt; the status of community infrastructure funding under the previous Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF); and the Coalition's proposed Bridges to Recovery program. Local government was given $10 million in Commonwealth funds to execute a national campaign to promote the "yes" case for constitutional recognition of local government following the Government's announcement on 9 May that a referendum would go ahead. Under the expectation that the referendum would be held on 14 September, the sector spent around $3.4 million in developing a grassroots public relations campaign for rollout. The decision by the Federal Government in August to drop the referendum was made without consultation with local government and great progress had been made by the local government sector on the development and implementation of the "yes" campaign when former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that the referendum would not go ahead. ALGA believes it would be inequitable if councils had to bear the costs of the associated campaign and Mayor Lewis has sought support from all political parties for ALGA to use a portion of the funds received by the Commonwealth to fully reimburse local government for the costs of the referendum campaign. ALGA looks forward to receiving the Government's view on this critical issue of reimbursing local government for costs spent on the national campaign prior to the cancellation of the referendum and its plans for providing certainty of continued direct federal funding to local government into the future. The Coalition has signalled that it will not be taking a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government forward in this term of government but that it may have an alternative way forward and ALGA would be keen to learn the Government's plans for addressing this issue. ALGA is also keen to gain greater clarity on the allocation of funds to councils under the previous federal government's RDAF program. In June, former Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese announced $150 million in funding for infrastructure projects under RDAF. ALGA is also aware of projects from previous RDAF rounds which are yet to be the subject of written agreements and local government would like clarification of their status. Prior to the 2013 election, the Coalition proposed a Bridges to Recovery program worth $300 million in Commonwealth funding over three years, to be matched by either state or local government funding. ALGA will be seeking further detail about this program and the funding requirements. | | | | |  Each year ALGA convenes the National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government which is the major national meeting of local governments from across Australia. The 2013 NGA, held from 16 - 19 June, attracted more than 1000 local government representatives to Canberra, where delegates met to debate local government policy initiatives, network with their colleagues and hear from federal politicians and subject matter experts. Resolutions carried at the NGA are considered by the ALGA Board and can be drawn on when the Board is setting national local government policy. In the lead up to the Federal Election, ALGA referred all 69 Resolutions carried at the NGA to the major political parties to provide them with insights into the issues of concern for local government across the country. As many of the resolutions call for action by the Australian Government, ALGA has this week referred these to the Australian Government to gain an understanding of the Government's position on the matters raised in the resolutions. This week ALGA has written to: - The Hon Warren Truss MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport;
- The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Minister for Social Services;
- Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, Attorney General;
- The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for the Environment;
- The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Health;
- The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Minister for Communications;
- The Hon Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Justice;
- The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Minister for Agriculture; and
- The Hon Joe Hockey MP, Treasurer.
Local government is keen to engage with the Government directly. This complements the work ALGA does in intergovernmental forums such as COAG, Ministerial Councils and Working Groups. ALGA will advise each council that moved a resolution of the responses by the Government as well as publish the responses on the ALGA website to inform delegates and councils of the outcomes of the 2013 Resolutions. | | | | |  On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott released the exposure draft of legislation to repeal the previous government's price on carbon. The Government intends to present the legislation to Parliament when it resumes on 12 November 2013. The legislation, if passed, will unwind the carbon price and many related programs and agencies from 1 July 2014. The Prime Minister stated that even if the legislation is passed after 1 July 2014 the repeal will still come into effect on that date, albeit retrospectively. The Government is seeking submissions on the exposure draft and consultation paper by 4 November 2013, although it would welcome earlier submissions. ALGA is currently working through the document and will be providing a submission but we encourage interested councils to make submissions on their own behalf to ensure that the Government is aware of the range of local government issues. The document is available here. A significant issue for local government in the repeal of the carbon tax will be the impact on landfills which are covered under the tax and ALGA will be talking to the Government about this issue in the coming days. Repealing the carbon price is only one element of the new government's policy which also includes putting in place a system of "direct action" as an alternative measure to reduce emissions. "Direct action" will be managed through the Emissions Reduction Fund which will provide funding for approved entities to undertake activities that will reduce emissions, at lowest cost. Direct action will be modelled on the mechanism of the carbon farming initiative (CFI). However, unlike the CFI, there may be a more limited scope for emissions reduction activity, largely because the intention is to maximise reduction levels in a short time. In releasing the draft Terms of Reference for the Fund for public comment, Environment Minister Greg Hunt specifically nominated measures to clean up emissions from electricity production, coal mining gas and emissions from landfill as key opportunities. Submissions are due on the emissions reduction fund by 18 November 2013 and information is available here. The Government is seeking input from industry in the development of the Fund, which will operate from 1 July 2014, and the submissions will inform a Green Paper which the Government will release for discussion in December 2013 with a final White Paper, outlining the settled policy position of the Government, due for release in early 2014. | | |
| |  ALGA's request for Commonwealth reimbursement of costs for our national campaign on constitutional recognition of local government will be a major focus of my meeting today with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced on 9 May 2013 that the Australian Government would support the inclusion of local government in the Constitution to ensure that councils were recognised as legitimate recipients of direct federal funding. Ms Gillard foreshadowed that a referendum on the issue would be held in conjunction with the federal election, then slated for 14 September 2013. ALGA welcomed the Government's decision, which received strong support within Parliament and from the National Party. Following the decision, ALGA intensified its national marketing and communications campaign aimed at raising awareness of the referendum and promoting a "yes" vote. But the campaign was short-lived, with Kevin Rudd cancelling the referendum in early August when he announced a revised date for the federal election, effectively moving the election forward one week to 7 September 2013. The decision meant that the referendum to include local government in the Constitution could not proceed. Under the requirements of constitutional law, a referendum must be submitted to the electors no earlier than two months after referendum legislation has been passed by both houses of parliament. The earliest the local government referendum could have been held was 14 September 2013. Local government spent a total of $3.4 million on its campaign prior to the referendum being cancelled. This was spent on recruiting a campaign team; research to support the campaign; development of the campaign, including advertisements for TV and print, the branding of the campaign, advertising costs and arrangements for polling day. While federal funding of $10 million was made available to help with the campaign, it was only able to be applied to the purchase of media and advertising space and ALGA has argued that it would be inequitable if councils had to bear the full costs of the cancelled campaign. As such, I have advocated for support from all political parties for ALGA to use a portion of the funds received from the Commonwealth to reimburse local government for the full costs of the campaign. I am looking forward to receiving the Government's advice on this critical issue and on the broader issue of providing certainty of continued direct federal funding to local government into the future, given that a referendum is unlikely to be taken forward in this term of government. Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | The Bureau of Meteorology has issued its Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook for Australia this week, reminding communities in northern regions to prepare now for the coming wet season. The overall outlook is for near average tropical cyclone activity. The Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook uses sea surface temperature data and the Southern Oscillation Index to give an indication of what the coming season may bring. The current climate state is "neutral", meaning there is neither a La Niña nor an El Niño acting to increase or decrease tropical cyclone activity around Australia. More than a century of weather observations show that around 11 tropical cyclones form in the Australia region during a typical wet season. Around half of these have at least some impact on coastal regions, mainly affecting Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Cyclones sometimes track through more than one region; with an average of seven occurring in the west, three in the north and four in the east. While not all of these will cross the coast, the risk of even a single cyclone or flood makes preparation vitally important. The Bureau of Meteorology operates tropical cyclone warning centres in its Perth, Darwin and Brisbane regional forecasting centres. Specialist forecasters work around the clock with emergency service partners to keep the community informed during tropical cyclone events. The Bureau of Meteorology recommends people contact their local State Emergency Service for practical information on emergency plans and kits. The 2013–14 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook is available on the Bureau’s website at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/tc.shtml | | | | | Victorian councils want the Federal Government to revise changes to disaster recovery funding. The former Labor government introduced changes to the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, which mean funding is only given for essential public infrastructure. That covers health, education, transport, justice and welfare but it means community assets like sports facilities and recreation reserves are ineligible. Bill McArthur from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) says councils are concerned about how they will foot the bill to rebuild or repair. "We believe these changes place an unreasonable burden on a community that's struggling to recover from a natural disaster," he said. Councillor McArthur says the MAV is working hard to make the case for funding to be reinstated. | | | | | In launching Carers Week at the in Canberra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott described caring for someone as a "truly remarkable thing". Mr Abbott said, "carers come from every walk of life; every carer's circumstance is different, but they all dedicate themselves to caring for someone else. "Not only do carers save our nation billions of dollars, but they are a reminder of our best selves. They are so often inspirational leaders in our community and in our nation." The Prime Minister also handed over a cheque for $762,000 to the CEO of Carers Australia, Ara Cresswell, representing the fundraising total from Pollie Pedal 2013. Ms Cresswell said Carers Australia was delighted to be the nominated charity for Pollie Pedal 2013 and that the funds raised had enabled Carers Australia and the state and territory Carers Associations to build links between carers and their communities through a range of activities, including information expos, health and wellbeing programs, and social networking opportunities. Ms Cresswell said, "Many primary carers (46%) are simply unable to combine paid work with their caring role. "For those carers relying on Carer Payment, restrictions on the number of hours they can work or study to supplement that income prevents many from seeking work at all. "It is essential that we support those carers who wish to work back into the workforce, maintaining their skills and experience." There are 2.6 million carers across Australia who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue, or who are frail aged. "This year in Carers Week we want to reach out to all unpaid carers to ensure no-one is falling through the cracks, or feeling that no-one understands what they are going through," Ms Cresswell said. | | | | | As part of Veterans' Health Week, Alzheimer's Australia in collaboration with Fitness Australia and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, released a Help Sheet to urge veterans to participate in physical activity to maximise their brain health. Australian of the Year and Alzheimer's Australia National President, Ita Buttrose said: "Evidence shows us that regardless of age, taking up physical activity will be beneficial for a person's brain health. It is never too early or too late to start. "People need to be aware that physical activity can lower their risk of developing dementia. "Research suggests that a 25 per cent reduction in physical inactivity rates could potentially prevent nearly one million cases of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide." The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Michael Ronaldson, commended Alzheimer's Australia and Fitness Australia on their support of Veterans' Health Week and their commitment to improving the health of the veteran community. The theme of the week is 'Physical Activity - Fitness, Strength, Flexibility, and Balance'. "I strongly encourage all Australians, and in particular members of the veteran community, to take note of the important information contained in the Help Sheet. It is vital that all Australians recognise the importance physical activity has in maintaining your brain health and to take the time to incorporate some physical activity in to their daily routines. Ms Buttrose said that as well as physical activity there are there are 5 simple steps to maximise a person’s brain health. "Look after your heart, be physically active, challenge your brain, eat healthily and enjoy social activity," Ms Buttrose said. The Help Sheet along with more information about Alzheimer's Australia's Your Brain Matters program is available by visiting www.yourbrainmatters.org.au or the Department of Veterans' Affairs website www.dva.gov.au. | | | | | Each year on 15 October, as part of the United Nations' International Day of Rural Women, rural women are honoured and celebrated for their contribution to worldwide agricultural and rural development, and to their communities and families. Last night, the contribution of rural women from across Australia was recognised at the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award. On behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, delivered an address at the awards ceremony in Canberra. "The Rural Women's Award is a fantastic way of celebrating rural women's achievements and paving the way for future female leadership. "Award recipients are testament to the diversity and depth of talent residing in all corners of the country. Rural women in Australia are often leaders not just in business or in their chosen profession or career, but also as unpaid carers and volunteers, and in their families," Minister Cash said. "On behalf of the Government I congratulate Giovanna Webb from the Northern Territory, who was last night honoured with the 2013 RIRDC Rural Woman's Award." Ms Webb is a crocodile farmer and business woman from the Northern Territory. There are seven finalists for the Rural Women's Award each year, one from each state and territory. "The stories of all of the finalists were inspirational - ultimately all of the finalists are winners", Minister Cash said. | | | | | A local council in north-west Queensland is spending $10,000 a month to keep a nurse employed in a small town. The State Government informed the McKinlay Shire Council it would no longer fund the nurse at the McKinlay Bush Nurse Clinic because it believes it should be funded by the Commonwealth, and the federal body, Central and North-West Medicare Local, hoped to find money for the position in the short-term. However, McKinlay Mayor Belinda Murphy says it has now been told that is no longer the case and council has stepped in until the matter is resolved. "We are initially providing $10,000, we will keep reviewing that towards the end of every month," she said. "What we would really like to be seeing and what I will be doing is ... trying to work and put pressure on both our state Queensland Health provider, as well as the Federal Government through Medicare Local to develop a better model down there. "We are in a drought. We've put a rates rise in this year which we need to do and then I look at the rate rise equated over six months giving us an increase of around $140,000 and if this interim funding arrangement goes on for three, four five months and I see half of that money go to this, it's really disappointing." Residents say without the nurse, they will have to drive more than an hour to access medical services. Medicare Local chairman Phil Barwick says a long-term solution is needed. "The other thing I'd like to see happen in the next few weeks if possible is, and it's probably the most sensible thing here, is that all the stakeholders meet and that would include the state and federal health bodies to meet with the shire, discuss the problem with the community and try and reach a resolution, because it's very evident that the McKinlay community are quite determined to have the clinic present there in the future," he said. | | | | | The Financial costs of settlement patterns modelling tool has this week received a commendation in the Planning Institute Australia (PIA) Awards. The MAV partnered with Rural Councils Victoria to deliver this important project for the sector. The tool provides a high level understanding of the capital and ongoing costs of different settlement patterns based on essential infrastructure and density. Councils have long called for a better understanding of the costs of different settlement patterns to help reduce the widening infrastructure and services gap. Award judges were impressed by the tool's user friendly format, ability to be tailored to suit local circumstances and the extent of analysis and results it generates. Overall councils secured nine commendations and awards. Alpine Shire Council was awarded PIA's Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award for their BAL Plan iPad application, in partnership with Book & Black. The City of Melbourne received the Public Engagement and Community Planning award for their Community Engagement on Future Living Project. MAV's own Senior Planning Adviser, Gareth Hately, received the PIA Outstanding Young Planner award. See all Awards and Commendation winners on the PIA Victoria website. | | | | | In eight days' time people across Australia will come together to buy, sell and socialise as part of Garage Sale Trail, a national government-enabled and people-powered event combining sustainability, community and commerce. Cr Bill McArthur, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said the MAV was pleased to be supporting Garage Sale Trail, a not-for-profit group working to create positive social and environmental change through the Aussie tradition of garage sales. "Spring is the time to de-clutter, clean out your cupboards and offer your pre-loved belongings the opportunity of a new home with collectors, treasure hunters and vintage lovers. "Councils are working with communities around the country to hold garage sales on the same day - 26 October. The aim is to reduce waste going to landfill, encourage neighbourly connections, provide a fundraising platform and stimulate local economies," he said. The MAV, alongside ABC Local Radio and Sustainability Victoria, has partnered with the program to increase local government participation. "This year 24 councils across the state have signed up - an increase of 242 per cent on last year. "We're now calling on community groups and individuals to get involved and help generate widespread positive environmental and social outcomes. "It's free to sign up. Registering your garage sale is open to households, local businesses, schools, community groups, charities and anyone else who’s interested. Bargain hunters can also plan their day by customising a treasure trail map. "This year there will be more than one million items for sale across the country, with around 1 500 garage sales happening across Victoria alone. "By working together we can empower local people to solve local problems, drive behaviour change, make new community connections and have a fun day out," he said.
| | | | | A free national webinar series to be staged in November will assist local government professionals to share knowledge on best practice and how to improve organisational performance. The ground-breaking Local Government 2.0 Webinar Series will provide a rich stream of information from leading local governments on how councils can harness innovation, adopt best practice and enhance performance levels. With local governments across Australia under pressure to improve performance and service delivery, these webinars will provide councils with an easy way to gain valuable knowledge. All webinars will be free to view, and webinar participants will be able to pose questions live to webinar presenters. Presented by Local Government News, the webinars will focus on topics such as: - Achieving organisational development and performance improvement.
- Improving systems and processes within your local government.
- Enhancing performance through new digital technologies.
- Driving positive change and innovation in your local government.
The webinars will be staged from November 18-20, 2013. The full agenda for the webinar series and list of presenters will be announced shortly. To ensure you are booked to participate in this webinar series, register online at www.lgnews.com.au/localgov2 | | | | | After just five months, participating in a mentoring program has produced tangible results for a Southern Grampians Shire Council staff member. Daniel Pech, 27, the Senior Strategic Planner at the Shire, has been taking part in the LGPro Mentoring Program, after Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) sponsored three participants as part of RCV's focus on building skills in land use planning and development. "Hamilton is going through a new period of physical and economic change, including the implementation of the Hamilton Structure Plan, and my mentor has provided a valuable perspective on how to deal with change management externally, at a community level, and also internally at an organisational level," Mr Pech said. Mr Pech has been a Strategic Planner for three years and said that while rural councils have an expectation that senior staff supervise and mentor others in similar roles, there is value in seeking outside perspectives and experiences. "As I'm the only Strategic Planner at Southern Grampians Shire I leapt at the opportunity to take part in the LGPro Mentoring Program. I wanted to add to Council's knowledge network and draw from someone with broader experiences than my own. We've been meeting regularly using distance tools such as Facetime and conference calls and it's as much about personal development as it is professional development," he said. Mr Pech said he and his mentor, Jane Homewood, General Manager Development at Frankston City Council share a similar enthusiasm for their mentor-mentee relationship and have developed goals they want to work through. "My mentor has been a great support to me in the five months we have been participating in the program so far," he said. Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) Chair, Cr Rob Gersch said RCV approached LGPro to have member councils' staff take part in the program as an RCV project identified a need to develop land use and economic development skills in rural councils. "The main focus for Rural Councils Victoria is to contribute to sustainable and liveable rural communities. Land use development plays a big part in this, as does the ability to retain strategic and statutory planners. The relationship with LGPro around this program has already had benefits," he said. Staff from East Gippsland Shire Council and the Northern Grampians Shire Council are also taking part in the LGPro Mentoring program. Rural Councils Victoria supports this project with funding from the Victorian Government's $3.3 million Networked Rural Councils program. | | |
|
