 | |  Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, has said that ALGA has a "reasonable argument for reimbursement" of costs for a national campaign to promote the "yes" case for constitutional recognition of local government and that the Government "is looking for a way to compensate local government as quickly as it can". During a meeting with Minster Truss and ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis last Friday, Mr Truss said that he was sympathetic to allowing local government to use about $3.5 million of the $10 million in Commonwealth funding provided to the sector to execute a national campaign in the lead up to the proposed 14 September 2013 referendum. Given that the referendum was cancelled without consultation in August by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, ALGA has said that it would be inequitable if councils had to bear the costs of the associated campaign. 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 and has welcomed Mr Truss' advice as "comforting". Minister Truss also reiterated that the Government was committed to direct funding of local government through programs such as Roads to Recovery, although it was confident that the program was constitutionally valid and the need to recognise local government in the Constitution as a legitimate recipient of direct federal funding through such programs was not a priority for the immediate future. "We need to wait and see but our advice is that this is not a crisis. It is something that we will worry about if and when it happens," Mr Truss said. Minister Truss said that the Government would look at the implications of any further High Court challenges related to direct federal government funding as they arose but would not be initiating any action, such as a referendum or negotiation with the states, at this stage. "I don't think there's a lot of value in talking about a hypothetical. There has not yet been a High Court decision so we cannot know what action is required to fix it ," Mr Truss said. | | | | |  Round 5 projects worth $150 million announced under the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) in the lead up to the 14 September 2013 election by former Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese will not proceed, with the Coalition Government advising that there was no money available for the projects. In a meeting last Friday between Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, and ALGA President, Felicity-ann Lewis, Mr Truss said Labor's projects had the status of election promises and the new Government was under no obligation to proceed with projects under Round 5 of the RDAF and that the RDAF program was being replaced with the Coalition's National Stronger Regions Fund. Mr Truss noted that for some earlier RDAF rounds - including a couple of projects from RDAF 2 - a number of projects had not been contracted. He said that projects which were promised by the Coalition in the election campaign would go ahead and that there would be opportunities for deserving projects to be considered for future funding under the new National Stronger Regions Fund, which would begin operating in 2015. In a very small number of cases, urgent projects which were advanced but not formally contracted might also be considered for funding in the short term. "The National Stronger Regions Fund is being developed to focus on areas of low socio-economic status, where unemployment levels are higher than the national average, and will seek to address disadvantage," Mr Truss said. "The Fund will have the capacity to generate billions of dollars in investment in the most depressed regions of our nation, with an initial allocation of $200 million per year. "As our national economy improves, we will aim to increase the quantum of funding dedicated to returning a fair share to the regions." Mr Truss said each project would require a 50 per cent matching contribution from the proponent, or the local or state government. Mayor Lewis is encouraging councils with community projects that have been approved for RDAF funding but not signed to write to the Minister outlining their case. | | | | |  The Australian Government this week announced the commencement of the National Commission of Audit, which will assess the activities and expenses of the Commonwealth Government and feed into the Government's work on the division of responsibilities between local, state and federal governments. Over coming months the Commission may hold public and private hearings, receive submissions from stakeholders including the public, and directly liaise with Government Departments. All Departments of the Government have been asked to fully cooperate with the Commission and ALGA will look at providing a submission outlining the shared responsibilities of federal and local governments and the strength of the partnership between the two levels of government. Although local government generates more than 80 per cent of its own revenue, funding from the Commonwealth Government through grants is an important source of revenue, particularly for regional and remote communities. Funding from the Commonwealth to local government accounts for up to eight per cent of total local government revenue although for some small rural councils the figure is greater than 50 per cent. This funding is in the form of general support though Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs), which assists local government to perform its functions, and specific support through a range of programs. Such programs include the Road Safety Black Spots program, to enhance safety on local roads, and the Roads to Recovery program (R2R), which helps councils to maintain local roads and transport infrastructure to a sufficient standard.
General purpose funding from the Commonwealth to local government has diminished over time, and while ALGA acknowledges that the Commonwealth is undertaking a review of the FAGs system, ALGA believes the FAGs pool should be increased, in line with the growth in the economy, demand for local services and raising costs. In response to community demand, local government has become involved in much wider areas than the traditional property and roads infrastructure, such as recreation, health and welfare, with growing demand for more services. This means that local government is currently providing a greater range of services to fill a gap that should be funded by other levels of government. The Commission of Audit will provide an initial report to the Government before the end of January 2014 with the final report forming part of the 2014-15 Budget process. | | |
| |  Councils across the country last week recognised Anti-Poverty Week, where Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity that aims to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship. In my own city of Marion, where I am Mayor, the community marked Anti-Poverty Week by welcoming the expansion of OzHarvest. While I am pleased OzHarvest is extending its services in Marion and the southern region of Adelaide, it is unfortunate that so many families are struggling to feed themselves. Oz Harvest rescues good food headed for landfill and contributes it to charities, which in turn provide it directly to the people who need it most. OzHarvest operates in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as Adelaide, which reinforces that there are many people in desperate need of food across the country. Expanding this important service in the south of Adelaide will mean that 180,000 meals a year will now be served to people in need. Additionally, a further 50,000 tonnes of quality food will be diverted from landfill. Local food businesses are vital to the success of OzHarvest and I would encourage food outlets that aren't already involved in this worthwhile program to support their community by getting involved. A key factor in expanding OzHarvest's service in Marion is the Healthy Communities Initiative, which is funded by the Australian Government. This has enabled the Marion Council to work proactively with the neighbouring Holdfast Bay Council to help OzHarvest put decent, healthy food on the tables of vulnerable people. In Marion alone, the Healthy Communities Initiative has seen more than 40,000 attendances at its healthy lifestyle programs and events since it was launched locally in 2011. It also formed part of a recent successful submission for the Keep South Australia Beautiful awards which saw Marion win the South Australian Sustainable City award and we are now representing the state in the national awards which will be announced this month. Ensuring that people do not go hungry by giving them access to quality food contributes to building stronger, more sustainable communities for generations to come. Drawing attention to issues such as these during Anti-Poverty Week helps to highlight that, even in our modern and highly developed society, many families are going hungry while good food is wasted.
Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | Adelaide City Council, Hume City Council and Mid Murray Council have been crowned National Winners in the 2013 Heart Foundation Healthy Community Awards. Now in their 21st year, the Heart Foundation Healthy Community Awards provide an opportunity for local government to celebrate their achievements and receive recognition for their commitment to creating healthier communities. Local governments play a pivotal role in introducing structural change, implementing policies and creating supportive environments which allow people to be physically active, reduce smoking and improve their nutrition. Adelaide City Council and Hume City Council are joint National Winners in the "Councils with populations greater than 15,000". Mid Murray Council has taken out the "Councils with populations of 15,000 or less" category, with Northern Grampians Shire Council receiving a National Highly Commended in the same category. All four councils have integrated health into policies and long term strategies and have delivered innovative initiatives which will benefit current and future generations. Particular highlights from the National Winners include: - cross-organisational approaches to improving health (e.g. through the social, built, economic and natural environments)
- good community consultation and engagement of partner stakeholders
- building community capacity to ensure the sustainability of initiatives
- evaluation of programs and initiatives
A booklet highlighting all National and State winning and highly commended councils and their healthy community initiatives will be available at www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthycommunityawards and a hard copy will be sent to all councils.
| | | | | The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) has now been made available by the Australian Government to individuals in New South Wales who were severely affected by the bushfires. The Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, and Minister for Human Services, Senator Marise Payne, announced that eligible people in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Muswellbrook, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Wyong and Wingecarribee can claim assistance for income lost due to the fires. "These devastating bushfires have affected many individuals and have prevented people's ability to earn a living," Mr Keenan said. "This assistance is designed to help employees, primary producers and sole traders recover from these bushfires and get back on their feet and back to work. It is also designed to maintain the local workforce in the disaster affected area and support longer term local and regional economic and community recovery". Senator Payne encouraged people directly affected by the bushfires in the Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Muswellbrook, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Wyong and Wingecarribee LGAs to apply for DRA as soon as possible. "It is a difficult time for the region so I encourage individuals in these areas who have been impacted by the fires to take advantage of this assistance and the other support provided by the Australian Government," Senator Payne said. The DRA provides payments for up to 13 weeks equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance for eligible Australian residents. This is the first disaster event that this newly legislated payment has been provided for since it commenced on 1 October 2013. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is also being provided in the Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Muswellbrook, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Wyong and Wingecarribee LGAs. Eligible residents can claim payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child. This Australian Government assistance is over and above the support already being provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, which is jointly funded with the New South Wales State Government. Affected residents may also be eligible for personal hardship and distress assistance, including a range of grants administered by the New South Wales State Government. The easiest way to lodge a claim or view the eligibility criteria for the DRA or the AGDRP is online at www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or by calling the Australian Government Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 5pm local time, Monday to Friday. Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Department of Human Services service centre. Further information on Australian Government assistance is available online at www.disasterassist.gov.au. | | | | | Conservation Volunteers has recently released the third edition of the In Safe Hands Toolkit. The Toolkit is a safety management system for community groups involved in environmental activities. The Toolkit and associated workshops are currently being made available free of charge to community groups. Conservation Volunteers Australia is supported by the Australian Government in the delivery of the In Safe Hands Toolkit program. The Toolkit has been available for a number of years but there is an increasing interest from community groups with regard to their responsibilities under the new Work Health and Safety legislation that has been adopted in most states in Australia. "Common sense is not enough, when it comes to the health and safety of volunteers. You have got to have a system that is implemented on a consistent basis, Conservation Volunteers Australia," Graeme Hickingbotham said. The In Safe Hands Toolkit provides a system which includes Safety Policy and Procedures, OHS Guidance Notes, Safety Prompts, Volunteer Induction, and Document Templates. "The In Safe Hands Toolkit is user a friendly package. Yes, it does take effort to implement, however it is absolutely worth it. Doing nothing and hoping you will be OK is a very uncomfortable place to be," Mr Hickingbotham said. The In Safe Hands Toolkit is a must for a community groups who are looking to review their safety practices. The current In Safe Hands Toolkit program also includes a series of half day workshops to assist groups to introduce the In Safe Hands Toolkit and advice on using it. To obtain your free download of the In Safe Hands Toolkit and to register for a workshop go to: www.insafehands.org.au | | | | | The NSW Centre for Road Safety General Manager Marg Prendergast today announced the release of the Final Report for the $5 million project to improve heavy vehicle driver safety through the use of electronic work diaries. The project was established by Transport for NSW to examine how electronic diaries might better ensure heavy vehicle operators didn't spend too long behind the wheel or take shorter than legal rest breaks. The pilot's findings are now being handed down and shared with the trucking industry bodies. The pilot assessed how electronic work diaries fared for safety, acceptability, technical feasibility, legislation and policy, cost benefit and speed monitoring. "While the final report identified that some challenges remained in implementation, it concluded that electronic work diaries are feasible from economic, technical, operational and regulatory perspectives," Ms Prendergast said. "The pilot found there were safety and productivity benefits for regulators and operators after initial set-up costs of electronic work diaries, and that more reliable work and rest data would make it easier for drivers and operators to comply with fatigue rules and address compliance risks and inefficiencies. "Improved compliance with fatigue rules is expected to contribute to a reduction in heavy vehicle crashes, as these rules are based on expert advice regarding minimisation of driver fatigue," Ms Prendergast said. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will now address implementation issues and develop a detailed implementation plan for electronic work diaries. Richard Hancock, Chief Executive Officer of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, congratulated the NSW Government for taking the initiative to implement electronic work diaries and is glad Australia will begin using technology that is used in other parts of the world. "Australia is normally a global leader in road transport innovation and yet an early type of electronic work diary has been in use in Europe for many years, and newer types are now entering use in the United States. It's time for Australia to reclaim our international leadership position" Mr. Hancock said. The National Transport Commission is considering legislative issues associated with the national adoption of electronic work diaries and Transport Certification Australia has released the pilot technical specifications for public comment. The final report can be found at: http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/drivers/heavyvehicledrvers/index.html | | | | | Following the Australian Age-friendly Cities and Communities Conference on 9 October (reported in ALGA News on 11 October), a meeting on 10 October was attended by about 30 interested conference delegates to discuss the creation of an Australian Network of Age-friendly Cities. There were a number of volunteers from local government and seniors organisations who agreed to form a small steering group. It was agreed that the Network could operate through a Facebook Group page, which would serve as both a repository of useful links and a place to share initiatives and to seek advice. The ACT Office for Ageing agreed to take the initial lead in establishing the Facebook Group and convening the first teleconference of the steering group over the next couple of months. As the network becomes established and website details and Facebook Group page are established, further details will be provided in ALGA News. | | | | | The fruit-growing town of Mundubbera - 200 kilometres west of Bundaberg - has been named Queensland's Tidiest Town for 2013. The announcement was made by the CEO of Keep Queensland Beautiful, Rick Burnett, at an awards ceremony in Cairns this week. Mr Burnett said Mundubbera, in the North Burnett Regional Council, was the highest scoring entry across 10 categories, among nearly 50 towns competing from all around the state. "With a population of 1200, Mundubbera has overcome massive flood damage in the past two years and has recovered to be an inspiration and great example of resilience and strong community spirit and care," Burnett said. "This is a community that understands the power of nature and respects it, and has worked hard to rejuvenate the local environment and keep it clean. "And that means making sure litter and waste are contained and don't damage the environment and river systems." Mundubbera also won the Bush Spirit Award, for outstanding community efforts during and after the floods in January this year, and will now be Queensland's entry in the national awards judged by Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) early next year. The award was received by the Mayor of North Burnett RC, Cr Don Waugh. This is the 42nd year KAB in Queensland has judged the awards. The winners and highly commended towns in 10 categories - plus the Friendliest Town and overall winner were announced: - Litter Prevention: Capella (Central Highlands Regional Council)
- Resource Recovery: Dalby (Western Downs Regional Council)
- Water Conservation: Longreach (Longreach Regional Council)
- Energy Conservation: Birdsville (Diamantina Shire Council)
- Environmental Protection: Wujal Wujal (Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council)
- Heritage: Yaraka (Longreach Regional Council)
- Highly Commended: Cooktown (Cook Shire Council)
- Young Legends: Bowen (Whitsunday Regional Council)
- Highly Commended: Biggenden (North Burnett Regional Council)
- Bush Spirit: Mundubbera (North Burnett Regional Council)
- Outstanding Achievement: Cannonvale (Whitsunday Regional Council)
- Highly Commended: Lockyer Valley (Lockyer Valley Regional Council)
- Partnerships: Cannonvale (Whitsunday Regional Council)
- Highly Commended: Gayndah (North Burnett Regional Council)
- Highly Commended: Blackwater (Central Highlands Regional Council)
- Friendliest Town: Cloncurry (Cloncurry Shire Council)
For more information about categories and winners' projects please visit the website: www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au and click on the Tidy Towns link. | | | | | MobileMuster has recently launched new sustainability learning resources on the life cycle of mobile phones. The free online learning resources have two integrated components, a comprehensive curriculum linked Teachers Guide and MusterKids Zone which are easily accessible online for all environmental educators, teachers and schools in Australia. Visit MusterKids Zone to play our games, watch animations, use our calculators, create posters and download information on product stewardship and the life cycle of mobile phones. Most of the resources can be viewed on www.mobilemuster.com.au/schools and once signed in, educators can download the Teachers Guide and Worksheets for free. To Register for the Teachers Guide visit http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/schools/register-your-school/ The learning resources are being promoted to schools during Term 4 especially with National Recycling Week coming up in November which MobileMuster is proudly sponsoring. Here is a link to the email that we sent to schools last week http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/media/36397/mm_2013_teachers_guide_email_-_interactive.pdf | | | | | The ARRB Group, in conjunction with Roads and Maritime Services, will be holding the 26th ARRB Conference next year at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park, Sydney, from 19-22 October 2014. The theme of the conference is "research driving efficiency". Immediately following the 2014 Conference is the 9th Austroads Bridge Conference, proudly hosted by ARRB. The theme is "bridges of the future"' and will also be held at ANZ Stadium from 22-24 October 2014. Both conferences will share a joint session day, Wednesday 22 October, where topics relevant to delegates of both conferences will be covered. The call for abstracts is now open for both conferences. The ARRB Conference is the premier conference on sustainable infrastructure, sustainable pavement and materials technology, safe infrastructure and congestion, freight and productivity in Australia. The aims of the conference are in keeping with ARRB's vision to be the trusted advisor to road agencies. The conference will identify ways in which research can influence customer focused solutions. It will provide an opportunity to showcase peer reviewed research outputs covering a wide range of topics in support of a sustainable and efficient future for transport. It is anticipated that between 400 and 500 local, interstate and international delegates will be attending the ARRB Conference. For more information, contact Conference Convenor Briarlea Green via email - briarlea.green@arrb.com.au or by phone on 03 9881 1676. | | | | | "Getting to Yes" seminars are designed to help employers begin or further their efforts in employing people with disability. In just over two hours, participants will receive an overview of services, successful employment practices and ideas for how to move an organisation's disability employment initiatives forward. Details of two seminars scheduled for November and December are outlined below. The varied and information-packed format will feature: - an overview of the support available to you (much of it at no cost!)
- good practice case studies from both a leading Australian employer and innovative Disability Employment Services providers
- a panel discussion with people with disability revealing what it is like to live and work with disability
- the opportunity to partner with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) team.
When: Tuesday, 19 November 2013 Where: Mercure Brisbane, 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane Time: 8:00am arrival for an 8:30am start. Seminar concludes at 11:30am
Breakfast will be provided and optional one-on-one consultation sessions with the NDRC run from 11:30am to 12:00pm RSVP: By Friday 8 November by replying to this invitation, emailing gettingtoyes.ndrc@workfocus.com
or calling Melissa Matthews on 1800 464 800. Cost: The NDRC is funded by the Australian Government and all services, including this seminar, are provided free of charge. When: Tuesday, 3 December 2013 Where: Doltone House - The Parkview, Darling Island Wharf, 48 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont Time: 8:00am arrival for a 8:30am start. Seminar concludes at 11:30am
Breakfast will be provided and optional one-on-one consultation sessions with the NDRC run from 11:30am to 12pm. RSVP: by Friday 22 November by replying to this invitation, emailing gettingtoyes.ndrc@workfocus.com
or calling Melissa Matthews on 1800 464 800. Cost: The NDRC is funded by the Australian Government and all services, including this seminar, are provided free of charge. For more information, click here. | | | | | Do you work in the water industry and have a strong commitment to developing your leadership skills? Designed for emerging water leaders at the project to middle management level, the International WaterCentre Water Leadership Program is customised for the water sector through sound research and collaboration with experienced industry practitioners. The program helps emerging leaders to develop the abilities they need to exert influence, drive change and advance challenging integrated water management projects. The 2013/14 program will start in December and run for nine months with two face-to-face intensive sessions in Brisbane and various distance/online elements including coaching. The program is supported by the Australian Water Association (AWA) and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and recently won the 2013 Stormwater Industry Association of Queensland (SIAQ) Award for Excellence in Policy and Education. Further information: Contact: Email admin@watercentre.org | Phone +61 7 3014 0200 | | |
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