AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION


	ALGA reinforces councils' key role in settlement planning ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis this week addressed the Settlement Council of Australia's (SCOA) Annual General Meeting in Canberra, where she outlined local government's role in settlement planning and service delivery. Represented by ALGA at the federal level, local government is heavily engaged in a range of federal policy areas that impact settlement and community engagement. As the level of government closest to the people, local government is fundamental in looking after the broad interests of all Australians, regardless of age, educational background, sex, religious beliefs and citizenship. To ensure cohesive, sustainable and engaged communities, local governments actively promote and celebrate cultural diversity. The responses of councils to the challenges of sustainable settlement are varied, reflecting the different needs of their respective communities. However, key areas include service delivery, consultation, access, awareness, engagement and advocacy. Councils actively seek out culturally and linguistically diverse groups to ensure their views and needs are reflected in the planning and policy formulation process. Consultation is facilitated through advisory committees, surveys and regular forums, encouraging interaction between councils and community groups. Events such as multicultural festivals, Harmony Day activities, multi-faith events and citizenship ceremonies are just some examples of how councils promote and encourage community engagement. Another important aspect of each Australian community is participation in the democratic process. An increasing number of councillors are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, which more closely reflects the composition of the local community. Mayor Lewis told the meeting that while councils played a significant role in fostering tolerant, inclusive and harmonious communities, this role could be enhanced if funding for local government through federal taxation revenue was increased to reflect local government's growing list of responsibilities and increased demand for services.


	ALGA attends Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure meeting ALGA attended the 5th meeting of the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure in Brisbane last Friday to discuss key challenges facing the infrastructure and transport sector over the long-term. The Standing Council comprises Transport, Infrastructure and Planning Ministers from the Commonwealth, States and Territories and New Zealand and the ALGA President. Discussion highlighted future demands on Australia's transport due to the doubling of commuter and freight traffic by 2030, coupled with pressures for energy efficiency, improving safety outcomes, balancing transport security risks, understanding the impact of an ageing transport workforce, recognising the spatial changes occurring in Australia, and taking advantage of new opportunities, for example in technology. The Standing Council took major decisions to finalise the implementation of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to provide reform and significant productivity benefits to the transport industry and to Australia's national economy. Members agreed that the Heavy Vehicle National Law would commence on 10 February 2014 in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. ALGA has been working closely with the NHVR to ensure councils are well informed of changes under the new law and the implications for heavy vehicle operators and drivers. The NVHR will be holding local government and industry forums in metropolitan and regional locations around Australia. To access a schedule of planned forums, please click here.


	ALGA finalises second submission on new climate change measures ALGA has provided its submission to the Commonwealth Government to assist in the design of the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). This is the primary driver behind the new "direct action" climate change policy. The terms of reference for the fund were released by Minister Greg Hunt on 16 October and opened to public comment. This will be the first submission process of three, leading to the presentation of legislation to Parliament by April 2014. The purpose of the ERF is for the Government to purchase carbon abatement from polluters. The mechanism of the ERF will be a reverse-auction, where entities will compete with each other as to who can reduce their emissions at a high-level, for the lowest cost. In it submission, ALGA outlined a number of issues that will require clarification in the Green Paper, which will be released in December. Local government's primary concerns are based on ensuring that local governments will be able to be full participants in the ERF. This includes not only the development of new emissions reductions projects but the status of existing schemes that have been introduced to reduce emissions under the Carbon Price Mechanism. The submission also notes the opportunity provided to the Government through practices that can indirectly reduce emissions. The primary method for this is through promoting energy-efficiency practices, including those for which support was withdrawn following the conclusion of the programs under Low Carbon Communities. Local government was an active participant in these programs and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. ALGA believes that support for these activities under the ERF would reduce emissions and would do so at a fast rate and at low long-term cost. They would also aid in the reduction of emissions from electricity generation, which is an area the Government has specifically highlighted for attention. The Government is expected to release a Green Paper on the ERF by Christmas, with a White Paper and exposure legislation due by late February 2014.


	President's Column Each year, Keep Australia Beautiful announces winners of national awards designed to encourage Australians to care for their local environments. The national awards are known as the Australian Sustainable Communities Awards and consist of the Tidy Towns, Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches Awards. This year's winners were announced this week in Cockburn, Western Australia, where seven cities, including my home city of Marion, received accolades for various initiatives to promote local beautification, wellbeing and civic pride. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners of this year's awards and draw attention to the great work being done in communities across the country in striving for a clean, sustainable environment. In particular, I would like to extend my thanks to the community of the City of Marion, which has been recognised as Australia's most sustainable city. The winning submission profiled council's efforts to reduce illegally dumped rubbish, establish a new food waste recycling initiative, promote healthy lifestyles, protect native vegetation and implement a Reconciliation Action Plan. As well as being judged the country's overall winner, Marion was recognised in the categories of Young Legends, for working with young people on waste education, and Heritage and Culture, for highlighting the city's history and cultural diversity with a major event and new research centre. The Canberra Indian Myna Action Group was recognised for success in the category of Environmental Innovation and Protection for its community-action trapping and education program to reduce the number of Myna birds in Canberra. The cities of Canada Bay, in New South Wales, and Moreland, in Victoria, have also been recognised for initiatives in conservation and innovation. I would encourage all councils to embrace the annual Keep Australia Beautiful Awards and actively promote the local sustainability achievements of their communities. Mayor, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis ALGA President


	Improving the wellbeing of Australia's children An ambitious national reform program for Australia's children, known as the Nest action agenda, was launched at Parliament House this week. Prevention, early intervention and a commitment to the child at the centre of all policy decisions, is the message contained in the first ever national plan for child and youth wellbeing. The Nest action agenda was facilitated by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and its 3000 members, in collaboration with Bupa Health Foundation and is the culmination of almost three years' work. Currently Australia ranks just "middle of the road" for child wellbeing in comparison to other OECD countries across key domains of family, health, education, child poverty and deprivation. ARACY Chair, Elaine Henry OAM, said "we [Australia] are standing still while our neighbours are moving ahead". Early childhood vulnerability needs to be addressed at school and the Nest action plan proposes to reduce Australia's child vulnerability from the current 22 per cent to 15 per cent by 2025. If this decrease is achieved, it would also impact Australia's economy and lead to an increase in Australian Gross Domestic Product of 7.35 per cent over 60 years. The Nest action agenda details key evidence-based, preventative-focussed priorities to improve child and youth wellbeing across Australia, and includes six operational principles and six priority directions to mobilise collective efforts in improving the wellbeing of Australia's young people. The agenda also stresses the need for collaboration between all governments, agencies, service providers and business, to weave all the existing threads into a cohesive policy agenda. The agenda offers a menu of activities to encourage coordinated actions across outcomes. The Nest action agenda is available here and an earlier ARACY report identifying agreed indicators for each outcome which is available here.


	Eighth Report into Remote Indigenous Service Delivery A new report highlights the challenges that remain to significantly improve the lives of Indigenous people living in remote communities, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said this week. The eighth report of the Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services, released today, details outcomes of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery which aims to improve the delivery of government services to people living in 29 priority communities across Australia . "The Coordinator General, Brian Gleeson, says in the report that while the National Partnership has made a solid start on improving the quality of life for Indigenous people in remote communities, it will take a generation to change," the Minister said. "That's why I am determined to ensure that no time is wasted in implementing key measures, such as lifting school attendance. "Ensuring every child attends school every day and receives an education that meets national standards be a fundamental that is without question, but attendance rates at too many schools in remote Indigenous communities are not good enough. "This will be a key focus of the Australian Government's efforts to improve the circumstances of remote Indigenous people to ensure that we build future capability and capacity." The Minister said the report highlights the need for greater government coordination as a critical factor in achieving sustainable results in communities. "That's exactly why the Government has transferred most Indigenous policy and programmes into the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)," Minister Scullion said. "The significance of this move should not be under-estimated. It puts Indigenous affairs at the centre of decision-making and will simplify programme delivery and cut red tape to ensure funding It has involved moving 1700 employees from eight departments to better coordinate Indigenous programme funding in 2013-14 totalling $2.5 billion." Mr Gleeson also says in his report that further attention needs to be paid to three key areas: Enhancing local governance and local ownership of decision making Reforming funding arrangements to support decision making at the local level Introducing simplified and meaningful monitoring and evaluation frameworks that reflect community perceptions of success. The report also identifies areas where continued momentum can yield significant results, including joint planning and engagement between communities and government; a renewed focus on intergovernmental cooperation to achieve strategic objectives; ongoing government presence in communities; greater shared responsibility for accountability and transparency; and a strengthened independent monitoring and accountability mechanism. "I thank Mr Gleeson for his report and the important assistance he provides in supporting real change in remote Indigenous communities," Minister Scullion said.


	Government announces Productivity Commission Inquiry into child care The Australian Government has announced the establishment of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into Child Care and Early Childhood Learning. The Government is delivering on its priority commitment to task the Productivity Commission with an inquiry into how the child care system can be made more flexible, affordable and accessible. The Inquiry will identify how the current system can be improved to make it more responsive to the needs of parents. The Inquiry is the first public examination of child care and early years learning since the 1990s. The Productivity Commission will conduct public hearings and invite submissions as part of the Inquiry process. The community and childcare sector will be able to put forward their ideas to the Inquiry. The Government wants Australian families to have more choices when it comes to the decisions they make about the care of their children. Parents need more choices as they move in and out of different types of child care due to their changing personal, economic and working circumstances. The Productivity Commission Inquiry into Child Care and Early Childhood Learning is part of the Australian Government's plan for a stronger economy. The Government says a more flexible and responsive child care system will lift workforce participation and is part of the Government's plan to deliver a strong and prosperous economy. The Commission will report by the end of October 2014.


	Review of the Road Safety Remuneration System The operation of the Road Safety Remuneration System will be examined under an independent review of safety in the road transport industry, as promised in the Coalition's Policy to Improve the Fair Work Laws. Announcing the Review this week, Minister for Employment Eric Abetz said the Government understands the vital importance of road safety. The Review will assess the operation of the Road Safety Remuneration Act 2012 and the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (together - the Road Safety Remuneration System) and advise Government on whether this system represents an effective means of addressing safety concerns in the road transport industry. "We already have a number of measures in place dealing with road safety in our transport system, including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator," Senator Abetz said. "We want to establish whether there is sufficient evidence that a separate additional tribunal and a further level of regulation is the right way to improve safety on our roads. I note that even former transport union employees have spoken out against the Tribunal.” “We are listening to concerns of the road transport industry that the work of the Tribunal could overlap with and undermine other regulation and may also impose onerous and unnecessary compliance burdens," Senator Abetz said An independent reviewer, Mr Rex Deighton-Smith of Jaguar Consulting, will conduct the review. "Rex Deighton-Smith is eminently qualified, with 25 years' experience in public policy and whose expertise include policy research and analysis, regulatory impact assessment, competition policy and stakeholder consultation," Senator Abetz said. Submissions to the Review will be invited from a broad range of stakeholders across government, business and the community. Information on how to make a submission will be available in the near future via the Department of Employment website. The Review will be completed in the first quarter of 2014.


	National plan to address alcohol concerns for communities The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has released an action plan it has developed to address the continuing and at times escalating problems caused by alcohol in communities around the country. The plan has been designed with recommendations for communities, governments at all levels and corporations and to consider stemming the unacceptable levels of crime, violence, health harms and family disturbance caused by alcohol. Alcohol use and harm affect a significant proportion of our population. This includes not just the minority of heavy drinkers but a significant number of people who occasionally drink in a risky way. There are also many people who are negatively affected by other people's drinking, directly through having to deal with intoxicated people and reduced public opportunity for enjoyment, or indirectly through the higher costs imposed on health services and policing. The ANCD recognises that alcohol consumption is a regular part of social life for many Australians. However, levels and patterns of consumption are frequently risky or unhealthy and create serious problems for everyone in our communities. Some of the issues of concern considered by the ANCD in developing this plan included research showing: 60% of all police attendances, including 90% of late-night calls, involve alcohol 20% of Australians drink at levels that put them at risk of lifetime harm from injury or disease 36% of drinkers say their primary purpose when drinking is "to get drunk" 25% of Australians report having been a victim of alcohol-related verbal abuse 21% of Australians under the age of 18 report having been harmed by another's drinking 8% of Australians report having been a victim of alcohol-related physical abuse 3.2% of the total burden of disease in Australia is related to alcohol use Alcohol has been causally linked to at least 60 different medical conditions Hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption results in costs of more than $15.3 billion a year It is estimated that local governments spent nearly $800 million on public order and safety Insurance administration costs related to alcohol were at least $185 million in 2004-05 Dr Herron, Chairman of the ANCD, said: "The level of alcohol related damage occurring in our communities is simply appalling and the Council has responded by developing a plan for action; for governments and communities to address the situation." "We all understand that the culture of drinking and intoxication has a long history in Australia and we all agree that these levels of harm are unacceptable, however whenever we speak of culture change the industries that profit most from this culture run the same old fear campaign of a nanny state takeover. "Seatbelts, random breath tests and gun laws do not represent a nanny state and nor do sensible alcohol policies and programs." To access the ANCD Alcohol Action Plan recommendations, click here.


	Movember Funding Opportunity: $8m for collaborative mental health projects The Movember Foundation is seeking proposals from organisations that wish to collaboratively develop new mental health projects that will contribute to change at the population level, with a specific focus on prevention, early intervention and stigma reduction. The following key priority areas have been identified for this funding opportunity: Creating mentally healthy workplaces and workers Strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of men and boys Reducing the number of men and boys who die by suicide Strengthening social and emotional skills in young men and boys. This funding opportunity is designed to support multi-organisational, inter-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors. It's an exciting opportunity to collaboratively achieve significant results in boys' and men's mental health. Further information about this request for applications can be found here: http://au.movember.com/news/6401/request-for-proposals/?category=local/ This will be a two-step application process, with pre-proposals due 5pm AEDT 16 January 2014.


	Simpler pricing for residential aged care The Australian Government will cut red tape for residential aged care providers by simplifying the pricing system that begins next financial year, while ensuring consumers receive clear information on accommodation prices. Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, said the Government is focussed on streamlining administrative processes and cutting red tape, to ensure paperwork does not impact the delivery of care. "The Government will scrap the previous government's requirements for providers to follow a prescriptive process in setting prices, and the need to document and certify that process," Senator Fifield said. "The pricing guidelines were confusing and cumbersome, with providers having to determine and document in detail whether a list of factors, such as the number of lights, type of flooring or view, impacted on their cost. "We are still providing clear pricing and accommodation information to ensure consumers and their families can make fully informed choices. "Under our changes, providers will be required to publish all accommodation prices and information about their facility on the My Aged Care website, their own website, and in documentation given to prospective residents. "Prices that begin on 1 July 2014 will be published from 19 May 2014, giving consumers notice of prices and payment options. "The Government is also protecting consumers from unjustifiably high prices. "We will ensure any refundable deposit greater than $550,000, or daily payment equivalent, will need to be approved by the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner. "In line with the Aged Care Financing Authority's original recommendation, about five per cent of proposed prices will require an application to the Commissioner. The threshold will be reviewed by Government after 12 months."


	Retailers focus of new campaign in WA, SA and NT The Fair Work Ombudsman is writing to almost 3,000 retailers across Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory as part of a new campaign. The Fair Work Ombudsman is promoting the free, specialised tools and resources available for retailers at www.fairwork.gov.au/retailcampaign to help them comply with their obligations under workplace laws. The webpage includes information about the General Retail Industry Award 2010 and a link to the PayCheck Plus tool, which employers can use to calculate correct rates of pay for staff, including minimum hourly rates and penalty rates. There are also links to record-keeping and pay slip templates, best practice guides, fact sheets and an educational video for employers. Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the retail sector has been selected for attention because it employs a large number of workers and generates a significant number of employee complaints to the Fair Work Ombudsman. "This is a great opportunity for retailers in WA, SA and the NT to ensure they are fully aware of their obligations under workplace laws," Ms James said. "We particularly want to ensure that small business operators, who are often not supported by an in-house human resources and payroll team, are aware of the free resources we have available to assist them to comply with their obligations as easily as possible." As part of the campaign, the Fair Work Ombudsman will also randomly select about 300 retailers in metropolitan and regional locations for audit early next year, with a focus on retailers located in shopping centres and on retail strips. Retailers can use a self-audit tool available at the campaign webpage to ensure they are compliant ahead of the audits. Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au/retailcampaign. A free interpreter service is available by calling 13 14 50.


	Applications open for 2014 National Youth Awards Young Australians aged 12 to 25 are being encouraged to nominate for the 2014 National Youth Awards. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education Scott Ryan said the annual awards-part of National Youth Week-recognise the achievements of Australia's young people. "Our young people will shape the future of this nation and it's important that we celebrate them now," Senator Ryan said. "The National Youth Awards help promote the important contribution young people make to Australia, and will help encourage more young people to chase their dreams and become more involved in the life of their communities. "These Awards are the Australian Government's contribution to the annual National Youth Week celebrations and I look forward to receiving some truly outstanding applications." There are seven Award categories-six of which recognise individuals. The other will celebrate positive news reporting about young people in Australia. The Award categories are: Health and Wellbeing Creating Pathways Community Leadership Safer Communities Personal Courage Cultural Understanding, and The Positive Media Award. The Award categories and prizes were agreed upon through consultation with young people, while the selection panel is also made up exclusively of young Australians. Each of the six individual category winners will receive $2,000, a trophy and a certificate, while the winner of the Positive Media Award will receive a trophy and certificate. The Awards are for young people aged from 12 to 25 (with the exception of the Positive Media Award) and applicants can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else. Applications for the 2014 National Youth Awards close on 8 January 2014. More information on the National Youth Awards, including details of the 2013 winners and finalists, is available at www.youthweek.com/nya.


	Reminder to register for National Energy Efficient Building Project workshops Nearly 20 workshops are planned between late November and mid-December across Australia to gather information for the National Energy Efficient Building Project (NEEBP) review. The workshops begin in Melbourne on Tuesday, 26 November and roll out Australia-wide over the next three weeks. Go to http://www.pittsh.com.au/projects/carbon-and-energy/energy-efficiency/national-energy-efficient-building-project and follow the link to Workshop Schedule. The NEEBP is funded through the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency and is being led, on behalf of all states and territories, by the South Australian government. A joint consultant team of Pitt & Sherry and Swinburne University has been engaged to provide professional services throughout the project and over the next month will be contacting anyone involved in the building cycle from concept and design, assessment and approvals, to building, fit-out and hand-over. The national review is seeking to identify the many and varied points in the construction-cycle where the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code are not being achieved. Phase one of the NEEBP will involve three key national projects: Review of key systematic or processes weaknesses or common points of non-compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code Review of the uniformity and effectiveness of current standards or regulations to deliver energy efficient alterations, additions and retrofits Information register of materials that support industry capacity to understand, implement and comply with the energy efficiency provisions of the NCC Please participate in the NEEBP! Choose one or more of the following four ways to join in. 1. Attend a workshop Come to one of the industry workshops being held at different times in 11 locations around the country. Go to http://www.pittsh.com.au/projects/carbon-and-energy/energy-efficiency/national-energy-efficient-building-project Please email RSVP@pittsh.com.au with the workshop's location and time in the subject box to let us know you're coming. 2. Complete a brief, online survey Spend 10 - 15 minutes on our NEEBP online survey which will be open to you from Monday 25 November. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NEEBP Please complete by Friday 13 December. 3. Make a submission or register your interest Respond to the topics and questions that are included in the Issues Paper at http://www.pittsh.com.au/projects/carbon-and-energy/energy-efficiency/national-energy-efficient-building-project Send us a quick email with a few comments or a detailed submission if you prefer. We need your response by Friday 13 December. Please email it to: consultation@pittsh.com.au with 'NEEBP submission' included in the subject box. 4. Have a private meeting or conversation with the NEEBP team While the project timeline is tight, we will have three consultation teams visiting every capital city and a few regional centres. If you are unable to attend a workshop, or if you would prefer a private conversation with the team please send a request to RSVP@pittsh.com.au - first in, best dressed!