 | |  Councils are invited to provide input to a draft report released this week by the Productivity Commission on public infrastructure which recognises the potential benefits of greater private sector involvement. The Productivity Commission was asked by the Australian Government to undertake a broad-ranging inquiry into public infrastructure that assesses how infrastructure is currently funded and financed in Australia, including by the Commonwealth, the States and the private sector. The draft report highlights concerns about the costs of delivering new public infrastructure and the potential for efficiency gains in delivery and use of infrastructure. The report specifically devotes thought to road user pricing, including the scope for institutional reform and the opportunities for future pricing of new and upgraded roads investment. Significant road pricing and institutional arrangements are proposed to create more direct links to road users and to take advantage of advances in vehicle technology. The report notes that road pricing for heavy vehicles, through the Heavy Vehicle Charging and Investment (HVCI) reforms, is already under COAG consideration. Among its key findings, the Commission has articulated the need to reform governance and institutional arrangements for public infrastructure to promote better decision-making in project selection, funding, financing and the delivery of infrastructure services. The Commission has suggested that such reforms be a condition of eligibility for Commonwealth funding, including funding to local councils, although the Commission specifically acknowledged that any impost on councils should be commensurate with the level of funding provided and the capacity of individual councils to comply. The Commission is also seeking evidence on the potential benefits of creating special-purpose agencies in each jurisdiction to conduct infrastructure procurement on behalf of government clients that do not frequently procure infrastructure or where combined purchases across a range of government might lead to savings. The Commission has acknowledged Queensland's Local Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS) as a positive example in this area. The Commission has requested written feedback on the draft report by 4 April, and will hold public hearings in early April. ALGA is considering the draft report prior to developing a response. A final report will be provided to the Australian Government in late May 2014. | | | | |  Early-bird registration is currently being offered for the 2014 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) to be held from 15-18 June in Canberra, with tickets for the official dinner at the Great Hall of Parliament House expected to sell out quickly. The 2014 theme of the NGA is "Getting Down to Business" and the aim of this year's event is to ensure that local government is ready and focused on the practical needs of our communities and what councils need to do their jobs well. As local government prepares for the outcome of the Government's Commission of Audit and the possible responses, it is vital that the sector works together to develop the strongest case for maintaining and building on the support local government receives, as well as highlighting the beneficial role local government plays in the community. The NGA will hear from a number of political leaders, as well as from keynote speakers who are experts in their field. But most importantly, there will be a number of panel and concurrent sessions which will call on delegates to share their own experiences and knowledge across a number of areas, including infrastructure and finance, dealing with a changing climate and the provision of human services. Information on registration and the program are available here and early-bird registration for the 2014 NGA will close on 28 April 2014. | | | | |  Australia's legendary Outback Way will receive a major boost as part of a $24.5 million road funding agreement between local, state and federal governments. The Outback Way runs from Laverton in Western Australia through the Northern Territory to Winton in Queensland, providing vital access to many remote indigenous communities across the centre of Australia. Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss and Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson met with local mayors and MPs in Boulia this week to sign off on the package to improve some of Queensland's most remote roads. "The Australian Government will provide $11 million to upgrade the Queensland section of the Outback Way to complement the Remote Area Planning and Development Board proposal," Mr Truss said. "We will work with the Outback Highway Development Council and the Queensland Government to settle the priority works to be undertaken with the funding. "The funding fulfils a Coalition election promise and is designed to unlock the potential benefits of outback roads to the Queensland and Australian economy, particularly for tourism, mining and freight." "It's great to see further development on the Queensland end of the Outback Way, which is one of the great tourist drives in Australia," Mr Emerson said. "These roads are a lifeline for these regional communities and I'm pleased that we've been able to deliver this package so quickly." The funding arrangement includes $21 million split between the state and federal governments and $3.5 million from the seven local councils. The funding will be spent across the Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcoo Shire Council, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Boulia Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council and Winton Shire Council was a testament to the willingness of all levels of government to work together. The condition of outback roads will be a focus of discussion at ALGA's 2014 National Roads and Transport Congress to be held from 12-14 November in Tamworth. | | |
| |  During the past week I have been finalising Local Government's 2014 Disability Champion Report for presentation to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). The Report reflects local government initiatives to improve the lives of people with disability and highlights the activities that I have undertaken as part of my role as Disability Champion for Local Government. An important part of my role as Disability Champion is to raise awareness of the National Disability Strategy and to speak to councils about the importance of identifying and overcoming barriers faced by people with disability. In addition to using speaking engagements in my role as ALGA President and Mayor of Marion to promote inclusive communities, I am encouraging members of our state and territory local government associations to act as disability champions for local government in their own state or territory. I would hope that through the collective efforts of disability champions, we can make practical changes to positively affect the lives of people with disability. Small changes can have a big impact for people with disability and often it is about reminding councils to be aware of the needs of people with disability in their regular planning and development processes. Improving the lives of Australians with disabilities is an important objective for many councils and the communities they represent. Many councils across the country already have access and inclusion plans and there are some marvellous examples of inclusive council projects and initiatives. One wonderful example of councils supporting people with disability in their communities is the growing partnership between local government and the Touched by Olivia Foundation. My own council of Marion in South Australia has initiated a Touched by Olivia all-abilities play space, especially designed to allow children to play side by side, regardless of ability. I look forward to updating COAG on these and other community initiatives when I submit Local Government's 2014 Disability Champion Report in the near future. Mayor, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | A local project to develop a book to teach primary school children about World War One could be developed after Federal MP Bruce Billson submitted the project for funding. It is one of five projects that has been selected by Mr Billson and a local committee to help commemorate the Centenary of the Gallipoli landing. Mr Billson said the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program encourages communities to develop projects which commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women in the First World War. "It's important that as our nation ages we remember where we have come from and what those before us have done to ensure our way of life," Mr Billson said. "The Abbott Coalition Government has allocated up to $125,000 per Federal electorate, an increase of $25,000 on the previous Labor Government's commitment, for local Centenary of the Gallipoli Landing commemorative projects chosen with the assistance of a local selection committee. "I am pleased a total of five projects totalling $80,991 were presented to the local selection committee earlier this year and were all endorsed." The projects nominated include: - a major community commemorative ceremony involving local ex-service men and women celebrating 100 years since recruits left Frankston for World War
- a book to teach primary school children about the first World War
- the refurbishment and upgrade of the Honour Roll in Mornington’s Memorial Park
- information plaques along the proposed Avenue of Honour Rotunda in Mornington Park
- a series of events and remembrance entitled 'Frankston remembers the Centenary of ANZAC.'
Nominations are still open for the remaining funding and the selection committee will consider proposals received by the closing date of 25 May 2014. The program is administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and further information is available at http://www.anzaccentenary.gov.au | | | | | The Coalition Government has announced that it will conduct a four-month audit into the process by which the previous Labor government conceived of the national broadband network. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the audit, to be run by Swinburne University Chancellor Bill Scales, would cover the period from when the former Government issued a request for proposal for the NBN in April 2008 to the release of the NBN implementation study in May 2010. Mr Scales was previously employed as a regulatory and corporate executive for Telstra. He has also served as the chairman of the productivity commission, secretary of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, and on a number of Government inquiries. The audit will detail the process Labor undertook to create NBN policy, including the advice it took leading to the establishment of NBN Co, the basis for the majority fibre-to-the-premise model, and the Government's approach towards cost-benefit or independent reviews of the project. It will also provide recommendations on future actions an Australian Government should take when approaching a project of the scale of the NBN. | | | | | The House Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications will commence a new inquiry investigating ways to improve infrastructure planning and procurement and whether governments are prepared for future challenges they face in delivering major projects. The inquiry has been established following a referral from Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss. Committee Chair Jane Prentice said the committee believes the inquiry will make a valuable contribution to the national debate about how best to meet the infrastructure needs of the future. The terms of reference for the inquiry will focus on the following: - Initiatives already operating around Australia at local and state government levels that might lower the cost of planning approvals and reduce timeframes for delivery of projects
- Whether any initiatives considered by the committee are able or appropriate to be implemented on a broader basis, including at federal level
- Whether local, state and federal governments are adequately considering the infrastructure challenges that they face and have long-term plans in place to deal with those challenges
- Whether governments engaging in long-term planning for future infrastructure investment are taking steps to protect the land and corridors that are needed to deliver those infrastructure projects in the future
- How best to reduce regulatory and other costs that industry faces in competing for infrastructure projects
- How Australia can increase or deepen the competitive market for infrastructure provision and funding in Australia
The committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions to the inquiry addressing the above terms of reference. Submissions close on Friday 11 April 2013. Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and how to prepare a submission can be obtained from the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/ic or from the Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352. | | | | | The federal government has announced a $125 million investment to start the rollout of the Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) across the national rail network and the next stage of the Port Botany Rail Line Upgrade. The ATMS comprises upgrades to the trains so that the driver has better access to information and the control centres managing traffic on the rail network. Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss advised the Australian Rail Track Corporation that $50 million is available for the ATMS. He said the upgrade “will increase the capacity of existing networks by allowing trains to run closer together, as well as improving safety by allowing greater control over trains by network operators". The remaining investment aims to get Stage 3 of the Port Botany Rail Line Upgrade started as well as complementing the completed Stage 1 works and current Stage 2 works. "Stage 3 will continue the upgrade of the Port Botany Rail Line on segments that have substandard track condition, such as poor ballast, replacing the last remaining timber sleepers with concrete, and replacing sections of worn or low weight rail with higher grade steel to increase load capacity," Mr Truss said. | | | | | The latest edition of the Bendigo Bank/REIA Real Estate Market Facts Report reveals some interesting trends around Australia that should prove useful for people seeking suitable residential or investment properties across several price points - and it's not just Australia's East Coast capitals that are experiencing growth. Dennis Bice, Executive Retail, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank said: "The Australian weighted average median house price is now $598,044 or 5.7% higher compared with the September quarter 2013. This is a 13.1% increase for the year. "The December quarter was a standout in terms of capital city price growth for Melbourne, where the median house price increased by 7.3%, to $643,000. "This represents a rise of 21.9% for Melbourne compared with the same quarter in 2012. The median price for other dwellings in Melbourne jumped 6.1% compared with the September quarter, to $505,000 or 11.8% for the year. Middle Melbourne recorded a 15.7% increase in house prices for the year, with solid growth in the regions. There was also an 11.3% rise in Bendigo, however, Geelong had the biggest increase in the apartment and townhouse market for the quarter, with 15.0% growth. "Sydney had the highest median house price across the capital cities at $763,000, an increase of 15.1% over the year when compared to December 2012 or 6.0% for the quarter. Wollongong house prices grew slightly higher than Inner Sydney houses for the December quarter with 5.8% and 5.7% respectively. "Since December 2012, Queensland has seen growth of 5.7% for houses in Brisbane, while the Sunshine Coast and Townsville recorded quarterly increases of 3.6% and 3.2% respectively. Apartments and townhouses also grew over the quarter by 7.7% in Townsville and 6.3% on the Sunshine Coast. "In Adelaide, Inner ring houses were up by 7.9% for the quarter and 10.6% for the year. In regional South Australia, Mt Gambier has seen 7.5% growth for the year and 20.9% growth in the ‘other dwelling’ category, Mr Bice concluded. Median house prices up: Sydney 6.0% to $763,169 Melbourne 7.3% to $643,000 Brisbane 5.2% to $465,000 Adelaide 2.5% to $410,000 Perth 3.9% to $535,000 Canberra 2.0% to $520,000 Hobart 5.1% to $370,000 Darwin 0.8% to $610,000 | | | | | The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) will be hosting its 2014 Research Forum on 30 April 2014 in Melbourne, Victoria. The Forum is being held in partnership with the LGMA National Congress & Business Expo, and will take place the day prior to the start of the Congress. The purpose of the forum is to: - Showcase examples of current local government research which relate to pressing policy issues for Australian local government
- Provide opportunities for local government practitioners to present work alongside academic researchers
- Discuss the implications of the research for policy and practice
The Forum program will reflect the Congress theme 'Productive Communities' and will cover a wide range of areas, including measures of progress, productive regions, social enterprises, community cultural development, housing, investment in employee skills and practitioner led research, and many more. To register, click here. | | | | | Australia has endured another summer of searing temperatures, with more than 150 weather records broken, a new report shows. The Climate Council's latest Angry Summer report analyses climate data from across the country for the 2013-2014 summer. The report says Adelaide experienced 13 days above 40 degrees Celsius, including five days in a row above 42C. 2013-14 summer records included: - 11 days above 42C in Adelaide
- Driest summer for 45 spots in Qld & 38 in NSW
- Sydney's driest summer in 27 years
- 20 days above 35C in Canberra
The South Australian capital also had its hottest ever February day, reaching 44.7C. While South Australia was described as the summer's "ground zero", it was also the driest summer on record for 38 spots in New South Wales and 45 in Queensland, while Sydney had its driest summer in 27 years. Melbourne had its hottest 24-hour period, with an average temperature of 35.5C, and Perth had its hottest-ever night and its second-hottest summer on record. The Climate Council's Lesley Hughes says the hotter, drier weather conditions are heightening the risks of bushfires. "Bushfires, if they're started, are able to carry and spread faster, and more seriously and more intensely, the hotter and drier the conditions," she said. "So if we have really hot days, dry weather that's dried out the fuel - those are the conditions that are conducive to bushfires spreading and causing really serious impacts." | | | | | January saw record numbers of overseas visitors to Australia, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The increase in short-term visitors to Australia over the past year has continued, up 8.7 per cent from last year, and there were nearly 560,000 short-term visitor arrivals to Australia's shores in January 2014, making it the highest January on record.
"The largest growth in short-term visitor arrivals over the past year was from Asia," Denise Carlton, from the ABS, said. "Arrivals from Malaysia were up by 40 per cent, and from Hong Kong and Singapore by 26 per cent each."
In 2013, the ABS completed a rebuild of the overseas arrivals and departures system and the results are the first from this new methodology. Further information, including details of the improved methodology and revised time series can be found in Overseas Arrivals and Departures, January 2014 available via the ABS web site at www.abs.gov.au | | | | | Transport for New South Wales and the Pearl Consortium have won the 2014 Smart Infrastructure Award for their electronic transport ticketing system, the Opal Card project. The Award was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss at the 2014 National Infrastructure Awards dinner hosted by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia this week. "The Opal Card project is a worthy winner, with its smarter technologies contributing to better service outcomes," Mr Truss said. "The Opal Card project involved the introduction of an electronic transport ticketing system through the Greater Sydney region. "It involved the design, development, supply, implementation, commissioning, operation and support of the smartcard based ticketing system. "The system uses GPS technology to calculate the fare when the card is tapped on and off at card readers. "While the immediate benefits for passengers are reduced fares and less queuing for tickets, there is a greater benefit in the provision of information about patronage, modes and routes for transport network planning." The smartcard will be used on trains and buses throughout Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands by the end of 2014 and on ferries in 2015. Mr Truss said the Australian Government sponsored the Smart Infrastructure Project Award through the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development as part of its commitment to delivering sustainable, efficient and safe infrastructure. "The Australian Government is partnering with state, territory and local government, the research sector and industry to achieve infrastructure outcomes that support efficiency and economic benefits," he said. | | | | | Peak Queensland production horticulture body, Growcom is offering the public the chance to win two prizes worth $250 each as part of celebrations for the first birthday of Infopest Free Online this month. Chief Executive Officer Alex Livingstone said that Infopest is the comprehensive agricultural and veterinary chemicals database managed and maintained by Growcom as a service to agriculture throughout Australia. "On 11 March last year, the database was launched free online and to date more than 2100 users have registered to take advantage of the service's convenience, easy searchability and comprehensiveness," Mr Livingstone said. "A team at Growcom each week updates the registration and minor permit data provided by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). This puts Infopest at the leading edge of agricultural chemicals, minor permit and materials safety data sheet information - and it's all free for users." To celebrate the first 12 months of service, Growcom is offering new users who register on the website during the month of March the chance to win a prize of a $250 BCF gift voucher, redeemable in any BCF store. A second $250 BCF voucher will be the prize drawn from the pool of those social media users who like Infopest's page on Facebook and comment on the status update about our first birthday. "To date, agricultural services retailer, Elders, is the company with the largest number of registered users. The Queensland Government is only narrowly in second place with the second most registered individual users within an organisation. The gap is closing with the NSW Government chalking up a close third,” he said. "We ask users to identify with a specific industry category and based on their responses, there are about 10 times more primary producers (crops) than veterinary related users with 46 per cent of Australian users located in Queensland and 23 per cent in New South Wales. We look forward to competition from the other states in the months ahead. "Most people have happily embraced the Infopest online version to search for agricultural chemicals solutions for pest problems in crops or animals. However, we take on board all comments from users about the Infopest product and look forward to incorporating their suggestions into future enhancements of the system." | | |
| | |  2014 Australian Riverprize Now Open! The International RiverFoundation is now accepting applications for the 2014 Australian Riverprize. Riverprize gives recognition, reward and support to those who have developed and implemented outstanding, visionary and sustainable programs in river management. Valued at $200,000, the Australian Riverprize is comprised of a cash prize and a Twinning grant, enabling best practice to be shared in a peer-to-peer knowledge exchange program with another river basin organisation. Applications can be submitted online and any organisation involved in river, wetland, lake, or estuary restoration or protection is encouraged to apply for the Australian Riverprize. Applications will be judged by a panel of experts on criteria including the integration of programs, collaborative approaches and demonstrated achievements. Joint applications submitted on behalf of a group of organisations are welcome. Applications are due to be submitted by 9 May 2014, and shortlisted applicants will then be invited to proceed to stage two of the application process. Finalists will be announced in July, and the overall prize will be awarded in front of an international audience at the Riverprize Gala Dinner in Canberra on 16 September, as part of the 17th International Riversymposium. Click here for further information Click here to apply now |
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