 | |  ALGA attended a Housing Affordability Roundtable in Canberra this week to discuss the important issue of affordable housing and reinforce the role of councils in land use planning and development. Availability of affordable housing is a concern shared by all levels of government and this week's Roundtable was convened by the Real Estate Institute of Australia and attended by Federal Housing Minister Kevin Andrews and representatives of the Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Association. ALGA took the opportunity to remind participants of the roles State and Territory Governments played in planning, determining land availability and setting fees and charges. ALGA noted it was unfortunate that state government representatives were not part of the Roundtable. ALGA also highlighted the recent Productivity Commission reports into Planning, Zoning and Development Assessment (2011) and Local Government as Regulator (2012) which have traversed many of the issues which relate to affordable housing and shed light on issues such as the need for infrastructure levies and delays in development assessment processes which result from referrals to state government agencies. The Roundtable supported a leadership role for the Federal Government in developing a coordinated and strategic approach with all levels of government to the provision of housing to address some of the issues that have been identified as an impost to housing affordability. On this point ALGA noted that the former Local Government and Planning Ministers Council had been the forum which brought the three levels of government together to consider reforms to development processes and that the value of bringing back such a ministerial council should be considered. | | | | |  Local government representatives from across the country met in Adelaide last week to discuss the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre's planned research activities for mitigating the effects of natural disasters. In the last decade, natural disasters have caused great damage and destruction across Australasia and the neighbouring region. The full impacts of disasters such as cyclones, floods and bushfires often remain poorly quantified but continue to be felt through their long-term consequences for individuals, communities, infrastructure, the landscape and the economy. The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is a national research capacity responsible for driving the ability to think differently about how to deal with natural disasters into the future. Last week, the Centre hosted a Research Advisory Forum to offer an opportunity for project leaders, researchers and councils to work together on shaping the future of a range of projects aimed at reducing communities' exposure to risks associated with natural disasters. The Forum heard that population growth and changing demographics feature highly among the factors that have increased exposure and vulnerability to natural disasters. A growing, ageing and more multi-cultural population places significant pressure on government policy, particularly around risk communication, land-use planning and infrastructure development. The policies and settlement patterns of the past are proving inadequate for the challenges of the future and in many instances are intensifying the exposure to risk. These issues are a challenge for the CRC and councils are engaging with researchers to ensure the success of planned projects. ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis recently met with Justice Minister Michael Keenan to express the view that all levels of government, including the Commonwealth Government, need to substantially increase provisions for natural disaster mitigation in local communities. In both its 2013-14 budget submission and submission to the National Commission of Audit, ALGA focused on mitigation funding and the need for initiatives that build capacity in local and regional communities to identify, mitigate and adapt, as well as respond to natural disasters. ALGA has called for a dedicated program for local government, focused on mitigation so that local government can build resilience and provide community members with the certainty they need in the face of natural disasters. | | | | |  The Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) met with officers from ALGA; the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV); the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government; the Federation of Ethnic Communities in Australia; and the Australian Human Rights Commission in Canberra this week to discuss potential future opportunities for local government to assist in fostering national community cohesion and resilience. The Chair of the AMC, Judge Rauf Soulio and the Deputy Chair, Gail Ker, acknowledged the excellent work that has occurred at the local government level around the nation in building strong and inclusive communities. The valuable role played by councils was highlighted in the AMC Report on Multiculturalism and Social Cohesion in Australian Neighbourhoods, that was released in December 2013. The AMC Board heard from each of the invited guests on the latest examples of how local government is actively working in building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities. It also heard about the resourcing constraints many councils are experiencing through either cost shifting or a withdrawal of engagement by the Commonwealth and/or state and territory governments. ALGA and the MAV specifically reinforced the critical need for stronger policy leadership from the Commonwealth when it comes to multiculturalism, settlement services and meeting the needs of minority groups. The AMC will now further consider recommendations to deliver to the Australian Government when its term ceases at the end of June 2014. | | |
| |  Last week I was honoured to officially open the Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) NSW 2014 Conference in Broken Hill and give the keynote address. It was wonderful to see so many women attend the event in support of ALGWA, which has been a strong advocacy body for women in local government. The under-representation of women in local government is an ongoing challenge and ALGWA conferences provide delegates with the opportunity to network and access information on shared goals and issues. As I stressed during my presentation on "Embracing Change and Gender Equity in Local Government", there is a lot that can be done to ensure more women leaders reach executive positions. But reliance on traditional notions of leadership and highly subjective practices has played a major role in preventing meritocracies from forming. Research confirms a gender pay gap of 17.4 per cent, which is wider in certain sectors, states and job ranks. Far from being exaggerated, there has been a distinct lack of attention given to such discrepancies and their effect on women's progression up the career ladder. I have no doubt that through a better understanding of women's experiences in the workplace we, collectively, can influence change and work together to rectify the current inconsistencies between the genders. But we need a research-based approach to encouraging and implementing change, which is why studies being undertaken by the likes of the Committee of Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and the Diversity Council of Australia are so important. Thank you to those who approached me after my presentation to request a copy of my speech and the latest statistics on gender equity. My presentation is now available on the ALGA website. To access a copy, please click here.
Mayor, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Disability Reform Council met last Friday by telepresence, where jurisdictions reaffirmed their strong commitment to implementing the National Disability Scheme (NDIS) across Australia. The Disability Council discussed the National Disability Agency's (NDIA's) quarterly report, which reviews the progress of the trial sites in the Hunter area in NSW, the Barwon area in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. An independent report, commissioned by the NDIA, was released at the same time and has received widespread media coverage highlighting shortcomings with the rollout of the NDIS. According to the report, the NDIA - the agency charged with overseeing the NDIS - had been given a challenging role with a difficult timetable in which to implement the scheme. The NDIA chairman said the report was commissioned to allow the organisation to learn from the exercise, and indicated that a similar review was likely to be conducted next year. The Council reiterated that importance of the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) with further scoping work and options for general accidents to occur in the second half of 2014, for report back to COAG by 1 December 2014. The work of the Disability Champion Ministers was acknowledged. Champion Ministers are working with their Ministerial colleagues to ensure that people with disability remain high on their portfolio agenda. ALGA President Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis is the Local Government Disability Champion. | | | | | The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is encouraging local councils to join the Refugee Welcome Zone initiative. The RCOA has issued a research paper, which explains how local councils throughout Australia are welcoming refugees into their communities. The Refugee Welcome Zone initiative comprises 89 councils which have made a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into the community. | | | | | Ahead of the disconnection of the first copper phone lines to be replaced with the NBN, NBN Co has set up a medical alarm register to help seniors and others migrate the services to the national network. Copper phone lines for the first 15 NBN communities in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia will be switched off on 23 May. To support the migration of medical alarms making use of existing telecom connections to the NBN, individuals using these systems can register to receive assistance making the switch once the time comes. NBN Co will take registrations online and through a freecall number: 1800 227 300. Existing medical alert systems may require in-home wiring changes to operate over the new network. NBN Co recommends customers using such systems contact their phone company or internet service provider and arrange to have any wiring changes done. NBN Co chief communications officer John Simon urged residents and businesses relying on special equipment including medical and security alarms to contact their preferred ISP as soon as possible to ensure their devices can continue to operate under the NBN. "The most important thing for residents and businesses to know is that the move to the NBN is not automatic," he said, noting that even residents subscribing only to basic telephony services will need to contact their providers about the migration. Businesses should also determine whether fire alarms, elevator phones, EFTPOS and ATM machines will be disrupted by the copper switch-off, he said. | | | | | Drought-affected farmers are encouraged to visit Mobile Service Centre 'Kangaroo Paw' as it continues its tour of Northern NSW and Southern Queensland, to test their eligibility for income support by lodging a claim. Minister for Human Services, Senator Marise Payne said the Mobile Service Centre will be travelling to Yetman, Texas, Tenterfield, Ashford and Emmaville next week to offer farmers assistance with Interim Farm Household Allowance claims. "Some farming families in these regions have been experiencing financial hardship, but have not been eligible for income support to help with their daily living expenses," Minister Payne said. "Both Mobile Service Centres, 'Kangaroo Paw' and 'Desert Pea' will be visiting drought affected areas in Northern NSW and Queensland. I encourage farmers to visit the Mobile Service Centre, to test their eligibility and apply for the Interim Farm Household Allowance. "The Interim Farm Household Allowance has a higher farm assets test threshold, so households with net farm assets of up to $2.55 million can apply for financial support. "It will be paid at a rate equivalent to Newstart Allowance (or Youth Allowance for those under 22 years old) and farmers will have access to other assistance such as a Health Care Card. "Staff can help farmers to complete and lodge their claim form on board, and refer people to other community support organisations for further assistance." Minister Payne said staff on board the Mobile Service Centre have extensive experience. Minister for Human Services in rural servicing and understand the needs of people living in rural and regional communities. "In fact, the original Mobile Service Centres were known as the 'drought buses' and came into service in 2006 as a drought response measure," Minister Payne said. "Since 2009, the Mobile Service Centres have travelled over 300,000km to 1400 rural and regional communities across the country and helped over 50,000 people access Centrelink, Medicare, Australian Hearing and Child Support information, payments and services." For more information on the Interim Farm Household Allowance, visit humanservices.gov.au/rural or call the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316. To see which drought-affected communities the Mobile Service Centre will be servicing next, visit a humanservices.gov.au/mobileoffice. | | | | | Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has written to the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, calling on the Australian Government to guarantee continued equitable access for regional airlines to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, should a second Sydney airport be built. President of LGNSW, Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM, said Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) has previously attempted to restrict the access of regional airlines to key arrival and departure slots, departure gates, and lounge and maintenance facilities, despite protection measures put in place specifically to ensure their continued use during the airport's privatisation process. "Discussions about a second Sydney airport are now heating up and we are extremely concerned that regional airlines will be forced out of Kingsford Smith Airport and have written to all Federal and State rural and regional Members of Parliament calling on their support for access to be maintained. "Country communities and businesses rely on regional airlines having direct access to the main domestic airport in Sydney, particularly as a wide range of services are no longer available outside the capital of NSW. "Many regional and rural residents travel to Sydney for educational purposes, health and medical services that are dwindling or are no longer available in their communities, and for essential business which support the local economies of townships across the state. "Sydney Airport access decisions should not be based solely on economics. To reduce this debate down to dollars and cents is a slap in the face of the millions of people that live in country NSW. "Access to Sydney’s key domestic airport is about equity for country commuters, equity to services their metropolitan counterparts take for granted, and equity to an airport that is situated close to Sydney's centre. "Local Government NSW, our members and the communities they represent will not accept the backhanded solution of forcing regional airlines to land at other airport facilities like Bankstown, Newcastle, Canberra or the prospective second airport in Sydney. "Removing regional airline access to Sydney's prime airport facility will ultimately impact country businesses, employment and the social well-being of our regional and rural communities who deserve our support," said President Rhoades. To view LGNSW's submission to the Legislative Council of NSW State Development Committee regional Aviation Services Inquiry, visit: http://www.lgnsw.org.au/policy/roads-and-transport/aviation-policy | | | | | The Fair Work Ombudsman's small business helpline has responded to more than 50,000 calls from small business operators since it was launched in December. The priority service was created to provide reliable and credible information to the small business sector in recognition that many small business people are time-poor. "Small business operators engage in a wide variety of tasks every day, and sometimes they need extra assistance with payroll and human resources issues that arise in their workplace," Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said. She said 3000 calls a week was a positive response to the initiative. Ms James says most of the callers had sought advice on wages, employee leave entitlements and dismissal processes. "Small businesses often don't have the benefit of in-house human resources and payroll staff, so we place a high priority on assisting them to get the information and advice they need as easily as possible," she said. "I acknowledge small business people are juggling a multitude of tasks - and this helpline allows them to get the information they need in a fast and convenient way." Ms James says her Agency has expanded - and will continue to expand - its suite of free tools and resources to assist businesses ensure they are getting things right. A guide to hiring new employees has recently been produced to aid small business operators with straight-forward advice about recruiting staff. The guide, which has step-by-step processes and best practice recruitment tips, can be downloaded at www.fairwork.gov.au/hiring. | | | | | The homespun philosophy that any problem can be eased with a nice cup of tea has been adopted by a welfare agency to bring communities together in South Australia. Uniting Communities is taking a brightly decorated caravan, dubbed Colleen and looking like a giant spotted teapot, into Adelaide's suburbs. Program co-ordinator Ali Ayliffe says holding neighbourhood tea parties is proving a valuable way to help people get to know their neighbours in a busy world. The residents of the area around Woodforde Road at suburban Magill turned out recently for a cuppa and a chat, with Colleen appealing to everyone from young to old. One resident had lived in the area for more than half a century while another, Lisa Bennett, moved in with her family six months ago. Ms Bennett praised the Meet Your Street initiative. "For us it's really important that our girls know their neighbours, know that there are safe people around us that they can play with and go to if we're in need," she said. | | | | | The 2014 Sports Without Borders Conference will be held on 2 May at Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, and brings together the complete picture - sportspeople, club officials, volunteers, policymakers, government funders, federal and local government workers, peak bodies, and sports administrators. Drugs, betting scandals, misbehaving heroes, controversial trade deals - professional sport is often in the news for all the wrong reasons. Happily, amateur sports usually fare better. At the grassroots, it's all about fun, health and social inclusion. (At least, it should be.) Competition is still important but in the final analysis, it's how you played the game that truly matters. In Australia, our sports values are intricately entwined with our community values - for Australians to affiliate themselves with a game, a team, a club, they want to be sure that everyone's getting a fair go and enjoying joining in. This conference will provide the inspiration and the practical support to ensure sports participants, administrators, volunteers and supporters get it right and get everyone involved. The panel of speakers includes the Hon Peter Dutton (Federal Minister for Sport and Minister for Health), the Hon Hugh Delahunty (Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation), Senator Nova Peris (Northern Territory), Pippa Grange (Director of Bluestone Edge), Russell Hoye (Director of the Centre for Sport and Social Impact at La Trobe University) and Con Pagonis (Municipal Association of Victoria). The Great Debate returns with another hot topic: "It's not whether you win or lose that counts, it's how you played the game." The Australian Sports Technologies Network will provide a Sports Tech expo with new and exciting gadgets to bring your sports club to the next level. To find out more visit: https://www.ourcommunity.com.au/swb2014 | | | | | The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is holding a forum on 21 May for local government to showcase practice-based evidence of programs and initiatives that focus on healthy eating. This will be the first of a series which will include physical activity and community wellbeing later in the year. For further information, contact the MAV's Jan Black on 9667 5512. | | | | | From everyone at ALGA, we wish the editor of ALGA News, Megan Magill, a fond farewell as she leaves the organisation to pursue new ventures. Ms Magill has spent the last three years with ALGA as the Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations. We appreciate her contributions to the organisation and wish her all the best in the future. | | |
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