 | |  Councils from across Australia voted to call on the Commonwealth Government to reverse the decision included in the 2014 Federal Budget to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) for the next three years, at the National General Assembly (NGA) in Canberra this week. The Budget announcement will cut $925 million in revenue to local government by 2017-18. Almost 900 delegates at the NGA supported an urgent motion moved from the floor on day one of the Assembly to highlight the impact the Federal Budget's FAGs decision will have local councils and their communities. ALGA President Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis and Chair of the National General Assembly said the grants are of vital importance to local government and help ensure the provision of equitable levels of local government services to all Australian communities. "The decision to freeze the indexation of FAGs will impact on the level of local services available to every community across Australia," said Mayor Lewis "FAGs are a vital source of revenue to local communities. They are used to maintain a range of infrastructure including local roads, bridges, parks, swimming pools, libraries and community halls as well as services to the young, the elderly and community groups of all kinds." Delegates called for indexation of FAGs in line with CPI and population growth to be restored immediately by the Commonwealth. Delegates also moved to reject the proposal from the National Commission of Audit in which the Commission recommends that tied grants to local government should cease, and that the services that these funds support should be left to local and state governments to prioritise and provide to the communities they service. A second urgent motion was also debated and passed by the Assembly, calling on the Federal Government to reverse the decision to cease payments under the National Partnership Agreement on Certain Pensioner Concessions for Pensioner Concession Cards and Senior Card Holders that will negatively impact on council budgets. On Tuesday, 17 June, Anthony Albanese gave notice of two Private Members Motions in the House of Representatives relating to local government grants. The first motion condemns the Abbott Government’s freeze on indexation of Financial Assistance Grants and calls on the Government to reverse the decision. The second condemns the Abbott Government’s decision to axe supplementary roads funding to South Australia and calls on the Government to reverse the decision. A copy of the media release issued by ALGA in relation to the special motion is available on the ALGA website. | | | | |  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss launched Round One of the government's new Bridges Renewal Programme and Round Four of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme at the 2014 National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra on Wednesday, 18 June. "Local, territory and state governments will soon be able to put forward proposals to the Australian Government for both programmes from 1 July this year, with funding available from the 2014-15 financial year," Mr Truss said. "Our new Bridges Renewal Programme, announced during the election campaign, will provide $300 million over the next five financial years to cover up to 50% of repair and replacement costs for bridges across the nation. "Round One will focus on projects that are sufficiently advanced that construction can begin in the 2014-15 financial year, so we can get moving on improving access to local communities and increasing productivity through bridges capable of carrying heavier vehicles. "Councils with proposals that are not yet construction ready, I encourage to consult with industry and their communities to develop a proposal for round two, which I expect to announce next year." Mr Truss said proposals are also being sought, at the same time, for Round Four of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme. "The Budget also delivered on our election commitment, providing $200 million to continue this important programme through to 2019-funding a range of projects to increase productivity and improve safety," he said. "Round Four will deliver $40 million each financial year and cover up to 50% of the cost of projects that increase productivity for heavy vehicles and improve the safety environment for heavy vehicle drivers." Mr Truss said governments at all levels should consult widely to identify priorities and develop projects. Applications for both programmes close on 28 August 2014 with announcement of successful projects in the second half of 2014. To find out more about applying for the Bridges Renewal Programme visit: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/Bridgesrenewal/Index.aspx. For the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme visit: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/Heavyvehicles/Index.aspx | | | | |  Almost 900 delegates attended the National General Assembly from 15 to 18 June. A range of speakers and panel sessions were included in the program as the theme for this year's Assembly Getting Down to Business was explored. The Assembly was opened by Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove who spoke about the valuable contribution local government makes to the community. His Excellency spoke about how councils not only work to provide for and protect their residents, but also look to help each other when needed. He also urged councils to use their profound reach into the community to honour those who deserve recognition through the Order of Australia awards. Among those speaking were Leader of the Greens Christine Milne, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Julie Collins. Each of these speakers addressed the decisions included in the 13 May Federal Budget that impact on local government, in particular the freezing of indexation to Financial Assistance Grants. Key note addresses were also provided by Terry Moran and Helen Silver while the Lord Mayor of Darwin Katrina Fong Lim, Mayor of Boulia Shire Rick Britton and Mayor of Dubbo Matthew Dickerson hosted a thought provoking panel session on Councils getting down to Business. Dr Brendan Nelson from the Australian War Memorial and Max Walker AM rounded out the conference program on Wednesday. | | | | |  The 2014-15 State of the Regions report, Regional Development in a Globalised Economy was launched at the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum on Sunday 15 June. This year's report explores the widening gap between the prosperity of Australia's regions, the need for strategic infrastructure investment and an uncertain outlook for youth employment in many of Australia's regions. The Report, the 16th in a series, produced by National Economics for the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), provides a longitudinal study into the prospects of Australia's regions and their development. This year's report highlights the trend of a widening gap between regions that have benefited from the mining boom and those that have not. The report's authors argue that the trend of regional disparity will continue unless there is a concerted injection of infrastructure investment to underpin increased national productivity and, by supporting business investment, generate export income. The report says as the mining boom continues to slow the knowledge economy (where there is a focus on the growth and development of innovative, creative and entrepreneurial goods and services) is slowly re-emerging and will play an increasingly important role as the influence of the resource sector fades. Creating opportunities in all regions was highlighted as an important factor in helping address the issue of youth unemployment, where the report describes mixed fortunes for the nation's young job seekers. The State of the Regions Report is available for purchase via the ALGA website. | | |
| |  The 20th annual National General Assembly (NGA) brought together almost 900 delegates from across Australia. This year, as the Assembly focussed on the theme of Getting Down to Business, there was an emphasis on what local government does and the role it plays in the Federation. The question of funding for local government was in the spotlight, following the Federal Budget decision to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) for three years. I was able to raise the issue of the indexation freeze with the Prime Minister's office at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Delegates at the NGA resolved to call on the Commonwealth to reverse the decision after a special urgent motion was moved from the floor of the Assembly because of the impact the funding cut will have on local communities. The Assembly also resolved to call on the Government to reverse the Budget decision to cease payments under the National Partnership Agreement on Certain Pensioner Concessions for Pensioner Concession Cards and Senior Card Holders that will also have a negative impact on council budgets. To highlight the impact of the Budget on local government, delegates gathered at Tuesday lunchtime for a photo holding signs calling for the funding to be returned, a show of strength from councils, for their campaign to lobby for the indexation to be restored. As part of this campaign, I have also written to every mayor and shire president of every council to re-inforce what the impact of the indexation freeze will be on local government as a whole. The letter provides councils with the facts and figures you need to highlight just how big an issue this is. I urge delegates to go back to their communities and talk to their local member of parliament about the impact of the FAGs decision. Let your residents know what the decision could mean for them; and what your council has to do to make up for the change in funding. Use the letter and your own council’s experience to raise awareness of this issue in your community. My letter, the media release issued at the NGA regarding the special urgent motion and photos from Tuesday are available on the ALGA website www.alga.asn.au. Funding to local government was also again in the spotlight on Thursday with the High Court handing down a decision in relation to the Williams case. ALGA has reviewed the decision handed down by the High court and is currently seeking legal advice on the decision in regard to any implications for local government. From our initial assessment, the decision potentially has significant implications for all programs under the Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2012, some of which provide funds to councils. The Commonwealth has provided funding to local government for more than 40 years and these funds are very important to councils for the provision of local services and infrastructure. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss addressed the issue of the Williams case at the NGA on Wednesday. In that address he gave, on behalf of the Commonwealth, a commitment to work as quickly as possible to provide funding to local government in a way that is constitutionally valid, if required. The Australian Local Government Association welcomes this commitment. | | |
| | ALGA President Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis challenged delegates at the 2014 National General Assembly in her opening and closing address to think about what local government is, and does, and its role into the future. In speaking to the theme of this year's Assembly Getting Down to Business she said the theme had two dimensions; - the first - getting down to the no nonsense approach to delivering services and infrastructure, and representing our local communities;
- the second, is an analysis of what business are we in, who should do what in a Federation and how our system of Government can best meet the needs of the whole Australian community, now and into the future.
Both of these issues were dealt without throughout the Assembly. She stressed that local government is the level of government that is closet to the people, and will remain so. This year's Assembly was held against the background of a National Commission of Audit, a very difficult budget and the Government's commitment to develop White Papers on Reform of the Federation and on Taxation. "Our challenge to you at this Assembly is to think about the role you believe local government should play in the Federation, now and into the future. To think about what business we are really in, and whether we can continue to do all that we are doing. We need to think about the role of the Commonwealth, and of the states." In closing the Assembly Mayor Lewis said the restoration of indexation for financial assistance grants will be an ongoing fight, and it is about funding for local communities and their services. "Real services and infrastructure will suffer and so will real people and real communities and the Government needs to understand that." | | | | | Many of the delegates at the 2014 National General Assembly enquired about accessing copies of the speakers presentations delivered over the three days. Keep an eye on the ALGA website in coming weeks for this material. As the presentations become available they will be placed on the website. | | | | | Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs announced changes to the eligibility criteria of the national Black Spot Programme on Wednesday 18 June. Mr Briggs said the changes will make it easier for regional communities to compete for a record $200 million in additional funding for vital road safety projects. In 2015-16 and 2016-17 the Australian Government will almost triple its investment in the Black Spot Programme to $160 million a year. At least 50 per cent of the funding in this period will be dedicated to fixing roads in regional Australia, where more than 60 per cent of road deaths and 35 per cent of serious injuries occur. In addition to this, the minimum required benefit cost ratio for funded projects will be reduced from 2:1 to 1:1, making more projects eligible. The crash history requirement for black spots will also be reduced from three to two casualty crashes in five years. Black Spot Programme Consultative Panels are already established in each state and territory to independently consider and prioritise nominated sites for funding. Panels can direct up to 40 per cent of programme funding to fixing Black Spots that do not meet the crash history criterion, provided they have undergone an independent safety audit. Nomination forms for Black Spot Projects are available at: investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/. | | | | | Latrobe City Council has been named the winner of the 2014 National Award for Excellence in Local Government at a dinner at Parliament House on Tuesday 17 June, as part of the National General Assembly. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the National Awards for Local Government recognise the important role of local governments in delivering innovative and quality services to Australian communities. "All Award entries showcased high-impact initiatives that have been changing people's lives and delivering real outcomes," Mr Truss said. Category winners were: - Holroyd City and Hay Shire Councils for the Hay Holroyd Video Project 'Make a Choice' in the Arts Animates - excellence in community engagement and participation category;
- Hume City Council for their School Holiday Program for Indigenous Children with a Disability in the Disability Access and Inclusion category;
- Townsville City Council for the Townsville Planning and Development Reform Program in the Improve Productivity and Regional Development category;
- City of Greater Dandenong for the Racism. Get Up. Speak Out. program in the Multicultural Australia - Strength in Diversity category;
- Clarence Valley Council for The Three Mobs One River Aboriginal Learning Kit in the Promoting Indigenous Recognition category; and
- Latrobe City Council, for the Steps to the Future Indigenous Employment Program in the Youth Employment category Latrobe City Council’s Steps to the Future Indigenous Employment
Program is the winner of the 2014 National Award for Excellence in Local Government. Mr Truss said through the project, Latrobe City Council is addressing the issues of youth unemployment and the disadvantages facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.” More information about the National Awards for Local Government, including information about the category finalists and 2014 winner, is available online at infrastructure.gov.au/nalg. | | | | | The population of New South Wales has grown by over 110,000 people in the year ending 31 December 2013 - its fastest population growth in four years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). "This is New South Wales' highest annual population increase since June 2009 and the highest growth rate since September 2009 when Australia experienced record growth from net overseas migration", said Phil Browning, acting Director of Demography at the ABS. "Net overseas migration was the main contributor to New South Wales' population growth, adding 71,400 people over the year, which is the highest increase for the state since September 2009. However, this high growth was not shared across the country, with Australia's annual net overseas migration decreasing by 2 per cent over the same period. "Although Western Australia continues to have the country's fastest population growth rate in 2013 (2.9 per cent), it has dropped significantly from its high of 3.7 per cent in 2012. This drop was largely due to a 20 per cent drop in net overseas migration over the same period. "Victoria continued to experience record growth in net interstate migration, adding 7,500 people to its population in 2013, which is three times greater than in 2012 (2,300 people). "Australia's total population increased by 396,200 people to reach 23.3 million by the end of 2013, with a growth rate of 1.7 per cent which it has maintained for almost two years," said Mr Browning. Natural increase contributed 160,400 people to Australia's population in 2013, consisting of 308,100 births and 147,700 deaths. Net overseas migration contributed 235,800 to the population over the same period, accounting for 60 per cent of Australia's total growth. Further information is available in Australian Demographic Statistics, December Quarter 2013 (cat. no. 3101.0). For population estimates at the regional level, please see Regional Population Growth,Australia, 2012-13 (cat. no. 3218.0) and Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia,2012 (cat. no. 3235.0). Available for free download from www.abs.gov.au | | | | | More than 4,600 farms, homes and businesses in the regional surrounds of Toowoomba can now switch to services over the National Broadband Network (NBN) as eight fixed wireless installations are now live in the below areas: - Pittsworth (surrounds)
- Oakey (surrounds)
- Highfields (surrounds)
- Kingsthorpe (surrounds)
- Cambooya (surrounds)
- Clifton (surrounds)
- Allora (surrounds)
- Southbrook
NBN Co has also commenced physical construction of nine additional installations in the rural and regional surrounds of Toowoomba – meaning a further 1,700 premises are expected to be able to connect to the NBN by the end of 2014: - Yarraman (surrounds)
- Cooyar
- Doctor Creek
- East Greenmount
- Goombungee
- Pinelands
- Millmerran (surrounds)
- Mt Domville
- Nobby
NBN Co spokesperson, Ryan Williams said NBN Co's fixed wireless service is designed to deliver internet speeds to regional areas that are today taken for granted in the cities. "Residents will also gain improved access to services such as e-health, distance education and online entertainment through the superior connectivity delivered by the NBN," he said. Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Cr Paul Antonio said the NBN is another vital piece of infrastructure for the region, providing enhanced connectivity for those who live and work here. The Toowoomba region is fast becoming a real powerhouse of the Queensland economy. The NBN, along with the other major infrastructure developments underway, provides an unprecedented opportunity for growth of key local industries. | | | | | The National Heart Foundation of Australia has published a new framework to improve systems of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who experience a heart attack. The MJA publication, A framework for overcoming disparities in management of acute coronary syndromes in the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, calls for reforms across the health system, outlining measures to help eliminate the differences in diagnosis, cardiac care and outcomes compared with non-Indigenous patients. Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to the gaps in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (10.6 years for men and 9.5 for women). Dr Marcus Ilton, lead author and Northern Territory cardiologist, said that every Indigenous patient, regardless of where they live, should be provided with the same level of care as non-Indigenous Australians as outlined in national Acute Coronary Syndrome guidelines. Recommendations from the consensus statement include: - The development of coordinated, patient-centred pathways of care supported by Indigenous Cardiac Coordinators and Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALO).
- Pathways provided by clinical networks which support:
- Strategies to improve recognition of the warning signs of a heart attack and the importance of calling Triple Zero (000).
- A system that supports early diagnosis and patient-centred care
- Individualised care plans developed in partnership with patients and families.
- Culturally appropriate in-hospital education supported by ALO's.
- Effective follow up and referral to cardiac rehabilitation.
A framework for overcoming disparities in management of acute coronary syndromes in the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is based upon a consensus of clinical network leaders and champions from across the country. | | | | | Legislation to establish a Green Army was passed in the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support. Thousands of young Australians will now have the opportunity to be a part of one of the Government's major environmental initiatives and help communities deliver important local conservation outcomes. Participants will receive a Green Army allowance and will have the opportunity to undertake formal training while receiving hands-on experience. The first round of Green Army projects will soon roll out across the country with 250 projects and 2,500 young people beginning on-the-ground environmental activities. Local councils, community groups and natural resource management organisations will work with Service Providers to implement projects. With $525 million committed over four years, the programme will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia and provide employment and training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018. Project proposals are now being considered and Service Providers will soon be engaged to recruit participants for Green Army teams. Further details on the Green Army are available here. | | |
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