Shadow Minister for Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Tourism, Anthony Albanese launched the Labor Party's Urban Policy in a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday 24 September.

Mr Albanese speech, A National Agenda for  More Productive, Sustainable and Liveable Cities, looked at the issues of drive-in, drive-out suburbs and the need to reverse the trend of urban sprawl and increasing traffic congestion as workers drive further from outer suburbs to their work places; increasing economic development in Australia's regional cities to ease pressure on congested capitals; and continuing to undertake prepatory work for a High Speed Rail link between Brisbane and Melbourne.

The Shadow Minister also announced the creation of a new National Urban Policy Dialogue to contribute to the urban debate.

The Harper Competition Review Draft Report was released by the Australian Government on Monday 22 September.

The report is the first comprehensive review of Australia's competition law, policy and institutional framework in 20 years.

The review focuses on improving outcomes for Australians, by making markets work in the long term interests of consumers.

It will help identify ways to build the economy and promote investment, growth, job creation and durable benefits to consumers.

This is a draft report prepared by the independent expert panel based on input and analysis to date. It needs to be thoroughly tested via further public consultations before final recommendations are made by the Review Panel.

Submissions on the draft report can be lodged until 17 November 2014.

The Panel will deliver a final Report to Government in March 2015.

Further information is available here

Chances are that if you're a local government body using heavy road vehicles, you're already claiming fuel tax credits to help keep your costs down. If you're not, then go online and check out the Australian Taxation Office Fuel tax credit eligibility tool.

The ATO's Assistant Commissioner Tom Wheeler says the too'’s popularity is growing every day, with business operators finding out if they're eligible and making sure they get their claims right the first time.

He says correcting mistakes costs time and money, so the ATO's online Fuel tax credit calculator, which has the different rates built-in, makes those calculations quick, easy and most importantly, correct. You can also access the calculator through our free ATO app for smart phones and tablet devices, so you can work out your claims anywhere anytime."

"Make it a habit to use the Fuel tax credit calculator every time you claim on your Business Activity Statement (BAS)."

Further information on fuel tax credits, including who can claim and what you need to do, can also be found in the ATO’s online publication, Fuel tax credits for business.

Remote and regional Australia takes a step closer to receiving fast broadband this month with the completion of NBN's ninth Satellite Ground Station at Waroona in Western Australia.

When completed, NBN's network of Satellite Ground Stations will feature 24 satellite dishes across 10 sites. They will be critical pieces of infrastructure, essential to the delivery of NBN's Long Term Satellite Service, due to launch in early 2016, or sooner if possible.

Situated in some of Australia's most iconic and picturesque locations (below) the sites were selected to best enable the NBN to deliver a world class, fast broadband service to remote and regional Australia.

NBN Program Director Satellite, Matt Dawson said the completion of NBN's ninth Satellite Ground Station is a key milestone in delivering fast, reliable internet to remote and regional Australia.

Once in service, NBN's Long Term Satellite will help people in remote and regional Australia access e-health,distance education and entertainment on demand, whilst businesses could potentially increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets.

Earlybird registrations have opened for the Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) biennial national conference Step Up & Top Up to be held 25-28 March 2015 in Barossa Valley, South Australia.  

 Registration is on  the national conference website - (see Registration section).

"Early Bird" registration runs through until 15 January 2015.

The Conference will bring together people interested in issues pertaining to women in the Local Government sector . This includes ALGWA members, delegates, local government mayors, elected members, council professional staff and decision-makers from across Australia. 

The Conference Program features Annabel Crabb as a keynote speaker - one of Australia's most popular political commentators.

Top class presenters and leaders in their field will challenge you with topics ranging from environmental stewardship, global imperatives for gender diversity, personal professional branding, quality strategic  human governance to networking your way to success. 

And there's the fun side of learning and team-building with the Clown Doctor and author, Peter Salerno. And don't miss our 'On the couch' session with successful women wine-makers followed up with wine-tasting!  

Lake Eyre Basin management was named winner of the 2014 Australian Riverprize.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Senator Simon Birmingham said the award recognises the commitment and efforts of a coalition of individuals, groups, organisations, institutions and governments who have worked to protect the free-flowing nature of the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers.

"The efforts and commitment demonstrated by communities in the Lake Eyre Basin is central to the continued health of the Basin, its communities and the industries it supports," Senator Birmingham said.

Senator Birmingham also congratulated the finalists of this year's Riverprize from Margaret River and Bannister Creek in Western Australia and Boorowa River in New South Wales.

The 2014 Australian Riverprize consists of a prize valued at $200,000. The Riverprize was first awarded in 2001.

For more information visit: their website.

Landcare and other community groups will share in up to $5 million for local projects with the launch of the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants 2014-15.

The grants were launched at the 2014 National Landcare Conference.

Grants of up to $20,000 will be on offer for local Landcare groups.

Information on the grants is available here.

Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt and Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce also announced the establishment of the National Landcare Advisory Committee at the conference.

Over the next 12 months the committee will provide advice directly to both Ministers on matters such as landcare investment priorities, implementation and whether the National Landcare Program is meeting its objectives.

The Australian Government today took another step to keeping mercury out of landfill with the accreditation of Lighting Council Australia's Fluorocycle initiative, a voluntary industry-led product stewardship approach.

Accreditation is the Government's seal of approval for the Fluorocycle scheme through which industry has committed to doubling its recycling of mercury-containing fluorescent tubes and lamps and reducing the amount of mercury going to landfill.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that is harmful to the environment and  to human health. It can remain in the atmosphere for a year and make its way into marine and aquatic food chains.

Under FluoroCycle, organisations from the commercial and public lighting sectors commit to recycling their own mercury-containing lamps. These sectors produce 90 per cent of waste lamps.

Accredited voluntary product stewardship arrangements are authorised to use the Government's product stewardship logo.

FluoroCycle has 230 signatories including local government, commercial users, building and facilities managers, government departments, recyclers and others involved in the recycling and re-use process.

For more information on FlouroCycle click here

The Australian Government is preparing to evaluate the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010.  The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has commissioned David Caple and Associates Pty Ltd to measure spaces required by manual and powered wheelchairs and their users in areas such as corridors including corners, doorway clearances, bathroom requirements, lifts, as well as reach distances and sight lines.

Organisations and individuals interested in being involved in this review can call (03) 9499 9011 and speak with either David Caple or Sharon Herbstreit. The consultants will then schedule a time and a place where the data collection can occur for your convenience.  Participant data is currently being collected in Melbourne with plans for Sydney and/or Brisbane in September to involve other interested participants.  Data collection takes around one hour and involves some static anthropometry measurements in the chair and also dynamic measurements whilst moving through some simulated spaces.

This initiative for users of manual and powered wheelchairs will bring together a new database for the Australian Government to utilise when reflecting on public space design requirements.

The CSIRO has called on metropolitan councils to let their residents know about the CSIRO Energy Efficiency Inspections Project as it looks for participants to take part in the program which looks at the air tightness of homes and the quality of insulation in these residences.

With energy costs rising, home energy use is affecting all householders' budgets. The air tightness and the quality of insulation can have a significant impact on how much energy you need to keep the inside of your home comfortable throughout the year.

Take part in CSIRO's House Energy Efficiency Inspections Project. CSIRO is conducting a study in 140 homes across Australia to assess their air tightness and quality of insulation.

If your house is less than four years old and you live in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Perth or Sydney, you can register to make your home available for testing and inspection to assess air tightness and quality of insulation.

Homeowners looking to take part need to register at  this link.

If your house is selected, your participation would involve:

1. Blower door testing, and;

2. Thermal imaging and ceiling inspection

At the end of the study the homeowner receives:

1. A report on your home's air tightness and insulation quality (worth $800)

2. A copy of CSIRO's Home Energy Saving Handbook (worth $30)

Participation in the project is voluntary and you are free to withdraw from the project at any time.

If you have any questions regarding this study please contact either Mike Syme mike.syme@csiro.au or Michael Ambrose michael.ambrose@csiro.au .