 | |  The 2014 National Local Roads and Transport Congress is just over two weeks away, so if you haven't registered, visit ALGA's website today to ensure you don't miss taking part in this important event. The two day program is filled with topical and informative speakers exploring the theme of Corridors and Collaboration. Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese will be joined by renowned transport experts over the two days. On day one, hear what three councils have to say on the transport challenges they face, and their response to these challenges in the council forum; while that afternoon an update will be given on transport policy priorities by Prof. Doug Baker from Queensland University of Transport (airports) and Sal Petroccitto from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. On Day two, rural transport funding will be in the spotlight, with Andrew Jaggers, the First Assistant Secretary from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development being joined in a workshop discussion by Dominic Le Cerf from the Shire of Plantagenet in WA and David Hitchcock from the Local Government Association of South Australia. A copy of the updated Congress program and registration details are available on the ALGA website. | | | | |  ALGA has lodged its response to the Productivity Commissions draft report into natural disaster funding arrangements. ALGA is concerned about a number of draft recommendations given the likely significant financial burdens they may impose on councils which already experience significant resource constraints and has stated its opposition to these recommendations; among them the reduction of the marginal cost sharing contribution rate to disaster recovery outlays to 50 percent under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, and increasing the small disaster threshold from $240,000 to $2 million. State associations also oppose these recommendations. ALGA supports other draft findings and recommendations in the draft report, particularly those relating to the need for greater resource allocation to mitigations, risk assessment and management, and the provision of timely and accurate information. ALGA and the local government sector also welcome the suggestion that councils be given greater autonomy in how they respond to perceived threats, and/or recover from adverse events and the acknowledgement of the value of using day labour and opportunities for betterment. ALGA will be appearing before the Productivity Commission at its Melbourne hearing on Tuesday. A copy of the ALGA submission is available on the ALGA website. | | | | |  The National Water Commission released its final assessment of Australia's water reform progress in Canberra on Monday 20 October. Commission chair Karlene Maywald said the report, Australia's water blueprint highlights the successes achieved since the signing of the National Water Initiative by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2004 and its predecessor, the 1994 COAG Water Reform Framework. The report includes 10 recommendations to COAG and also calls for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to be implemented in full and independently audited. Other recommendations urge more attention to water quality objectives in planning and the need for more contemporary urban water reform agenda to improve efficiency and encourage innovation. | | |
| |  This week cannot go past without joining the chorus of voices paying tribute to the late Gough Whitlam. As Prime Minister he embarked upon a reform program in many areas, the legacy of which still remains. Among them was federal funding for local government. In 1974-75 the Commonwealth first provided general purpose assistance to local government to promote equality among regions, and to ensure adequate services and the development of local and regional resources. It was under the Grants Commission Act 1973 that regional organisations were established to represent local government located in regions, and set out procedures for these organisations to apply for financial assistance. Grants were distributed to councils by the Commonwealth in each state according to the Grant Commissions recommendations. These early grant programs included flood mitigation works, urban renewal projects, the development of leisure and tourist facilities and building sewerage systems in unserviced urban areas. And 40 years later, local government is still receiving general purpose funding from the Commonwealth to ensure an equitable level of services in our local communities. This partnership between the Commonwealth and local government must be preserved, and protected; and is an integral part of the current White Paper process for the Reform of the Federation and the forthcoming White Paper on Taxation. It is vital local government becomes involved in this process and has its voice heard. We need to emphasise that an effective Federation needs a strong tier of local government and a strong partnership between the three tiers of government. ALGA is included in the steering committee overseeing the White Paper process, along with the Secretaries and Chief Executives of the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and State/Territory First Ministers' departments. But for the best outcomes, all of local government needs to take up this call at every level. More information is available on the Reform of the Federation White Paper website. Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development staff were questioned on the impact of the Financial Assistance Grants freeze and the delay in passing the Roads to Recovery legislation by the Senate Estimates Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee this week. Senators asked the department staff what impact the delay in R2R legislation had had on councils given that the 2014-15 funding will effectively have to be expended in nine months rather than 12. The Department said it believed some councils had delayed projects, but if the legislation had been delayed further there would have been "significant impact in terms of contractors and delivery of projects". The Department was also questioned on whether it had conducted any analysis of the decision to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants for three years in the May Federal Budget. Senators further questioned if any cuts had been made by local government or if rates were being increased due to the indexation pause. The Department advised that it was unaware of either situation occurring. | | | | | The Australian Government released the Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper on Monday 20 October. Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce said the Green Paper outlined a range of fresh ideas on important issues for the future of the national including infrastructure, drought support, trade and finance. He said the Green Paper was a reflection of the commitment to maintaining family farming as the cornerstone of Australian agriculture and to support those on the land who engage in food and fibre production. The Green Paper includes options for 25 diverse policy themes. Included are proposals for new dam and infrastructure projects which will be discussed at a National Water Infrastructure Roundtable in Canberra on 29 October. ALGA will attend the Roundtable. Submissions on the Green Paper are open until 12 December 2014. To read the Green Paper or to make a submission, visit here. | | | | | The Climate Change Authority has released an Issues Paper and invites submissions to its Review of the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). The CFI is part of the Commonwealth Government's response to climate change. It provides incentives to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Introduced in 2011, the CFI was originally intended to provide offsets for businesses with liabilities under the carbon pricing mechanism, which was subsequently repealed in July 2014. The government now proposes to streamline and expand the CFI to form its Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), the central element of its Direct Action Plan to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. The Authority will consider how the CFI has performed during its first two years of operation and options for improvement, taking account of the government's proposed changes to streamline and expand the scheme. The Review will draw on other review and policy processes, including a study published by the Authority earlier this year, Coverage, Additionality and baselines—Lessons from the Carbon Farming Initiative and other schemes, and, where relevant to the CFI, the government's Emissions Reduction Fund White Paper.
The Authority welcomes submissions from interested parties on the matters canvassed in the Issues Paper. Submissions are due Friday, 31 October 2014. | | | | | Port Augusta City Council in South Australia and Lismore City Council in New South Wales have been recognised for best practice in creating healthier communities. They have beaten six other finalists to be named National Winners of the 2014 Heart Foundation Local Government Awards. Port Augusta City Council was awarded in the 'Councils with populations of 15,000 or less' category, while Lismore City Council has taken out the 'Councils with populations greater than 15,000' category. The awards are an important way for the Heart Foundation to recognise the outstanding achievements of local governments in the continuing fight against heart disease, the number one killer of Australian men and women. "Local governments play a pivotal role in introducing structural change, implementing policies and creating supportive environments which allow people to be physically active, reduce smoking and improve their daily eating habits," said Heart Foundation National Chief Executive Mary Barry. Now in their 22nd year, the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards provide an opportunity for local government to celebrate their achievements and receive recognition for their commitment to creating healthier communities. Visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/lga for more information about the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards. Download the 2014 winner booklet which profiles all national and state award recipients. Other winners: Category: Councils with population of 15,000 or less - National Highly Commended and New South Wales winner - Guyra Shire Council
- Northern Territory winner - MacDonnell Regional Council
Category: Councils with populations greater than 15,000 - Joint National Highly Commended and South Australian winner - Whyalla City Council
- Joint National Highly Commended and Tasmania winner - Glenorchy City Council
- Queensland state winner - Moreton Bay Regional Council
- Victorian state winner - Cardinia Shire Council
| | | | | The applications for the 2015 National Youth Awards (NYA) are now open. The NYA is an Australian Government initiative managed through the Department of Education. The Awards are the national event of National Youth Week which will run from 10-19 April 2015. The NYA celebrate and recognise exceptional young Australians with six individual Awards. The seventh Award recognises a media outlet/journalist whose news story has positively portrayed youth in the media. These Awards are unique, as the selection panel is comprised entirely of young people. The seven Award categories are: - Youth Leadership Award
- Youth Culture and Diversity Award
- Youth Employment Award
- Youth Courage Award
- Youth Health Award
- Youth Safety Award
- Youth Media Award
If you know a young Australian who should be recognised for their achievements please nominate. Applications are open until 12pm Thursday 27 November 2014. To find out more about the Awards and how to nominate visit NYA at www.youthweek.com/nya. | | | | | Australia's birth rate has continued to fall, reaching its lowest point since 2006 according to figures released yesterday, Thursday 23 October by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). "We saw a total of 308,100 births in 2013, which is down on the 309,600 from the previous year," said Denise Carlton from the ABS. "This fall in births - along with an increase in the number of women aged 15 to 49 years - contributed to Australia's total fertility rate falling from 1.93 in 2012 to 1.88 in 2013. "But the trend among older mothers - those aged between 40 and 44 years - was reversed, and their fertility rate has continued to increase since its lowest point in the mid-1970s. "Over the past 30 years, fertility rates for these older mums have nearly tripled, and today's results see the trend continuing", said Ms Carlton. Across the states and territories, the Northern Territory again had the highest fertility rate at 2.12 babies per woman, while Victoria had the lowest at 1.76. The total fertility rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers also decreased to 2.34 in 2013, the lowest rate since 2006. In 2013, 18,400 births (6% of total births) were registered where at least one parent was an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian. More details can be found in Births, Australia, 2013 (cat. no. 3301.0). State, territory and sub-state information is also available for free download from the ABS website. | | | | | For the first time in 25 years there are joint winners in the City, Metropolitan and Regional category of the A R Bluett Memorial Award, which recognises excellence in local government in NSW. Ku-ring-gai and Bankstown Councils shared the honours for 2014 in the City, Metropolitan and Regional category. The Rural category winner was Cootamundra Shire Council. Ku-ring-gai Council achievements during the year included a $17M fitness and aquatic centre, major upgrade of Gordon Library, establishment of wetlands, extensive upgrades to parks and playgrounds, one of the largest volunteer bush regeneration programs in NSW, a new administrative building with the adaptive reuse of previous commercial building, numerous awards and citations, bio-banking, an enviro YouTube channel, extensive community consultation and engagement, as well as being in a sound financial position with all depreciation fully funded. Bankstown City Council was recognised for its development of a $22 million library and knowledge centre, a range of sustainability projects, town centre improvements, digital branding, bush regeneration, parks and oval upgrades, impressive DA approval times, numerous awards and citations, an innovative "wheelie good compost and mulch program", a focus on staff development and leadership, coordination of a regional illegal dumping squad, an extensive community grants program and excellent youth engagement projects. Cootamundra Shire Council, the Rural category winner, has made planned progress over a number of years with a strong sense of engagement with its community. The Council's achievements have included the completion of a regional arts centre and theatre, a new indoor heated swimming pool complex, public toilet upgrades, family friendly subdivisions, a joint soil contamination venture which should provide an ongoing income source for the council, extensive community involvement and collaboration with some 130 groups, companion animals audit, a successful workforce strategy, gasworks rehabilitation, the protection of a WWII aircraft fuel depot, a range of environmental programs and a focus on financial sustainability. The Trustees also made special mention of the efforts of Warringah, Tumut and Upper Lachlan Shire Councils. | | | | | Minister for the Arts Senator George Brandis has announced funding of more than $1 million for 80 exciting regional arts and cultural projects through the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund. Senator Brandis said funds have been allocated to a diverse range of projects. From a group of 140 musicians in the mineral mining town of Mount Isa, Queensland to a creative arts installation project in the Eurobodalla region of New South Wales these arts and culture projects will create long lasting benefits for local artists and communities. These regional projects draw on a mix of visual art, theatrical performances, music, film and the delivery and sharing of skills and knowledge. A number of councils are also involved in the projects which have been successful in the funding round including Tasmania's Break O'Day Council for a youth film project. For more information about regional arts visit http://arts.gov.au/regional | | | | | The 2014 Garage Sale Trail is on this weekend. Almost 140 councils across Australia have given their support to the event The Garage Sale Trail is about sustainability, community and creativity. By organising communities around Australia to hold garage sales on the same day organisers aim to reduce waste to landfill and enable community-based conversations between local government, business, householders, community groups, cultural institutions, makers and creators, charities and schools. For more information visit here. | | | | | More communities across regional Victoria will soon get access to fast broadband as NBN Co begins working with local councils around the planning of new fixed wireless facilities in parts of the following council areas: - East Gippsland Shire Council
- Rural City of Swan Hill
- Greater Shepparton City Council
- Wellington Shire Council
- Shire of Campaspe
- Gannawarra Shire Council
- Mildura Rural City Council
- Loddon Shire Council
- Moira Shire Council
This marks the beginning of the consultation process with the community and at this point the number of fixed wireless facilities and their locations are yet to be finalised. Victoria currently has more than 62,000 homes, farms and businesses connected to the NBN. Build preparation and construction activities are also underway to deliver the NBN to an additional 146,000 homes, farms and businesses across the state. | | |
| | |  International Day of People with Disability Event Registrations Now Open It's time to plan your celebrations for International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on 3 December to recognise achievements and encourage support for the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disability. As a local council, you could: - light up landmarks (fountains, parks or buildings) in IDPwD colours of blue and orange during the lead up to IDPwD and on the day itself
- hold a specific event to recognise the achievements of people with disability in your community
- encourage your community to also hold events.
For inspiration, take a look at our website or consider some particularly creative examples from last year. For example, Queenslanders gathered to share stories about why laughter is the best medicine, Western Australian students held a fully accessible short films festival, and in South Australia people picnicked and played cricket. Once you have come up with your idea, make sure you register your event here. This allows us to track the celebrations and provide promotional products to add colour to your event. For more information, visit the International Day of People with Disability website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. |
| | | | | |  Do you need to know more about Coal Seam Gas mining in your Council area? This three day course - Introduction to Coal Seam Gas, Mining and Groundwater - seeks to cover the broad topic of Coal Seam Gas within the Australian environment. It will cover such topics as the location and characteristics of CSG, extraction methods and technologies as well as the environmental impacts of CSG and mining. Designed and led by some of Australia's most experienced CSG experts, this course will inform, educate and train you and your staff in this controversial area of mining. Go to http://www.srit.com.au/course_details.php?id=77 for more details. Do you have problems with Soil and/or Groundwater pollution? This four-day course - Soil and Groundwater Pollution and Remediation Workshop - comprehensively covers soil and groundwater pollution and remediation due to anthropogenic contamination. It covers organic and inorganic contaminants including heavy metals. The course will make extensive use of case histories including Australian examples. Go to http://www.srit.com.au/course_details.php?id=31 for more details. |
| | | | | |  The Australian Refrigeration Association (ARA) is staging the HVACR Energy Efficiency Seminar Series 2014 in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in November offering all HVACR stakeholders an intensive one day programme highlighting the future transition of the Australian HVACR industry to adopt existing and emerging energy efficient technologies and low GWP natural refrigerant solutions, to drive cost efficiencies and reduce Carbon emissions in Australia's HVACR plant. With the potential of a vast majority of commercial, industrial and residential HVACR infrastructure being replaced over the coming decade with new technology and new plant, it is important to appreciate the energy efficient and low emissions nature of natural refrigerant based technologies and explore alternative methods, solutions and thinking to better manage the heat load within the Australian built environment. If you are responsible for improving the efficient operation of your organisation's HVACR plant you are invited to attend the HVACR Energy Efficiency Seminar Series in your local city. Typical job titles attending include: - Facilities & real estate executives
- Property managers
- HVACR specifiers
- Engineers
- Contractors
- Operations & sustainability executives
- HVACR end users
$120 (incl:GST) secures your place and includes all catering and one day seminar pass. Register Today. |
| | | | | |  Fast Track Talent - Fast Track Talent brings your community to the stage for a day of excitement and entertainment
- Bookings for 2015 open now - be quick to secure your preferred date
- Have your event managed from start to finish
- FTT brings - Guest Judges, Guest Performers and a panel of industry experts to every show
- Utilise the event for an amazing good news story showcasing local people
- Learn how to achieve a cost neutral event.
- Go online to see what Mayors all over the country have said about Fast Track Talent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU9buh0j9SI&list=PL3GvYQ4jDqipGq9vWoLhTkakgeEKXyl7q Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to provide your community with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Call Fast Track Talent Now to book your date for 2015 - Call Christine Collyer on 0418322110 For more information visit: http://www.fasttracktalent.com.au |
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