President's column
This year's National General Assembly (NGA), now just two weeks away, is uniquely positioned during the last few weeks of the Federal election campaign and is set to be an important opportunity to keep local government priorities on the election radar.
This will be our chance to push strongly on the critical issues and challenges facing our sector and to hear directly from the Government and the Opposition in the lead up to the election with confirmed attendance from key political players in our sector.
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Coalition's election plan to deliver safer communities
The Coalition has promised to establish a $40 million Safer Communities Fund if re-elected at the July Federal election. The fund will support community efforts that use preventative measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and keep Australians safe.
The $40 million Safer Communities Fund will consist of two streams.
Stream one will boost the efforts of identified local governments and community organisations to address crime and anti-social behaviour by funding crime prevention initiatives (such as fixed and mobile CCTV and lighting).
Are you registered to attend the 2016 Regional Forum?
If you haven't yet registered to attend this year's Regional Development and Cooperation Forum and National General Assembly, it's not too late! You can still register at this link.
Delegates attending the Regional Forum will enjoy a special keynote address from ABC Regional's Matthew O'Sullivan, the Content Director Rural at ABC Regional who has an exceptional understanding of Australia's regions and regional communities. Matthew will challenge delegates to reflect on their communities and the opportunities to communicate and promote economic activity and growth in their regions.
ALGA 2016 Election Advocacy Focus - Community infrastructure
Local government is responsible for community infrastructure with a written down value of $354 billion and an estimated replacement value of $438 billion. The 2015 State of the Assets report concluded that 11 per cent of this infrastructure is in poor or very poor condition despite the sector's intensive focus in recent years on strategic asset management.
There is a need for resources to ensure that local community infrastructure can be brought up to a standard which allows equitable access for all.
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Greens announce funding promise for bikes & walking infrastructure
The Greens have announced a $250 million annual Active Transport Fund for bikes and walking infrastructure
Melbourne's first resilience strategy launched this week
The City of Melbourne has become the first Australian city to endorse a resilience strategy
Heavy vehicle permits continue at new NSW councils
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has spoken to a number of operators who have had questions about the changes to NSW council boundaries.
Councils leading the way with cyber-safe public libraries
Local councils are leading the way with cyber-safe public libraries by joining eSmart Libraries, a behaviour change initiative for cyber-safety
Draft Guide to Big Data released for public comment
The draft Guide to Big Data and the Australian Privacy Principles, issued by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), has been released for public comment.
Adelaide City Council paves the way with smart lights
Adelaide City Council is trialing new Smart LED street lights in another step towards its goal of becoming the world's first carbon neutral city
2016 Resilient Australia Awards open
Applications are now open for the 2016 Resilient Australia Awards. Now in their 17th year, these awards are a national program to
PhD scholarships with local government focus available
The University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are each offering a PhD scholarship focused on how local governments can help
Greens announce funding promise for bikes & walking infrastructure
The Greens have announced a $250 million annual Active Transport Fund for bikes and walking infrastructure
Melbourne's first resilience strategy launched this week
The City of Melbourne has become the first Australian city to endorse a resilience strategy
Heavy vehicle permits continue at new NSW councils
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has spoken to a number of operators who have had questions about the changes to NSW council boundaries.
Councils leading the way with cyber-safe public libraries
Local councils are leading the way with cyber-safe public libraries by joining eSmart Libraries, a behaviour change initiative for cyber-safety
Draft Guide to Big Data released for public comment
The draft Guide to Big Data and the Australian Privacy Principles, issued by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), has been released for public comment.
Adelaide City Council paves the way with smart lights
Adelaide City Council is trialing new Smart LED street lights in another step towards its goal of becoming the world's first carbon neutral city
2016 Resilient Australia Awards open
Applications are now open for the 2016 Resilient Australia Awards. Now in their 17th year, these awards are a national program to
PhD scholarships with local government focus available
The University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are each offering a PhD scholarship focused on how local governments can help
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Calling local government road safety expertise
6-8 September in Canberra
Check out the provisional program now available for the Australasian Road Safety Conference to be held 6-8 September in Canberra. ARSC2016 is the largest road safety-dedicated conference in the Southern Hemisphere. With a theme of "Agility, Innovation, IMPACT", ARSC2016 will showcase the latest: research, education and policing programs; policies and management strategies; and technological developments spanning the road safety issues identified in the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety: Road Safety Management, Infrastructure, Safe Vehicles, User Behaviour, and Post-Crash Care. Over 600 delegates are expected, including researchers, educators, policing and enforcement agencies, practitioners, policymakers and industry representatives, working in the fields of behavioural science, education and training, emergency services, engineering and technology, health and rehabilitation, policing, justice and law enforcement, government, traffic management, and vehicle safety. Inviting parties: Australasian College of Road Safety, Austroads and The George Institute for Global Health.
www.australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au
15-16 August, Sydney Australia
Asset management is an essential component of good governance within the public sector, and should be aligned to, and integrated with, an entity's strategic, corporate and financial planning. Australian government built asset value surpasses $600 billion and with a stock of aging assets, various departments are focusing on achieving greater value for investments.
Public Sector Asset Management 2016 will address how to improve asset management strategies, and a few highlighted sessions include:
- Asset Management Planning for Informed Decision Making and Operational Reality
- Developing an Asset Management Plan with the Desired Balance of Cost Risk and Performance
- Integrating Financial Sustainability and Levels of Service to Meet Community Requirements
Draw on the expertise from more than 15+ expert asset management speakers
- Brian Frankham, Director - Asset Performance Management, NSW Department of Education
- Joe Mathew, CEO, Asset Institute
- Michael Killeen, Asset Manager, Transport for NSW
- Param Seenithamby, Principal Engineer - Roads & Structural Assets, City of Sydney
- And many more
download the agenda for more information.