President's column
This week we held our annual Regional Cooperation and Development Forum (RCDF) and National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in Canberra and both events delivered rich and inspiring content that challenged the sector with innovative ideas.
We focused on the direct link between our work in local government and the productivity of our nation, highlighting the importance of innovation, adoption to change, technology and collaboration to help shape the future of our councils and communities.
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Government closest to the community seeks support for productivity plan
Local government delegates attending the NGA in Canberra this week have called for politicians to support a freight productivity plan by ALGA, which would add an estimated $1.07 billion to GDP, create 2,400 new jobs in local communities over three years and add potential billions to national productivity beyond the first three years.
ALGA's Local Government Higher Productivity Investment Plan, which requires Commonwealth investment of $200 million per year for five years, would support local government to effectively play its role
Coalition's proposed Smart Cities Program welcomed
ALGA has welcomed the Government's election commitment to a $50 million Smart Cities Program for local government initiatives which apply innovative, technology-based approaches in the areas of planning, infrastructure and service provision.
The program will encourage councils to partner with communities, local businesses, not-for-profits and research institutes to create service improvements and cutting-edge technology solutions to urban problems.
The program is part of the Government's broader Policy for Smart Cities, which promises to ensure our cities are more liveable, more productive, and more prosperous
Opposition explicitly commits to reintroducing FAGs indexation
The Hon Julie Collins MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, has provided a firm commitment to local government delegates at the NGA that if elected Labor will reintroduce the indexation of Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) from July 2017.
The announcement was welcomed by ALGA, which has previously called for an explicit commitment from all parties on ending the freeze to the indexation of FAGs following the three-year freeze introduced in the 2014-15 Federal budget.
Latest News
ALGA calls for regional development focus in election
ALGA has called for Federal parties to release their positions on regional development this election following findings of a widening gap in employment rates, household incomes and productivity
Mackay Council wins national award for local government excellence
Mackay Regional Council in Queensland has been announced as the winner of the 2016 National Award for Excellence in Local Government for its Transforming a Water Business project
Councils lead with zero emissions and 100% renewable energy targets
According to new research released at the NGA by climate think tank Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), nearly one in five Australian communities and councils have set zero emissions
Study finds regional Australians feeling good, but lack connections
Most people living in rural and regional communities are satisfied with their lives, but there are concerns about access to services and infrastructure like high-speed internet
MobileMuster's recycling awards celebrate top councils
MobileMuster, the mobile telecommunications industry's official recycling scheme, has announced the winners of the 2016 Local Government Recycling Awards.
NHVR and local government driving heavy vehicle productivity
The National Heave Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) this week launched a new video to further assist local government to continue to improve the efficiency and safety of the heavy vehicle industry
ALGA calls for regional development focus in election
ALGA has called for Federal parties to release their positions on regional development this election following findings of a widening gap in employment rates, household incomes and productivity
Mackay Council wins national award for local government excellence
Mackay Regional Council in Queensland has been announced as the winner of the 2016 National Award for Excellence in Local Government for its Transforming a Water Business project
Councils lead with zero emissions and 100% renewable energy targets
According to new research released at the NGA by climate think tank Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), nearly one in five Australian communities and councils have set zero emissions
Study finds regional Australians feeling good, but lack connections
Most people living in rural and regional communities are satisfied with their lives, but there are concerns about access to services and infrastructure like high-speed internet
MobileMuster's recycling awards celebrate top councils
MobileMuster, the mobile telecommunications industry's official recycling scheme, has announced the winners of the 2016 Local Government Recycling Awards.
NHVR and local government driving heavy vehicle productivity
The National Heave Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) this week launched a new video to further assist local government to continue to improve the efficiency and safety of the heavy vehicle industry