President's column
As the President of ALGA, I have sought to attend and speak at as many state and territory local government association conferences as possible to hear about local priorities and share ALGA's priorities and provide an update of developments at a Federal level.
This week I attended the Local Government of South Australia Conference in Adelaide and took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of the Federal Government recognising the leadership and implementation role played by councils.
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COAG Summit to address violence against women and their children
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will host a national summit on reducing violence against women and their children in Brisbane on 27 and 28 October 2016. The theme for the summit will be Connect.Act.Change
Hosted by the Queensland Government in partnership with the Commonwealth, the summit will bring together governments, frontline services, business, community leaders and experts in the field. ALGA will also attend the summit as an official member of COAG.
Can bigger trucks help to reduce the impact on council roads?
This year's National Local Roads and Transport Congress, to be held in Toowoomba QLD from 9-11 November, will feature a demonstration of a number of high productivity vehicles and their maneuvering capabilities.
The demonstration will showcase the superior productivity and safety benefits of modern, innovative heavy vehicles and the difference they can make to the viability of local businesses and productivity. The demonstration will highlight the improved capabilities of vehicles certified through the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme
Latest News
RDA Independent Review: submissions close next week
Submissions to the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Independent Reviewer, the Hon Warwick L Smith, close next week at 5pm Friday 28 October. The RDA has urged all interested stakeholders to make submissions
Commonwealth's digital agenda transforming
The Government is expanding its digital agenda by establishing a new Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), which will implement wide scale change in digital capability across government departments
Councils take home 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards
The recipients of the 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards have been announced, with six winners across four categories and another six entries receiving commendations from the 2016 jury
Local government partnerships with MDBA to boost regional engagement
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will partner with local government, and regional development and natural resource organisations to strengthen connections with communities across the basin
Transport productivity inquiry is back
The Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, has recommenced its inquiry into transport connectivity, with a public hearing held in Canberra this week where the CSIRO and RMIT addressed the Committee
Trends and challenges for local council recruitment
A new research study on trends and challenges for local council recruitment over the next 5-10 years has been launched this week. The study specifically reviewed external hiring, skill shortages, legislative impacts
Capital Cities must be Smart Cities
Australia's capital city Lord Mayors are taking a leadership role in investing and developing technologies and practices that are increasingly transforming our capitals into 'smart cities'.
Victoria receives $33.4 million to fix Black Spots
The Government has invested $33.4 million in Victorian roads through its national Black Spot Programme. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester announced the funding package this week
RDA Independent Review: submissions close next week
Submissions to the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Independent Reviewer, the Hon Warwick L Smith, close next week at 5pm Friday 28 October. The RDA has urged all interested stakeholders to make submissions
Commonwealth's digital agenda transforming
The Government is expanding its digital agenda by establishing a new Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), which will implement wide scale change in digital capability across government departments
Councils take home 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards
The recipients of the 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards have been announced, with six winners across four categories and another six entries receiving commendations from the 2016 jury
Local government partnerships with MDBA to boost regional engagement
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will partner with local government, and regional development and natural resource organisations to strengthen connections with communities across the basin
Transport productivity inquiry is back
The Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, has recommenced its inquiry into transport connectivity, with a public hearing held in Canberra this week where the CSIRO and RMIT addressed the Committee
Trends and challenges for local council recruitment
A new research study on trends and challenges for local council recruitment over the next 5-10 years has been launched this week. The study specifically reviewed external hiring, skill shortages, legislative impacts
Capital Cities must be Smart Cities
Australia's capital city Lord Mayors are taking a leadership role in investing and developing technologies and practices that are increasingly transforming our capitals into 'smart cities'.
Victoria receives $33.4 million to fix Black Spots
The Government has invested $33.4 million in Victorian roads through its national Black Spot Programme. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester announced the funding package this week
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National Local Roads and Transport Congress 2016
Toowoomba QLD
9 - 11 November 2016
Meeting the current and future demand of Australia's transport industry is one of the most important challenges facing the nation's economy and transport infrastructure providers. Local roads underpin the freight movement and productivity of our nation. Effective road financing and appropriate asset management are critical to the successful management of our local roads.
This is reflected in the theme of this year's National Local Roads and Transport Congress 'Local Infrastructure - Developing Region'. The Congress will be held in Toowoomba from 9 - 11 November.
The Congress has always been, and continues to be, critical in providing a platform to engage with the Federal Government and Opposition on road and infrastructure policies and initiatives.
Your council's attendance at this year's Roads Congress strengthens the work that ALGA and your state and territory association is doing to secure better funding for local government roads and infrastructure. Your voices and your knowledge will show the Government the value you place on working together to deliver positive results for all our communities.
For more information or to register your attendance, please click here.