President's column
Next week at the ALGA Board Annual General Meeting in Toowoomba, a new ALGA President will be elected for a two-year term making this my final President's column.
The past two years have certainly been eventful. As well as welcoming a new Prime Minister, a new Infrastructure and Transport Minister, and a new Minister for Regional Development and for Local Government and Territories, the local government sector also claimed its biggest win in securing an extra $1.105 billion in Roads to Recovery funding
More
Roads Congress heading to Toowoomba next week
The 2016 National Local Roads and Transport Congress gets underway next Wednesday in Toowoomba, Queensland. This year's Congress, themed Local Infrastructure, Developing Regions, will focus on the value and importance of strong regional and local collaboration and how those connections contribute to Australia's economic competitiveness.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Darren Chester MP, will be addressing the Congress on Friday 11 November. This is the sector's first opportunity to collectively hear from Minister Chester on the key infrastructure and transport issues
Submissions open for Australia's first Open Government National Action Plan
For the past year, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has been leading the development of Australia's first Open Government National Action Plan. The draft Plan has now been released by the Government for the final round of public consultation.
The draft plan sets out an ambitious agenda for the next two years, focused on: transparency and accountability in business; open data and digital transformation; access to government information; integrity in the public sector; and public participation and engagement.
Latest News
Government's new Digital Agency establishes agenda
A new Digital Transformation Agency has been formally established to guide, oversee and drive the Government's digital and ICT agendas. This follows approval this week by the Governor General of the Agency's establishment and remit.
PC Data Availability and Use report open for submissions
The Productivity Commission is recommending a major overhaul of Australia's data policy framework, including the introduction of a Comprehensive Right to give people more control over their data
Older Australians are becoming more active
The number of older Australians aged 65 years and over who participated in exercise or physical recreation increased from 44.5 per cent in 2012 to 49.2 per cent in 2015
Additional $25 million to tackle family violence in Indigenous communities
The Government has announced a further $25 million investment in a range of measures to reduce the violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
Register to host an event for International Day of People with Disability
Registration is open for communities, schools, clubs and individuals to host an event to celebrate International Day of People with Disability, a United Nations sanctioned day held each year on 3 December.
Further $2m towards SA local government youth traineeships
The South Australian State Government has doubled its commitment to the $2 million program to help young people living in the regions to enter the workforce full time with a two-year traineeship in local government.
Government's new Digital Agency establishes agenda
A new Digital Transformation Agency has been formally established to guide, oversee and drive the Government's digital and ICT agendas. This follows approval this week by the Governor General of the Agency's establishment and remit.
PC Data Availability and Use report open for submissions
The Productivity Commission is recommending a major overhaul of Australia's data policy framework, including the introduction of a Comprehensive Right to give people more control over their data
Older Australians are becoming more active
The number of older Australians aged 65 years and over who participated in exercise or physical recreation increased from 44.5 per cent in 2012 to 49.2 per cent in 2015
Additional $25 million to tackle family violence in Indigenous communities
The Government has announced a further $25 million investment in a range of measures to reduce the violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
Register to host an event for International Day of People with Disability
Registration is open for communities, schools, clubs and individuals to host an event to celebrate International Day of People with Disability, a United Nations sanctioned day held each year on 3 December.
Further $2m towards SA local government youth traineeships
The South Australian State Government has doubled its commitment to the $2 million program to help young people living in the regions to enter the workforce full time with a two-year traineeship in local government.
Advertisements
The 2016 National Local Government Customer Service Awards were presented at a gala awards dinner on 20 October 2016 at The Lagoon Restaurant, Wollongong.
NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Winner: Western Downs Regional Council
Highly Commended: Wollongong City Council
CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Northern Beaches Council - Central
Highly Commended: Griffith City Council
CUSTOMER CONTACT EXCELLENCE AWARD
Winner: Northern Beaches Council - Central
Highly Commended: City of Canada Bay Council
CUSTOMER FOCUS INNOVATION AWARD
Winner: City of Canning Council
Highly Commended: Wollongong City Council
CUSTOMER SERVICE STRATEGY AWARD
Winner: City of Canning Council
Runner Up: Northern Beaches Council - Central
CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Daniela Cangelli, Griffith City Council
Highly Commended: Zareen Wilson, Georges River Council
CUSTOMER SERVICE INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Giselle Topper, Cassowary Coast Regional Council
MEMBER RECOGNITION AWARDS
Beth Langley, MidCoast Council
Clare May, City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council
Lee Wear, Camden Council
Pauline Webb, City of Canada Bay Council
Trevor Martin, Cessnock City Council
Direct Link: www.lgcustomerserviceawards.com.au
27th ARBB Conference & 38th ATRF Conference
16th-18th November 2016 | Melbourne, Australia
Did you know a conference registration gives you access to enter both the 27th ARRB Conference & 38th ATRF Conference!
The ARRB Research Conference creates the opportunity for road and transport professionals to share and explore the latest ideas, knowledge and technologies in order to maximise the total economic and social benefit of road infrastructure.
The 27th Conference in this series is to explore infrastructure and its associated technologies in the context of the reasons for which the roads exist and the users for whom they exist.
The theme of the conference is therefore: LINKING PEOPLE, PLACES & OPPORTUNITIES.
The ARRB Conference provides a perfect platform to share knowledge and technical insights from national and international government and industry perspectives. In order to create greater opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas amongst delegates, the conference and the 38th Australasian Transportation Researchers' Forum (ATRF) will run in parallel with one another at the same venue.
Want to work at the pointy end of policy?
Make your mark in the public sector with this Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance.
You don't need a degree to apply for this flexible, online course. All you need is real world experience and a keen interest in getting the skills and confidence to become a key player in policy development. The course was designed with the Queensland Public Service Commission, which means it's career-focused and hands on. And best of all it can be completed in just one year. So why not put yourself in a position of influence?
- Learn from policy and governance experts in the real world
- Learn how to present briefing notes, reports and Cabinet submissions, as well as understand the complex structure of government and its functions
- Course delivered completely online - complete learning items within units as quickly as you like.
Data for Local Government Asset Management
30 Nov - 1 Dec | Sydney
Developing affordable levels of service for assets
This conference will focus on: Smart data collection for each asset; Determining the levels of service costing for each asset; Centralising finance, service strategy & asset management; Conducting effective community consultation.
Hear from Peter Way, Chair of the National Asset Management Strategy Committee (IPWEA), Local Government Procurement NSW, as well as a wide variety of Local Council leaders from across Australia.
Please Click here for brochure.
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.