President's column
Making our cities, towns and regions smarter, stronger, more efficient and more resilient is a constant focus for local government - but will the decisions and investments of the past be the right ones for the future?
Under the theme Building Tomorrow's Communities, delegates at this year's National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) will look at how councils are enhancing their capacity to respond to the new and unforeseen challenges of tomorrow's communities.
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Senator the Hon Fiona Nash confirmed to address NGA
Senator the Hon Fiona Nash will address this year's National General Assembly of Local Government on Tuesday 20 June in Canberra.
Senator Nash is the Minister for Local Government and Territories, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Regional Communications.
The Minister's address at this year's NGA will be the first opportunity for delegates to hear from the minister as the sector's representative in the Federal Government. Delegates will also have the opportunity to receive an update straight from the minister about
Round 3 of the Bridges Renewal Programme now open
Funding is now up for grabs under the third round of the Bridges Renewal Programme, which keeps communities connected and regional industries profitable.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Darren Chester MP, said Round 3 of the $360 million Bridges Renewal Programme would accept submissions from state, territory and local governments from Friday 17 March 2017.
"By working together with governments at all levels - particularly local councils which often need a hand to get big-ticket projects underway - we are upgrading
Council smart tech funding of up to $5m
Local councils can apply for up to $5 million in funding to support smart tech projects for their communities.
The Federal Government's $50 million Smart Cities and Suburbs Program was opened today by Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor.
"I'm delighted to launch this exciting new program to support the rollout of technology and data solutions for local communities," Assistant Minister Taylor said.
"This is not just for metropolitan areas, good ideas come from everywhere and we welcome applications from across Australia."
Latest News
Review of Product Stewardship Act 2011
The Australian Government has commenced a review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 which helps to reduce the environmental and health impacts of products.
Government's Regional Ministerial Taskforce holds its first meeting
The Government's newly-formed Regional Ministerial Taskforce met for the first time this week at Parliament House in Canberra.
Victorian Women's honour roll receives 25 new inductees
Twenty five women have been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, celebrating contributions made to local communities and achievements from
Climate adaptation research webinar series
A series of upcoming webinars by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) will explore key climate adaptation topics from extreme events, to urban and natural system
Learn how to streamline workflows and improve customer service
Councils are under increasing pressure to improve customer service and operational efficiencies while reducing costs. They're also faced with the challenge of how to integrate
Are the trails in your council bringing maximum benefit to ratepayers?
Making decisions about where to spend limited budgets to build new trails or maintain existing ones can be difficult for local councils as it's not easy to predict trends
Review of Product Stewardship Act 2011
The Australian Government has commenced a review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 which helps to reduce the environmental and health impacts of products.
Government's Regional Ministerial Taskforce holds its first meeting
The Government's newly-formed Regional Ministerial Taskforce met for the first time this week at Parliament House in Canberra.
Victorian Women's honour roll receives 25 new inductees
Twenty five women have been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, celebrating contributions made to local communities and achievements from
Climate adaptation research webinar series
A series of upcoming webinars by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) will explore key climate adaptation topics from extreme events, to urban and natural system
Learn how to streamline workflows and improve customer service
Councils are under increasing pressure to improve customer service and operational efficiencies while reducing costs. They're also faced with the challenge of how to integrate
Are the trails in your council bringing maximum benefit to ratepayers?
Making decisions about where to spend limited budgets to build new trails or maintain existing ones can be difficult for local councils as it's not easy to predict trends
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Get on Track for Trails Success
Are the trails in your area bringing maximum benefit to ratepayers?
Have you ever wondered what trails could do for your region or holiday destination?
Do you currently have existing trails and want to know how to improve visitation or find out the economic benefit trails are providing?
Would you like to connect with trails experts from across Australia and New Zealand?
If you answered YES to any of these questions then attending the 2017 Sustainable Trails Conference is a MUST! Places are limited - so act quickly!
For more information visit http://www.trctourism.com/trails-conference or contact Donna Graf donna@trctourism.com
Support ALGA's campaign!
ALGA has launched a campaign to end the freeze and restore indexation to local government financial assistance grants in the federal budget this May.
It is important that your council actively engages in supporting ALGA in this national campaign. ALGA can make the national arguments and make the national representations at the Federal level, but nothing gets the attention of politicians, the party room or party leadership better than local stories from the front line of local community governance - you.
Support ALGA's campaign by contacting your Federal Parliamentary representatives through our online campaign website: endthefreeze.com - it's your community and your call.
The team at ALGA has also prepared a council advocacy kit - available at councils.endthefreeze.com - that includes templates, background information and talking points to assist your campaign at the local level to ensure the Government keeps its promise to restore indexation to FAGs in this year's Federal Budget.