President's column
Australia's prosperity depends on increasing its productivity and that requires long-term commitment to investment in productive infrastructure by all levels of government and across all regions.
ALGA was joined today by six other national peak organisations to launch a joint statement urging the Government to invest in more productivity-enhancing infrastructure for the long-term interest of our country.
The six organisations included Planning Institute of Australia, National Growth Areas Alliance, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia
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United call for productive nation-building
In May 2016, representatives of a number of peak bodies released a Joint Infrastructure Statement calling on all major political parties to commit to facilitating and supporting increased investment, both public and private, in economic infrastructure.
Six of these organisations joined ALGA again in a joint statement to urge cross-party support for improved long-term infrastructure planning, action on a funding mechanism to support investment in priority projects, and strengthened Parliamentary oversight of public investment decisions.
Performance Framework for Australia's major cities
The Federal Government is building a National Cities Performance Framework to measure improvements in Australia's largest cities.
Addressing the inaugural Cities Reference Group meeting in Sydney this week, Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, the Hon Angus Taylor MP, invited industry leaders, including ALGA, to help develop the framework.
"The Performance Framework will bring together important metrics about Australia's largest cities in one accessible online location," Assistant Minister Taylor said.
Latest News
Reminder to councils to complete Reconciliation Week grant applications
Councils who have started, but not completed, their applications for the $5,000 Federal grant to help communities celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2017 have been reminded to finalise their applications
City Deal Implementation Plan for Townsville region
An implementation plan was this week released for the Townsville City Deal by all three levels of government. Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor
Information standard provides clarity in free-range egg labelling
Consumers will now have the information they need to make informed choices when it comes to purchasing free-range eggs thanks to a new information standard registered under the Australian Consumer Law
More than $6m in disaster recovery funds for Hunter councils
Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and New South Wales Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello, have announced payment of $6.4 million in recovery assistance to the Hunter region
Victorian cameras first in national heavy vehicle network
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is rolling out new automatic number plate recognition cameras to five sites across Victoria's major freight networks
Recognising and rewarding good practice in crime prevention
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards. These awards recognise and reward good practice in the prevention or reduction of violence
Reminder to councils to complete Reconciliation Week grant applications
Councils who have started, but not completed, their applications for the $5,000 Federal grant to help communities celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2017 have been reminded to finalise their applications
City Deal Implementation Plan for Townsville region
An implementation plan was this week released for the Townsville City Deal by all three levels of government. Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor
Information standard provides clarity in free-range egg labelling
Consumers will now have the information they need to make informed choices when it comes to purchasing free-range eggs thanks to a new information standard registered under the Australian Consumer Law
More than $6m in disaster recovery funds for Hunter councils
Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and New South Wales Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello, have announced payment of $6.4 million in recovery assistance to the Hunter region
Victorian cameras first in national heavy vehicle network
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is rolling out new automatic number plate recognition cameras to five sites across Victoria's major freight networks
Recognising and rewarding good practice in crime prevention
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards. These awards recognise and reward good practice in the prevention or reduction of violence
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Informa proudly presents the Transitioning Regional Economies Conference on 6-7 June in Melbourne
With a growing economic gap between Australia’s major cities and regional areas, there has never been a more important time to examine the policies and strategies that can ensure prosperity for regional, remote and rural economies. How can innovation and diversification drive investment to ensure sustainable growth for Australia’s regional areas?
The Transitioning Regional Economies Conference will bring together industry leaders to share ideas, case studies and discuss the policies and strategies that will future proof regional economies impacted by de-industrialisation. Ivan Motley, Founder of .id the population experts will deliver a keynote address on Day One of the event providing insights into the performance of Australia’s Regions.
View the full agenda of the upcoming Conference and book your spot today!
Early Bird rates expire 5 May.
Register for local government’s peak national event
Australia’s councils will play a critical role in shaping tomorrow’s communities, both in our cities and towns and in regional Australia. Making our cities smarter, more efficient, more resilient and stronger is just one part of the role that local government will play.
The theme of this year’s National General Assembly (NGA) ‘Building Tomorrow’s Communities’ goes to the heart of the role of local government in modern Australia.
Key presentations will address how councils, often working in partnership with other levels of government or the private and not-for-profit sectors, are shaping the future and responding appropriately to the challenges that lie ahead.
Join other councils at the NGA to:
- Influence the national agenda
- Engage with federal politicians
- Shape policy and priorities
- Represent your council and community
- Have your say
Register today for early bird prices.
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.