President's Column
Today, I am representing you at the 44th meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in Hobart, advocating for the local government sector on important national strategic issues such as public infrastructure investment, progress on Indigenous affairs, and national security and community safety, among others.
Recent events have once again reminded us that terrorism is a challenge being faced across communities and jurisdictions not just around the world, but also here in Australia.
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Western Sydney City Deal on track for 2017 delivery
A roundtable of eight Western Sydney councils has confirmed a Western Sydney City Deal is on track for delivery in 2017.
Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, the Hon Angus Taylor MP, and NSW Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, recently co-chaired a meeting of mayors and general managers from Sydney's west and southwest districts.
Discussions focused on delivering better outcomes for a City Deal region expecting 500,000 additional residents by 2036.
Current and future impacts of climate change on housing, buildings and infrastructure
On 9 May 2017, the Senate sought an inquiry into the current and future impacts of climate change on housing, buildings and infrastructure from the Environment and Communications References Committee.
The Terms of Reference for the inquiry are broad and wide ranging, accounting for the full range of projected climate scenarios, and include the impact of the effects of climate change on:
Latest News
What you need to know about the WannaCry ransomware attack
WannaCry - a ransomware program targeting Windows users - paralysed more than 230,000 computers in around 150 countries last month, shutting down healthcare services and taking many large companies offline
Call for local voices on agricultural water use
Water use efficiency is a key issue for Australia's agriculture sector, and a House of Representatives inquiry is keen to hear from local voices with opinions on the subject.
Technology obsolescence striking down council records
Council departments are responsible for important audiovisual records held on video and audio tape, which are now obsolete. From oral histories relating to the local area
The future of Australia's cities
The Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities has begun a new inquiry into the Australian Government's role in the development of cities. It will examine city planning and
Latest Black Spot roads projects announced
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Darren Chester MP, has announced the allocation of Black Spot Programme funding for projects in Western Australia, New South Wales,
Productivity Commission - recent updates relevant to local government
The Productivity has released its draft report Introducing Competition and Informed User Choice into Human Services: Reforms to Human Services. The Commission is inviting submissions to the draft report
What you need to know about the WannaCry ransomware attack
WannaCry - a ransomware program targeting Windows users - paralysed more than 230,000 computers in around 150 countries last month, shutting down healthcare services and taking many large companies offline
Call for local voices on agricultural water use
Water use efficiency is a key issue for Australia's agriculture sector, and a House of Representatives inquiry is keen to hear from local voices with opinions on the subject.
Technology obsolescence striking down council records
Council departments are responsible for important audiovisual records held on video and audio tape, which are now obsolete. From oral histories relating to the local area
The future of Australia's cities
The Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities has begun a new inquiry into the Australian Government's role in the development of cities. It will examine city planning and
Latest Black Spot roads projects announced
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Darren Chester MP, has announced the allocation of Black Spot Programme funding for projects in Western Australia, New South Wales,
Productivity Commission - recent updates relevant to local government
The Productivity has released its draft report Introducing Competition and Informed User Choice into Human Services: Reforms to Human Services. The Commission is inviting submissions to the draft report
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What role can local government play in making our cities affordable and liveable?
Local government has been recognised as a critical player in the development of the Federal Government's 'City Deals' with many areas facing the affordability and liveability challenges associated with our growing cities - whether it be housing affordability, transport congestion and increasing travel times, or lack of employment opportunities close to home.
The upcoming AHURI national conference, Affordability and liveability in our cities in Melbourne on Thu 29 June will take an in-depth look at these City Deals - with a keynote address from Federal Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor, a panel discussion focussed on the Western Sydney City Deal and an analysis of what makes a city liveable.
Local government planners, policy makers and front line workers are urged to join us at the national conference as we bring together all levels of government and the private sector for a full day's examination of the affordability and liveability challenges faced by Australian cities.
Find our more or register now at: http://www.ahuri.edu.au/events/affordability-and-liveability-in-our-cities
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.