President's column
This year's State of the Regions report was launched at the RCDF on Sunday and once again provided authoritative evidence of the state of regional development in our country.
It highlighted four pillars of growth that are under the influence of Government policies and which must be addressed to drive regional economic development, and local government has a key role to play in developing these plans.
More
Infrastructure deficiencies to blame for mediocre economies of struggling regions
Infrastructure deficiencies have played a part in making it harder for struggling regions in Australia to increase their productivity, create jobs and improve incomes, the 2017 State of the Regions: Pillars of Growth has found.
The report, prepared for ALGA by National Economics, said that improving infrastructure will enable struggling regions to take advantage of their low housing costs and appealing lifestyle choices to attract people and businesses that will expand their local economic base
Liveable communities need functional community infrastructure
ALGA has this week renewed its call for a Commonwealth-funded program to bring community infrastructure back up to scratch and promote economic development opportunities.
Council-owned and -managed community infrastructure includes facilities such as public pools, libraries, children's playgrounds, sports fields, youth drop-in centres, bike paths, arts centres and parks.
ALGA proposed that a Local Government Community Infrastructure Program of $300 million per annum for four years would ensure communities' most important infrastructure
Wyndham City Council wins 2017 National Award for Excellence in Local Government
Victoria's Wyndham City Council was presented with the 2017 National Award for Excellence in Local Government, at the official NGA dinner at Parliament House on Tuesday this week.
Minster for Local Government and Territories Fiona Nash said the National Awards for Local Government celebrate exceptional local government projects that are making a significant difference to the lives of residents across Australia.
"These annual awards clearly show that the local government sector continues to deliver
Latest News
Photos from NGA 2017
Photos taken by the ALGA photography team will be available for your viewing pleasure at ALGA's Flickr account. Photos will be loaded onto Flickr over the coming week
Labor wants your best ideas
In his address at the NGA this week, Opposition Leader, the Hon Bill Shorten told local mayors and councillors that Labor wants to hear their ideas
Councils' mobile phone recycling efforts recognised
MobileMuster, the mobile phone industry's product stewardship program, recognised the efforts of local councils who have dramatically increased their collections and helped make recycling
New crime statistics website to streamline access to crime and justice trends
Minister for Justice, the Hon Michael Keenan, has launched the Australian Institute of Criminology's (AIC) new website, Crime Statistics Australia, a comprehensive online resource
Supporting disaster preparedness and response in the Pacific region
Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop, has announced a new partnership with six Australian NGOs to help reduce the impact of disasters and humanitarian crises
Settlement Services Advisory Council discusses migrant settlement outcomes
The Settlement Services Advisory Council has this week discussed the effectiveness of Australia's current settlement services when the Joint Standing Committee on Migration held a public hearing
Telecommunications universal service obligation - PC Final Report
The final report of the Productivity Commission (PC) into the telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (USO) was tabled on Monday this week
National Firearms Amnesty starts on July 1
The National Firearms Amnesty will commence on July 1, giving Australians an opportunity to hand in unregistered and unwanted firearms and improve community safety
Photos from NGA 2017
Photos taken by the ALGA photography team will be available for your viewing pleasure at ALGA's Flickr account. Photos will be loaded onto Flickr over the coming week
Labor wants your best ideas
In his address at the NGA this week, Opposition Leader, the Hon Bill Shorten told local mayors and councillors that Labor wants to hear their ideas
Councils' mobile phone recycling efforts recognised
MobileMuster, the mobile phone industry's product stewardship program, recognised the efforts of local councils who have dramatically increased their collections and helped make recycling
New crime statistics website to streamline access to crime and justice trends
Minister for Justice, the Hon Michael Keenan, has launched the Australian Institute of Criminology's (AIC) new website, Crime Statistics Australia, a comprehensive online resource
Supporting disaster preparedness and response in the Pacific region
Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop, has announced a new partnership with six Australian NGOs to help reduce the impact of disasters and humanitarian crises
Settlement Services Advisory Council discusses migrant settlement outcomes
The Settlement Services Advisory Council has this week discussed the effectiveness of Australia's current settlement services when the Joint Standing Committee on Migration held a public hearing
Telecommunications universal service obligation - PC Final Report
The final report of the Productivity Commission (PC) into the telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (USO) was tabled on Monday this week
National Firearms Amnesty starts on July 1
The National Firearms Amnesty will commence on July 1, giving Australians an opportunity to hand in unregistered and unwanted firearms and improve community safety