President's column
Courtesy of the Local Government Association of New Zealand (LGNZ), this week I heard outgoing President Lawrence Yule challenge LGNZ members to be more responsive to modern technologies and engagement methods, and to demonstrate more efficiencies - particularly if the sector rejects further amalgamations as the way forward.
He also called on government and the community to recognise that significant infrastructure investment is required, with the only question left unanswered being how it will be paid for - not if, when, or why, only how.
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Councils invited to comment on Cities Performance Framework interim report
Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor has invited councils to comment on the National Cities Performance Framework Interim Report.
The Interim Report seeks feedback on 50 indicators and data sets chosen to provide a snapshot of cities' performance. The aim is to be able to track the performance of cities across key measures such as jobs and skills; infrastructure and investment; liveability and sustainability; innovation and digital opportunities; governance, planning and regulation; and housing.
2017 Roads Congress - Shaping Transport's Future
One of the biggest challenges faced by councils is providing and maintaining essential physical infrastructure for their communities. This is an endless task that underpins the economic and social life of communities and any delays on this important work would only create a greater burden for the future.
Unlike the other levels of government, the value of local government's assets- and the latest ABS figures put the written down value of our non-financial assets at more than $408 billion - greatly exceeds revenue ($42 billion).
Latest News
ALGA submission to telecommunications powers and immunities consultation paper
ALGA has provided its submission to the Department of Communications and the Arts consultation paper on Possible amendments to telecommunications powers and immunities
NHVR releases table of common heavy freight vehicle combinations
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released a new chart showing 39 common heavy vehicle combinations, with details about weight limits, length and vehicle classes
Government's sights set on feral pigs and weeds in WA
Western Australian farmers and landholders will be able to better-manage the impacts feral pigs and weeds have on their properties, with a $444,000 investment from the Federal Government.
$25 million invested in frontline services to address Indigenous family violence
The Government will provide $25 million to frontline Indigenous organisations and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services to address family violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children
Nominations closing for Disability Awards
Nominations will soon close for the 2017 National Disability Awards, which recognise the work of people to improve the lives of 4.3 million Australians with disability.
More youth mental health support
Young people seeking help to deal with the pressures of life will benefit from a $500,000 Government investment in better online mental health support.
ALGA submission to telecommunications powers and immunities consultation paper
ALGA has provided its submission to the Department of Communications and the Arts consultation paper on Possible amendments to telecommunications powers and immunities
NHVR releases table of common heavy freight vehicle combinations
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released a new chart showing 39 common heavy vehicle combinations, with details about weight limits, length and vehicle classes
Government's sights set on feral pigs and weeds in WA
Western Australian farmers and landholders will be able to better-manage the impacts feral pigs and weeds have on their properties, with a $444,000 investment from the Federal Government.
$25 million invested in frontline services to address Indigenous family violence
The Government will provide $25 million to frontline Indigenous organisations and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services to address family violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children
Nominations closing for Disability Awards
Nominations will soon close for the 2017 National Disability Awards, which recognise the work of people to improve the lives of 4.3 million Australians with disability.
More youth mental health support
Young people seeking help to deal with the pressures of life will benefit from a $500,000 Government investment in better online mental health support.
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One day seminar
Disruptive transport innovation: What does it mean for local government?
Sydney (8th August) and Melbourne (10th August)
Learn more and register
This seminar brings together leading researchers and policy makers from Australia and the Netherlands to discuss how disruptive transport technology will impact on cities and towns and the implications for local government.
Speakers/panelists include:
- Former Premier, The Hon John Brumby AO
- Productivity Commission Chairman, Peter Harris AO
- Committee for Sydney CEO, Dr Tim Williams
- Reserve Bank Board Member, Professor Ian Harper
- Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
- Infrastructure Victoria
- Grattan Institute
- Professor Graham Currie
Last days to register. Go to https://sensibletransport.org.au/seminar/
BUSINESS FINANCE FOR MANAGERS
24 August 2017 - Sydney
Any organisation that lacks strong financial management is likely to feel the negative impact of ill-considered decisions. Without adequate financial training, managers may minimise or ignore the financial aspects of their role. Those, who lack this fundamental knowledge, will often fail to reach their potential in their careers and risk making disastrous mistakes.
By attending this workshop local government employees will be taught how to:
- Understand and use financial information
- Create and interpret financial statements
- Analyse profit and loss (P&L) statements
- Demystify balance sheets and cash flow statements
- Effectively prepare and manage budgets
- Improve your financial decision-making
- Constructing Financial Statements
- Interpreting Financial Statements
- Managing Funds, Prepare Budgets
- Break-Even
- Pricing and Costing
- Capital Investment Analysis
- Business Cases and Strategy, and more.
Registration is $750 + GST, enter - BUSFin$200 For a $200 discount valid until August 14.
For more information click here.
Government Chief Risk Officer Summit 2017
Government Chief Risk Officer Summit 2017 brings together the highest-level risk managers in the public sector to discuss how risk management can create value in your department. You will hear case studies from both national and international CRO's on: becoming more strategic in your risk management approach; deal with unrealised risks; drive a positive risk culture; engage effectively with key stakeholders. No matter where you are with your risk management journey, this event will equip you with the skills to reassess risk and drive positive outcomes.
Key benefits of attending:
- Become strategic in your risk management approach.
- Build your capacity to deal with unrealised risks.
- Create value from risk management.
- Deliver better services through an effective risk management framework.
- Engage your department and drive a positive risk culture
- Effectively engage your executives in your risk management vision.
- Protect your risk department from a reputational crises.
Register Now: http://bit.ly/2tP4Vbz.
Resilience, response, and recovery: A whole of community response
Register now: Insights from Craig Fugate, former FEMA Administrator
Craig Fugate is an expert in emergency/crisis management and business resilience, having led the US Federal Emergency Management Agency through over 500 major disasters between 2008 and 2017. This forum will address key aspects of contemporary emergency management planning, beyond public-private partnerships. Craig will explore opportunities to engage government, the private sector, NGOs and community members to build whole-of-community resilience.
This forum will equip both practitioners and policymakers to deliver global best practice at the local level. Participants will gain valuable insights into collaborative planning, reducing red tape and partnering for more effective service delivery. Register now to secure your place – registrations close in early August.
LIBRARY MANAGER
The City of Mount Gambier has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and progressive Library Manager to lead the strategic direction within an award winning library.
The successful applicant will be committed to building a community of lifelong learners engaged with modern and emerging technologies, through the collaborative delivery of innovative programs.
Mount Gambier is South Australia's largest regional City, which offers an enviable, quality lifestyle, comprehensive services and a strong sense of community.
An attractive salary and employment package is available to the successful applicant.
Please visit www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au for further details of this position or contact General Manager Community Wellbeing, Barbara Cernovskis (08) 8721 2587.
Applications are required to be submitted via email to: city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au