President's column
The opportunities and pressing need for constitutional change, and in particular local government's efforts towards constitutional recognition, have been top of mind this week as the Federal Government continues to consider whether amendments are needed to section 44 of the constitution in light of the double citizenship saga last year.
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Opportunity to include your projects in ALGA's Community Infrastructure Ideas Register
Does your council have a list of potential community infrastructure projects that need funding? In the next Federal election, ALGA will be advocating for the establishment of a Community Infrastructure Program with funding of $300 million per annum for four years.
Regional Growth Fund applications close in two weeks
Councils have just two weeks left to apply for a portion of the Federal Government's $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund. On 2 March 2018 the Hon Dr John McVeigh MP, Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, announced the opening for initial applications to the fund.
Latest News
More improvements on mobile coverage to come
Minister for Regional Communications, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has announced the outcomes of the latest round of the Mobile Black Spot Program, which aims to improve mobile coverage across Australia. Optus, Telstra and Vodafone will receive $45.6 million in Commonwealth funding to build 102 new base stations under the 'priority locations' round of the program.
New Federal taskforce to reduce impact of natural disasters
Following the recent floods, cyclones and fires that have greatly impacted communities across the country, the Federal Government has announced that it will establish a National Resilience Taskforce to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on the Australian community.
Website provides guidelines on PFAS contamination response
The Australian Government has published a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) website to serve as a central portal of authoritative information on PFAS. The PFAS website provides a range of guidance material that describes how government bodies and other responsible entities should respond to PFAS contamination.
$4m awarded for community projects in South Australia
The District Council of Kimba in South Australia has been named as one of the recipients of some $4 million for projects through new National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Community Benefit Programme grants. A total of 45 projects were awarded funding under the program.
Austroads calling for council comments on Temporary Traffic Management Practice guide
Austroads is continuing to develop the guide series for Temporary Traffic Management Practice in consultation with ALGA and various other industry stakeholders. This guide will sit alongside the Australian Standard AS1742.3 and provide comprehensive national guidance for all practitioners operating in Temporary Traffic Management.
Does your council play recorded music in public? Read this.
The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Limited (PPCA) has advised that it will increase tariff rates for all new licences and/or renewals from 1 July 2018. This increase is based on the movement in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the last increase for each tariff and generally equates to around 1.9%.
More improvements on mobile coverage to come
Minister for Regional Communications, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has announced the outcomes of the latest round of the Mobile Black Spot Program, which aims to improve mobile coverage across Australia. Optus, Telstra and Vodafone will receive $45.6 million in Commonwealth funding to build 102 new base stations under the 'priority locations' round of the program.
New Federal taskforce to reduce impact of natural disasters
Following the recent floods, cyclones and fires that have greatly impacted communities across the country, the Federal Government has announced that it will establish a National Resilience Taskforce to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on the Australian community.
Website provides guidelines on PFAS contamination response
The Australian Government has published a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) website to serve as a central portal of authoritative information on PFAS. The PFAS website provides a range of guidance material that describes how government bodies and other responsible entities should respond to PFAS contamination.
$4m awarded for community projects in South Australia
The District Council of Kimba in South Australia has been named as one of the recipients of some $4 million for projects through new National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Community Benefit Programme grants. A total of 45 projects were awarded funding under the program.
Austroads calling for council comments on Temporary Traffic Management Practice guide
Austroads is continuing to develop the guide series for Temporary Traffic Management Practice in consultation with ALGA and various other industry stakeholders. This guide will sit alongside the Australian Standard AS1742.3 and provide comprehensive national guidance for all practitioners operating in Temporary Traffic Management.
Does your council play recorded music in public? Read this.
The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Limited (PPCA) has advised that it will increase tariff rates for all new licences and/or renewals from 1 July 2018. This increase is based on the movement in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the last increase for each tariff and generally equates to around 1.9%.
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Local governments rely on successful and comprehensive engagement with other government bodies. FPL Advisory has distilled down our years of experience and current footprint and knowledge of State and Federal Government jurisdictions to bring the local government sector an affordable, scalable and effective modular system to build capacity and capability for government engagement.
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This system provides an independent 'health check' to ensure you are in the best possible position to maximise your engagement with other government organisations. Each module is delivered at a fixed affordable cost as a means to secure advice and support from our experienced team.
For more information, visit our website or contact us at info@fpladvisory.com.au
This study tour to the Netherlands will look at the transport and land use system as a whole, with a focus on lessons that can be translated into the Australian context, at the local government level. Whilst it is impossible to ignore cycling in the Netherlands, this study tour takes a broader view, encompassing the full set of land transport modes.
3 Highlights
- Take a tour through recent streetscape enhancement projects on key Amsterdam streets - led by their head designer. Hear how these projects have improved active and public transport, as well as retail vitality.
- Visit the HQ of one of the world's most innovative rail operators. Learn about network development, innovations for optimising the user experience, managing peak demand, the future of ticketing pricing and technology.
- Sustainable transport integration in Greenfield sites - take a bike tour through innovative new suburbs.
Registrations close 4th May. Only 2 spots left. Register at https://sensibletransport.org.au/study-tour/
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Minimising Corruption, Fraud and Misconduct
There is an increasing spotlight on councils after several high profile incidents of corruption, fraud and misconduct. With councils overlooking a wide range of portfolios and responsibilities within the community, it can be difficult to find time, resources and processes to identify and minimise the impact of such behaviour.
Don't wait for the next incident to be at your council. The Minimising Corruption, Fraud & Misconduct conference to be held in Sydney in May will support your council to engage staff and leadership, develop prevention and detection strategies, and learn from councils who have experienced critical corruption incidents.
Topics to be explored
- Trends in corruption, fraud and misconduct in local government
- Changes to the Model Code of Conduct to improve misconduct management and governance
- Outcomes from a NSW survey into local government fraud control
- Strategies to gain leadership buy in and build an ethical workplace culture
- Lessons learned and recommendations from progressive councils
Who will attend?
Directors, Managers, Coordinator and Public Officers with responsibilities for:
- Fraud, Misconduct & Corruption
- Governance
- Risk
- Internal Audit
- Ethics
- Assurance
- Compliance
Register now to secure early bird rates!
For more information, visit the website or contact us at customercare@criterionconferences.com.
National General Assembly of Local Government
Australia's Future Make It Local
17-20 June 2018 Canberra
There is not much time left to book registrations to attend the largest, most influential local government conference in Australia which occurs just once a year.
The Australian Local Government Association's National General Assembly, held in Canberra, attracts representatives from all 537 councils across the states and territories.
The theme for the 2018 Conference is Australia's Future: Let's make it local. It reflects Local Government's ability - and potential - to influence the political agenda for the upcoming federal election.
Registration are still open with limited spots left for the popular networking dinners! Also, take the opportunity to register for the National Regional Forum to engage in the most up to date and contemporary issues facing Australia's regions. This forum addresses all regions, including metro.
To view the NGA Program please click here.