President's column
Will your voice be heard?
This year's NGA, set to convene next month in Canberra (17-20 June), is shaping up to be a showdown between the political parties in the lead up to the next federal election.
As there is a strong possibility of the federal election being called later this year or early next, we all need to be ready to speak up on behalf of our communities and this NGA will be the perfect opportunity for you to contribute
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Govt summary of what Federal Budget delivered for regions
On 8 May 2018, the Australian Government released the Regional Ministerial Budget Statement Regional Australia - A Stronger Economy Delivering Stronger Regions 2018-19.
This statement outlines more than 500 measures that benefit regional Australia across health, education, employment, infrastructure, telecommunications, agriculture and other portfolios.
With more people calling regional Australia home each year, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, and the Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, the Hon Dr John McVeigh MP, said that it is clear
Industry and local government stand together to protect household recycling
The National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) now stand together to protect household recycling.
During a May 15 NWRIC meeting in Sydney, ALGA President Mayor David O'Loughlin met with industry leaders to discuss a solution to the recent import restrictions on recycled materials sent to China.
Commonly called the 'National Sword' policy, this new Chinese trade restriction is preventing over one million tonnes of paper
Six Kyogle Council bridges upgraded under Bridges Renewal Program
Kyogle Council opened five upgraded bridges on Gradys Creek Road, and another on Lions Road, all funded under the Australian Government's Bridges Renewal Program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, said the $3.95 million investment saw Kyogle Council's bridge crews, with the help of piling and concreting sub-contractors, build five new composite-fibre bridges on Gradys Creek Road and one new steel truss bridge on Lions Road.
Latest News
New Road Vehicle Standards Legislation to move to next stage
The Road Vehicle Standards Bills will be debated in the House of Representatives in coming weeks, following a report by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Faster permits through NHVR's portal module
The NHVR says that many road managers around the country are enjoying the increased ease of processing permits by using its Portal Full - Road Manager module
My Health Record opt out date announced
More than five million Australians already have a My Health Record, which provides a summary of their key health information, delivering better health outcomes for patients and
Local innovation highlighted in national awards
The 10 category winners of the 2018 National Awards for Local Government were announced this week by Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, Dr John McVeigh MP
Taskforce reviews telecommunications Universal Service Obligation
In December 2017, the Government announced that it would develop a new Universal Service Guarantee (USG) for telecommunications to ensure all premises in Australia, regardless of their location
Federal funding delivers for 'black spots' and other upgrades in the Northern Territory
The Australian Government has announced $1.87 million for the Northern Territory under the Black Spot Program's 2018-19 funding round.
Mobile GIS puts Riverina Water on the map
The Riverina Water County Council (RWCC) is tasked with delivering safe, reliable water to the community of 75,000 residents at the lowest sustainable cost.
Councils get awards and commendations for planning excellence
The most outstanding examples of planning projects and the work of Australia's best planners in 2017-18 were celebrated last week at the PIA's National Awards for Planning Excellence
New Road Vehicle Standards Legislation to move to next stage
The Road Vehicle Standards Bills will be debated in the House of Representatives in coming weeks, following a report by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Faster permits through NHVR's portal module
The NHVR says that many road managers around the country are enjoying the increased ease of processing permits by using its Portal Full - Road Manager module
My Health Record opt out date announced
More than five million Australians already have a My Health Record, which provides a summary of their key health information, delivering better health outcomes for patients and
Local innovation highlighted in national awards
The 10 category winners of the 2018 National Awards for Local Government were announced this week by Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, Dr John McVeigh MP
Taskforce reviews telecommunications Universal Service Obligation
In December 2017, the Government announced that it would develop a new Universal Service Guarantee (USG) for telecommunications to ensure all premises in Australia, regardless of their location
Federal funding delivers for 'black spots' and other upgrades in the Northern Territory
The Australian Government has announced $1.87 million for the Northern Territory under the Black Spot Program's 2018-19 funding round.
Mobile GIS puts Riverina Water on the map
The Riverina Water County Council (RWCC) is tasked with delivering safe, reliable water to the community of 75,000 residents at the lowest sustainable cost.
Councils get awards and commendations for planning excellence
The most outstanding examples of planning projects and the work of Australia's best planners in 2017-18 were celebrated last week at the PIA's National Awards for Planning Excellence
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The Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia is pleased to present the 2018 conference 'Striving for Restoration Excellence' to be held at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 25-28 September 2018.
If you are a scientist, practitioner, manager, policy maker, planner or someone who cares about our bush, seas and waterways and really want to make a difference, you do not want to miss this conference!
The abstract deadline has been extended until 31 May - so get your submissions in soon!
Abstracts of oral and poster presentations are now open and should be maximum of 300 words in English, with a title of no more than 15 words. Please see https://www.sera2018.org/ for submission details. Abstracts can only be submitted online using the abstract submission form.
The Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) welcomes you to contact them with any enquiries or comments. Email: seraustralasia2018@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you there!
A key strategy to manage future residential growth is the provision of missing middle housing types. Momentum is clearly behind the growth of diverse housing typologies and the push is on to find quality designs and innovative housing delivery models for the middle ring suburbs of our cities, where future residential growth can best be integrated.
However, community resistance to an increase in density, as well as a tough policy and political environment, presents challenges to planners, designers and developers. The Housing Density & Diversity conference will provide a platform to address the key issues and identify the strategies that will achieve quality housing outcomes going forwards.
Hear practical insights on key issues
- Explore the missing middle and why it is critical to today's housing market
- Discover the benefits of innovation & collaboration in housing delivery
- Benchmark against local government density strategies
- Hear how to better manage community resistance to change
- Integrate density into the suburbs through quality design
- Overcome funding & development challenges
Who will attend?
Local Councils, with responsibility for:
- Strategic planning
- Urban design
- City planning & development
Along with state government representatives, developers, architects, designers and planning firms
Register now to secure early bird rates!
For more information, visit the website or contact us at customercare@criterionconferences.com.
Optimising Building Performance in Local Government
National Conference | 31st July & 1st August 2018 | Sydney
Modernise your building assets through new technologies & maintenance practices.
The management and maintenance of buildings is an escalating challenge for councils due to limited budget, the increasing technical challenges of maintenance work and the development of new technologies that aid facility management.
The Optimising Building Performance in Local Government conference is designed to highlight best practice from across Australia and bring attendees examples of quantitative savings on maintenances practices and new technologies that they can embed in across the built council assets.
This conference will focus on
- How to extend the life of your assets through innovative facility & asset management practices
- How to implement new technologies to improve building performance
- How to renovate building to meet building compliance
Who will attend?
Senior stakeholders from Local Government with responsibility for:
- Building maintenance
- Facility management
- Building services
- Environmental corporate sustainability
- Built assets
ALGA members save $100, quote CC*ALGA when registering.
Download the conference program and see who is speaking
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.