President's column
It's been reported that the current drought being experienced in parts of eastern Australia is the worst in decades with scientists and industry experts predicting the conditions will only get worse.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that he will be hosting a National Drought Summit on 26 October, 2018. The summit will bring together the nation's leaders and key stakeholders
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New approach needed for cities
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities has this week tabled its report on the development of cities.
The report, titled Building Up and Moving Out, calls for the development of a national plan of settlement, providing a national vision for our cities and regions across the next fifty years.
Committee Chair John Alexander says population growth, urbanisation, the ageing of the population
Arts and Cultural Ministers meeting
A meeting of Arts and Cultural Ministers was held in Canberra on Friday 14 September 2018. ALGA Vice President, Mayor Damien Ryan, attended as local government's representative.
At this meeting, Ministers endorsed the consultation plan for a renewed National Arts Disability Strategy and agreed to launch the consultation period on 24 September 2018 at Meeting Place, Australia's leading arts and disability conference.
ALGA federal election advocacy focus: Repair funding to local government
In its recently launched federal election document, ALGA has called for the repair of federal funding to local government stating that the current funding arrangements for local government are no longer fit for purpose.
The Commonwealth Government's funding to local government through Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) is critically important. Untied in the hands of councils, the FAGs enable councils to provide a mix of services and infrastructure appropriate to their local circumstances and maintain the well-being of their communities.
Latest News
NGA18 Resolutions
In August ALGA sent letters to Ministers regarding the motions passed at the 2018 NGA. Four ministerial responses have been received.
Local councils can drive down transport pollution: new report
Australia's local councils can drive down transport pollution that is causing worsening climate change, according to a new report from the Climate Council's Cities Power Partnership
Free route assessment tool for road managers
An agreement between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) will deliver a cutting-edge route assessment tool free
Cutting red tape for trucks carting hay
Trucks will now be able to carry more hay and fodder to drought affected farmers. From today, longer and higher loads of hay and fodder will be allowed to travel
Climate wake-up call
The world risks crossing the point of no return on climate change, with disastrous consequences for people across the planet and the natural systems that sustain them
NBN Co offers support to upgrade unmonitored medical alarms at a reduced cost
NBN Co will provide additional support for unmonitored medical alarm users to help improve their experience when they migrate to the nbn access network.
There's no excuse for abuse
Our Watch has launched a new campaign, No Excuse for Abuse.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of non-physical abuse and encourage the community
NGA18 Resolutions
In August ALGA sent letters to Ministers regarding the motions passed at the 2018 NGA. Four ministerial responses have been received.
Local councils can drive down transport pollution: new report
Australia's local councils can drive down transport pollution that is causing worsening climate change, according to a new report from the Climate Council's Cities Power Partnership
Free route assessment tool for road managers
An agreement between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) will deliver a cutting-edge route assessment tool free
Cutting red tape for trucks carting hay
Trucks will now be able to carry more hay and fodder to drought affected farmers. From today, longer and higher loads of hay and fodder will be allowed to travel
Climate wake-up call
The world risks crossing the point of no return on climate change, with disastrous consequences for people across the planet and the natural systems that sustain them
NBN Co offers support to upgrade unmonitored medical alarms at a reduced cost
NBN Co will provide additional support for unmonitored medical alarm users to help improve their experience when they migrate to the nbn access network.
There's no excuse for abuse
Our Watch has launched a new campaign, No Excuse for Abuse.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of non-physical abuse and encourage the community
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AGED CARE REGIONAL, RURAL AND REMOTE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS
$40 MILLION FUNDING ROUND NOW OPEN
In the 2018-2019 Budget, the Australian Government announced $40 million for infrastructure investment in regional, rural and remote residential and home care services to support quality aged care service delivery in these regions. Commonwealth Home Support Programme services will also be considered, where there is exceptional need.
The grant opportunity is designed to target funding in regional, rural and remote regions where services may not have access to infrastructure funding. It will assist aged care services where geographical constraints, significantly higher costs and reduced capacity to generate revenue in low socio-economic locations, impede aged care services ability to invest in infrastructure work.
The Department of Health has released the grant opportunity, allowing existing approved aged care providers in regional, rural and remote areas, to apply for grants up to $500,000 per service.
What to do now:
The Grant Opportunity Application Form, Guidelines and FAQ's for the Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grant can be accessed via GrantConnect: www.grants.gov.au
Applicants must submit their completed forms, including requested attachments, in the electronic format detailed in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
CLOSING TIME AND DATE
All applications must be received within the Department of Health by:
2pm (AEST) 24 OCTOBER 2018
National Local Roads and Transport Congress
20-22 November 2018
Alice Springs, NT
The Australian Local Government Association's National Local Roads and Transport Congress is only a few months away! This year we are lucky enough to hold the Congress in Alice Springs.
The theme for the 2018 Congress is Connecting Transport Networks Now and into the Future. The key benefit of improved transport connectivity is its transformational effects - making cities and regions more accessible, more liveable and creating opportunities for economic development that could not otherwise exist.
Registration is open with limited spots left for the popular networking dinner at the Outback Quarry!