President's column
You know what it's like in local government - unless you acknowledge a complainant's issues, and take responsibility for how you've managed the complaint, good or bad, it's difficult to agree a way forward.
It's the same with the child abuse inquiry, and the upcoming aged care inquiry. So too it must be with our collective reconciliation and healing journey.
This is according to Reconciliation Australia and The Healing Foundation, which held a Truth Telling Symposium that I attended this week.
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Additional $75m available for drought-hit communities
Drought affected communities will soon see relief flowing in the form of $1 million in grants to local government areas to help stimulate regional and rural economies.
The Drought Communities Programme extension grant hub recently opened and drought-impacted councils have already begun submitting their applications.
Nearly one third of eligible councils have started the process since the guidelines were released on 28 September
National Road Safety Governance review announced
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack has announced a new Review of National Road Safety Governance.
The Review is one of 12 recommendations put forward by the independent inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2011-2020, initiated by the Australian Government in September 2017.
Mr McCormack said it was important for work on the Governance Review to start as soon as possible
ALGA federal election advocacy focus: Advocacy kits
ALGA and state/territory local government associations have made it simple for councils to pitch in to the federal election advocacy happening at the national level by preparing a federal election advocacy kit, which is available at http://allpoliticsislocal.com.au/council-advocacy-kit/
We encourage use of the key theme 'All Politics is Local'. This theme highlights that all politics comes down to local people and communities and it is perfect to draw attention to the federal election priorities of local government.
Latest News
Local councils outstrip federal climate action
Local councils are outstripping the Federal Government on policies to tackle climate change, committing to hundreds of projects to cut greenhouse gas pollution
"No jobs in regional Australia" a damaging generalisation
CEO of Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has said that the statement that there are "no jobs in regional Australia" is a damaging generalisation and is particularly misguided right now.
Federal Government invests in new driver fatigue testing field trials
The Federal Government and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) are investing in new field trials to test driver fatigue monitoring technologies, which can enhance heavy vehicle safety outcomes
Minister McCormack responds to NGA18 Resolutions
In August ALGA sent letters to Ministers regarding the motions passed at the 2018 NGA. This week we have received four additional ministerial responses
$163m funding to support newly arrived migrants and refugees
A total of $163.4 million in Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) grants have been announced - funding which will assist newly arrived migrants and refugees
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements -VIC update
From 1 November 2018, the Australian Government's Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements will be replaced by the new Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
New Productivity Commission Inquiry to shine a light on mental health
The Australian Government will establish a Productivity Commission Inquiry into the role of mental health in the Australian economy and the best ways to support and improve national mental wellbeing
2018 Stay Smart Online Week
Running from the 8 October to 14 October 2018, Stay Smart Online Week has been a reminder to all Australians to stay smart online
LGAQ welcomes interim funding for remote Indigenous housing
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has congratulated the QLD Government on its decision to invest $40 million next year on a modest housing program for remote Indigenous communities in QLD
Wake up call for rural road safety
It is a frightening statistic, but in New South Wales if you drive on country roads, you are four times more likely to die in a crash than in a metropolitan area.
Local councils outstrip federal climate action
Local councils are outstripping the Federal Government on policies to tackle climate change, committing to hundreds of projects to cut greenhouse gas pollution
"No jobs in regional Australia" a damaging generalisation
CEO of Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has said that the statement that there are "no jobs in regional Australia" is a damaging generalisation and is particularly misguided right now.
Federal Government invests in new driver fatigue testing field trials
The Federal Government and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) are investing in new field trials to test driver fatigue monitoring technologies, which can enhance heavy vehicle safety outcomes
Minister McCormack responds to NGA18 Resolutions
In August ALGA sent letters to Ministers regarding the motions passed at the 2018 NGA. This week we have received four additional ministerial responses
$163m funding to support newly arrived migrants and refugees
A total of $163.4 million in Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) grants have been announced - funding which will assist newly arrived migrants and refugees
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements -VIC update
From 1 November 2018, the Australian Government's Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements will be replaced by the new Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
New Productivity Commission Inquiry to shine a light on mental health
The Australian Government will establish a Productivity Commission Inquiry into the role of mental health in the Australian economy and the best ways to support and improve national mental wellbeing
2018 Stay Smart Online Week
Running from the 8 October to 14 October 2018, Stay Smart Online Week has been a reminder to all Australians to stay smart online
LGAQ welcomes interim funding for remote Indigenous housing
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has congratulated the QLD Government on its decision to invest $40 million next year on a modest housing program for remote Indigenous communities in QLD
Wake up call for rural road safety
It is a frightening statistic, but in New South Wales if you drive on country roads, you are four times more likely to die in a crash than in a metropolitan area.
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Final days to register for Australian Regional Tourism Convention 2018!
It's not too late to register for the Australian Regional Tourism Convention (ARTC) 2018, taking place in just over a week, from 23-25 October in the Tweed. This convention is a must-attend event for regional tourism professionals. It provides a platform for delegates to exchange ideas, problem-solve shared challenges and discuss important issues facing our industry.
The 2018 ARTC theme is "pushing the boundaries"
- How and why should local councils engage in the visitor economy? How can we measure our return on investment?
- Optimise your Visitor Information Centre to meet consumer and industry needs. Plus, launching the "VIC: A National Way Forward": how will it impact the provision of visitor services in your region?
- Discuss two contrasting ends of the destination management spectrum: digital marketing strategies and product development strategies. With fewer Destination Management Plans being commissioned, how should we focus our strategies right now?
… and much more!
Download the convention program.
AGED CARE REGIONAL, RURAL AND REMOTE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON
In the 2018-19 Budget, the Australian Government announced funding of $40 million for infrastructure investment in regional, rural and remote aged care.
The Department of Health is currently inviting applications from existing approved residential and home care providers in regional, rural and remote areas. Commonwealth Home Support Programme services will also be considered, where there is exceptional need.
The Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grant opportunity is a competitive application process, to apply for grants up to $500,000 per service.
Application Details
The Grant Opportunity Application Form, Guidelines and FAQ 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 (AEDT) 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!