President's column
Who can believe no less than 138 fires have been burning across Queensland this week, across a vast area, impacting on several communities, with thousands forced to evacuate and some areas facing catastrophic fire danger ratings.
At the opposite end of the scale, unseasonably heavy rain in Sydney and parts of New South Wales this week has caused flash flooding, power outages and travel delays as a severe thunderstorm hit the state.
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New national guidance for public information and warnings
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience have recently published the Public Information and Warnings Handbook - the authoritative national guide for those who provide warnings before, during and after emergencies. The handbook outlines evidence-based, nationally-agreed principles and provides guidance on developing and issuing warnings.
The handbook promotes a coordinated approach to warnings, recognising that all levels of government have responsibilities as well as emergency services organisations, the community, industry, business and the media.
ALGA to get a seat at National Biosecurity Committee table
The Federal Government has released its national response to the independent review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB), accepting all 42 recommendations including recommendation 19 to include the ALGA CEO on the National Biosecurity Committee.
The government agreed to the recommendation in principle stating that "Ministers recognise local governments play an important role in biosecurity and are integral to successful consultation. As such, the ALGA will be invited to be an observer of the NBC."
ALGA federal election advocacy focus: Support communities on their digital transformation journeys
Without additional funding and a broadening of the Commonwealth's Smart Cities and Suburbs initiative, there is a risk the benefit of investments in smart technologies will not be fully realised.
Many communities will be left behind and the full benefits of the digital economy will not be realised across Australia. Linked-up, smart communities will foster decentralisation and ensure equitable access to the benefits of the knowledge economy.
Latest News
Population projections from the ABS
Based on current trends, Australia's population is projected to reach 30 million people between 2029 and 2033, according to the latest figures released by the ABS
What is Hector and how will it boost road safety?
Virtual reality is being used in a unique project to check the driving skills of senior Australians and improve road safety
Council engineers improve road networks following access seminar
More than 70 people from a range of city, regional and rural councils across Australia attended the NNHVR's first Council Engineers' Heavy Vehicle Access Seminar
People with disability more likely to experience physical violence
People with disability or a long-term health condition were more likely to have experienced physical violence compared with people without disability or a long-term health condition
Applications to join the LDAT program close next Friday
Applications to join the Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) program close next Friday 7 December.
Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2018-19
The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2018-19 for November shows that above normal fire potential remains across large parts of southern Australia, as first identified in September's Outlook.
Don't forget to register your events for International Day of People with Disability
Event registrations are open for councils, clubs, community groups, schools and businesses for events celebrating International Day of People with Disability on 3 December 2018
Population projections from the ABS
Based on current trends, Australia's population is projected to reach 30 million people between 2029 and 2033, according to the latest figures released by the ABS
What is Hector and how will it boost road safety?
Virtual reality is being used in a unique project to check the driving skills of senior Australians and improve road safety
Council engineers improve road networks following access seminar
More than 70 people from a range of city, regional and rural councils across Australia attended the NNHVR's first Council Engineers' Heavy Vehicle Access Seminar
People with disability more likely to experience physical violence
People with disability or a long-term health condition were more likely to have experienced physical violence compared with people without disability or a long-term health condition
Applications to join the LDAT program close next Friday
Applications to join the Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) program close next Friday 7 December.
Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2018-19
The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2018-19 for November shows that above normal fire potential remains across large parts of southern Australia, as first identified in September's Outlook.
Don't forget to register your events for International Day of People with Disability
Event registrations are open for councils, clubs, community groups, schools and businesses for events celebrating International Day of People with Disability on 3 December 2018