From the President
ALGA has four key goals for 2006, all linking to our campaign for Fair Funding, Fair Treatment and Formal Recognition. They are:
- secure a meaningful intergovernmental agreement on cost shifting
- strengthen our case for fair federal funding
- promote the fair funding case to the major parties
- secure parliamentary recognition of local government
The development of the IGA on cost shifting is well underway and we are now urging state governments to support the draft document developed by a working party of representatives from all three spheres of government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council is scheduled to consider the draft IGA in March.
Meanwhile, work is progressing on the first part of our study on local government financing, an assessment of the availability of nationally consistent data (being undertaken by the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Local Government Association of SA). A full economic analysis will follow. Once we’ve assessed the results, the financial case for fair funding can be completed and provided to the major parties and lobbying can begin in earnest.
But there are other issues we need to pursue. For example, next month, COAG will meet to consider future competition policy reform. ALGA supports further reform to ensure continued economic growth. But local government must share in any benefits that accrue form continued reform through, for example, competition payments. And it's essential that all reform - all reform - pass the public interest test. This is the approach we're pushing through the COAG working party and the approach we'll take with the Premiers and the PM in February. A key issue for all councils is transport. Throughout January, ALGA has been working on a draft local roads and transport strategy to guide our lobbying activities with the federal government over the coming years. This will be considered first by the ALGA Board and then by delegates to the National Local Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Alice Springs on 7-11 July. This will be one Congress you shouldn't miss. I look forward to working with you in what will inevitably be a busy and challenging year.
Cr Paul Bell
ALGA President
Big events: Clean Up, Families, Harmony
Councils are supporting three major community events over the next few months. Clean Up Australia Day - on Sunday 5 March - is the nation's largest community based environmental event, attracting strong council involvement. To register a Clean Up site or access more information visit www.cleanup.com.au or phone 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329). Harmony Day www.harmony.gov.au takes place on 21 March, providing an opportunity for Australians to celebrate the diversity of the cultures in our community and say "no" to racism. Many councils use the day to show their communities how diversity issues factor into council programs. Around 200 councils took part last year. National Families Week on 14-20 May encourages the community to think about families, whatever shape they take, and celebrate the role they play in our society. This year's theme is families with children aged between 12 and 18, with an additional emphasis on parenting. Families Australia encourages councils to host and encourage Families Week events. Further information from Families Australia familiesweek@familiesaustralia.org.au - Phone 03 6273 4885.
Climate change conference
The Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities is hosting a national
conference on the socio-economic impacts of climate change on rural and
regional communities. The Future of Australia's Country Towns Conference will be held in Bendigo on 6-7 September. Given the limited nature of research into the socio-economic implications of climate change, this conference aims to bring together key people and organisations who are making a significant contribution to this endeavour. Further information from
Dr Maureen Rogers, Research Fellow Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University - Maureen.rogers@latrobe.edu.au
- Phone: 03 5444 7523.
Closing dates for grants
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The Local Government Public Relations Association of Australia (LGPRA) is inviting professionals from all over the nation to their annual conference to be held in 2006 at Bondi. The conference follows on from the success of the 2005 conference held in Melbourne. The conference, themed A Fine Balance: working with stakeholders and communicating the right message, will be held at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Bondi on 15- 17 February 2006.
Topics include:
- Writing for the Media presented by Mark Chipperfield, Editor, Sydney magazine
- Managing council's reputation presented by Barbara Ryan Lecturer Department of Mass Communications University of Southern Qld.
- Responding to a crisis facilitated by Barry McLeod from BMC Strategic management
- The role of leadership in organisation communication with Anabelle Warren, the National President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
In addition, various council case studies will be presented including:
- Bathurst City Council's award winning communication strategy for the handling of their recent amalgamation
- The City of Stonnington using new technology to create innovation in their city
- Coffs Harbour City Council's events management experience
- Townsville City Council's communication strategy involving the whole community in developing community pride
- National political agenda impacting on individual councils and their communication teams by Rohan Greenland, Director of Public Affairs with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
Keynote speaker will be Michael Licenblat, a resilience expert who will show you how to maximise your energy and expand your capacity. His presentation includes very practical strategies for busy communication and events people who are constantly multi-tasking projects, issues and budgets.
The conference provides communication practitioners with an excellent opportunity to network with their peers and to learn about contemporary trends in their field.
The registration fee is $650 for members and $750 for non-members. The closing date for registration is 31 January 2006. For a conference brochure, registration form and membership form for the LGPRA go to www.lgpra.com.au.
For information on the conference, contact Caryn Morgan on 02 9810 2701 or carynmorgan@cma1.com.au
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Your chance to help councils overseas
The Commonwealth Local Government Forum - of which ALGA is an active member - is running an important project to build capacity among councils in Pacific nations. The 'Good Practice Scheme' is now running projects with councils in Papua New Guinea, with Fiji, Kiribati and Vanuatu to follow. Four PNG councils are now keen to find Australian partner councils. The projects - currently funded by AusAID - involve the exchange of good practice and skills between councils. The costs of participation, such as travel, accommodation, materials and related costs, are covered. Existing partnerships with PNG include Orange City Council and Mt Hagen, Cairns City Council and Lae and Townsville City Council and Port Moresby. Further information is available on the ALGA and CLGF websites or contact Terry Parker - clgfsuva@connect.com.fj or Lucy Slack - lucy.slack@clgf.org.uk at CLGF.
Ruddock orders graffiti game review
The Federal Attorney General, Phillip Ruddock, has ordered a review of the classification given to a computer game that councils say encourages the use of graffiti. The Local Government Association of Queensland President, Cr Paul Bell, lodged a complaint with the Federal Government late last year, saying councils had enough difficulty coping with graffiti without its use being further encouraged by a computer game. The game - Contents Under Pressure - carries an MA15+ rating, meaning it is considered unsuitable for children under 15.
ALGA ageing survey
ALGA invites councils to participate in the second online ageing awareness and action survey for local government. The survey aims to gauge awareness of population ageing within local government and to determine the level of local government action. The information collected from the survey will assist ALGA in its negotiations with the Australian Government and help build the capacity of local government to plan for an ageing population. The survey is an initiative of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Plan. Surveys must be submitted by 5pm on 10 February. Further information from Alley Peck alley.peck@alga.asn.au at ALGA phone 02 6122 9421.
LGAQ to study council size, sustainability
The Local Government Association of Queensland will study the size and sustainability of the state's 157 councils, it announced this week. The studies promise to stave off any mandatory state government amalgamations. Last June, LGAQ began a process of consultation with member councils at a special conference on council sustainability. Delegates agreed to self-reform and opposed any move towards forced amalgamation. LGAQ will soon release a set of Size, Shape and Sustainability guidelines. The state government is providing $25m to enable councils to conduct reviews in line with the LGAQ guidelines.
Submissions called for parks inquiry
The Senate is undertaking an inquiry to determine if the funding and resources available to meet the objectives of Australia's national parks, conservation reserves and marine protected areas are adequate. The inquiry is also looking into threats to the management of these areas, the responsibilities of governments in regards to the creation and management of these areas and the government's management record. The deadline for submissions is 1 March.
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WATER '06 conference proudly sponsored by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources & Mines
1-3 March 2006, Brisbane Convention Centre
What can local governments do to secure their water supply? Is recycled potable water really an option that the public will accept? What are the other alternatives - desalination, water trading, demand management?
Local governments are at the forefront of sustainable water management in Australia, but are often left out of important debates. There is no "one-size-fits-all solution" so attend the WATER '06 conference and-along with your colleagues represented on the program-make your interests heard.
Through presentations, case studies and discussion sessions, WATER '06 addresses the following key issues:
- How can we plan on a national scale to secure our water future?
- How can we create a system of partnerships between the three tiers of government and between government and the private sector that encourages innovative projects and sustainable use of our water supplies?
- Is pricing really an effective demand management strategy? What are the impacts of pricing increases in rural areas?
- How can local governments supplement their supply? Trading? Stormwater harvesting? Aquifer storage & recovery?
- Will the community accept recycled potable water and is better education the answer?
In two information-packed days, hear from over 30 of Australia's water industry leaders at this national forum and network with your colleagues from across Australia! From $995 + GST - this conference represents true value-for-money. Register now!
For more information or to register please contact Hannah Pipe on 02 9969 6167 or email register@water06.com.au or visit www.water06.com.au
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Sustainable Development Beyond 2030 - Local Government Solutions, Directions and Trends
Dockside, Darling Harbor, Sydney
8-9 March 2006
Hallmark Conferences and Events and Environs Australia are proud to present the Sustainable Development Beyond 2030 - Local Government Solutions, Directions and Trends Conference and Exhibition.
The conference has been designed to assist local government staff to identify, plan and implement best practice sustainable development solutions and to showcase leading edge examples of outstanding environmental initiatives by Australian local governments.
- integrating sustainable development into planning strategies
- measuring progress towards sustainable development outcomes
- building sustainability into operational activities
- positioning local government in the leadership role for sustainable development
- harnessing community energies to achieve environmental goals.
The inaugural National Local Sustainability Leaders Awards, hosted by Environs, will also be held in conjunction with the conference and exhibition.
Contact Denise McQueen on
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Road and Pavement Engineering and Management Conference
March 7 - 8 2006
Flemington, Melbourne
New sources of road funding presented at Road and Pavement Engineering and Management Conference. Many of the Council Engineers speaking at the Road and Pavement Engineering and Management Conference, March 7 - 8, Melbourne will be discussing new strategies that their councils have implemented to secure a broader mix of road funds.
Steve Piasente, Manager Engineering Services, Bass Coast Shire Council will be presenting on Special Charge Schemes, whereas Stewart McLeod, Director Technical Services, Dubbo City Council will speak on Special rate Variations which if maintained will overcome the road funding shortfall in Dubbo.
In addition to funding, a wide range of technical and road management issues will be presented by a diverse mix of highly regarded speakers from both the public and private sectors. Case studies from council engineers are a feature of the conference, including presentations from Dubbo, Benalla, Moira Shire, George Town and Cardinia Councils.
Ian Matthews, General Manager Infrastructure Contracts, RTA NSW will deliver a keynote presentation on the RTA's experience with Alliance Contracting on the recently completed world class Lawrence Hargrave Drive Project.
There are two streams each day including roads, bridges, a landscape stream and a pavements workshop so that delegates can tailor the conference to their needs. Delegates may freely swap between any streams.
The full speaking program and registration details can be viewed at:
or contact Denise McQueen at:
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