Friday 17 February 2006 » Australian Local Government Association » Subscribe  » Archive of past issues

COAG: Local government has foot in the payments door

Opening door

The Prime Minister and Premiers have agreed that, where local government participates in the national reform agenda, it should share in the benefits of the reform process. Local government's inclusion in payment arrangements under a new, ten year reform agenda was raised directly with the Prime Minister by ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, at last Friday's meeting of the Council of Australian Governments . As a result, it was agreed that "payments to the states and territories and, where appropriate, to local government, would be linked to achieving agreed actions or progress measures and to demonstrable economic benefits, and would take into account the relative costs and proportional financial benefits to the Commonwealth, the states and territories, and local government of specific reform proposals." The exact way in which payments will be made under the reform agenda is yet to be determined, but will be based on 'intergovernmental action plans' that will set out agreed outcomes, progress measures and milestones. The Premiers had pushed for a commitment from the Commonwealth to make up front payments for participation in the reform agenda, a move flatly rejected by the Prime Minister. Instead, 'milestone money' will be available. Cr Bell said that he was pleased with the outcome. "Local government has specifically been included in the section of the COAG communiqué dealing with funding arrangements," he said. "That's an important start - we've got our foot well and truly in the door". Under the current national competition policy reform agenda, which expires in June this year, some states made some payments to local government for their contribution to the reform process.

R2R: strategic component guidelines out soon

Road signs

The Australian Government will shortly invite councils to submit regional road projects for possible funding under the strategic component of the Roads to Recovery program. Some $127m is currently available following a $100m top-up announced by Local Government Minister Jim Lloyd at last year's National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra. The Commonwealth will write to councils with funding guidelines in early March. Councils will also receive a CD-ROM enabling councils to make online submissions in a specified format. The Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services has consulted ALGA - and through ALGA, state associations - on the development of the guidelines. ALGA is aware of concerns that the Australian Government may have a pre-determined list of eligible projects, or that proposals that have already been submitted hold an advantage. ALGA has had assurances that this is not the case. ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has previously requested and secured undertakings from the Australian Government that funds now available would be allocated under a fair and open process, and that projects already submitted would have no advantage over new proposals. The process to evaluate projects will be assessed on their comparative merits against standard criteria. Proponents who have already submitted projects will be invited to re-submit them in the specified format. Once called, councils will have about two months to lodge submissions. The Department has advised that the program will encourage submission of projects of a genuinely regional nature, especially those developed in collaboration between two or more councils and local industry.

COAG refers airport angst to transport ministers

Airport sign

State premiers have supported local government concerns about rampant development on federal airport land. On Friday, the Council of Australian Governments noted the concern "regarding implications of some development on Commonwealth property and agreed to refer the issue to the Australian Transport Council (ATC) to examine". Late last year, ALGA raised council concerns at ATC, including the proliferation of development outside local planning controls, the impact of development on surrounding infrastructure, access and congestion issues, and the exemption of property owners from paying rates. The Commonwealth's response to date has been uncompromising, arguing that the contribution made by privatised airports to local communities goes unappreciated. At the last ATC meeting in December, Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss said the Commonwealth would not amend its Airports Act to address council concerns. But - in a small concession - he said he would "make it clear" in the Act's guidelines that there will be a formal notification process to alert state/territory and local governments to planning developments on airport land. ALGA will monitor progress on this undertaking and will press for further concessions when the matter again comes before ATC later this year.
From the President

Is our creaky federation working? Last Friday's meeting of the Council of Australian Governments suggests that there is life in the old girl yet. No where was this more evident that the enthusiastic adoption of a new national reform agenda. This agenda should see substantial economic and social benefits accrue to the nation over the coming decade. It should also see local government properly rewarded for its participation in the reform process. We were well and truly dudded in some states during the implementation of the current national competition reform process, which comes to an end in June. The Commonwealth paid the states some $800m a year for implementing national competition policy. Some states passed some of this on to councils. But most missed out, even though - as the Hawker report said - local government played a "key role in achieving competition policy goals and requirements". This wasn't good enough - local government made a major contribution to the implementation of national competition policy. We must now work hard to ensure that our participation in the new reform agenda is both recognised and rewarded. Ironically, as the three spheres of government sat down to nut out this far reaching reform agenda, the Sydney Morning Herald suggested that our federation would work better with just two spheres of government. It said one sphere was superfluous. Local government? No - it was the states that should get the chop.

Cr Paul Bell
ALGA President

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Conference

19th Security in Government (SIG) Conference

9-11 May 2006
National Convention Centre, Canberra

Hurry! Don't miss your opportunity to attend!

The Protective Security Coordination Centre (PSCC), a Division of the Attorney-General's Department, will be hosting the 19th Security in Government (SIG) Conference, which will be held in Canberra from 9-11 May 2006 at the National Convention Centre. SIG continues to be the largest conference of its type in Australia with SIG 2006 being no exception. SIG 2006 aims to expand the range of issues addressed by the conference to include protective security, counter-terrorism and the impact of the current security environment on the Australian community. The conference will include an array of both Australian and international speakers, plus a number of panel discussions. The conference and trade exhibition will highlight the latest developments in policy and technology in the protective security environment.

Your attendance at SIG 2006 will provide you with continuing professional development and networking opportunities with some of Australia's leading security professionals and practitioners. Avoid the disappointment of missing out on hearing the latest information regarding key security issues. We are offering an early bird discount for registrations received by 5pm Friday 24 February 2006.

More detailed information regarding SIG 2006 can be obtained by visiting the SIG website, located within the Attorney-General's Department internet site: www.ag.gov.au/sig. If you have any questions regarding SIG 2006 please feel free to contact us:

  • SIG Secretariat
  • Protective Security Coordination Centre
  • Robert Garran Offices
  • National Circuit
  • BARTON ACT 2600
  • Phone 1: 02 6250 5547
  • Phone 2: 02 6250 5467
  • Phone 3: 02 6250 5358
  • Fax: 02 6273 4009
  • Email: sig2006@ag.gov.au
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WATER '06 conference


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
Local government win on graffiti game

A computer game in which players spray graffiti on buildings has been refused classification in Australia following a successful appeal by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ). The game - Contents Under Pressure - had originally been given an MA15+ rating by the Australian Classification Board. The classification was overturned this week by the Classification Review Board. LGAQ President, Cr Paul Bell, said this was a victory for common sense. Councils spends many millions of dollars each year removing graffiti from public places.

Treaties and settlements database

Councils can now access an online native title database with more than 180 agreements involving local government. The Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements database is part of an Australian Research Council Linkage project examining agreements-making with Indigenous Australians. The database is an online gateway to a wide range of agreements, providing historical and publicly available information about agreements between Indigenous Australians and others in Australia, as well as a range of examples from overseas. The ATNS database is designed for use by Indigenous people, community organisations, government agencies including local government and industry bodies.

Axe states, says Sydney Morning Herald

In a special editorial, the Sydney Morning Herald has called for the abolition of state governments and the development of councils into regional governments. The editorial, run last Friday, is part of a series on national issues written to celebrate the paper's 175th anniversary. The editorial said the Commonwealth's "creeping takeover of state powers" should be encouraged and accelerated in the interests of single, national systems. At the same time, local government should be consolidated into regional government. Commenting on the editorial, ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, said that federal and local government powers and responsibilities would inevitably grow at the expense of the states over time.

Housing focus for POG meeting

The officials group that services planning issues for the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council - POG - met in Sydney last week. The meeting, attended by ALGA, discussed on-going work arising from the Future Australian Cities and Towns Summit held in 2004, the impact of rapidly growing regions (seachange), and implementation of affordable housing work plans under the National Action on Affordable Housing Framework. The Chief Executive of the ACT Planning Authority, Neil Savery, was elected as the POG chair. The local government officials group is known as LOG. When LOG meets with POG, as it does from time to time, they are known as JOG, the Joint Officials Group.

Street lighting: Big savings possible

Savings of up to 65% in the energy used by street lighting are possible through the adoption energy efficient lighting equipment, a new report has found. The report - Public Lighting In Australia - was released by Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell last week . Public lights costs $210m each year, use 1,035 gigawatt hours of electricity and contributes 1.15m tones of greenhouse gas emissions. Public lighting is a significant greenhouse issue for councils. The Australian Government is providing nearly $14m over four years to engage councils in identifying and implementing practical action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Harmony Day

March 21 is Harmony Day and councils across the country have begun planning in earnest. Harmony Day is the Australian Government initiative bringing Australians together and encouraging people to say "no" to discrimination and racism. Councils and shires are using the occasion to promote the different heritages in their communities, meet with hard-to-reach groups or advise residents how they deliver services in a culturally diverse environment. More than 100 councils have indicated that they will be part of Harmony Day and many have already registered events. Councils can order free promotional material and register events online. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs encourages councils to order early, as demand is increasing. For information call 1800 33 1100 or email harmonyday@immi.gov.au

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Flood Mitigation
Natural Disaster and Flood Mitigation


Projects sought for 2006-2007 funding

Reminder - applications close 24 February

The Australian Government is seeking applications from local councils and other eligible organisations for funding of suitable projects in 2006-2007 under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and Regional Flood Mitigation Program.

In 2006-2007, the Australian Government will offer $9 million nationally under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program for measures that contribute to safer, sustainable communities better able to withstand the effects of floods, storms, cyclones, bushfires and other natural disasters. A further $9.6 million will be offered under the Regional Flood Mitigation Program specifically for flood mitigation works and measures in rural towns, regional centres and outer metropolitan areas of Australia.

Funds are available for a range of projects including risk management studies, disaster mitigation strategies, warning systems, community awareness programs and structural works to protect against damage.

Funding is provided jointly by all levels of government. Generally, the Australian Government will contribute up to one third of approved project costs. State and territory governments are required to at least match this funding with local agencies making up the balance. Potential applicants are advised that participation in these programs in 2006-2007 is subject to state and territory government funding becoming available.

Applications close 24 February 2006.

For more information, including eligibility criteria and a copy of the application form, visit the program websites:

Flood Mitigation
State of the Regions report 2005-06

Forthcoming events: