From the President
 Last week's audit report on the administration of the first phase of the Roads to Recovery program deserves some comment. It said that a number of audited councils had not met a requirement that own-source spending on local roads be maintained during the life of the four year program. Two newspapers ran 'shock horror' headlines accusing councils of - can you believe it - cost shifting to the Commonwealth. What the audit report actually did was to see if the administrative requirement that councils maintain pre-R2R spending in each of the program's four years was met in full. We know that in some cases, pre-R2R spending was at record or near record highs for a variety of reasons, for example, in preparation for major events. It would be highly unreasonable to assume that these levels could or should be maintained over the following four years. In other cases, councils were picked up for dipping slightly below pre-R2R levels in only one of the four years of the program. For example, one council went under its pre-R2R spending by less than 1% in just one year. Over the course of the program, it actually exceeded pre-R2R spending levels. We also know that, in at least two states, aggregate council own-source spending on local roads grew strongly between 2001 and 2005. For example, according to the state grants commission, Victorian councils lifted own source expenditure on roads from $267.9m to $330.9m - a very significant increase in anyone's book. Expenditure also grew significantly in WA. Spending on capital works - particularly roads - is by its very nature extremely 'lumpy' and subject to external factors such as weather conditions. Sensibly, the federal local government and roads minister, Jim Lloyd, decided to change the way in which the commitment to maintain own-source spending is assessed, requiring own source spending to be maintained over a longer time frame - not in each individual year. As Jim Lloyd has said, the Roads to Recovery program remains one of the most successful and respected programs the Australian Government has introduced. It's a much needed and much valued program that's making a difference to communities throughout Australia, from our city centres to remote communities. Long may it continue.
Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President
Workforce Tomorrow breakfast seminars
The Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is conducting a series of industry and employer breakfasts to inform human resource managers, chief executive officers and business managers about the labour supply challenges, particularly the implications of an ageing population. Participants will receive information - by industry, occupation and region - to help devise workforce strategies. Each event will feature a prominent speaker and free copies of the recently released Workforce Tomorrow report will also be provided. The report details the projected impact of population ageing on labour supply in Australia over the next five years.
WALGA to host Buying Green conference
The WA Local Government Association is hosting the 3rd National Buying Green Conference in Perth on 25-26 May. Building on the success of the previous conferences held in Melbourne and Sydney, this event, themed "It's So Easy Buying Green" focuses on the how-to of integrating sustainability considerations into purchasing processes for people working in all levels of government and the business community. It will showcase recycled-content, greenhouse-friendly and environmentally-friendly products and services from leading suppliers. For further information and ongoing updates on Buying Green, visit the conference web page or contact Kristy Faulkner kfaulkner@walga.asn.au on 08 9213 2097.
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Bank@Post and Postbillpay
now at a post office near you
Bank@Post is the new name for Australia Post's agency banking service, which offers services such as withdrawals, cash and cheque deposits and checking of account balances for over 70 financial institutions.* Today Bank@Post is available at over 3,100 outlets across Australia. By the end of 2006 this number will grow to 3,300, with most of the newly enabled outlets in regional and remote areas gaining agency banking services.
Postbillpay services are also available in these outlets, enabling ratepayers to pay almost all their regular household bills in one location. Postbillpay customers can also pay bills by phone or over the Internet. "The extension of Postbillpay and on-line Bank@Post services demonstrate Australia Post's ongoing commitment to supporting local government, local community and small business" says Terry Stephens, from Australia Post.
Australia Post's retail network is one of the nation's largest, with over 4,000 outlets. Small businesses operating as licensed post offices (LPOs) are a vital part of this network. Many licensed post offices are operated by families who are ratepayers in the community. Just over half of all LPOs are located with other businesses such as newsagents, general stores and chemists and often provide local employment opportunities. In remote areas they are often the sole provider of over-the-counter banking transactions.
* Limits apply on withdrawals. Checking account balances can only be done with some financial institutions.
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Managing assets and infrastructure with Confirm
Free online seminar
16 March 2006. 11:30 AEDT
How do Asset Management Systems assist organisations to better manage their asset portfolios, and do they actually deliver? Hear first hand how Salisbury City Council has benefited from the Confirm Infrastructure Asset Management Solution, including the:
- valuation and depreciation calculations on 140,000 assets, with a replacement value of $703 million;
- streamlining of work force operations
- greater degree of evidence supporting expenditure decisions
- identification of trends in terms of asset performance and condition
- more effective utilisation of the work force
- integrated work flow from Request for Service through to Payment of Contractors
- identification of and focus on asset elements which are critical or have significant risk.
For further information please contact Mebs Wahed on +61 2 8925 7323.
Register now
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DEMENTIA RESEARCH GRANTS
(Round 1)
Call for Expressions of Interest
The implementation of the Dementia Research Grants Program is a joint project between the Ageing and Aged Care Division of the Department of Health and Ageing and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The program is part of the Australian Government's Helping Australians with dementia and their carers- making dementia a National Health Priority initiative.
This program aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers through funding collaborative, multidisciplinary and innovative research into dementia and dementia care. Expressions of Interest are particularly encouraged from experienced researchers willing to collaborate with other researchers, service providers and practitioners to ensure translation of research outcomes into policy and practice.
Four themes have been identified for the program with a focus on: early intervention and risk reduction; assessment, treatment and management; care and service; and epidemiology and population health.
Total funding of up to $10 million will be available in Round 1 for 2 and 3 year research proposals.
Further information and Expressions of Interest forms are available from the NHMRC Internet site. Applications close 5.00pm AEST 11 May 2006. Late applications will not be considered.
For further assistance contact sonya.o'shea@health.gov.au or phone 02 6289 9142.
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DAF takes on new projects
The Development Assessment Forum held its first meeting for 2006 in Sydney this week. The Forum brings together the three spheres of government, professional and industry bodies to develop ideas to help harmonise and improve Australia's development assessment systems. Several new initiatives are on the drawing board, including a governance and decision-making guide, an implementation toolkit for the 'leading practice model' for development assessment and track-based assessments. The Forum also was briefed on the potential implications of the recent COAG agreement to further streamline development assessment regulations, and progress with the eDA project to develop a national electronic DA exchange standard. The Forum also discussed and agreed on how best to move forward with the on-going work relating to the DAF planning systems benchmarking program. The next DAF meeting will be in July in Melbourne.
ALGA, PC discuss road and rail pricing
The Productivity Commission met this week with ALGA to discuss its current inquiry into the economic costs of freight infrastructure and efficient approaches to transport pricing. ALGA argues that local government should have access to a share of the transport charges levied by state and federal governments on truck owners commensurate with their use of local roads. The Commission will issue a discussion paper in the near future and invites interested parties to register interest in the inquiry and make submissions (closing date is April 28) via its website . ALGA will be making a robust submission.
Urban road tonnages to double
Australia's freight task expected to nearly double from 2000 to 2020 while traffic in major capitals will grow by more than 45%, federal transport minister, Warren Truss, has told a logistics conference in Sydney. Urban road tonnages were also likely to double. Mr Truss used the occasion to release two reports that will help guide the implementation of the $12.7bn AusLink transport initiative. The National Intermodal Study and the Demand Projections for AusLink Non-Urban Corridors Report provide information that will assist Commonwealth planning to meet Australia's future transport needs. The Intermodal Study contains information on current freight movements and estimated future demand on the AusLink network. The Demand Projections Report provides projections to 2025 of future traffic growth across the non-urban links of the AusLink National Network.
The Games: Lasting local legacy
Melbourne City Council has spent $30m over the past three years to prepare for the Commonwealth Games. The work includes a string of revamped public spaces, additional road works and new infrastructure. Lord Mayor John So said the rollout of new public infrastructure ensured a "lasting legacy" would follow the Games. "We have new public places, exciting free public events to enjoy, better services for tourists, an even cleaner, greener city, better streets and roads. The city has never looked better - let the Games begin!" Some $19m had been spent on capital works, including a revamp of Melbourne's Bourke St Mall and new public spaces on Southbank and along Lygon Street, the city's popular Italian restaurant district. The Games begin on Wednesday.
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Third annual local government instrastructure conference
April 6-7 2006
Double Bay, Sydney
The third annual Building and Financing Local Government Infrastructure Conference will be held in Sydney between April 6-7 at the Stamford Plaza in Double Bay.
This popular event which attracts more than 150 senior managers and councillors annually will focus on assisting local government decision makers to bridge the infrastructure financing gap and will showcase leading examples of innovation and success in building and financing much needed infrastructure.
Experts from a wide range of disciplines will address the conference including Ross Greenwood, the Deputy Director General of the NSW Dept of Local Government; the Hon Anna Bligh, Deputy Premier of Queensland; Maha Sinnathamby, the Chairman of the Greater Springfield Land Corporation; John Davis from IDSM; and Doug Owens from Banyule City Council.
Case studies will include the City of Townsville's Cleveland Bay Treatment Plant PPP:
the City of Charles Sturt's clever use of debt financing to overcome what would have been a high cost replacement of major parts of its road system; Wollongong Council's City Beach Redevelopment and Parramatta City's CBD Renewal Project.
For more information about the conference see www.halledit.com.au or telephone Denise McQueen on 03 8534 5000.
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Industry Heavyweights Headline PR Conference
A stellar line-up of leading PR practitioners, editors and journalists will speak at the upcoming Public Relations & Corporate Communications Summit in Sydney in May. International guest keynote speaker Dr Leslie Gaines-Ross from Burson-Marsteller New York will give her perspective on the future role for in-house PR and Public Affairs practitioners.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Jane Schulze, Business Reporter, The Australian
- Dr Leslie Gaines-Ross, Chief Knowledge Officer, Burson-Marsteller USA
- David Breen, Director of News, Ten Network
- Sandi Logan, Assistant Secretary, National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA)
- Brett Gale, General Manager, Public Affairs, NRMA
- Helen Karlis, GM Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, David Jones
- Alastair Walton, Director of Communications, City of Sydney
- Bryan Fitzgerald, GM, Media and Issues Management, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Sarah Clarry, CSR and Communications Manager, Unilever Australasia
- Alan Deans, Business Editor, The Bulletin/Newsweek… and many more
A must for everyone interested in the future of public, media and stakeholder relations. This two-day Summit ensures you have the opportunity to discuss critical issues, trends and opportunities with other PR practitioners in the industry.
Dates: Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd May 2006
Venue: Dockside, Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Delegate registration: early bird just $995 (+gst)
Full details and register online at: www.frocomm.com.au
Contact: Glen Frost
Tel: 02 9489 9010
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Australian Water Summit Sydney 2006
Progress and investment; identifying the priorities
NEW AGENDA - 30+ global water utility and policy chiefs… Event sold out in 2005.
Expert speakers include:
- Paul Frewer, Acting Director General, Department of Water (WA)
- Tony Kelly, Managing Director, Yarra Valley Water (Victoria)
- Ken Matthews, CEO, National Water Commission
- Dennis Brockenshire, CEO, Barwon Region Water Authority (Victoria)
- Jim Hallion, SA Commissioner, Murray Darling Basin Commission
- Abel Immaraj, CEO, State Water Corporation (NSW)
- Dr Michael Coughlan, Head, National Climate Centre, Bureau of Meteorology
- Jock Laurie, President, NSW Farmers' Association
10 NEW case studies: Wide Bay Water Corporation - Western Water - Gippsland Water - Yarra Valley Water - State Water Corporation (NSW) - Barwon Region Water Authority - SA Water - Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria) - Department of Water (WA) - Gwydir Valley Irrigators.
Call Shahida Sweeney to discuss your special council group booking offer.
Phone: + 61 2 9922 5086
Email: shahida@acevents.com.au
Or book on-line at www.acevents.com.au/water2006
Venue and Accommodation
The summit will be held at: the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Drive, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000,
Tel: + 61 2 9282 5000
Fax: + 61 2 9288 6451
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