From the President
 On the 12th of April I had the privilege of signing an historic multilateral Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) designed to help counter cost shifting. At the time I noted this signing was a culmination of an extraordinary amount of hard work and good-will shown between representatives from all three spheres of government. While the signing of the agreement opens up a new era in intergovernmental relations, I warned that the IGA was not a fiscal panacea for local government. In ALGA News I said, it was "a milestone in local government's long march toward fiscal sustainability. We are looking to the federal government to replace financial assistance grants with a funding system that gives councils access to fair funding". ALGA is asking for a mechanism that will provide us with a share of at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue. This would give councils access to funds that grow as the economy grows. ALGA supports genuine tax reform. The Warburton/Hendy - international tax study report confirmed that local government in Australia has one of the lowest shares of taxation raised in the 30 OECD member nations. It showed that local government raises only 2.9% of all taxation in Australia, with the federal government taking 68.1% and the states 29.0%. This is the fourth lowest of all OECD nations. This month the ALGA Board commissioned a major economic study to strengthen our case for fair federal funding. The study will be presented to the major parties later this year, well in advance of the 2006-07 Federal Budget and the 2007 federal election. The study will develop a detailed plan to:
- enable councils to better meet their fiscal obligations as well as the growing demand for infrastructure and services; and
- provide a sound rationale and model for appropriate and targeted support to local government for consideration by other spheres of government.
As the Federal Treasurer puts the finishing touches on this years budget it is time for local government to press home the case for fair funding.
Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President
ALGA at Augmented Australasian Police Ministers' Council
Federal, state and territory governments have agreed to prepare a National Emergency Management Plan (Catastrophic Disasters) to communicate the arrangements and capabilities for national and international response to a truly catastrophic disaster. The decision was made by at this month's meeting of the Augmented Australasian Police Minister Council, at which ALGA participates. The council noted that local government needed to be fully involved in initiatives that develop capability to response and recovering from a catastrophic disaster. The council also commended all relevant parties for their efforts, including local government. The meeting communiqué has been posted on the ALGA website.
UCLG-ASPAC Liveable Cities Forum in early May
ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, is pleased to host Liveable Cities - the annual training forum for United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC) on 8-11 May in Brisbane. As Vice President of UCLG-ASPAC, Cr Paul Bell encourages all Australian councils to participate in the Forum. UCLG ASPAC is the Asia Pacific regional body of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the world organisation dedicated to promoting the values, objectives and interest of cities and local governments across the globe. While the full meeting runs over four days, councils can participate in lively and informative sessions over one and a half days on the planning and management of liveable cities.
In line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, UCLG last year launched the Millennium Towns and Cities Campaign, which focuses on eliminating poverty, promoting development and improving the living standard of their citizens.
Capacity building, training and research is one of the main activities of UCLG-ASPAC and the Liveable Cities Forum will give Australian councils the opportunity to meet with their international counterparts to exchange ideas and discuss their vision and strategies for our cities. The Forum will include fieldtrips in and around Brisbane - the host city.
Australian councils have demonstrated a keenness to create links with overseas councils and share our skills and knowledge and the Forum offers the opportunity to meet local government representatives from the ASPAC region to forge individual partnerships with our overseas neighbours. Delegates participating will be from the ASPAC sub-regional countries including China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Registrations are now open. For further details please contact ALGA 02 6122 9436 or katie.whitehead@alga.asn.au
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Norfolk Island goes to the High Court
Norfolk Island's chief minister has initiated High Court proceedings to protect the community's existing level of self-government. Chief Minister Geoff Gardner and island resident Geoff Bennett have started court proceedings against the federal government to determine the constitutional status of its citizens. Last month, Federal Local Government and Territories Minister Jim Lloyd warned residents that their current form of government was financially unsustainable. Two options have been mooted: modified self-government which would give Australia a bigger role, or a local government model. The island's legislative assembly is said to have responded "with dismay".
E-communities looking for Australians
The Dutch-based International Network of e-Communities - INEC - is looking for Australian organisations interested in participating in this global network. The coordinator, Henk Korevaar korevaar@ffectis.nl, would be pleased to hear from any Australian organisation that would like to learn more. INEC aims to promote, facilitate and institutionalise cooperation by means of exchange, best practice programs, business development, missions, benchmarking tools, and joint project implementation. INEC collaborates regularly and closely with numerous smart community and broadband projects in a variety of nations around the world including France, Finland and the UK.
Port focus for heritage conference
International Council on Monuments and Sites: Australia ICOMOS' 2006 national conference, will explore challenges and changes in the context of historic port cities and towns. It will be held November 9-11 in Fremantle. The conference will explore issues such as adaptive reuse, economic drivers, urban and industrial expansion, evolution and development, the role of interpretation and the ongoing use of industrial sites and waterfronts. It hopes to attract a wide audience from government to private practitioners and from archaeologists and planners to architects and wharfies. The call for papers is open now. Australia ICOMOS was formed in 1976 and acts as a national and international link between public authorities, institutions and individuals involved in the study and conservation of all places of cultural significance. Expressions of interest should be forwarded no later than 5pm on Friday 28 April. Email submissions are preferred and should be sent to: promaco@promaco.com.au
Heart Foundation awards
Entry to the 2006 Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards is now open and not only do you have the chance of receiving recognition from the Heart Foundation and Kellogg but you could also receive part of the $30,000 in cash awards and a plaque. Dr Peter Abernethy, Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Health Programs Director - National said: "The 2006 Awards have been refocused on the implementation of programs that build social connections, encourage people to be physically active, smoke free and make healthy food choices. This focus will highlight the impact that Local Governments are having on creating healthy communities." The 2006 Awards program has four categories:
- Implementation of plans and polices to support heart health
- Provision and use of facilities to improve heart health
- Programs that improve heart health in priority groups
- Programs that promote healthy weight.
Entry forms and information about the 2006 Awards are available from State and Territory offices of the Heart Foundation or from Heartline 1300 362 787. Entries close on June 9.
Notice
EPBC Act Planner's guides available (free)
The Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Project is wrapping up at the end of June, and so is offering to post its last copies of its Guide for Planners to interested councils around the country. The guide has been written to help those involved in either local or regional landuse and natural resource planning integrate the EPBC Act into these processes and outcomes. The guides are free, and the Project will cover all postage costs. Mailouts of larger quantities possible. To order send an email to Tracey Rich at trich@wwf.org.au with the number you require, and your mailing address.
The Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act is the Australian Government's main piece of environmental protection / planning legislation, and applies across all states and territories. The guides are suitable for anyone in local government working in environment, NRM, sustainability, and planning.
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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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