From the President
Jim Lloyd has a point. Addressing the NSW Shires Association conference in Sydney this week, he made it clear he was not happy with the fact that "some councils" appeared ungrateful for the funding they received through financial assistance grants. The fact is as the Vice President of the Shires Association made clear to the minister we are grateful very grateful for the $1.7bn of financial assistance grants that will be provided to local government by the Commonwealth in 2006-07. The money is much needed and much appreciated. We should do more to express that gratitude. At the same time, however, we must not shy away from the fact that the Australian Government, in providing financial assistance grants, is actually doing what it should do: redistributing taxation to better ensure funding follows function. The Commonwealth collects the lion's share of taxation more than it needs to run its own service responsibilities. It returns excess taxation (and let's face it, it has money bulging out of its coffers) to those spheres of government whose taxation revenue is insufficient to meet service and infrastructure responsibilities. Nor should we shy away from the fact that the methodology used to calculate annual increases in financial assistance grants (CPI and population increases) fails to provide us with access to growth funds which would better match the real cost pressures facing councils. Wage and road/construction costs two of our biggest cost drivers leave CPI far behind. Jim Lloyd has been an exemplary minister for local government. He has delivered increased road funding and a critically important agreement on cost shifting. An inquiry into barriers to local government revenue and a parliamentary motion recognising the sector are also on the way. His biggest challenge, however, is before him. Reforming, or replacing, financial assistance grants to better reflect the costs faced by local government is a task well within his considerable competency. It is now up to us, however, to make the case and drive home the need for change.
Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President
ALGA wants tougher airport guidelines
ALGA has given a stern response to draft guidelines on consultation procedures for airport land development. The draft guidelines were circulated to stakeholders recently by the Department of Transport and Regional Services. The guidelines have been developed in response to the concern of local and state governments about the impact on local communities of unfettered development on airport land under Commonwealth control. The guidelines - to be attached' to the Airports Act oblige lessees to notify and consult councils about non-aviation development at capital city airports. ALGA's preferred position is that all development be subject to local planning controls. However, given that the Commonwealth will not concede this point, ALGA wants the new guidelines to be an effective instrument that ensures meaningful and timely consultation by airport lessees with councils about the impacts of proposed developments. They should also promote permanent relationships that maximise the prospects of good outcomes for nearby communities. ALGA does not want an instrument that allows lessees to "go through the motions".
PM blasts squanderous states
The Prime Minister this week blasted state governments for squandering their GST "bonanza". The comments come after an Institute of Public Affairs study suggested that the states had wasted windfall gains on public service wage rises rather than cutting tax or investing in infrastructure. "GST is the greatest thing that the states have had revenue-wise in my political lifetime," Mr Howard said. "They complained for years that their expenses continued to rise but their tax revenues didn't rise because they didn't have access to a growth tax. We give them access to a growth tax, they don't spend it on tax relief and infrastructure, they spend it on expanding their administration."
National Awards: Entries close on Tuesday
Councils have until midnight (AEST) next Tuesday, June 13, to submit entries in the 2006 National Awards for Local Government. No extensions will be given. Entry is via an on-line entry form available on the Department of Transport and Regional Services website. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the inception of the National Awards for Local Government. Councils are encouraged to celebrate this milestone and show their "true colours" by entering the 2006 awards. There are 18 categories across four broad areas of council business: capacity building, community services, the environment and management practices. For further information call 1800 065 113 or visit the awards website.
Quote of the week
"And he asked me, he said, if we were to provide additional money to councils, would they have projects ready to go? I said too right they would."
- Jim Lloyd this week describing his conversation with the PM about the possibility of securing extra road funding for councils in the May Budget.
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Sustainable Melbourne 2030
June 14-15 2006 - Melbourne
The Sustainable Melbourne 2030 and Beyond Conference will review in detail the progress towards achieving the Melbourne 2030 goals of building a liveable, balanced society which harmonises the city's economic, cultural and environmental goals.
The two-day conference on June 14-15 at Zinc at Federation Square will examine the achievements to date of the Melbourne 2030 plan with a number of case studies from councils that have implemented projects building on the 2030 framework.
Planning Minister, Rob Hulls, will deliver the keynote speech and there will be important contributions from Shelley Penn, Associate Victorian Government Architect; Jim Betts, the Director of Public Transport, and Mike Scrafton, the General Manager, Growth Areas Authority Establishment Taskforce.
Senior managers from a number of councils including Greensborough, Frankston, the City of Port Phillip and Moreland will outline their planning initiatives in response to Melbourne 2030, and there will also be important contributions from senior planning consultants which will help to illuminate the challenges and the opportunities within the 2030 framework. In particular, the role of the Growth Areas Authority will be outlined and explained.
This Conference provides a unique opportunity for public and private sector decision-makers involved in, or affected by, the Melbourne urban plan to be brought up to date with the key issues. More than 200 people are expected to attend this event and there will be ample opportunities for vigorous feedback sessions and networking. For more details, including the full conference document and registration details, please go to www.halledit.com.au or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au or telephone 03 8534 5000.
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People want bigger role for councils
Almost 70% of respondents to an independent survey want councils to have a greater say in how federal and state services, such as transport, health, education and community services, are planned and coordinated. And a large proportion also think councils should be delivering many of these services. The findings come in a survey commissioned by the Local Government Association of South Australia. Some 74% thought councils should deliver home care services for the elderly. Other services nominated included crime prevention (65%), manage school grounds and buildings (56%), monitor or police pollution (66%), run public transport (44%) and run hospitals (28%). State association president, Mayor John Rich, said the results showed very high levels of confidence in councils.
Lynn Mason steps down
After six years at the helm, Cr Lynn Mason will step down as President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania at its annual general meeting on June 21. The president-elect is Latrobe Council Mayor, Cr Mike Gaffney. A councillor and former mayor of Flinders Island in the Bass Strait, Cr Mason played a key role at the association securing, among other things, a landmark financial agreement between the state and local government. Her replacement, Cr Gaffney, is a teacher and well-known sportsman, having represented Tasmania in football, touch football, athletics, basketball, volleyball and baseball.
One in five kids access childcare
More than one in five (21%) Australian children go to formal child care in any given school week, according to new figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The child care survey looked at all forms of care ranging from long day care to after school care and informal care, such as that provided by relatives. Long day care was the most commonly used formal child care for children aged 12 years and under (10% of all children), followed by before and/or after school care programs (7%).
Festivals grants
Applications have been called for projects to be funded under the Australian Government's cultural program, Festivals Australia. The program provides funding for arts-based projects that enhance the cultural programs of regional and community festivals. Applications are sought from organisations that manage festivals for projects commencing from January 1, 2007. Applications close July 17. Contacts, details and application forms are available online or call 1800 819 461.
Tourism development grants
The Australian Government's $31m Australian tourism development program is now open to councils. The program funds the development of local tourism services and infrastructure, with grants up to $500,000. Two categories are available: promotion of tourism activities, economic growth and visitation rates, and regional tourism through marketing and branding. Applications close on June 28.
Australian weeds strategy
The Australian Weeds Strategy is currently under review and councils are invited to comment on a draft strategy released for consultation. Decision-makers, research agencies and funding organisations use the strategy to prioritise weed management activities in Australia. The new strategy will be incorporated into a national biosecurity framework. Councils can access the draft strategy online or by contacting the Australian Weeds Committee on 03 6344 9657.
Accessible bus stops
Under the Disability Discrimination Act, those responsible for bus stops are also responsible for making sure they are accessible for people with disabilities. The 'transport standards' specified under the Act have applied to new bus stops and those undergoing significant renovation or alteration since 2002. But by December 2007, they require 25% of bus stops to comply. As a result of requests from councils and others, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has provided comment on the application of the standards to bus stops. The Commission invites feedback on these comments and would like to receive information on design solutions developed by providers who have faced difficulties applying the standards.
GP of the year
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is providing an opportunity for general practice peers and members of the community to recognise and celebrate the significant work of Australia's doctors. The winner of the general practitioner of the year award will be judged on criteria including an understanding and commitment to general practice and a commitment to community service. Nominations close on June 30.
International news
Councils key to global challenges
The European Union must address the challenges of globalisation, international competition and slow population growth with the help of local and regional authorities, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has said. He was committed to decisions being taken at the local level, as this was "closest to the citizen". He highlighted the importance of local authorities in running public services. "Most services are the responsibility of local and regional governments," he continued. "The proximity between these authorities and citizens is a guarantee of efficiency and social usefulness."
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Teamcare Insurance Brokers
Asbestos insurance - Leading rates for local councils
Local governments in Australia have been calling for a sensible approach to asbestos issues for some time. Teamcare Insurance Brokers have established a facility with Lloyds of London specifically for the asbestos and environmental related risks of councils. Environmental Health Officers activities and advice can be covered at what we believe are the most competitive rates in the Australian market. Coverage is available for both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. Please contact our office for an obligation free quote or renewal comparison.
Please email Andrew Ferns for further information, or call 02 4296 7999.
Public announcement
Drug action week
The national launch of Drug Action Week will be held in Brisbane on June 19. An annual initiative coordinated by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), Drug Action Week is considered the premier event to raise awareness about alcohol and other drug issues in Australia. Councils play numerous roles - leader, partner and advocate - in responding to alcohol and other drug-related harms within their respective communities. The use of drugs, both licit and illicit, has a significant impact on communities across Australia and local governments commit significant resources to ameliorating these impacts. Councils are encouraged to register programs they have planned to support Drug Action Week, and/or encourage their local alcohol and other drug agencies to register their activities on the National Calendar of Events online.
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