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No room for local government on new Federation Council

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Local government appears to have no role in the new Council of Australian Federation being established by the states and territories, according to the preliminary information released on the proposal.

In announcing the formation of the Council on Friday 21 July, South Australian Premier Mike Rann described it as a clearing house for ideas and policy formulation. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the Council would look at cross-jurisdictional issues and improve information sharing among the states.

The Council, which seems to be modeled on a similar body in Canada, would have state and territory leaders as members but there would be no place for local government or the Federal Government.

At a time when local government is pursuing the long term goal of formal constitutional recognition as part of its Triple F campaign (Fair funding, Fair treatment and Formal recognition) the decision by the states appears to reflect a view that local government should have no formal role in the Australian Federation. The plans of the states and territories for the new Council should become clearer over coming months.

In the meantime, the government is still expected to introduce its parliamentary resolution, in August, acknowledging the role of local government.

Fair Funding campaign to shift up a gear

Gears

ALGA's campaign for Fair funding of local government will be a focus of next week's meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council to be held in Adelaide on 4 August. ALGA has put the issue of declining federal funding through the Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) on the agenda for discussion by ministers - highlighting in particular the falling away of FAGs as a proportion of federal taxation in the past 10 years. ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said local government ministers at both the federal and state level needed to understand the need for a new deal for local government. "Local communities expect their councils to have a fair level of funding so that they can provide the services people value. The current system works against councils and local communities and it needs to be fixed."

R2R compliance - Lifting the game

Roadwork sign

An important highlight of the recent Roads and Transport Congress was a session led by the most senior R2R program manager from the Department of Transport and Regional Development. The message was clear and simple - if local government does not want to put this program at risk then it will ensure compliance conditions, which are not onerous as funding programs go, are met. A number of delegates picked up the ball and made a strong plea that all councils ensure that compliance with the funding requirements was a priority. Collective action of this kind is needed to protect the integrity of the program and to maximise our prospects for much needed and permanent R2R funding for local roads. The spotlight will stay on the program with further ANAO audits proposed probably in 2007.

The department has recently notified ALGA that 25 councils have still not made annual returns for 2004/05 required by September of last year. ALGA strongly urges these councils to make these returns as soon as possible and if help is required to approach the department, or their respective state/territory association to resolve any outstanding compliance requirements. The department is working hard to make the administration of the program as trouble free as possible for all councils and has been very helpful to councils in these matters.
From the President

The announcement by state premiers of the formation of a new Council of Australian Federation may well be a good move if it achieves its goal of strengthening state-Commonwealth ties but not if it comes at the expense of local government.

One of the great gaps in our current constitution is the lack of recognition of local government and it is something which I believe has hampered our federation over the last 100 years. It has made it difficult for local government to form the sort of partnership with the Australian Government which is necessary to advance and protect the interests of local communities. Local government, through ALGA, has worked hard to rectify this omission, not only through the Triple F campaign and our quest for formal constitutional recognition of local government but also through ALGA's participation on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

It seems now that we might be getting some traction on local government issues, with COAG's agreement to look at local government funding at its next meeting in early 2007 but it would be disappointing if local government was cut out of the states' new approach to federalism by exclusion from the new Council. Our views and priorities are not always the same as those of the Australian state and territory governments but the interests of local communities are surely central to the good health of our federation. I hope that as plans for the new Council are fleshed out by the states and territories in the coming weeks and months the importance of local government is acknowledged and an appropriate role for local government is identified.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Councils on show!

We know councils across Australia constantly utilise skills and ingenuity to solve vital issues. Now via the National General Assembly, we want you to tell the rest of local government about your problem and your unique solution. As a brand new initiative to highlight the great innovation in local government all over Australia, the ALGA Board invites councils to submit multi-media presentations which showcase innovative solutions to the challenges faced by all councils. A council may have installed a desalination plant to combat the drought, or be introducing new forms of housing to cope with population change. Alternatively, a simple solution to an occupational safety issue could be highlighted. We want to facilitate the opportunity for all councils to learn from each other. We want entries from all councils, large and small, rural and urban. Successful entries will be shown throughout the National General Assembly. To ensure all councils have the opportunity to showcase - presentations must be of no more than 15 minutes duration and they must stand alone both in audio and visuals. Please note: this is not an opportunity for individuals to give a presentation. Please post your presentations on CD or DVD together with council contact details to:

  • Katie Whitehead
  • Director National Events and International Liaison
  • 8 Geils Court
  • Deakin, ACT, 2600.

To be eligible for consideration and inclusion in this year's National General Assembly, we must receive your multi-media submission by no later than 15 October 2006. For more information, please contact Katie Whitehead - katie.whitehead@alga.asn.au or telephone: 02 6122 9436.

Motions for Debate - now open

Councils are now invited to submit Notices of Motion for the 2006 National General Assembly of Local Government. Motions are to be received by ALGA no later than Friday 8 September 2006.

In order to address delegates' strong concerns regarding motions for debate, a General Assembly Review Committee has been set up by the ALGA Board. Two significant changes for this year's Assembly are the return of full plenary debate and strict assessment of all motions submitted against the criteria of national significance. Issues not included for debate in the Business Papers are welcomed in Open House - a networking space specifically designed for delegates to discuss issues not on the main agenda. The Open House booking system for 2006 will be online on August 11 enabling you to make a booking in advance? - this is your opportunity to discuss what's happening on your home patch.

2006 Congress - presentations available

Presentations and photos from the National Local Roads and Transport Congress held in Alice Springs are now available on the ALGA website. Included on this page is a video of the keynote address given by Dr. Keith Suter, as well as his paper presentation. Transcripts of the Hon Jim Lloyd, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, and Senator Kerry O'Brien, Shadow Minister for Transport, are also available together with power point presentations from the concurrent and plenary sessions. Photos taken throughout the two days, including Congress Dinner at the Bush Camp, Ooraminna Homestead, are also online.

Quote of the week

Cabbage: a familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head.
    - Ambrose Bierce

State of the Regions survey 2006
'State of the Region' survey

The ALGA/National Economics State of the Regions report is an invaluable source of data, analysis and commentary on a range of economic and social issues of concern to all councils, from metropolitan to rural and remote communities. This year's report - to be released in November - will look at local government finances as an economic driver in regions. It will also look at the role of local government infrastructure in supporting industry innovation. To assist National Economics prepare the report, a short survey has been designed to gain a contemporary understanding of local government finance and revenue opportunities. Survey responses will remain confidential.
Conservation of Heritage Places

The Productivity Commission report - Conservation of Australia's historic heritage places - was released by the Australian Government on 21 July. ALGA and numerous council's throughout Australia made written and verbal submissions to the Inquiry highlighting the significant role played by local communities in protecting and managing historic heritage places throughout the nation. The key findings of the report to the Treasurer include the opinion that for many privately-owned places, the existing heritage listing provisions are generally ineffective, inefficient and unfair. The commission also continues to support the introduction by governments of so-called 'negotiated conservation agreements' to protect items worthy of private conservation. No indication has been given by the government as to when and how it might respond to the report.

Developing Australia's region's

ALGA President Paul Bell addressed the Financial Review's Developing Australia's Region's Summit last week. The President's paper - Examining the role of local government in ensuring economic and sustainable growth in regional Australia - highlighted the significant roles played by local government in fostering sustainable outcomes for their communities. Cr Bell argued that if Australia is to maintain its desire for a sustainable economic future, it will need to:

  1. increase the level of Commonwealth leadership and financial assistance
  2. continue to support the development of regional skills, education and national infrastructure provision
  3. empower communities by expanding the principle of subsidiarity.

The Financial Review's Developing Australia's Region's Summit was held in Sydney, with some sixty influential participants including the Hon Jim Llyod MP, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads.

ARRB workshops - Sydney

ARRB is providing, on behalf of Austroads, two workshops based on the Austroads guide to traffic engineering practice series. Both workshops, which are designed to complement one another, will be held at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Thomas Street Sydney.

The first is titled Intersections at grade to be held on 21/22 November and the second is titled Roundabouts workshop to be held on 23 November. The presenters will include representatives from local government.

The purpose of the workshops is to familiarise practitioners with current best practice in intersection and roundabout design and management and to reinforce understanding of the Austroads traffic engineering guides.

Workshops titled Sealed local roads are also being held in Dubbo(14/15 August), Sydney (29/30 August) and Canberra (31 August/1 September)to address many of the practical aspects of managing sealed roads, to provide updated information on the Austroads pavement design and rehabilitation procedures relating to local raods and to provide opportunities to share the knowledge and experience of other practitioners. The workshop is aimed at works engineers, technical officers and senior works officers from local government.

Enquiries can be directed to ARRB on 03 9881 1555.

International news  
£25 for 4x4s in London

London mayor Ken Livingstone has announced plans to raise the congestion charge to £25 for so-called "Chelsea tractors". Drivers of the least polluting cars will receive a reduction on the current £8 daily charge, while those which emit the most C02, such as many Jeeps and SUVs, will pay a much higher price, up to £25. The mayor asked Transport for London to come up with new proposals to amend the congestion charge. The current scheme, he said, had been a great success in reducing traffic levels and the revenue raised has been pumped into the public transport system. - Guardian

State of the Regions report 2005-06