ALGA News

From the President

Australia's geography and the distances involved in travel mean that airports are a critical gateway to Australia's super-skyways that connect communities, cities and regions.

Local government owns more than 200 airports, most of which are located in regional Australia and are an important part of the local economy, meeting communication, tourism, health, freight and transport needs. Airports also support regional airlines, pilot-training and have flow-on benefits for local businesses and jobs.

The challenges facing regional airlines and airports were outlined in the House of Representatives Transport Committee's 'Making Ends Meet' report into regional aviation. The 2003 report, of which the majority of recommendations are yet to be implemented by the federal government, called for more resources and federal assistance to be allocated for regional air services.

ALGA welcomes the fact that the Federal Government has acted to strengthen security at regional airports. However, ALGA, with the support of state associations, is continuing to mount a spirited case for the viability, safety and security of regional airlines and airports. This was an issue which was raised at the Australian Transport Council (ATC) meeting I attended in Canberra last month.

At ATC, some progress was made. Agreement was reached for officials to report back on outstanding issues, such as the smaller regional airports which local communities can not afford to upgrade to adequate standards and need government support. Also under consideration is the impact of fee increases by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority which are adding to the costs incurred by regional airport operators and driving up airport charges.

Another issue, which will be discussed by the ALGA executive at its November meeting, is the control of planning and development at Australian airports.

ATC was advised that consultation guidelines in relation to land use, planning and developments at leased federal airports will be publicly released shortly. The guidelines are a positive development. They recognise that development on airport land can affect broader regional planning and have an impact on infrastructure outside the airport and that before a master plan or major development plan can be approved by the Federal Minister consultation on these matters should take place with state/territory and local governments and a report prepared for consideration with the master plan or major development plan.

Labor's position on this particular issue of airports and local communities provides food for thought. The Shadow Minister for Transport Senator Kerry O'Brien recently released a discussion paper - 'Airports and their Local Communities: A Way Forward.' This paper advocates a further review of the Airports Act 1996 and associated regulations (a review was undertaken by Minister Truss last year), the adoption of a set of clear and open planning principles for airport development, increased community input, and transparency in airport planning and development decision-making.

To assist communities, local government, state and territory authorities and airport operators to establish cooperative working arrangements, Senator O'Brien puts forward two options; the appointment of an Airport Ombudsman and the establishment of Airport Consultative Committees modelled on the UK system.

Airports are part of communities and local communities should be involved in decision-making. It is important that the Federal Government acknowledges the wisdom of a more cooperative approach.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Blacktown to become NSW's first 'solar city'

The western Sydney suburb of Blacktown is to join Adelaide and Townsville as Australia's first solar cities.

A six-member business consortium made up of members including the local council and energy giant BP will receive up to $15 million from the federal government's $75 million Solar Cities initiative. The consortium also expects to raise an extra $22 million as part of the project.

The Prime Minister, Mr Howard, who made the announcement this week, said that under the Solar Cities project, Blacktown would install more than 860 photovoltaic systems of varying sizes and 2100 solar water heaters. Trialled for the first time, households would be offered a simpler kit which combines two sets of solar panels - one set to heat water and the other to create electricity. This new combined installation would take up less roof space and was cheaper to install than conventional individual systems. Finance packages would be available to assist residents with the up-front costs of solar technologies.

Residents and business owners would be able to better understand their energy use through the roll-out of 4000 smart meters. Over 3500 households and businesses could participate in energy consultations and 30,000 energy efficiency packs would be distributed to help Blacktown City residents reduce electricity bills by being more energy efficient. More than 200 households would be able to take up discounted ceiling insulation packages as part of a trial to measure energy savings from properly installed insulation.

Mr Howard said that the project would increase the current capacity of solar photovoltaic panels in NSW and Australia by more than one megawatt, which could generate enough electricity to meet the needs of around 200 average homes for a year. The project would reduce by about 25,000 tonnes a year greenhouse gas emissions and save the local council about $3 million a year - the equivalent of taking six thousand cars off the road.

He said that the Solar Cities would also boost many local industries, not only through the supply of products to consumers, but through energy efficiency and smart metering trials.

He said Blacktown had been chosen because of its young population and potential for expansion.

Also this week, Mr Howard announced he would commission a government-business task group to develop a carbon trading scheme for Australia.

He vowed that such a scheme would not hinder Australia's booming resource export market, and would benefit future Australian generations. The federal government has said that it was important to ensure all major carbon emitters were included in the plan, particularly the US and developing countries such as China and India.

Qld Govt stands by council election policy

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell says he will continue to lobby Queensland Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser on the policy of forcing councillors to resign if they want to contest a state seat.

Cr Bell says that Queensland should come into line with other states on the issue which is a costly exercise for local government.

He said that the 11 by-elections triggered by the state election in September cost the councils at least $1m in total to run.

As well as local government, the state opposition, and many former councillors have criticised the state government over the rule.

They say the policy is undemocratic and wastes ratepayers' money by causing unnecessary by-elections.

But Mr Fraser has told parliament, in an answer to an opposition question on notice, that the laws would not be changed.

"The policy is entirely sound and democratic - it will be continued," Mr Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said if a state MP wanted to stand for a federal seat they would also be required to resign their seat.

NT statehood: a step closer to fulfilment

The federal government was open to the suggestion of Northern Territory statehood as long as it had the backing of a majority of locals, according to the chair of the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Peter Slipper.

"I think there is an open mind in the Australian parliament to the territory becoming a state but that mind is only open to a bipartisan approach that has achieved a high level of community consensus," he said.

Mr Slipper was visiting the NT this week to gather information on recent developments to advance statehood and explore the implications for federal arrangements.

The NT government announced in May 2003 it would revive its push to statehood, flagging a five-year, community-based transition to coincide with the territory's 30th anniversary of self government on July 1, 2008.

Territorians voted down an earlier move to statehood at a referendum in 1998, with confusion and anger over a lack of community involvement blamed for the failure of the poll.

ALGA puts local government concerns on the PC table

Last week the ALGA CEO attended a roundtable meeting in Canberra of the Productivity Commissioners, senior Road Transport bureaucrats and academics to discuss the Productivity Commission's discussion draft on Road and Rail pricing.

This was a closed session and not for public discussion. ALGA took the opportunity to put its concerns about the PC Draft discussion paper directly to Commissioners. ALGA's concerns were set out in ALGA News on October 6 and October 20 and again in a submission to the PC. That submission can be found on the ALGA website.

The PC is due to report by the end of the year.

Announcement

EPIC07

A Young and Emerging Artists Initiative

EPIC07 is a joint initiative between the Community Partnerships and Market Development Division and the Dance Board, with support and advice from the Inter-Arts Office.

EPIC07 aims to provide professional development opportunities in media art or dance for emerging producers, project managers, artists and artsworkers working with and in communities.

By placing an emerging producer/artist in a host organisation or local council to gain practical experience of managing a project, EPIC07 aims to facilitate contemporary youth arts and cultural projects in regional and remote areas of Australia.

In 2007, up to five internships will be internships will be supported - two will be specifically for dance and movement producer/artists and up to three will be for emerging producers/artists engaging young people by using new technologies and media art.

Letter of invitation

EPIC07 will support up to $45,000 towards salary and on-costs, project related travel and evaluation.
Proposals are due by COB 9 February 2006.
For further information and a copy of the selection criteria please contact one of the following officers:

• Caro Flood - Dance Board
• Tel: 02 9215 9179
• Email: c.flood@ozco.gov.au

• Sandi Woo - Community Partnerships
• Tel: 02 9215 9177
• Email: s.woo@ozco.gov.au

See also: Examples of past EPIC internships.

EPIC07 is supported through the Australian Government's Young and Emerging Initiative for artists aged 30 years and under.

Drought forecast a dampener

The Reserve Bank says the severe drought was expected to reduce economic growth in the year ahead as farm production falls.

The bank said the drought was set to shave three quarters of a percentage point off the annual rate of gross domestic product which was currently around 1.9 per cent per annum.

The bank said farm output could fall by around 20 per cent.

The Treasurer, Peter Costello, said that next year's Budget would be difficult due to the drought and warned the lack of rain could bring on a rural depression.

He said farm production was going to be down 20 per cent.

WA Farmers' Federation president Trevor De Landgrafft said although the drought would affect production, the Treasurer's comments were unhelpful.

"Comments from the Treasurer saying there's going to be a depression next year certainly will impact upon financiers and government in the city," he said.

Meanwhile, Glen Eira Council, in Melbourne's south-east, has capped the number of cricket games at some grounds.

Council spokesman Paul Burke said other local government areas would face similar issues. "Rain is not falling anywhere in Melbourne, it is not just Glen Eira," he said.

Congratulations to the Councils on Show!

We know councils across Australia constantly utilise skills and ingenuity to solve vital issues.

As an initiative to highlight the great innovation in local government all over Australia, the ALGA Board invited councils to submit multi-media presentations which showcase innovative solutions to the challenges faced by all councils at this year's National General Assembly. For example, 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. More than ten councils will tell the rest of local government about their problem and unique solution at this year's event. They are:

1. Alice Springs Town Council - Partnership with Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation Native Title Holders addressing urban drift and anti-social behaviour
2. Bega Shire Council, New South Wales - Alliance with Tenix to develop innovative sewerage infrastructure solutions
3. Circular Head Council, Tasmania - Public Private Partnership to develop a Hydrotherapy Pool
4. City of Glen Eira, Victoria - purpose built Customer Service Centre
5. City of Gosnells, Western Australia - Youth Development Team
6. Isis Shire Council, Queensland - Strategy to promote economic development
7. King Island Council, Tasmania - Wetlands project
8. Local Government Association of South Australia - Yorke Peninsula Indigenous Land Use Agreements
9. Mornington Peninsula Shire, Victoria - Weeds Strategy
10. Pine Rivers Shire Council, Queensland - Learning Community Hub
11. Wingecarribee Shire Council - Strategy to promote economic development

More detail of the Councils on Show! is available on the NGA website as well as a schedule of when these innovations will be showcased at the National General Assembly. It's not too late to register for this year's event!

Campbell addressing ALGA delegates

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI-A/NZ) will conduct a Recognition Event and Briefing Breakfast in conjunction with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly on Tuesday 28 November 2006 in Canberra.

ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, and the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, will be addressing delegates at this Recognition Event.

Next year marks the 10th year of the Cities for Climate Protection program and local greenhouse action across Australia. ICLEI members and participants have strengthened their efforts to deliver sustainable outcomes for their communities. ICLEI's premier recognition event at the National General Assembly will celebrate their achievements in the Cities for Climate Protection and Water Campaign programs.

Minister Campbell joins an impressive list of federal Parliamentarians attending the National General Assembly including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Services Mark Vaile; Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads Jim Lloyd; Minister for Ageing Senator Santo Santoro; the Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley; and shadow ministers Simon Crean and Senator Kim Carr.

"This strong representation from our federal Parliamentarians is particularly important in the lead-up to the next federal election and demonstrates that recognition of local government's increasingly important role in our federation crosses party lines," ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said.

"It is important that local government comes to Canberra in force to show our federal counterparts the strength of unity that binds us." There is only one week to go to register to this event and come in force to Canberra and make a difference.

Skilled women look to Australia (and local government)

Migration statistics show women are playing an increasing role in skilling Australia and building the nation's future.

"Women have for many years made up almost half of our skilled migrant intake, whether as primary or secondary applicants," according to the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone.

"This was no different in 2005 06, when we accepted 97 500 skilled migrants, including more than 46 000 women.

"What has changed is the gender ratio of primary applicants."

She said the actual number of women primary applicants had more than quadrupled - up from 4000 in 1996 97 to more than 17 500 in 2005 06.'

China has become the largest source of skilled women migrants, leapfrogging the United Kingdom in recent years. Last year alone, more than 4200 of the women primary applicants were from the People's Republic of China, up 52 per cent on 2004 05.

Senator Vanstone highlighted the story of Chinese born Jennifer He as exemplifying the rising number of women leaving their home overseas to come to Australia to fill the demand for skilled workers.

Outer Barcoo in western Queensland is a far cry from the bustling city of Shanghai where 30 year old Jennifer was born and educated, but that did not stop her from accepting a job at the local shire council.

Jennifer started at Barcoo Shire Council in September 2005 on a skills matching visa, after the council twice advertised unsuccessfully to fill the position of executive assistant to the mayor and chief executive officer.

"With just 460 residents in the 60 100 sq km shire, isolation was a big factor in trying to attract a suitably qualified person to fill the role," Barcoo Shire corporate services manager Kerri Wilson said.

"We were fortunate to get Jennifer on board through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' Regional Skilled Migration Scheme and we are delighted with her skills and service," Ms Wilson said.

Esperance offers hope in plastic bag reduction

The Shire of Esperance, WA, is the national winner of the Government Authority section of the Keep Australia Beautiful Plastic Bag Reduction Authority Awards 2006.

Incorporating public advocacy, community education, school, retail participation and volunteer support, the Esperance Bag Smart Program has resulted in a 75% reduction in the use of plastic shopping bags within the community.

Sponsored by Veolia (formerly Collex) the awards recognise and reward local efforts to help eliminate single-use plastic shopping bags across Australia.

Keep Australia Beautiful National Chairman, Don Chambers, said: "Over the past few years, many successful initiatives have helped reduce plastic bag use significantly. Whilst we still use around 4 billion bags a year, supermarkets have reported a 45% reduction since 2002, and a saving of around 3 billion bags in the past 2 years."

A free Plastic Bags Education Resource, developed by Keep Australia Beautiful, has also been produced for schools as part of the Awards program. The education kit is available online at www.kab.org.au/plasticbags or on CD for teachers and students who wish to learn more about protecting the environment.

State and National Award ceremonies have been held across the country this week to celebrate and acknowledge the efforts of all groups involved. For further information on individual state activities and winners visit www.kab.org.au/plasticbags.

Geospatial achievers: local government scoops the pool

Local government featured strongly when the Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn, congratulated the winners of this year's Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards in Brisbane.

Mr Nairn emphasised the key achievements of the City of Melbourne, which created a map browser to provide easy to use interfaces for accessing a wide range of spatial information during the March Commonwealth Games.

"Melbourne utilised an innovative technology which enabled both visitors and local organisations, to plan, manage and utilise Games facilities," Mr Nairn said. "This is a technology that will set the foundations for large scale events in the future and the technology has the capacity to be replicated in a variety of ways".

Mr Nairn also recognised highly commended achiever, the Mackay City Council, which was recognised for its Internet and Mapping Property System.

"Mackay City's initiative provides residents and ratepayers with access to a wide variety of information on land and property, planning and land use, services and infrastructure and community facilities - all through easy access on the internet."

He emphasised the importance in Federal/State partnerships in utilising geospatial solutions to tackle some of Australia's emerging geographical and climate related challenges.

PM dismisses call for constitutional convention

South Australia's Premier, Mike Rann, has called for a constitutional convention in 2008 on the future of the federation.

The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, has also called for a constitutional convention and referendum in response to the High Court's decision in favour of the Commonwealth workplace relations laws.

But Prime Minister John Howard said the ruling had not given the commonwealth any extra powers, but had just reaffirmed the powers it already had.

"I know the states are calling for constitutional conventions and so forth - they lost the appeal. It was always our advice that this legislation was constitutional," he told Macquarie Radio. "This does not mean that I am going to embark upon some orgy of centralism. I have no desire to do that."

Mr Howard rejected calls for a referendum, saying there was no need. "We didn't have a referendum because we didn't need one. We enacted a law which we believe was constitutional and the High Court agreed with us."