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Alice Springs becomes the newest 'Solar City'

Alice Springs has become the fourth Australian city to receive funding under a federal program promoting solar power.

The Northern Territory town joins Adelaide, Townsville and Sydney's Blacktown under the Solar Cities program set up three years ago.

The federal government will provide Alice Springs with $12.3 million to install solar photovoltaic panels on 230 homes and business, 1,000 solar hot water systems and roll out 400 smart meters.

Solar heat and power generators will also be installed at Alice Springs Airport and three other public facilities.

The public-private consortium running the program in Alice Springs will contribute an additional $17 million.

Meanwhile, Blacktown City has moved a step closer to becoming a Solar City following the official signing of the projects funding agreement with the Australian Government.

Solar Cities is the Australian Governments $75 million programme designed to bring together solar technologies, energy efficiency, smart metering and better electricity pricing to create more sustainable communities.

Safer trucks to service the growing freight task

Australia's Transport Ministers have approved a COAG-backed reform to allow semi-trailers and B-doubles fitted with quad axle groups to carry heavy loads more safely on a defined road network.

The reform builds on several successful local trials of quad-axle group trucks, which are designed and built to meet tougher safety standards for stability, braking and turning. By spreading the weight over more axles, the truck can carry heavier loads more safely.

"This is good news for the community. It means fewer, safer trucks are needed to carry heavy loads, which will reduce road trauma and cut engine emissions," said National Transport Commission (NTC) Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos. "Safer and more efficient vehicles are the best option to meet future growth in the road freight task."

For Australia's manufacturers and primary producers, the reform addresses a weak link in the global logistics chain for heavy export loads such as meat, wine, grain and produce. Closer alignment of road and rail axle weight limits will allow intermodal operators to transport containers more efficiently by rail.

The NTC is working closely with the trucking industry and government to agree on 'blueprint' vehicle designs, which meet world-leading safety standards. The specification allows axle group weights of up to 27 tonnes on approved routes.

From July 1, truck operators can use the 'blueprints' to apply for state-based permits on a network to be defined by State/Territory governments. Regulations will be developed by the end of 2008; subject to a review of the reform and further research on the impacts of quad axle groups on road and bridges.

Ministers noted the importance of resolving any potential road pricing issues. This is being considered as part of a separate NTC project. The wider adoption of quad axle groups in semi-trailers and B-doubles forms part of the Council of Australian Government's (COAG) national reform agenda for transport.

Local Government Associations talk financial sustainability

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Two State Local Government Associations gave financial sustainability centre-stage in conferences last week as local government tackles core issues of infrastructure, cost shifting and sustainability.

The Local Government Association of Queensland held its Infrastructure Symposium in Brisbane between 18 and 20 April and councilors heard about ALGA's national report on local government financial sustainability, prepared by PricewaterhouseCopers (PwC) and received an update from ALGA on progress in addressing the report's recommendations. The Report recommends a twin track approach to reform, focusing on internal efficiency reforms which need to be pursued by local government and reform of intergovernmental financial transfers. In particular, councilors noted the proposal for a Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund with funding sought from the Australian Government at a level of $250 million per annum for four years.

From all over Australia, local councils are heeding the call by ALGA President Cr Paul Bell to add examples of failing infrastructure on to the Community Infrastructure Ideas Register. Almost 90 examples have been received so far ranging from Latrobe Council's Muddy Creek footbridge, Adelong pool at Tumut (over 75 years old) to Armidale Library, Borroloola Oval and sporting and recreational facilities in Lake Grace Shire. Keep them coming! To lodge examples of community infrastructure in urgent need of upgrade and renewal go to www.alga.asn.au

Councils were also urged to have an input into the Productivity Commission's recently announced review of local government's own source revenue raising capacity.

On 20 April the Western Australian Local Government Association held a conference on the Journey from Cost Shifting to Sustainability, focusing in particular on WALGA's Systemic Sustainability Study. Again ALGA provided a report to councilors on the PwC report and the Local Community Infrastructure Fund and were urged to provide their ideas to ALGA.

In addition, Local Government Manager Australia - Queensland, held a conference for future leaders in Brisbane on 19 and 20 April and ALGA provided a detailed presentation on the PwC report and the sustainability issues facing local government.
From the President

After the act of treachery last week by the Qld Government, I decided it was time to sit down with a cool head and do a stocktake about where local government is at in terms of internal reforms in my home state and in a national context.

On any reading of the situation, local government and State Associations around Australia have achieved substantial progress on achieving further improvements and economies of scale focused on keeping the bottom line as healthy as possible.

These reforms are focused on the areas of outsourcing, state-wide purchasing agreements and regional or shared service provision, expanding local government revenue, setting priorities by establishing service plans and developing nationally consistent financial and asset management data and regular asset condition reporting for key infrastructure, improving skills, and employing total asset management plans and systems.

ALGA commissioned the PricewaterhouseCoopers report into local government financial stability which was launched in December 2006. The report builds on sustainability studies and work undertaken by the State Associations.

The report states that local government must show leadership and initiate its own reforms to improve its own efficiency and financial effectiveness. At the same time the report demonstrates that this will not be sufficient to turn the situation around and that support from other levels of government is warranted.

The Queensland councils had been working diligently through a Size, Shape and Sustainability (SSS) process and trusted the State Government to honour the agreement to allow locally-led local democracy to take its part in reform. But the State Government has broken this trust, sidelined local government and silenced the community by deciding to scrap the SSS process and forcing amalgamations onto local communities.

Local councils are the backbone of Australian life - they represent local concerns and provide an increasing range of services without which many communities would suffer. What is appalling about this process is the lack of consultation displayed by the Queensland Government and the fact that the public will have no say through a referendum.

Councils have achieved much reform over the past decade, showing that we are more than capable of sorting out our problems or by working in collaboration with state governments. Queensland councils should have a chance to draw up our own arrangements with any proposed changes put to a vote of the local communities affected. Anything else is a betrayal of democratic principles.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Broadband Guarantee

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, says that Guidelines for the full Australian Broadband Guarantee program are expected to be released within days.

Senator Coonan has provided further information regarding the operation of the Australian Broadband Guarantee.

"These arrangements will give broadband providers clarity regarding the new program and should speed up the rollout of further high speed broadband to consumers to complement the upcoming $600 million Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program," she said.

Details include:

  • Providers that have built broadband infrastructure under the Broadband Connect incentive program but have not claimed subsidies for connecting customers under that program will be able to apply to register that infrastructure under both the transitional period (2 April 2007 - 30 June 2007) and the full Australian Broadband Guarantee program (1 July 2007 - 30 June 2008). This creates an incentive for providers in these circumstances to immediately participate in the Australian Broadband Guarantee rather than waiting for the full program. This should mean that consumers in these areas will receive a wider choice of broadband services sooner. It will also allow further time for providers to recoup their investment on new networks.
  • The incentive payment for non-ADSL broadband services will be increased from $1100 to $2750 for Providers who build new infrastructure in areas that will not be covered by projects funded under the Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program.

Further details of the arrangements are included in the industry fact sheet.

Full details will be made available with the release of the full Australian Broadband Guarantee Guidelines and amendments to the transitional period Guidelines.

Senator Coonan confirmed that projects in the Coorong Region, the Yorke Peninsula and the Barossa & Light Region would be eligible to apply for funding under the Australian Broadband Guarantee.

She said that other regional projects in areas that will not be covered by the Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program are likely to benefit from the higher subsidies for wireless broadband.

Councils warned of climate change litigation risk

Australia's coastal residents could be about to encounter the impact of climate change on their property insurance, a Sydney climate forum has been told.

Climate change business risk analyst Karl Mallon told the conference that the cash value of a home would be cut by up to 80 per cent if it is deemed uninsurable for a severe weather event caused by global warming.

Dr Mallon, from the Climate Risk group, which advises government and businesses, was addressing a meeting attended by several of Australia's contributors to a newly released UN report on climate change.

He said developers and local councils risk litigation for negligence if they fail to factor climate change into planning.

"The science has hardened up enough and the awareness has hardened up enough, that probably we will see this year as a turning point in the debate over climate change and the need for it to be acknowledged in economic decision-making," Dr Mallon said.

Meanwhile, a massive digital map of Australia's coastline is being created by scientists to help pinpoint coastal communities that face being washed away by rising sea levels.

The federal government's Australian Greenhouse Office is coordinating dozens of scientists to take part in the project amid fears about the dramatic rises in sea levels that climate change could trigger.

The map will identify coastal roads, homes, businesses, transport and port facilities in danger of going under water if sea levels continue rising.

One scientist taking part in the mapping exercise, the Australian National University's (ANU) Professor Will Steffen, said the seas surrounding Australia were predicted to rise by between 20cm and 1.5 metres.

"We want to have a very fine resolution map right around Australia's coastal zone because sea levels have risen about 20cm in the last century or so and are predicted to increase much more," Prof Steffen told AAP.

Community geographic domain names

.au Community Domains (auCD) is a not for profit organisation that was established to facilitate the development of Community Geographic Domain Names (CGDNs) which provide communities with their own website address that has its own geographic place name, such as www.koonwarra.vic.au, www.wyndham.wa.au

Each community can utilize their unique, single geographical domain name to foster and develop stronger communities by promoting local economic activity and participation in social, cultural, learning and civic activities. There are now around 22,000 CGDNs available for licensing for not for profit organisations who broadly re present their community and the website addresses must be used for Community Websites.

auCD has welcomed the newest group of members to the CGDN initiative with Manilla, in northern New South Wales, launching their community website at www.manilla.nsw.au.

Applications for Community Geographic Domain Names are now open. Community groups can find all of the information they need to apply, including requirements and criteria online at www.aucd.org.au. For further information please contact: Leonie Parkinson, General Manager, auCD on (03) 9863 8577 or leonie.parkinson@aucd.org.au

ABS releases latest Measures of Australia's Progress

A publication designed to help people judge how Australia is doing - economically, socially and environmentally - was released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The flagship ABS publication Measures of Australia's Progress: Summary Indicators provides a suite of indicators which people can use to assess Australia's progress, including the economy, education - primary & secondary, Workplace Relations, financial institutions, environment. See www.abs.gov.au

Accessible Government Services for All

ALGA has recently been advised that the Accessible Government Services for All is the new Access and Equity Framework adopted by the Australian Government. The new Framework simplifies language used, retains key principles, aligns performance indicators with the principles, and most importantly streamlines Commonwealth agency reporting requirements in order to reinforce the importance of sharing and acknowledging good practices.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DICA) is seeking input from councils across Australia to highlight examples of good practice in the delivery of fair and accessible government services. As in previous years, the Australian Government would like to highlight the major achievements of local governments in recognising and responding to cultural and linguistic diversity. To this end, councils may wish to provide examples of how they have undertaken community consultation that has resulted in more efficient and responsive delivery of services.

The Accessible Government Services for All Report in scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in June 2007. Given this timeframe, councils are encouraged to provide brief summaries of worthy initiatives directly to Ms Barbara Shubert, Multicultural Affairs Branch, DICA via Barbara.Shubert@immi.gov.au For further enquires please phone 02 62642904.

Heart Foundation and Kellogg reward local governments for heart health initiatives

Did you launch an initiative to improve the health of your local community in 2006? If your answer is yes, then the Heart Foundation wants to hear from you. Entry into the 2007 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 $35,000 in cash awards and a plaque.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and a major source of disability in Australia. However, people can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by making healthier lifestyle choices. Local governments which create supportive environments to promote better health and reduce the risk of chronic conditions can receive recognition through the Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards.

Dr Peter Abernethy, Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Health Programs Director - National said: "The awards focus on the implementation of programs that build social connections, encourage people to be physically active, be smoke free and make healthy food choices. These highlight the impact that Local Governments are having on creating healthy communities."

The 2007 awards program has four categories:

  • Implementation of Plans and Policies 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 2007 awards are available from State/Territory offices of the Heart Foundation or from Heartline 1300 36 27 87. Entry form can be downloaded at www.heartfoundation.com.au/lga.

Changes to Skilled Temporary Visas

The Australian Government yesterday announced new changes to the Skilled Temporary Visa Laws.

The changes include new civil penalties for employers who breach the law, greater powers for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and the Office of Workplace Services, to investigate employers, faster processing of applications for some employers and a higher English language requirement to be eligible for a Skilled Temporary Visa.

The Migration Act will be amended to ensure employers of skilled temporary overseas workers (457visas) face tougher penalties if they breach their sponsorship obligations.

New civil penalties will apply for those employers who commit the most serious offences. Offences will relate to such matters as failure to pay the minimum salary level and using workers in unskilled jobs.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will also be given stronger powers to enforce employer compliance with the 457 visa program, including the power to conduct unannounced audits of employers and their premises.

This will be complemented with greater powers for the Office of Workplace Services to investigate breaches of the Minimum Salary Level.

The Australian Government will put in place formal arrangements for the fast-tracking of applications from those employers who have a strong and demonstrated record of complying with the 457 visa program.

Applications lodged by fast-tracked employers and their overseas personnel will be priority processed, helping to streamline access to skilled workers.

These changes will be introduced this year.

From 1 July 2007, employers will be required to ensure that overseas workers they sponsor have English language skills equivalent to an average score of 4.5 in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or a higher level where required as part of licensing or registration.

Applicants will be required to detail their English language skills and on a targeted basis, may be required to complete an IELTS test. The manner in which this requirement would be implemented will continue to be discussed with key industry groups.

State of the Regions report 2006-07
ALP National Conference begins today in Sydney

The ALP National Conference begins today. It will include debate on the Party's policy direction ahead of the federal election. Topics to be discussed include uranium mining, health, indigenous policy, education and climate change. The vote on whether to abandon the no-new uranium mines policy will take place on Saturday.

Labor has announced a shift in focus in its indigenous policy to concentrate on jobs and education. The policy calls for the establishment of a new national indigenous body, following the government decision to disband the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

The Report of the ALP Inquiry into the Financing and Provision of Australian Infrastructure will be launched at the ALP National Conference today.

The Report is critical of the lack of national coordination and under-investment in infrastructure and recommends a national infrastructure plan.

The Report's recommendation for the sensible evaluation of potential financing options to determine the most appropriate procurement method, including Public-Private Partnerships. Copies of the Report are available at www.alp.org.au.

Prime Minister unveils vision for Australia in 2020

Prime Minister John Howard has outlined his vision for Australia in 2020, in a speech titled 'Australia Rising' this week at the Queensland Media Club.

He said it was important to understand what the world will look like in the year 2020, in order to develop effective policies for the future. Mr Howard said the human face of globalisation would increasingly be Asian and middle class and it would be crucial to keep building the strength of the Australian economy. He said building a stronger and more competitive economy was one of his key priorities for the future, and next month's Budget would focus on keeping the economy strong and the nation secure.

Mr Howard said he wanted Australia in 2020 to still be the best country in the world to live, work, start a business and raise a family.

"As a government, we've made decisions in the past 11 years that impact directly on the lives of Australians," he said. "No doubt we've made our mistakes. All governments do."

"But we have never lost sight of the big things that affect people's lives - their jobs, the wellbeing of their families, decent health care, genuine choice in education and a good social safety net. We've never lost sight of the human dividend of a strong, growing economy."

2007 National Awards for Local Government

Nominations close on 11 May 2007 for this year's National Awards for Local Government. The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs are sponsoring several awards for 2007 - Youth Engagement; Valuing and Promoting Quality Child Care; Strengthening Indigenous Communities; and the Community Participation and Partnership Award. For further information about the awards, which are managed by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Freecall 1800 065 113, visit the website www.dotars.gov.au/local/awards or email awards@dotars.gov.au

Qld State Government announcement regarding amalgamations raises questions about Workplace Agreements

The announcement by the Qld State Government regarding boundary changes has resulted in many enquiries from councils as to what to do about agreements between now and March 2008.

Discussions are currently underway with the State Government and a detailed circular regarding this matter will be published shortly. In the meantime, if any council has a query regarding the status of their agreements or require advice as to what action might be taken regarding progressing any current negotiations on an agreement, please contact Gabrielle Walsh - Manager Workplace Relations on (07) 30002267 or email gabrielle_walsh@lgaq.asn.au

Pandemic Business Continuity Guidelines for Local Government

LGA of South Australia has produced Draft Pandemic Business Continuity Guidelines for South Australian Local Government. The Guidelines have been tailored for local government use and follow a structured risk management process.

The National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic includes a Statement of Cooperation between Australian Governments which was endorsed by COAG on 14 July 2006. A key component of the agreed roles and responsibilities specific to local government is the implementation and maintenance of business continuity plans to enable delivery of essential services.

Pandemic Awareness Project Officer Tony McLoughlin said the Pandemic Awareness Project recognised that there was a distinct lack of information about pandemic influenza in South Australian local government. "Business continuity planning is the starting point for this type of emergency," Mr McLoughlin said

The Guidelines provide a practical step by step approach to pandemic business continuity planning for local government. The Guidelines can be downloaded here.

The Pandemic Awareness Project is funded under Emergency Management Australia's Local Grants Scheme.

For further details contact; Tony McLoughlin on 08 8224 2045, or email: tony.mcloughlin@lga.sa.gov.au.

Regional arts funding agreement signed with ACT

A funding partnership announced between the Australian Government and the Australian Capital Territory Government will help ensure the arts sector in the ACT and south eastern NSW remains dynamic. The Australian Government Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, and ACT Chief Minister and Minister for the Arts, Mr Jon Stanhope MLA, have reached an agreement to provide Commonwealth funding to the South East Arts Region (SEAR) and Southern Tableland Arts (STARTS) organisations. Each organisation will fund arts activities that provide communities in south eastern NSW with access to the artistic and cultural resources of the ACT. The Australian Government has committed $16.1 million over the period 2004 05 to 2007 08 for regional arts support through regional arts organisations in each state. SEAR supports individual artists as well as the cultural activities of the councils of Bega Valley, Bombala, Cooma, Monaro, Eurobodalla and Snowy River. It has offices in Bega, Jindabyne and Moruya. STARTS, based at Goulburn, supports both individual artists and community arts participation in the Boorowa, Palerang, Goulburn, Mulwaree, Queanbeyan City, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Yass Valley council areas. Both organisations receive further funding from the relevant councils and from Arts NSW.

See more about the RAF here .

Regulations easier for Gold Coast/Tweed region businesses

The Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey, has launched Seamless Borders, a single entry point for small and home based businesses via a web portal and help services in the Tweed/Gold Coast region.

"It reduces cross border regulation for small businesses and provides a single information entry point for businesses on both sides of the Queensland and New South Wales borders," Minister Bailey said.

"The Gold Coast/Tweed region has also formed an alliance with the Albury/Wodonga region, which will make similar benefits available to businesses in that region."

The South East Queensland Seamless Borders project was supported by the Australian Government with funding of $570,000 from the Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund (RRIF).

The Minister presented project partners Gold Coast City Council, Tweed Shire Council and Tweed Economic Development Corporation representatives with an AusIndustry certificate of achievement in recognition of the project's contribution to cutting red tape and compliance costs.

News no surprise to irrigators - Murray Mayor

Murray Shire Council Mayor Brian Sharp says the possibility of no water allocations for irrigation purposes along the Murray-Darling Basin comes as no surprise to irrigators.

Prime Minister John Howard said last week that unless there was significant rainfall within weeks irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin would be allocated no water for their crops.

"It's probably no surprise to irrigators out here but it really is going to be bad," Mr Sharp said. He said if there were no water allocations the service industries for farmers would be affected.

"The irrigation industry is vital to this area right along the Murray valley if we don't get water for irrigation we are in trouble," he said.

"Despite the forecast Mr Sharp believes the irrigation industry was sustainable.

"The drought has been prolonged we hope that the wheel will keep turning and we are hoping that we will get some more rain."

Meanwhile, the federal government would appeal to all levels of the food supply chain to ensure there was no price gouging if Murray-Darling irrigators lost access to water, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile said.

Mr Vaile said that would be a serious situation as a great percentage of Australia's food was generated from the Murray-Darling Basin food bowl.

But, he said, the government would work hard to ensure farmers and consumers were not taken advantage of.

"The day-to-day effects on the average Australian family being able to afford their essentials each week is obviously critical to us all and we need to recognise that and appeal to that logistical supply chain from producers right through to retailers to recognise that in the marketplace," Mr Vaile told the Nine Network.

Local Government Association of Tasmania conference

The implications of climate change are far reaching and pose serious social, economic and environmental risks world-wide. Local Government leaders from around Tasmania will learn how they can play an important role in managing global warming at the 95th Local Government Conference to be held at Wrest Point in Hobart from 30 May to 1 June.

This year's conference, themed The Art of Survival, will address a range of challenges facing Local Government today including financial sustainability, the development and implementation of effective public art policy, skills shortages, health and wellbeing in the workplace and emergency management.

LGAT President Mike Gaffney said the Local Government Conference provided an exclusive opportunity for council employees and elected members throughout Tasmania to broaden their perspectives and discover new and innovative ways to move forward.

"It's imperative for the Local Government sector in Tasmania to meet regularly to discuss and debate issues and continually investigate ways of managing and facilitating change more effectively," Mayor Gaffney said.

For a copy of the Conference Program and Registration Form, phone (03) 6233 5966 or visit www.lgat.tas.gov.au. Please register by 14 May.

Quote of the week

"To give a man advice publicly is to cast blame upon him."
Ali

International news  

Britain will later this year remove the red tape from putting rooftop wind turbines on homes in an effort to cut global warming greenhouse gas emissions, Environment Secretary David Miliband has announced. Replying to a question during a blogging session on the Downing Street website, Miliband said that from Oct. 1 local planning regulations would be amended to "make it as easy to install a wind turbine as a satellite dish". Currently householders have to go through the cumbersome and lengthy process of applying for planning permission to install one of the devices, which can reduce household demand for electricity significantly, depending on wind speed. Miliband said that promotion of decentralised energy, such as combined heat and power and microgeneration, would be included in an energy white paper the government will publish in May.