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Emergency management for local government

Local government has an important role in emergency management. Emergency management pages have been updated and are now on-line which contain information on national policies and programs, resources, a tool-kit and information strategy as well as the results of several significant ALGA initiatives in relation to emergency management, disaster mitigation and national security. See http://www.alga.asn.au/policy/emergman/

The need to provide a national database and increase awareness of the importance of emergency management amongst councils has been highlighted by the National Local Government Emergency Management Survey completed by ALGA as part of the project designed to show the current state of emergency management and preparedness in local government throughout Australia. ALGA is grateful to the Attorney General's Department for funding the resources included on the page.

A record total of 354 survey on-line responses were received from a potential 674 councils. As expected, the natural hazards identified as major risks for a majority of Councils were bushfires, severe storms and floods.

Slightly more that half of the respondents saw emergency management as a very important function of local government, although only 27% saw local government as being very well or quite prepared for emergencies.

The Australian Government's Natural Disasters In Australia report in 2002, floods, bush-fires and tropical cyclones cause more than $1.4 billon damage to Australian homes, businesses and infrastructure each year. In addition to the substantial economic cost they also cause serious loss and impairment on functioning of urban and regional communities. Given this ongoing threat, and the growing potential of other natural and man-induced disasters be they a pandemic influenza or terrorism, governments at all levels, including local governments are accepting larger and more varied responsibilities to prepare for, manage, respond and recover from such devastating and disruptive impacts.

ALGA has also completed and provided to Emergency Management Australia a study of the 2005-06 grant application by local government for the Local Grants Scheme. The study has provided an insight into the number and types of grants by councils and identifies some factors which have affected the success of applications.

A total of 232 applications for funding were made by Local government bodies under the 2005-06 round of the Local Grants Scheme. NSW accounted for 46% of applications with Queensland next with 15% and Victoria with 12%.

A total of 161 of the 232 applications were successful. Queensland had a 89% success rate followed by NT, Tasmania and Western Australia each with 75%. NSW had a success rate of 58%.

57% of the proposed projects related to planning or other preparedness while just 6% of proposed projects related top prevention or mitigation (although this is to be expected given that there is a separate disaster mitigation funding program run by the Department of Transport and Regional Services).

For more information: Contact Rolf Fenner at ALGA on 02 61229400

Labor's national conference

Labor has flagged reform of the Financial Assistance Grants to local government if it wins government federally.

In a paper delivered during the ALP National Conference last week, the Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, Bob McMullan, said that Labor would look at "broadbanding" or combining a smaller number of Specific Purpose Payments into a larger pool to increase flexibility and reduce administration costs.

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell welcomed the debate. "The PricewaterhouseCoopers report into local government financing recommends a revision of the escalation methodology for FAGs from a mix of population growth and CPI to a new escalation formula tailored to local government cost movements," he said. "The value of these grants as a proportion of total Commonwealth taxation revenue has fallen by 35% from 1.18% in 1993-94 to 0.77% in 2007-08."

Mr McMullan said the states and territories had shown their frustration with COAG by forming the Council for Australian Federation; and by proposing a national reform agenda and the establishment of the COAG Reform Council to drive this agenda.

"An obvious area for reform is that of Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs) from the Commonwealth," he said. "There are three groups of SPP payments: Those paid directly to the states - an estimated $20.5 billion in 2006-07; those paid through the states - eg FAGs to local governments and grants to non-government schools - an estimated $7.4 billion in 2006-07; and, those paid direct to Local Government - $497.1 million in 2006-07.

"There are more than 90 SPPs to states and territories. They each have cumbersome and time consuming reporting requirements, in some cases costing more than the original payment. Many of these requirements are not on the public record, and are only contained in correspondence between the Commonwealth and the interested parties.

"In government, Labor would look at:

  • Simplifying and standardising administration and accountability;
  • Defining broad principles, objectives and performance measures to concentrate on outcomes, not inputs;
  • Allowing flexibility for states and territories to tailor programs to suit local needs – competitive federalism;
  • Coordinating programs with existing state or local government programs; and,
  • Giving incentives for states and territories to find better ways of doing things.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Trade and Regional Development Minister Simon Crean has outlined Labor's policy on regional development which was debated at the ALP National Conference.

He said that Labor was committed to a location-specific approach to regional development. Labor would create Regional Development Australia (RDA) to build the capacity of the Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) and create a stronger and more participatory regional development network. "They will be better able to develop strategic plans to determine regional priorities in partnership with the local community and will be better resourced so they can plan for the longer term," he said in an article posted onto the On Line Opinion website.

"They will also play an essential role in identifying their regional infrastructure priorities and the national infrastructure council to be set up by Labor, Infrastructure Australia, will be required to consult with them. The network does not serve to replace local government but to value-add it. Local governments across Australia recognise the need to achieve regional outcomes to find opportunities and meet challenges. RDA will build the invaluable partnerships across shire boundaries between public, private and community sectors.

"This is happening already in some regions but we must ensure all regions benefit from regional partnerships. Regional Development Australia will also provide a forum for people who wish to make a significant contribution to their local community but who wish to do so through a mechanism other than by being elected to government. We must continue to support them."

Mr Crean said another key element in the Labor regional platform was to bring regional policy into mainstream policy-making “rather than just hive off regional development into a separate program."

He said there must be a genuine commitment to localism to enable governments to respond with flexibility to local concerns and to provide a mechanism to ensure governments and departments work together.

Labor would address this with a commitment to break down the national budget by region to identify how much the key portfolios, such as health and education, are spending in each region.

"Local communities must have a greater say in how their needs can be met and provide a mechanism by which key portfolios can respond with flexibility to innovative solutions. regional bodies should be given a decision-making capacity about the distribution of these funds."

Landcare awards open for entries

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Landcare Australia encourages all local governments to celebrate their environmental achievements as the 2007-2008 State and Territory Landcare Awards open for entries.

Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath and country music star Adam Brand are leading the call for people around the country to enter the Landcare Awards, to recognise outstanding achievements in Landcare.

There are ten categories with awards to recognise individuals, schools, universities, local councils, primary producers, indigenous groups and many others.

The Leighton Holdings Local Government Landcare Partnerships Award is presented to an outstanding local government organisation, collaborating with its community to manage its local environment and natural resources. The winners in each State and Territory will receive state-wide recognition and be flown to a huge national ceremony held in Canberra in 2008.

In 2006, the national winners Johnstone Shire Council from Far North Queensland (pictured) were presented their award by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, in front of more than 700 people at the 2006 International Landcare Conference.

All information on entering the Landcare Awards, criteria and closing dates for entries is available through www.landcareonline.com
From the President

I am looking forward to the delivery of the Howard Government's 12th Budget next week. It is always a significant event in the political calendar, but even more so being an election year.

By now you will have received ALGA's 2007-08 Budget Submission 'Delivering Economic Growth and Social Cohesion for Australia.' It contains a comprehensive list of program and policy suggestions from local government which, we believe, reflect the increasingly diverse areas in which local government is now involved from building roads, to aged care services, housing, child care, the environment and emergency management.

Predicting what is in the Budget is always a bit like crystal-ball gazing, and the Treasurer always likes to pull an unexpected rabbit out of the hat such as his reforms to superannuation announced last year.

However, what we do know is that there will be allocations for road funding in the Budget. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, and the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, have already announced the renewal and extension of the Black Spot program and there were reports earlier this year that the Government was considering funding for AusLink 2, including Roads to Recovery, and for regional airports as part of its response to the 'Making Ends Meet' report. In addition, the Government will need to announce what it intends to do with the interstate distribution of the identified Roads Component of the Financial Assistance Grants, given that the extra local road funding for South Australia is in its final year.

We also have some hints from the Prime Minister about what may or may not be in Tuesday's Budget. He has stated that it would be economically responsible and maintain a strong surplus. He said he was well aware that low interest rates meant many households had substantial debt and the best thing that any government could do was keep the economy strong. Whether this strengthens or weakens the chance for large infrastructure spending or tax cuts is anyone's guess and will keep the commentators exercised over coming days.

The Budget provides the first opportunity for the Australian Government to commit to the four-year $250m Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund (LCIRF). This program was recommended by the PricewaterhouseCoopers report into local government financing and would help to address the huge $14.5b national infrastructure backlog. It would focus on renewing and replacing community infrastructure such as community centres and public halls, swimming pools, walking tracks, ovals and playing fields, libraries and tourism information centres. To invest in upgrading community infrastructure is to improve the health and well-being of communities and, in many cases, would act as a catalyst in the rejuvenation of local economies.

ALGA has been working hard to ensure that the Australian Government and the Opposition are briefed on the outcomes of the PwC report and understand the importance of setting up a fund such as the LCIRF. Our goal is for the major parties to commit to this initiative in the lead-up to the election later this year. A Budget announcement and/or a commitment from the Opposition in the Budget Reply would be a great result but it is far more likely that the LGIRF will be part of both parties' election consideration later in the year. We will have Budget updates on our website on Wednesday night and will put out a special Budget edition of 'ALGA News' next week. Whatever the outcomes, ALGA will continue to focus on our key priorities and to fight hard for services and programs which will benefit our local communities. I expect there are a few sleepless nights ahead in the lead-up to Tuesday!

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Senator seeks intervention on council mergers

Queensland Senator Ron Boswell is seeking federal government intervention to stop the Queensland government amalgamating local councils.

Senator Boswell has written to federal Local Government Minister, Jim Lloyd, asking for the review to be delayed while a joint state and federal review into financially struggling councils is undertaken.

He also has asked Mr Lloyd to consider revoking federal funding to councils that are merged, and questioned whether redrawing of council boundaries contravenes the Local Government Act.

Senator Boswell said the council amalgamations will endanger the economic viability of "far flung" Queensland communities.

He met with local council representatives in north-west Queensland this week.

Release of 'What's New in Regional Statistics'

The inaugural issue of 'What's New in Regional Statistics' (cat. no. 1376.1) is now available.

This biannual newsletter has been prepared as part of the ABS' Regional Statistics Program to provide information on the latest developments in statistics that are relevant to regions, including metropolitan, urban, non-urban and rural areas, and other information of likely interest to researchers, policy makers and other users of small area data.

'What's New in Regional Statistics' highlights products released by the Regional Statistics Program and includes articles on other ABS releases that are relevant to users of regional statistics.

Articles in this issue include:

  • The Information Development Plan for Rural and Regional Statistics
  • Regional Wages and Salaries
  • Rural and Regional Statistics Advisory Group
  • National Regional Profile
  • New Developments in Geocoding
  • 2006 Census Products
  • Regional Population Growth
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Tourist Accommodation
  • Measuring Agricultural Production
  • Regional Water Use
  • Measuring the Population Effects of Cyclone Larry
  • Free Statistics and Training
  • Perspectives on Regional Australia Publication Series

To find this newsletter on the ABS Website select 'News and Media' from the main menu at the top or bottom of the ABS homepage. At the next page choose 'ABS Newsletters'. Then click on '13. Year books and other multi-subject products'.

More than one third of Australian workers avoid public transport due to cost and quality

A new international workplace survey has found that more than a third of Australian workers use a private motor vehicle rather than public transport to travel to work, and most cite quality of service and cost as the main reasons they avoid public transport.

The survey by global recruitment agency, Kelly Services, found that 64% of Australian workers use public transport to travel to and from work while 36% use it only rarely or not at all. Australia's use of public transport was not high by international standards, ranking 15th out of 28 countries in the survey. This is despite that fact that 73% of respondents said that they have the choice of using public transport.

The ACT had the most accessible public transport in Australia with 89% of respondents saying they had the choice of using public transport to get to work. This was followed by NSW (79%), Western Australia (77%), Victoria (75%), South Australia (72%) and Queensland (63%).

When it comes to actually using public transport, by far the highest patronage was in NSW, with 79% using public transport rather than a motor vehicle. This was followed by Western Australia (68%), Victoria (61%), Queensland (59%), South Australia (56%) and the ACT (48%).

When asked what single factor would encourage greater use of public transport, the main issue was 'more convenient access' to services, nominated by 30% of respondents. Other factors were 'more frequent services', cited by 25%, and 'lower prices' (22%). Concern over the price of public transport was most pronounced in Victoria and NSW. Other issues such as improved comfort and better safety or security ranked relatively low in importance.

Winners of PIA National Planning Awards

Victoria has scooped the pool, taking home eight of the 13 awards handed out in Perth as part of the Planning Institute of Australia's National Awards for Planning Excellence.

Victoria picked up awards for the Melbourne & Regional Atlases, the Coastal Spaces Landscape Assessment Study, the City of Melbourne's hallmark CH2 (Council House 2) Building, and Urban Planning Achievement by David Locke Associates in association with The City of Darebin, VIC. The Brisbane City Council's City Centre Master Plan Team picked up the Urban Design Award and the Planning Minister's Award.

For other award winners and more information please see 'media' at www.planning.org.au

Toowoon Bay Wins Australian Clean Beach Challenge

Toowoon Bay on the NSW Central Coast has been named Australia's Cleanest Beach 2007 after winning Keep Australia Beautiful's prestigious Australian Clean Beach Challenge competition, which is proudly supported by the Packaging Stewardship Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Toowoon Bay took out the coveted title ahead of Queensland's Coolum Beach, Tasmania's Boat Harbour and last year's winner, Victoria's Balnarring Beach.

As well as the top award, Toowoon also picked up the Friendliest Beach title for its commitment to visitor hospitality and safety.

Keep Australia Beautiful New South Wales Chief Executive Matthew Taylor said Toowoon Bay Beach performed strongly across all the award criteria and was a deserving winner of the title, Australia's Cleanest Beach 2007.

"Toowoon Bay is a haven for families and offers outstanding beach facilities, including clean amenities, great parking, multilingual 'talking' signage, a modern and environmentally friendly surf club, playground, barbeque and picnic facilities and a designated dog exercise area," Mr Taylor said.

"Local residents, surf club members and Wyong Council staff keep the beach litter-free and the surf club Nippers remove weeds and plant suitable species provided by the Council to regenerate the foreshore.

"The surf club makes use of recycled water and seaweed collected during beach raking is dried and used as fertiliser on Council parks and reserves."

More than 300 beaches took part in the state competitions. Details of winners are available on www.kabnsw.org.au. Entries for the 2007 NSW Competition open on 1 June.

Mission Australia's 2007 National Survey of Young Australians

Mission Australia is conducting its sixth survey of young Australians aged between 11-24 years. Its primary purpose is to identify and clarify the key and emerging issues for young people. It asks young people about what they value; their concerns; sources of advice and support; involvement in community activities, whether they identify as Indigenous and if they live in or outside a capital city. In 2006, 14,700 young people responded to the survey.

The survey publicly affirms that young people and their views are valued by the community and is a valuable resource for:

  • young people themselves
  • those working with young people, in helping to evaluate and improve their programs and policies
  • those involved in youth issues, including youth organisations, researchers, employers, politicians
  • anyone concerned about the wellbeing of young people.

The survey can be completed online at www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey, or you can contact Kathryn Di Nicola on (02) 9219 2022 for copies to be sent to you.

The closing date for the survey is 29th June for all states and the ACT and 27th July for the Northern Territory.

Copies of the report of the survey findings will be available late in 2007 and broadly distributed.

AHURI Housing Conference - New perspectives on Federal-State relations in housing policy

The conference last week in Melbourne covered:

  • the latest research evidence on the outcomes of current Australian housing policy;
  • an examination of housing system reform in a range of international settings;
  • a comparative and strategic analysis of Federal-State policies in education, health and housing;
  • consideration of the implications of participatory decision making and local democracy for the provision of public services such as housing assistance; and
  • perspectives on reinventing inter-government collaboration from the point of view of consumers, developers, State/Territory and Federal housing policy departments.

For those who were unable to attend the conference, presentations are now available at www.ahuri.edu.au See events/media/event booking/AHURI conference.

National Best Practice Guidelines Survey - deployment of broadband in greenfield developments

BSR Solutions is undertaking a survey of local governments across Australia to assist the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts better understand the current level of involvement of local government and other planning authorities in developing guidelines for the deployment of broadband to new development sites. Results from this survey and other research will inform further consideration of the development of best-practice guidelines.

The survey is directed at the senior planning officer within a local government authority and will take five to ten minutes to complete. More information about the survey and the survey itself can be found here

Councils are invited to complete the relevant sections of this survey, regardless of their current involvement with broadband planning or consideration. Completed surveys are requested to be completed by Friday 4 May 2007. For further information please contact Mr Robert Wheeler on 0412866421.

Green purchasing tackles climate change

Victorian councils are demonstrating their commitment to a cleaner, greener environment by spending $75 million on green products in 2005-06 and continuing to expand their use of green purchasing policies, action plans and green specifications in contracts and tenders.

Municipal Association of Victoria President, Cr Dick Gross said local government's per capita spending on green products had jumped by more than $14 in five years, now representing $20.20 per resident since the ECO-Buy program commenced in 2000.

The outstanding achievements of local government were recognised at the annual ECO-Buy Awards for Excellence.

WA Minister calls for innovative projects to benefit regional communities

Regional Development Minister Jon Ford today called for grant applications for non- capital works projects designed to deliver cross regional benefits to country communities.

Mr Ford said grants between $10,000 and $250,000 were available from the Western Australian Regional Initiatives Scheme (WARIS) as part of the Government's four year $80million Regional Investment Fund.

The Minister said WARIS played an important role in creating opportunities to expand the State's potential through encouraging investment, creating jobs and improving services in regional areas.

"The State Government is committed to promoting sustainable regional communities and, through the fund, we are able to provide support for a variety of projects that can benefit entire communities," he said.

"These may include projects relating to tourism and business development, lifelong learning, arts and culture, environment and natural resource management and population retention."

For further information about the scheme, including project eligibility criteria, contact the Department of Local Government and Regional Development on 9217 1500 or freecall (country callers) 1800 620 511.

WARIS details and guidelines are also available on the Department's website

Solar panel rebate increase may be in Budget

The Prime Minister, John Howard, has hinted the Federal Budget may include an increase in the rebate given to Australians who install solar power panels on their properties.

The rebate, designed to offset the $10,000 to $15,000 cost of installation, was introduced six years ago.

"We are going to maintain that scheme, the Treasurer's announced that," Mr Howard said when asked on Southern Cross Radio when the government would increase the rebate on domestic solar panels.

Treasurer Peter Costello said in October that the $4,000 rebate for households who install solar power panels was not under threat.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd outlined a $300 million green renovation scheme on the last day of Labor's national conference. He said that under the scheme households would be able to borrow up to $10,000 to fit their homes with solar panels, rainwater tanks and other green products. He said that around 200,000 households on up to $250,000 a year will be able to take advantage of the program which will offer loans of up to $10,000, with interest capped at the inflation rate, for green products aimed at making established homes more energy and water efficient.

Local Government Skills Shortage Strategy Released

A national strategy to address skills shortages in local government was released this week at the Local Government Managers Australia National Congress in Hobart. The strategy was developed by a steering committee, chaired by Ms Lynn Russell, CEO of Thuringowa Council, which comprised membership of all major peak bodies associated with local government, including ALGA. The recommendations of the strategy reflect consideration of work underway in this area, particularly that of State and Territory Local Government Associations which have led the way in developing innovative ways to recruit and retain skilled council staff. The strategy’s major recommendation, which will be pursued with the Australian Government, calls for the establishment of a virtual centre of excellence which would act as a clearing house for best practice ideas in addressing the skills shortage. The strategy is expected to be uploaded next week on the LGMA's website www.lgma.org.au.

Second funding recipient for Clever Networks announced

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, has announced the second funding recipient under the first round of the Clever Networks program.

It is proposed that $2, 139, 884 in funding will be provided by the Australian Government to the Greater Western Area Health Service, with matching funding from the NSW Government.

The Greater Western Area Health Service will use broadband connectivity, together with three advanced clinical systems, to improve patient care in rural and regional areas of New South Wales. This project has been developed in partnership with NSW Health.

The Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) is the largest Area Health Service in New South Wales, covering more than 55 per cent of the state. Clever Networks is a $113 million Australian Government program that will see smart solutions to improve delivery of services in regional, rural and remote Australia through innovative broadband projects.

Other successful projects to receive Clever Networks first round funding will include virtual healthcare, remotely accessible interactive education services, and delivery of integrated state-wide emergency services.

More information about specific projects will become available as each successful negotiation is concluded on www.dcita.gov.au/clevernetworks

Meanwhile, Wednesday's 'The Australian' reported that Telstra is planning to launch an aggressive new advertising campaign attacking the federal Government over broadband policy, following the collapse of an agreement struck between Communications Minister Helen Coonan and Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo.

According to the front-page article, after more than a month of negotiations, the Government and Telstra came to terms at the end of last week for the rollout of a new high-speed broadband network worth more than $4 billion. The arrangement was blocked by Australian Competition and Consumer chairman Graeme Samuel.

High Court dismisses Norfolk Island appeal

The High Court has dismissed a challenge to the validity of commonwealth legislation that requires voters and candidates in Norfolk Island elections to be Australian citizens.

Norfolk Island Chief Minister Geoff Gardner and island resident Geoff Bennett had sought to determine the constitutional status of islanders.

They hoped their case would uphold the democratic rights of Norfolk Islanders and protect their current levels of self-government.

But the court held unanimously that the Norfolk Island Amendment Act was a valid exercise of the commonwealth parliament's constitutional power to make laws for the government of any territory.

More Support for Bushfire Fighters

The Australian Government has announced it will spend an extra $61.2 million over the next four years, including $15 million in 2007 08, to fight bushfires.

"The 2007-08 Budget provides funding to extend two bushfire initiatives, aerial fire fighting and the Bushfire Mitigation Program, which help the states, territories and local councils respond to the threat of bushfires," the Prime Minister, John Howard, said.

The Government will provide $41.2 million over the next four years ($10 million in 2007 08) to help the states and territories lease aerial firefighting equipment. On a yearly basis, our spending on aerial firefighting will increase by 25 per cent from its current level, $8 million in 2006 07.

The Government will also spend $20 million over the next four years ($5 million in 2007 08) to extend the Bushfire Mitigation Program, which helps fund fire trails and other measures to make it quicker and easier for firefighters to get bushfires under control.

The program was originally due to end in 2006 07. It will now continue until June 2011. The extension of the program will help fund more than 1000 new bushfire mitigation projects around Australia.

The Government introduced the program in 2004 05, and it has already helped fund significant infrastructure works, including the construction or upgrade of over 4000 kilometres of fire trails, the maintenance of more than 9000 kilometres of fire trails, the construction or repair of 58 bridges, the installation of 74 culverts, 39 water tanks, 11 other water supply projects and 88 fire trail signage projects.

All local councils and the state and territory governments are eligible to apply for funding assistance under the program. Fire trails on private land are also eligible for funding when the state or territory government has a written agreement with the landholder about liability, access and maintaining the trail. Further details on www.pm.gov.au

Local Roads Deterioration Models

ARRB has completed the analysis of condition data collected over the last few years at 100 unsealed road sites across Australia and has developed deterioration models for gravel loss, road roughness and the loss of cross-section shape.

Deterioration models are also being developed for sealed local roads based on 500 sites across Australia. Interim models should be available later this year for cracking, binder hardness, rutting, road roughness and pavement strength.

All deterioration models developed will be provided at no cost to councils that have contributed to the studies. Other councils can purchase the models from ARBB. The contact at ARRB is George Giummarra 03 9881 1563

Healthy Spaces and Places: National Planning Guidelines Project

The Australian Local Government Association, Planning Institute of Australia and the National Heart Foundation Australia with support from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing have recently embarked on a project to develop national planning guidelines to provide an integrated approach to the design of healthy built environments for Australians.

This project was a recommendation from the 2005-06 National Speakers Series conducted by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, focusing on the needs of older Australians. These proposed guidelines will have a broader scope and cover all ages.

The need for these guidelines has also been identified amongst planning practitioners and other professions involved in the built environment, reflecting emerging research evidence which demonstrates the linkages between major health issues and the built environment.

It is proposed that the guidelines will take a national perspective and address strategic and practical applications, and include supporting case studies addressing different geographical scales, policy agendas and target groups. The guidelines will have applicability to all levels of government and the development industry and provide an integrated, cross-sectoral approach, highly relevant to policy delivery at the State/Territory and local levels.

There has already been a lot of work done at the State/Territory level around this issue. This project aims to encompass this policy work into the proposed guidelines.

The first stage of the project (currently underway) will review current research and policy settings, undertake targeted stakeholder consultation and develop the broad scope for the draft national planning guidelines. This first stage is being funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

For further information about the project please contact Mr Matt Lawrence at ALGA on 02 6122 9421 or matt.lawrence@alga.asn.au

National Water Initiative

At a recent meeting in Canberra, the National Water Commission's Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) highlighted the importance of the National Water Initiative (NWI) to achieving much improved water management across Australia and reiterated the pivotal role of the National Water Commission in driving implementation of the NWI.

ALGA, as a member of the Reference Group, was briefed on progress to date against the Prime Minister's National Plan for Water Security and that this plan was a key opportunity to give effect to the reforms in the NWI.

The Reference Group identified a number of key national water reform priorities. These included the need for further improvements to NWI; consistent water planning across Australia; the need to better clarify water entitlements - particularly bulk entitlements - and environmental allocations; the need for further effort to realise water sensitive urban design and urban water reform objectives; and that building human capacity and the technical skills to deliver reforms is critical.

The Reference Group noted that following the reorganisation of Australian Government water agencies, the Commission had retained its assessment and program management roles and will continue to report independently to the Council of Australian Governments on national water issues and progress against the NWI. A new Environment and Water Resources portfolio has been created as a result of the reorganisation, with Malcolm Turnbull the responsible Minister.

Members attending the meeting included the Australian Bankers' Association, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Local Government Association, Australian Water Association, Crawford Fund, Irrigation Association of Australia, Minerals Council of Australia, National Farmers' Federation, National Water Commission, Queensland Farmers' Federation, Water Services Association of Australia and the World Wildlife Fund. The Business Council of Australia is also a member organisation.

Sydney's Town Hall to get facelift

A major restoration planned for Sydney's historic sandstone Town Hall will cost $60 million and close the building for a year.

A team of stonemasons will work on the crumbling facade, while archaeologists supervise a dig beneath the building, into the earth of Sydney's first cemetery.

The excavated space will then be used for a new plant room.

Inside the 118-year-old building, tradesmen will upgrade wiring, air-conditioning and plumbing.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced that the work could start next year, saying it was time "to bite the bullet" and rescue the building after years of inaction.

Ms Moore said up to $60 million would be spent on the five-year project, half of it on purchasing sandstone, if council approved the plan.

Council meetings and administrative offices would be housed in existing City of Sydney buildings during any closure, but a shut down would cost council $1.5 million in lost events revenue, she said.

Consultant architect Howard Tanner said his restoration plan would put the building in "absolutely perfect order" for the next 25 years - AAP

Quote of the week

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
Dr Martin Luther King

International news  
ARTFUL LOO

Central London's famous Soho district is to get a new landmark - a toilet for children and community groups that also aims to be a work of art.

The STG52,000 ($A125,600) lavatory, which is the height of a bungalow, will provide facilities for community users, who have worked on the design of the egg-shaped "toilet-pod" with the architects.

According to Westminster Council, the toilet has been crafted out of chestnut, oak and other softwoods and has been designed to fit in with local surroundings.

Photography by Elaine Duigenan will decorate the inside of the toilet, while local residents and visitors will also be invited to showcase art in the small building.

Councillor Alan Bradley, of Westminster City Council, which contributed 20,000 to the cost of the lavatory, said: "The toilet is a wonderful idea and it has been a pleasure to work with the local community in delivering such a cetral feature to the area.

"Not only is the toilet functional but it's also a piece of art."

State of the Regions report 2006-07