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Cr Bell meets with UK councils

Local Roads

The President of the Queensland Local Government Association and President of ALGA, Cr Paul Bell, met recently with the President of the Local Government Association of the UK, Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, at the Houses of Parliament in London. Cr Bell also met with individual councils in the UK to discuss their experiences of shared services and internal reforms. The LGAQ had been diligently working through a Size, Shape and Sustainability process of internal reforms when the Queensland Government in what Cr Bell described as 'an act of treachery,' decided to undertake a state-wide program of amalgamations. Cr Bell participated in a UN conference on community services this week including a Mayor Roundtable hosted by the UN Human Settlements Program.

Cr Paul Bell also met with senior representatives of the UK LGA's 4ps (Public Private Partnerships Program) organisation which has both a service delivery and educative role in private financing of council infrastructure in the UK. The 4ps organsiation is regarded as a world leader in gateway reviews of major asset procurement strategies. 4ps, the local government procurement expert, was established in 1996 by the English and Welsh local authority associations (predecessors to the LGA). 4ps offers comprehensive procurement support to local authorities including hands-on project support, gateway reviews, skills development and 'know-how' procurement guidance in the form of procurement packs, case studies and extranets.

Community engagement key to Government's child protection plan

Smart Truck

The Federal Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, has outlined operations over the next days and weeks as part of the Howard Government's NT reform package to protect children.
http://www.facsia.gov.au/internet/Minister3.nsf

The Australian Government last week seized control of 60 NT Aboriginal communities as Prime Minister John Howard declared the problem of child abuse a "national emergency".

The intervention, which involves bans on alcohol and hardcore pornography, welfare restrictions, increases in police numbers and compulsory health checks for Aboriginal children, followed the release of a damning report on the abuse of youngsters in the region. The Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse made 97 recommendations to try to combat the disturbing epidemic, including a shake-up of the education system, more support from government agencies and the tightening of pornography laws. The full report is available at http://www.nt.gov.au/dcm/inquirysaac/

Minister Brough said that small survey teams would commence community engagement and area surveys in a number of communities across the southern half of the NT.

"The teams will consist of NORFORCE vehicles, personnel and logistic support for a small group comprising officers from Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Health, DEWR and Centrelink. There may be some AFP personnel.

"It is important that these small teams, many of whom have NT understanding and experience, have the opportunity to sit down and have a meaningful engagement with communities. These initial visits this week will include scoping existing facilities in communities and establishing future needs as part of the reform package.

"As the Prime Minister and I have said, the reform process in the NT will take time. We are determined to do this and it will be a deliberate and firm process but with respectful engagement with communities at the local level.

Prominent businessman Roger Corbett and Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Peter Shergold will join a taskforce overseeing the federal government's plan to stamp out indigenous child abuse in the Northern Territory.

Indigenous magistrate Sue Gordon will chair the taskforce, which will also include former AFP assistant commissioner Shane Castles and former Australian Medical Association (AMA) national president Bill Glasson.

The other members will be barrister and former Labor MP John Reeves, National Indigenous Council member Miriam Rose Baumann and chief executive of the NT Chief Minister's Department Paul Tyrrell.

Mr Brough said the taskforce, to be based in Alice Springs, would guide the emergency response and advise the government on a range of issues.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said both sides of politics should work together cooperatively to try and find solutions to problems confronting indigenous Australians.

Rainwater tank rebates under Labor plan

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Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese have announced that, if elected, Labor would help 500,000 households across Australia install rainwater tanks or grey water pipes to help combat Australia's urban water shortages through a National RainWater/GreyWaterPlan.

Mr Rudd and Mr Albanese said that Labor would work in partnership with state and local authorities to deliver this plan and ensure that local health and environmental standards are achieved.

Under the plan, a Labor Government would invest $250 million over six years to offer a rebate of up to $500 for 500,000 homes to help install new piping for grey water use or rainwater tanks.

Mr Rudd and Mr Albanese said the National Rainwater/GreyWater Plan alone could see up to 50,000 million litres of grey water saved every year if all available grey water is used. "That's the equivalent of 25,000 Olympic swimming pools every year," they said.

In its response to the Federal Budget, Federal Labor has also announced if it wins the federal election it would set up a $250 million National Water Security Plan for Towns and Cities to secure water supplies by repairing water pipes and reducing leaks, wastage and evaporation.

Meanwhile Brisbane City Council will give people an extra rebate of 300 dollars to help cover the cost of plumbing rainwater tanks. The council has budgeted $18.5 million for the scheme up from $16 million.
From the President

Local government has consistently argued the case for fast, affordable and accessible internet coverage across Australia. It is particularly gratifying to see both major parties coming out with large-scale broadband proposals.

The Australian Government's plan for regional areas was released last week, promising 99 per cent of Australians will get access to high speed internet under a combination of a fibre rollout in cities and a wireless network in the bush.

Labor has promised if it wins the election it would invest up to $4.7 billion to establish the National Broadband Network connecting 98 per cent of Australians to high speed broadband internet services - at a speed more than 40 times faster than most current speeds. Under Labor's plan, the rollout of a new 'Fibre To The Node' network would increase speed to a minimum of 12 megabits per second. The remaining two per cent of Australians in regional and remote areas not covered by this network would have improved broadband services. Both policies can be viewed at www.alp.org.au/policy/index.php and www.minister.dcita.gov.au/media/
media_releases.

The last two 'State of the Regions' reports prepared by National Economics and ALGA outlined a strong case for high-speed, low-cost broadband in regional areas. They show how local communities can benefit in terms of trade, commerce and improve their economic and social vitality by connecting up to the information superhighway.

The technology is changing all the time so while keeping informed about what options are available, we have chosen not to pick winners, but rather to focus on outcomes.

My reading of both plans is that both parties are offering substantial subsidies to provide regions with broadband access, with remote areas having to rely on wireless and satellite technology.

There are questions about whether regions should have fibre-optic cables or WiMAX and whether the bandwidth will be adequate to service the number of users. The Prime Minister has said that the wireless feeds will be up to 12 megabits per second are more advanced then anything that is currently available.

The Government's plan, which it calls Australia Connected, has two main initiatives:

  • Roll-out of broadband to rural and regional areas by 2009, using a wireless system and undertaken by a joint venture of Optus and Elders (This initiative will be partly funded by $958 million from the Federal Government); and
  • A new commercial fibre optic network to be rolled out to the cities and large regional centres following a competitive bid process (This initiative will not receive any government funding)

The Government is looking for infrastructure investors to put in a fibre to the node (FTTN) network as early as mid-2009 and the process of submitting bids to the expert panel will begin immediately. The assumption at this stage is that there will be two bidders - Telstra and the G9.

The announcement, not surprisingly, has triggered debate about the adequacy of wireless technology, the differentiation between rural and urban users, and the duplication of existing infrastructure. The issues are complex and the competing advantages of the differing proposals from the Government and the Opposition are likely to be the subject of much more analysis over the next few months. What is clear, however, is that both parties have focused on solutions which reach the greatest proportion of rural and regional users. This has always been the priority for ALGA.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

States bill to homebuyers - $19 billion

Homebuyers and renters affected by housing affordability will not be surprised by revelations in the media today that states and territories have reaped a record $19 billion in property taxes and charges over the past year.

In yesterday's Senate Question Time, Minister for Community Services Nigel Scullion said that exorbitant state taxes on land and property are a major factor in pushing house prices out of the reach of ordinary Australians.

"The issue at the heart of the housing affordability debate is supply. There are simply not enough houses and that has caused both rental costs and house prices to escalate," Senator Scullion said.

"The housing affordability cycle is such that the more taxes are heaped on property and land, the more house prices increase, less people make the investment to build which causes a supply issue, which pushes prices up again.

"The Australian Government recognises concern in the community and is meeting its obligations through assistance measures such as $2.2 billion for Rent Assistance and the $4.75 billion Commonwealth State Housing Agreement.

"However, the impact of the billions of dollars we invest is negated by the states and territories siphoning the money out the other side in the form of property tax.

Assisting irrigators in the southern Murray-Darling basin

With the threat of the worst floods in 17 years in Victoria's east and major downpours in parts of NSW, parts of Australia are still affected by the drought.

The Local Government and Shires Association of NSW has warned that recent flooding is not an excuse to downgrade water restrictions and other water saving measures.

"The recent rains have significantly topped up dams, but it doesn't mean the drought is over, or that we should be relaxing our approach to water saving," President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

"Now is the time that all spheres of government, councils and their communities should be vigilant about water use, so that we are better prepared for future extended dry periods.

Victoria's flood victims will be eligible for federal government cash grants of up to $1,000 if they have suffered serious injury, or badly damaged homes.

Prime Minister John Howard said today the government would make the payments over and above state government grants announced yesterday.

He pledged cash relief after torrential rain in the south-eastern Gippsland area this week caused rivers to burst their banks and flood several towns. Several more towns were still at risk today.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks yesterday announced Gippsland flood victims may be eligible for state government emergency assistance grants of between $900 and $7,300.

He also committed the government to paying for emergency protection works and meeting 75 to 100 per cent of the costs of restoring municipal infrastructure.

People wishing to apply for the federal government cash grants can call 180 2211. (180 2211)

Mr John Howard also recently announced a range of measures to support farmers and communities during the period of reduced water allocations which are placing great strain on many farmers and their communities.

With the Premiers of New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, and the Chief Minister of the ACT, the Australian Government has released the third Murray-Darling Basin contingency plan report. It highlights the ongoing serious shortages of water for irrigators in the southern basin.

For information on Australian Government drought assistance measures, please call the Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line on 1800 050 015 to check eligibility for drought assistance or visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website at www.daff.gov.au.

Future of Local Government Summit

The third Future of Local Government (FOLG) Summit held in Melbourne last week agreed on three frameworks to help councils across the nation share an agreed vision for the future that embraces internal reforms and addresses key challenges in a proactive and collective way.

Cr Dick Gross, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said local government was not just paying lip service with a one way whinge that blamed others, instead believing it had a responsibility to demonstrate its maturity and seek rather than be impervious to change.

"This is about finding a common approach for councils to adapt to changing community needs, adopt solutions to combat the ongoing pressure on council rates and create the impetus for better inter-governmental funding arrangements.

"The accountability framework advocates more engagement using community planning models as the key driver for stronger Council Plans that deliver on local service needs and priorities," he said.

The three FOLG Summits were hosted by the MAV to lead, encourage and inspire the sector to define its preferred future direction and create the roadmap to achieve it. The pursuit of internal reforms was also a key recommendation of the PricewaterhouseCoopers national financial sustainability study produced last year for the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

Cr Gross said the sector had shown great leadership in examining how it contributed to the evolution of its roles and directions; and how to best meet future expectations of communities and other governments, while also ensuring councils' long-term viability.

"If embraced nationally, the frameworks could reinforce respect for local government, provide greater autonomy and financial sustainability, and secure an equal partnership in decision making and service delivery with other levels of government.

"The MAV will now be approaching the ALGA and other State Local Government Associations to support and endorse the frameworks for use by councils across the nation," he concluded.

5th Annual LGAQ Environment Conference - Hervey Bay, 11-13 July.

Local governments increasingly face significant challenges on the environmental front, both from existing issues such as pest and waste management through to emerging issues such as climate change and the impacts of significant water shortages. The LGAQ Environment Conference - 'Local Government - Meeting the Environmental Challenge' will be a great opportunity to hear from national experts and listen to ground-breaking case studies from councils across Queensland. Topics for the 2007 Conference include: profiling energy efficient councils, climate change, environment protection, waste management, pest management, and peri-urban impacts on natural resource protection. Conference delegates will also have the chance to experience a field tour and inspect some of the innovative approaches that Hervey Bay City Council is undertaking to manage its rapid population growth. Registration details are available on the LGAQ website, www.lgaq.asn.au under Key Events. For further information contact Bron Browning, LGAQ Conference Coordinator on 3000 2220.

Coffs Harbour hosts Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference

Coffs Harbour will host the Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference at Opal Cove Resort, 5 – 7 September 2007.

The conference provides a forum for discussion on issues relating to Aboriginal communities from a local perspective. This annual conference attracts up to 200 delegates from throughout NSW.

The theme for this year's conference is "Working Together." The program will highlight a number of current issues including aboriginal education, health and employment.

The conference is a key event in the Local Government calendar, providing an essential forum for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal councillors and staff across NSW. The conference is an important way of raising awareness and developing networks and strategies to address the complex range of issues facing Aboriginal communities today.

Keynote speaker Jack Thompson will address the delegation and says "there are many significant issues currently confronting our aboriginal communities that we will discuss and bring to the forefront at this key industry forum."

A trade display is planned for a key location within the venue to encourage interaction between sponsors, representatives and delegates during the conference.

Further information is available from the Conference Managers on 1300 368 783 or online at www.lganconference2007.com

New skills assessment service for migrants

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, have announced the successful provider of a new service to assess people with trade skills wishing to migrate to Australia - a consortium of Victorian and Western Australian registered training organizations.

During the second half of this year all prospective migrants with trade skills will be tested to agreed Australian standards before coming to Australia.

"The new service will include an assessment of qualifications, skills and licensing requirements to make it easier for skilled migrants to work immediately upon arrival in Australia. This will also assist in meeting industry demands," Minister Andrews said.

"General electricians, cable jointers, electrical power line persons, general plumbers, motor mechanics, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics, carpenters and joiners and bricklayers from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the Philippines will be able to access the service."

The lead member of the consortium is VETASSESS. Other members include Kangan Batman TAFE, Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Victoria University, Swan TAFE, Great Southern TAFE, South West Regional College and Central Gippsland TAFE. Applications from prospective migrants will be accepted from 1 September 2007.

Climate change - business engagement

The BCSE - with funding support from the Australian Greenhouse Office - will be holding Information Sessions on the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).

The APP brings together Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States to address the challenges of climate change, energy security and air pollution in a way that encourages economic development and reduces poverty.

The APP Information Sessions will provide participants with valuable information on the Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation Task Force within the APP. The Task Force is working to increase access to, and accelerate the uptake of, affordable and reliable renewable energy and distributed generation across the Partnership countries. In doing so, the Task Force has supported many collaborative projects. Examples of Australian-led projects that have received Australian Government funding will be presented through several case studies.

The Information Sessions offer the opportunity for businesses to meet representatives from the Australian Government working with the Task Force, to discuss potential APP projects, present views on barriers and define needs of Australian businesses to strengthen their engagement across the APP.

MELBOURNE 2nd July - PriceWaterhouseCoopers Building
2 Southbank Boulevard
Southbank VIC 3000

BRISBANE 3rd July - PriceWaterhouseCoopers Building
Riverside Centre, Level 15
123 Eagle Street
Brisbane, Queensland 4000

SYDNEY 6th July - PriceWaterhouseCoopers Building
Darling Park Tower 2, 201 Sussex Street
Sydney, New South Wales 2000

ADELAIDE 9th July - PriceWaterhouseCoopers Building
91 King William Street, Level 14
Adelaide SA 5000

PERTH 10th July - Mercure Hotel Perth
10 Irwin Street
Perth WA 6000

For more information about these briefings or other upcoming BCSE events go to the website at www.bcse.org.au or contact Alison / Lorrae by phone: 03 9349 3077 or email: events@bcse.org.au

The virtual building

Technology allows us to design faster now than ever before, offering more time for collaboration and critique. Virtual building models are becoming more intelligent and articulate. Construction companies and building owners are finding such models increasingly useful. Parallel processes are necessary as design time is usually limited. Delivered by key practitioners from ARUP, this seminar will provide examples of state of the art design technologies related to:

  • Building Physics
  • Indoor Environment Quality, including acoustics and daylighting
  • Access and Egress Modelling
  • Building Information Modelling
  • Virtual Construction and Scheduling
  • Individual behavioural patterns of building occupants
  • City and precinct modelling
  • Real time optimisation

Events are planned for Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Darwin, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Newcastle starting 5 July. For more information visit www.architecture.com.au or phone 0262082100
Opposition to council mergers growing quickly, says LGAQ

Just under two-thirds of Queenslanders are opposed to the forced amalgamation of Queensland councils, according to a survey conducted for the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).

A government-initiated commission is in the process of reviewing the boundaries of the state's 157 councils, which could lead to forced mergers for some financially struggling shires.

The survey conducted last weekend by research company Market Facts showed 60.5 per cent of the 600 respondents did not support the amalgamation process.

A similar survey in April showed 28.7 per cent of Queenslanders were opposed to the process, LGAQ president Paul Bell said.

"Around the state, as people have become acquainted with the real issues, there's been a 180 degree turnaround in public opinion in just two months," he said.

The number of people who support council amalgamations has fallen from 49.7 per cent in April to 28.7 per cent, the survey showed.

Only 10 per cent of respondents believed the government's reforms were fair to all parties involved, he said.

Cr Bell said that twenty-one Queensland councils labelled as "weak" in the Queensland Treasury Corporation’s assessment which led to the determination of the state government to force council amalgamations had financial ratio indicators better than a number of top Australian listed companies.

"The report by insolvency experts, McGrath Nicol, commissioned by the LGAQ, lists current financial ratios of AGL Energy, BHP Billiton, Coates Hire, Macquarie Infrastructure Group, Origin Energy, Telstra, Virgin Blue, Wesfarmers and others as inferior to the 21 councils named," Cr Bell said.

Meanwhile outback families have begun letterboxing Brisbane residents, calling for support from the city against proposed rural council amalgamations.

The first stage of the campaign, which features support from former rugby league great Shane Webcke and country music star James Blundell, is aiming to deliver brochures to more than 120,000 households across Queensland.

The campaign is initially targeting Labor-held electorates, with the aim of pressuring Premier Peter Beattie and Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser to overturn their decision to review rural shire borders.

The commission is currently sifting through more than 30,000 submissions and is due to report in August.

Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) manager David Arnold said he hoped the letterbox campaign, which will target south-east Queensland before spreading across the state, would make Mr Beattie rethink his decision.

Last chance for Local Roads and Transport Congress in Newcastle on 8-10 July

Only one week to go to the Local Roads and Transport Congress and it is still not too late to register. The ALGA Local Roads and Transport Congress will be held in Newcastle on 8-10 July. It will provide an opportunity to show support for the region as it recovers from the recent flooding.

Speakers from the Federal Government and the Opposition at this Congress include:

  • The Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile
  • The Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd
  • The Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, Martin Ferguson and
  • The Shadow Minister for Local Government, Senator Kate Lundy

With both sides of politics well represented at the Congress and the Federal election due later this year, delegates will be well placed to put their views and show support for extension of the Roads to Recovery Program and argue for its future permanence.

The Congress is also an opportunity to hear from eminent speakers on topics of interest to local government ranging from roads, climate change, heavy vehicles, mobility and access for regional Australia and urban design.

Speakers include:

  • Professor Peter Newman
  • Tim Shanahan
  • the Australian Greenhouse Office
  • Michael Deegan, Chairman of the National Transport Commission
  • Road consultant John Howard speaking on local roads data
  • Roland Williams
  • Professor Ian Gray
  • Cr Helen Abrahams
  • Commissioner Graham Innes , Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission
  • Mark Mackenzie

Delegates can register and pay for the Congress online at www.alga.asn.au/roadscongress

DNA testing kits for dog attack scenes

A new dog attack DNA kit will help authorities get canine DNA evidence at dog-attack scenes.

Local councils, livestock owners and police investigators are set to benefit from the new technology, developed by Melbourne DNA company Genetic Technologies.

Head of Genetic Technologies DNA testing Ian Smith said while there were as many as 100,000 dog attacks in Australia, most attacks were never solved.

Food ministers protect public health

An extraordinary meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council was held in Canberra recently, chaired by Senator Brett Mason, Parliamentary Secretary to the Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing.

The Ministerial Council comprises Ministers responsible for food issues in Australia and New Zealand. At the meeting, the Ministerial Council considered Food Standards Australia New Zealand's (FSANZ) first review report on the draft standard for the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid.

At their meeting on 4 May 2007, Ministers agreed to meet during June 2007 to consider FSANZ's findings from the first review of the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid standard required by the Ministerial Council and make a decision on the matter.

Food Ministers have affirmed the draft standard on the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid for inclusion in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

It was also agreed that a comprehensive and independent review of mandatory fortification with folic acid will be initiated two years after implementation of the standard. The review will consider health impacts and the effectiveness of the initiative, the actual cost impacts on the food industry and the adequacy of the monitoring framework.

LGSA fights NSW Govt's planning changes

NSW communities would be the big losers under changes to the development assessment process proposed by Planning Minister Frank Sartor, according to the NSW Local Government and Shires Association.

"The Associations are supportive of proposals that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the development assessment system," President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery, said.

"But removing decision making powers from councillors in favour of planning panels would strip the community of their ability to have input into developments in their area. There is also no evidence that planning panels reduce processing times.

"Minister Sartor seems to think planning panels are justified, even though the statistics show that over 95% of development applications are dealt with by council staff under delegated authority.

According to the Associations, most delays in council processing times are caused by applicants not submitting adequate information, submitting applications that do not comply with existing planning controls, or because applications have to be referred to State Government agencies.

"Councils are continually monitoring their development assessment processes and making improvements where possible," President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Bruce Miller, said.

"There is a need to balance the desire of the development industry for fast track approvals, with ensuring adequate public participation and proper scrutiny of development applications.

According to the Associations, any changes to the planning system need to include: A credible, practical and cost effective system of data collection and reporting on planning performance; improvements to the regulatory framework for private certifiers; greater transparency and accountability for major developments under Part 3A; and the development of a properly resourced electronic DA strategy for NSW.

Comment sought on digital conversion of self-help TV retransmission sites

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, called for public comment on the operation of existing self-help analogue terrestrial television retransmission sites in a digital environment.

The discussion paper, Digital Conversion of Self-Help Television Retransmission Sites, considers the technical and timing issues for the conversion of self-help sites in a digital environment and the possible alternative options in some areas of direct-to-home satellite reception of digital television services.

"I encourage all affected members of the community to submit their views in response to the discussion paper so that a full range of opinions can be considered in formulating the most appropriate approach to this important issue," Senator Coonan said.

More than 600 communities across Australia operate and maintain self-help television retransmission facilities, 300 of which have been established under Government initiatives.

The discussion paper can be downloaded at www.dcita.gov.au/digital_television obtained in hard copy by calling 02 6271 1204, or sending a fax to 02 6234 3126.

Local Government Business Continuity Planning Workshops held in Brisbane

The Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Branch of the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA) convened the fourth of a series of workshops in Brisbane last week. The series of workshops have been designed to bring together stakeholders from local government, state and territory governments and the NGO sector to discuss and address key issues associated with planning for a future human influenza pandemic, with particular emphasis in dealing with the social and community impacts of such an event.

ALGA and representatives of several State local government associations including WA, SA, Victoria, NSW, QLD participated in the workshop and collectively reinforced the critical need for local government to be part of an integrated national approach to pandemic planning and communication.

Workshop participants were impressed with the commitment shown by the WA Government, Risk Cover, Local Government Insurance Services and Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) in joining forces and developing an innovative and high relevant Business Continuity Planning training program and workbook. Opportunities to use this as a model for other jurisdictions was discussed and FACSIA have agreed to give further consideration as to how they can best roll out a National program designed to assist both local government and NGO’s to undertake business continuity planning.

For further information on the WA model please contact Mr Jed Handmer of the WALGA at jhandmer@walga.asn.au ALGA's Rolf Fenner is available for more general discussions on pandemic planning at a national level. He can be contacted on 02 61229443 or rolf.fenner@alga.asn.au

Housing Ministers meet in Darwin

That National Housing Ministers' Conference will be meeting in Darwin next week. The Housing Conference is attended by all State and Territory Housing Ministers and is designed to serve as a vehicle for formal liaison between the Commonwealth and State and Territories on major issues concerning national housing policies and programs.

Membership of the Conference comprises the Commonwealth Minister responsible for family and community services, and State and Territory Ministers responsible for housing matters. Both ALGA and the New Zealand Minister responsible for housing matters attend the meetings as an observers.

Matters on the agenda for next week of particular interest to local government include the National Framework for Action on Affordable Housing, National Indigenous Housing and discussions on the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement, that is set to expire on July 1, 2008.

First results from 2006 census

Australia's population is set to pass 21 million this week, according to calculations from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing.

But the official snapshot of our nation - taken every five years - also illustrates that even though Australia's population continues to grow, it is ageing.

There are now fewer people as a proportion in the population aged under 15 than there were in 2001. This age group decreased from 20.8 per cent to 19.8 per cent as a share of total population during the five years from 2001.

However, the good news is that the Census also provides some evidence that we have turned the corner and that the long-term decline in fertility rates has bottomed. This baby boom of recent years would help rebalance our demographic profile and begin the task of setting us up to address the ageing of the population.

Projected population data shows that the next decade will experience a shrinking taxpayer population. For example, there are currently five people of working age to support each person aged 65 and over. By 2047, there will be only 2.4 people to every person aged 65 and over. This is a result of declining fertility rates since the 1960s and increasing life expectancy.

However, the 2006 Census also reveals that there has been a turnaround in the number of births.

Preliminary figures show that the number of births in Australia in 2006 was 266,000 - the highest number since 1971 and the second highest in Australian history. This is a good thing, because if we are able to increase the number of children and young people in our society over the long term, then it will help us cope with the ageing of the population.

Quote of the week

"We are dealing with children of the tenderest age who have been exposed to the most terrible abuse from the time of their birth, virtually."
Prime Minister John Howard, announcing a radical clampdown on child abuse in the Northern Territory

International news  
Petition protests French immigration, national identity ministry

Nearly 200 professors, artists and others from universities around the world have signed a petition protesting at France's new Ministry of Immigration and National Identity.

They are demanding the ministry's name - which they say sends a signal immigration is a "problem" - be changed and its extensive powers cut.

The petition, published today in the left-wing daily Liberation, was signed by some of France's most illustrious historians as well as professors from the University of Sydney, Princeton and Harvard in the US, Cambridge in Britain and the University of Chuo in Tokyo, Japan.

President Nicolas Sarkozy announced during his campaign for the presidency that, if elected, he would create a ministry to oversee both immigration and national identity, drawing a storm of criticism.

National identity became a theme of the campaign as Sarkozy sought - successfully - to woo far-right voters.

State of the Regions report 2006-07