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Councils demonstrate need for community infrastructure

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Local government has responded overwhelmingly to the Community Infrastructure Ideas Register.

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said he was 'over the moon' that almost 600 proposals had been received from councils across Australia, in every state and territory.

"There is a clear need for community infrastructure to be renewed and we will be analyzing the data and presenting it to the major parties in the next few weeks," Cr Bell said.

"I urge local government to continue to submit examples with photos to the register and we will fight hard for a $250m Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund (LCIRF) to be included in the election platforms of the Government and the Opposition."

The LCIRF was one of the major recommendations of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on local government financing. For more information, go to the ALGA website - www.alga.asn.au

Cr Bell thanked councils for the 'bagfuls of letters' he had received in response to his call for examples to be submitted onto the register. "The letters show that Mayors, CEOs and councillors have heeded the call and I am very grateful for there energy, vision and commitment to providing better services to the communities they serve.

"Many have undertaken to raise their concerns with their Federal MPs and Senators through phone calls, emails and letters and this is an important part of raising awareness of the need for an Infrastructure Fund. This is an issue which has strong grassroots support and we call on our leaders to take heed of the message the community is sending."

This week's example has been submitted by the Hawkesbury City Council. Smith Park at Richmond requires replacement of shelters, tables and the upgrading of pathways. The estimated cost is under $50,000.

Minister Coonan hits back at WiMAX critics

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In a recent speech to the National Press Club, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, responded to criticism of the WIMAX component of the Government's 'Australia Connected' broadband package which promises that 99% of the population will have high-speed broadband by 2009.

The high-speed broadband network is a mix of technologies including WiMAX, ADSL2+, fibre and satellite.

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said he understood that satellite and wireless technology such as WiMAX were the most advanced technology available to service remote areas, however, there were concerns about whether the bandwidth of 12 mega bits per seconds would be adequate to service the number of users.

"ALGA's position is that we will fight for low-cost, accessible, high-speed broadband for all Australians regardless of where they live," Cr Bell said. "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."

Senator Coonan said that far from being a second rate solution, not only would the minimum speed of the WiMAX network match the maximum speed of Labor's plan, it would be fully deployed by 2009, instead of 2013.

"…Yes - you will be able to use the WiMAX network whilst simultaneously defrosting a chook in the microwave, conversing on a cordless phone and closing the automatic garage door without any interference," she said.

This week Senator Coonan announced BroadbandNow - a one-stop consumer help centre offering a unique broadband information service to all Australians.

"BroadbandNow is especially relevant for people living and working in regional and remote Australia who do not have ready access to information concerning access to broadband," Senator Coonan said.

"It is critical for consumers to have access to the most up-to-date broadband information in a centralised location.

"BroadbandNow will provide telephone and web information to help consumers understand the technology options available to them and provide information about how to get connected," Senator Coonan said.

BroadbandNow has a dedicated website www.broadbandnow.gov.au/ which will include a broadband service locator for consumers to identify the various broadband services available to them at their premises. It also includes a dedicated call centre to respond to consumer enquiries, particularly for those without an existing Internet service. The BroadbandNow hotline can be accessed on 1800 883 488, Monday to Friday 8am-9pm EST.

Housing Ministers recognise important role of local government

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Housing Ministers from all States and Territories, (with the exception of NSW), and ALGA met in Darwin this week to continue the ongoing discussion on how best to address indigenous and affordable housing challenges facing the nation.

The Australian Government was represented by the Minister for Community Services, The Hon Senator Nigel Scullion. Minister John Hargreaves from the ACT chaired the meeting.

The Housing Ministers were generally united in the belief that Australia can't comprehensively address housing issues if all levels of government do not act in real partnership to address the significant challenges they are currently facing. These discussions were specifically designed to develop workable initiatives and policy directions that in turn may lead to the formulation of a new and more relevant national housing agreement. The existing Commonwealth State Housing Agreement(CSHA) is set to expire in 12 months time.

ALGA as an official observer to the proceedings was generally pleased with the quality of discussion and commitment shown by the Ministers based around some creative ideas such as shared equity schemes, and the support for more innovative social housing initiatives. Equally pleasing was the in-principle acceptance by Ministers that multi and bilateral housing arrangements are both legitimate means by which all Australian Governments can ensure substantial improvements are made to the quantity and quality of housing stock, whilst continuing to meet much needed social, economic and environmental outcomes.

The States and Territories, through the South Australian and Victorian Housing Ministers, presented a new six-point plan that they believe would underpin a new national housing agreement. The document presented a summary of the six major issues and trends facing Australian society and proposed specific responses to them. These included the need to secure the ongoing viability of social housing sector, increase social housing stock, improve the affordability for private renters, improve the access to affordable housing ownership, increase the supply and distribution of affordable housing through new and redevelopment projects and improve the housing opportunities for indigenous people.

In recognition of the important role played by many Australian local governments in building and supporting communities, Ministers were unanimous in resolving that ALGA be invited to become a full member of the Ministerial Housing Conference and its subordinate policy committees. Final approval of this decision will occur out of session after an opportunity has been given to the absent NSW Housing Minister to comment on the proposal.

The next Housing Ministers' Conference will occur in Canberra in early December.

Meanwhile Labor leader Kevin Rudd has announced he will hold a national housing affordability summit in Canberra later this month to look at ways to ease the burden on families, inviting representatives from the finance and property development industries and state governments.

Releasing a paper in Brisbane this week 'New Directions for Affordable Housing' - www.alp.org.au - Mr Rudd said land release strategies, urban infill, high government infrastructure charges and skills shortages in the building sector would be examined. ALGA is expected to be invited to attend.
From the President

We have all seen the recent TV footage and newspaper reports with the caption "council workers cleaning up" after the big floods in Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, the Central Coast and Gippsland. What is not reported is the organization and management needed for those workers to be in place with the necessary equipment to clean up the streets and repair damaged community infrastructure so that the community can operate and individuals can get on with repairs to their property.

As always, communities, led by elected officials, have responded magnificently during these difficult times. The resilience of our communities and the important role that local government plays during these difficult times has been demonstrated yet again.

I am very much looking forward to the eighth National Roads and Transport Congress in Newcastle which begins on Sunday. We are back in NSW where the first Congress was held in 2000, and I am told that there was some heavy rain during that Congress held in Moree.

Newcastle and the Hunter and Central Coast regions have suffered from flooding in the last few weeks. The importance of the Local Roads and Transport Congress to local government is again demonstrated by the more than 400 delegates that have registered.

It is appropriate that the Congress is being held in one of Australia's largest regional centres with the increased emphasis on urban transport issues and climate change issue during this Congress. This is also reflected in the speakers we will be hearing over the two days.

The tragic events on the central coast where a family died when the road collapsed highlight the importance of road infrastructure for communities and individuals. How many people would have driven over that culvert with out giving it any great thought? It was simply a piece of infrastructure which our community expects to be in place. It is our job as leaders in local government to deliver that for our communities. That is what they expect of us. And that is what I want us to do over the two days of the Congress - give thought to how we can best serve our communities to meet their transport needs.

The tragic events on the Central Coast highlight the complexity of changes in responsibility for road infrastructure between spheres of government and the need for continued funding from the Federal Government for local government and especially for its largest single asset - its road system.

We have a full agenda in place. We will hear from both the Government and the Opposition on their policies. It is also important that at the end of the two days we have clearly articulated our position on local roads and transport so that ALGA can strongly and persuasively make the case during this election year for local government.

The recent Budget in May brought further announcements by the Government of its intention to continue the Roads to Recovery Program, at an increased rate of $350 million annually, from 2009 to 2014. It also provided and immediate $250 million for the AusLink Strategic Regional and committed a further $300 million under AusLink 2. At the same time the Blackspots Program has been continued with funding increased to $60 million per year from 2009 as have the FAGS identified for roads now worth $550 million per year.

With these achievements, these runs on the board, it is legitimate to ask why we continue with this Congress. In response I think there are several reasons. Firstly, local government needs to maintain pressure on the Federal Government and the Opposition to ensure that there is no backing away from the current funding. One of our objectives has been to make the Roads to Recovery a permanent ongoing program. Secondly, over the last couple of years it is clear that this Congress has been evolving and its interest have grown from a purely roads focus to a more general interest in providing transport outcomes for our communities. Based on the outcomes of recent Congresses, we have consciously developed our strategy to expand beyond roads to include other transport issues. I look forward to working with you at this very important National Roads and Transport Congress next week so that together we can secure lasting solutions to the transport needs of our communities.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

New family relationship centres open

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has launched a new Family Relationship Centre in Wagga Wagga – one of 40 centres around Australia.

The Family Relationship Centres are the cornerstone of the Howard Government's $397 million reforms to family law. To the end of May this year the 15 Family Relationship Centres already established by the Government managed a total of 44,277 phone calls and 9151 walk-ins; 16,197 interviews and intake sessions and 6493 dispute resolution sessions.

"This success has been driven by the professionalism of the organisations operating the centres and the highly skilled staff that are helping the Australian Government realise its commitment to a new, less adversarial culture in family law," Mr Ruddock said. "It is encouraging that more people are being persuaded that mediation is a better option than litigation."

The 25 additional Centres are spread across Australia with seven for New South Wales, six for Victoria, six for Queensland, three for Western Australia, two for South Australia, and one to be placed in Tasmania. An additional 25 Centres are set to open in July 2008, completing the national network of 65 Centres. Families who cannot easily access a Centre can contact the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321, or access Family Relationships Online at www.familyrelationships.gov.au

Local Government and ABS

The latest issue of the newsletter 'Local Government and ABS' is now available from the ABS website – www.abs.gov.au. The newsletter is located on the ABS web site under News and Media/Newsletters.

The issue includes:

  • First release of 2006 Census Results
  • Regional Population Figures
  • New feature on the ABS website
  • CUPS - The Community that Counts
  • Release of Businesses Counts, Entries and Exits Data
  • First release of 'What's New in Regional Statistics' Newsletter
  • What's Happening in Local Government Finance?
  • Recent ABS Releases
Labor Aged Care Policy Proposal

The recently announced aged care policy of the Labor Opposition provides the aged care sector with something to think about in the lead-up to the Federal election.

The proposal looks to reduce the demands being placed on our public hospitals for the provision of transitional aged care through a range of initiatives.

At the centre of the announcement is a proposed investment of $158 million over the next five years to establish approximately 2,000 transition care beds for older Australians that are currently reliant on the public hospital system. The funds would enable provision of transitional aged care beds within aged care facilities as well as supported care options.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd emphasised the dual benefits of this approach, namely providing aged care options that are more appropriate for older Australians, and making more beds available within the public hospital system for surgical or medical treatment for all Australians.

The announcment also flagged the creation of a loans system for aged care providers that would provide up to $300 million of loans at zero real interest to enable the creation of 2,500 permanent residential aged care beds sooner.

The proposal has received a strong response from the Australian Government, with the Federal Minister for Ageing, Mr Christopher Pyne, stating that many of the initiatives had already been addressed within the Government’s Transitional Care Program, and that Labors proposal was nothing new.

For further information you may wish to visit www.alp.org.au or www.health.gov.au

OECD and Australian Regulation Reform

ALGA joined with Commonwealth and state officials to meet with OECD officials to discuss current international trends in regulatory reform. Discussion included the COAG National Reform Agenda that is focused on reducing the regulatory burden imposed by the three levels of government. The COAG reform agenda is based on the philosophy that effective regulation is essential to ensure markets operate efficiently and fairly, to protect consumers and the environment and to enforce corporate governance standards. However, the benefits from each regulation must not be offset by unduly high compliance and implementation costs. It was noted that almost all OECD countries are pursuing similar agendas. Discussions also focused on progress by all jurisdictions on:

  • establishing and maintaining effective arrangements to maximise the efficiency of new and amended regulation and avoid unnecessary compliance costs and restrictions on competition;
  • undertake targeted public annual reviews of existing regulation to identify priority areas where regulatory reform would provide significant net benefits to business and the community;
  • work to identify further reforms that enhance regulatory consistency across jurisdictions or reduce duplication and overlap in regulation and in the role and operation of regulatory bodies; and
  • efforts aimed as far as possible to adopt a common framework for benchmarking, measuring and reporting on the regulatory burden.
Environs Sustainability Awards 2007

Environs Australia was formed in 1989 and has been at the forefront of sustainability in Australia. Environs is a network of members interested in promoting sustainable development through local action, primarily in the local government sector. In order to reward sustainability innovation and achievement in Australia, Environ is again running the Sustainability Awards.

The Sustainability Awards for 2007 are now open and close on 31 July 2007 (visit www.environs.org.au for more information). This year there are nine awards to recognise achievement in progressing sustainability at the local level. The awards are structured against two themes council and partnerships. The awards night will be held in conjunction with the Environs conference in Melbourne 11-12 September.

Applications for 2008 Fulbright Scholarships open

A range of Fulbright scholarships for postgraduate and professional development studies are now available - http://url.edna.edu.au/TGkk Administered by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, the scholarships are open to Australian citizens wishing to undertake a 4 to 6 month study in America and American citizens wishing to study in Australia. One scholarship is dedicated to employees within the vocational education and training sector or training leaders in business and industry. The Fulbright program also provides grant and specialist exchange opportunities for educational institutions. Applications close on 31 August 2007.

Quote of the week

"It is the truth universally acknowledged that when one part of you starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces."
Renee Zellweger, Bridget Jones’ Diary

International news  

Europe's lamp industry has launched an initiative to phase-out the least efficient lamps from the European markets by 2015, a move welcomed by Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.

"I welcome the commitment of the industry as a very positive contribution to the goal stated by the European Council in March: to have good light without wasting energy. The decision of the industry demonstrates that energy efficiency is a way of combating climate change and reduce our energy dependency, but also a good business opportunity", Commissioner Piebalgs said.

Europe's lamp manufacturers have published details of the initiative. According to industry calculations, this initiative would lead to a 60% reduction of CO2 emissions (23 Mega tons annually) from domestic lighting and savings of 7 billion euros or 63,000 GWh of electricity per year. More detail at: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction
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State of the Regions report 2006-07