From the President
Local government is becoming increasingly influential as Australia's political system becomes more centralised and a larger number of services are being delivered by local government.
What this means of course is that local government is finding itself at the heart of the federation but still without a formal position through Constitutional recognition.
Local government around Australia is facing challenges from state governments in the area of development control - with NSW and Victoria in particular waging battles against hostile claw-back campaigns from State Planning Ministers.
Local government through ALGA is represented on 14 Ministerial Councils including COAG. This gives us access to decision-making on a range of issues. Some of these this year have been housing, the environment, developing a national approach to greenhouse abatement and mitigation, aged care reforms, streamlining development assessment processes and delivering health services to regional communities. The breadth of our involvement is myriad.
As you may recall, the IGA on cost shifting was signed in April last year by ALGA, state and Federal Ministers. While this document is not perfect it is important. It provides a framework for how future Commonwealth, state and local government negotiations are to be handled. It also can help to back-up bilateral agreements between your state associations and your state governments.
Cost shifting onto local government amounts to between $500 million and $1.1 billion each and every year. At the very least we now have a something to address cost shifting - when previously we had nothing.
The May Federal Budget contained important announcements for local government with the extension and renewal of Roads to Recovery, AusLink 2 and the Blackspots programs. This is excellent news for local government and I urge all councils to work closely with the government to ensure their communities benefit from this funding. This means ensuring that auditing and accountability practices are transparent and up to scratch and that timelines are met, as we were reminded by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, at our ALGA's Local Roads and Transport Congress last month.
ALGA is producing an election policy document which will outline local government's priorities in the lead-up to the federal poll. The program we have identified as a high priority is the $250m 4-year Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund. This fund was recommended by the PricewaterhouseCoopers report into local government financial stability which was launched in December 2006. The report builds on sustainability studies and work undertaken by the State associations.
It is envisaged the fund would operate along the lines of the highly successful Roads to Recovery model. The fund would support councils to upgrade existing community infrastructure such as community centres, aged care facilities, libraries, health clinics, sport and recreation facilities and meals on wheels kitchens operating out of local councils. With childhood obesity and health problems becoming more prevalent in our communities, it is important to emphasise that facilities such as ovals, walking tracks, swimming pools and playground equipment are upgraded under this proposal.
ALGA has set up an internet register of ideas that may be eligible for funding under the Infrastructure Fund. With almost 860 entries on our register, this is proving to be a very useful lobbying tool. The Opposition and the Government have both expressed interest in the proposal and we will continue to lobby the major parties right up to Election Day. With this in mind, I have called on state and territory associations, and all councils, to identify projects and as well as entering them on our register, to meet with Federal MPs and Senators to ensure that the word spreads. This proposal must be community-driven and I urge you all to keep up the momentum.
The work of local government is all too often taken for granted - and yet it is a critical part of the daily lives of every Australian.
Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President
ALGA Roads Conference - A very rewarding experience....
The feedback from delegates at the recent ALGA Roads Conference in Newcastle was that they found it a positive and rewarding experience…. but one delegate found it even more rewarding than he expected. Fred Exton, Director of Technical Services at Berrigan Shire won the bottle of Penfold's Grange Hermitage presented by one of ALGA's major sponsors, McArthur Management Services.
Clever Networks funding for health care in remote North Queensland
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan has announced funding of $5 million to provide high-capacity broadband services to support health care and emergency services to communities in remote North Queensland.
As part of the Australian Government's Clever Networks Program, Queensland Health will be provided with funding to establish the Cooeenet@qld project, developed in partnership with the Department of Emergency Services and the e-Health Research Centre.
The project targets 15 remote communities with an immediate need for improved intervention in the early treatment of emergency patients: Bamaga, Bowen, Charters Towers, Clermont, Cloncurry, Collinsville, Cooktown, Dysart, Hughenden, Ingham, Julia Creek, Normanton, Richmond, Thursday Island and Weipa.
More information about specific projects will become available as each successful negotiation is concluded.
To find out more about Clever Networks, visit www.dcita.gov.au/clevernetworks
Temora finds a GP - at last
The desperate search for a GP is finally over for Temora - a town which made the international news by offering a record $500,000 incentive payment. Dr Rodney Kurtzer, a rural GP from South Australia, has agreed to take the job in Temora and much to everyone's amazement, has refused to accept the $500,000 sweetener which had as one of its conditions a minimum 5-year commitment. Aged 53, Dr Kurtzer said the offer was designed more for a young practitioner.
IAP2 Australasia Core Values Awards
Submissions for the International Association for Public Participation Australasia (IAP2) close on Friday 10 August. The IAP2 Core Values Awards recognize excellence and innovation in the field of public participation. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate the use of innovative techniques, solutions to problems that are experienced in the field of public participation, and the successful involvement of the public in new areas. The winning organization should show how public participation has influenced decisions. More information is available on: www.iap2.org.au
Changing cities are driving our world
More than 2000 participants will attend the 2nd UCLG World Congress, which will take place in Jeju, Korea, from 28-31 October 2007. The title of the 2nd UCLG World Congress will be "Changing cities are driving our world." The UCLG World Congress is held every three years, offering an exceptional opportunity for local government representatives to meet colleagues from around the world and representatives form both the private sector and international institutions. Moreover, it provides a forum in which mayors and councillors examine key local government issues and set the local government agenda for the next three years and beyond. For more information contact the secretariat of the 2nd UCLG World Congress on
www.uclg2007jeju.org
Local Government Sister Cities
The 2007 Australian Sister Cities Association Conference (ASCA) is being held in Darwin at the Darwin Entertainment Centre from Sunday 30 September 2007 to Wednesday 3 October 2007. The Sister Cities program has been a vital part of Darwin City Council for 25 years, and the upcoming conference will represent the third time that Darwin has hosted the ASCA Conference. The theme for the Conference - "Making the Connection" connections with Asia, developing innovative funding strategies for Sister Cities projects and building positive Sister Cities relationships for maximum community benefit. More information on www.asca.asn.au/
NSW local planning performance report
The NSW Local Development Performance Monitoring report was recently released by the NSW Department of Planning. The new report provides statistics about the processing of development applications and complying development certificates in NSW. It has been compiled by the NSW Department of Planning with the significant assistance of a majority of NSW 152 Councils. Until now, statistics on development application processing by local councils were only available through the NSW Department of Local Government's (DLG) Comparative Information publication. This new report provides extra detail about councils' development assessment work, covering issues such as time taken to process applications by value, use of complying development, planning staff numbers and legal appeal success rates.
Some key findings include:
- Local councils determined some 105,000 DAs with a total value of approximately $20 billion.
- Sydney City ( 3,389), Lake Macquarie (3,075), Blacktown ( 2,298), Gosford (2,955) and Wyong (2,561) had the highest volume of DAs;
- Residential DAs account for 70% of applications determined;
For the official record, councils approved 101,979 or 97% off all DAs and only refused 3, 246 (3%).
Whilst interesting, these sort of reports fail to appreciate the true economic, social, environmental and aesthetic value of good planning, let alone the fundamental democratic importance of allowing citizens to actively participate in the future development of their communities.
To order hard copies of the report, call the NSW Department's Information Centre on (02) 9228 6333. The report is also available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au
Improving Statistics on Older Persons
This ABS Information Development Plan (IDP) is due for release on 26 September 2007 and will define the current significant statistical issues relating to ageing data, including data needs and data sources relevant to key policy concerns. This will allow data gaps and deficiencies in existing data sets to be highlighted. This Plan will also include an agreement to improve relevant ageing statistics with the responsibility for such development assigned to key stakeholders. Examples of such development activities include the improved use of existing information through better sharing and access to administrative data and the promotion of the use of standards in surveys and administration collections. Through this agreement, and the IDP process in general, active collaboration and coordination between the ABS and those working in the ageing field will improve the information available to support policy and decision making.
Official launch of the national emergency management strategy for remote indigenous communities
A new strategy to prioritise support to remote Indigenous Communities in times of natural disaster was launched last week by the Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock at the coastal Indigenous community of Bidyadanga in Western Australia.
Called 'Keeping Our Mob Safe', the strategy is expected to guide governments in the development of emergency management planning and emergency services support.
The 'Keeping Our Mob Safe' strategy report is available on www.ema.gov.au and from State emergency management agencies.
Kiama Municipal Council Recycling
A dramatic 50% increase in recycling as well as a reduction in daily cleaning time of forty to sixty minutes each day is a positive outcome for Kiama Municipal Council since the installation of an innovative under-desk recycling system at the beginning of 2007.
According to instigator of the system at Kiama, Waste Minimisation Officer Josephine St John, the initial motivation in implementing the unique system was to ensure Council 'walks the walk' that it 'talks' to residents and local business about the need to reduce waste and recycle more efficiently.
After some intensive research on the subject, Josephine approached Australian company Paper To Paper about their unique at-source 3-in-1 recycling system that fits neatly under an office desk. The receptacle separates out paper which can be recycled back into office paper in one compartment; other recyclables such as glass drink bottles and plastic in another; as well as non-recyclable materials such as glad wrap, straws, or finished biros into a neat basket attached to the side.
One of the most important factors here is that the used office paper is recycled back into clean white office paper rather than being 'down cycled' to cardboard, as is common in other systems which co-mingle office paper with other recyclables. The Paper To Paper system is the only 'at-source' all-in-one system available in Australia.
Josephine has designed an incentive scheme to encourage staff in the take-up of the new system. A continuous review is carried out and the department deemed to be the best waste managers within a six month period will be rewarded with a $50 voucher to buy morning tea!
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Local Government Sustainable Development Conference 2007
The 2007 Local Government Sustainable Development Conference in Melbourne on September 11-12 will focus on reducing the carbon footprint, water sustainability, waste minimisation and developments in the built environment within the local government field.
The 2007 conference is being organised by Hallmark Editions and Environs Australia, the local government environment network, and follows the successful inaugural sustainable development conference held in Sydney last year.
The 2007 conference will incorporate the Sustainability Awards organised by Environs Australia. The 2007 Awards will recognise the contributions made by environment professionals as well as councillors in progressing sustainability at the local level. There will be three Gold Awards and six Silver Awards announced. For more details of how to enter the Awards, please visit www.environs.org.au
The conference has been designed to assist local government practitioners to identify, plan and implement best practice sustainable development solutions, particularly related to reducing the carbon footprint. It will showcase leading edge examples of outstanding environmental initiatives by Australian local governments.
Local Government professionals, at the forefront of developing sustainability strategies, will present their experiences and lessons learnt in implementing sustainable development programs.
Best practice case studies on water minimisation, greenhouse emissions control, and minimising environment impacts of the built environment will be revealed. The conference has been structured as an intensive learning experience to enable attendees to immediately use the information.
At a Gala Dinner on the evening of Day 1, Environs Australia , the local government environment network, will announce the winners of the Sustainability 2007 Awards for Local Government.
The detailed Agenda for the 2007 Conference can be found at http://www.halledit.com.au/conferences/
sustainability/2007
For registration inquiries, please contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5000
or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au
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Stop Press! - Hundreds rally against Qld council mergers
More than 1,500 protesters are marching in Brisbane today to attack the state government's forced council amalgamations.
The biggest contingent in the rally is from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast - which is to be merged into the neighbouring Maroochy and Caloundra councils.
The protesters are concerned the merger could lead to unprecedented development of pristine areas of the popular coastal shire.
Noosa Mayor Bob Abbot received a hero's reception as he addressed the crowd before the march.
"This is about democracy - this is about a little community standing up and defending itself," Mr Abbot said.
Meanwhile, about 100 people from rural areas of the state gathered outside Premier Peter Beattie's office chanting "No amalgamations". Mr Beattie is expected to meet with protesters later today.
Labor's housing affordability fund
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has welcomed the ALP announcement of a Housing Affordability Fund to cut the cost of homes for new homebuyers.
"We especially welcome the focus on partnership with local government," he said. "We understand the fund would be $500m - $100m pa for 5 years, and would be aimed at reducing the cost of homes for new buyers by reducing the cost of local government infrastructure which are passed on to home buyers."
"However, I would like to see more detail. At this stage it is only a broadbrush proposal."
"Local infrastructure in terms of parks, water, sewerage, community facilities, is essential to make communities work. When people decide where to live they want these facilities which is why local government needs to charge developers to help meet their costs - unfortunately local government does not have alternative sources of revenue - such as its own growth tax or a fair share of federal taxation to meet this general needs."
Cr Bell said he understood that a condition of the funding would be a reduction in red tape and delays in the development application process.
"Local Government has long worked towards reform of development application processes through adopting electronic processing and trying to simplify the processes," he said.
Local Solutions in Round Five
The Australian Government is providing $20 million in funding for 133 projects in communities across Australia under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy Local Answers initiative.
The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said these projects would build on the 480 projects already funded under previous rounds of the Local Answers initiative.
"This round of Local Answers allowed for the funding of new projects, along with the continuation of existing projects that could prove results in their local communities," Mr Brough said.
"68 new projects will be funded with a $10 million investment by the Australian Government and include projects that support building parenting skills, leadership training and skills training for volunteers.
"This initiative is an important way in which the Howard Government gives local organisations the opportunity to build communities from the local perspective. Programs such as parenting programs, youth mentoring and supporting refugees have been made possible by this initiative."
A full list of projects funded under Local Answers Round Five is attached, and can also be found at www.facsia.gov.au/sfcs.
A better deal for public transport
The Federal Government should give a similar benefit to people who travel by public transport as that available through Fringe Benefit Tax exemptions to private vehicle owners, as part of its contribution to achieving an integrated approach to metropolitan transport. The Lord Mayors of the nation’s capital cities believe such reform would complement urgently needed investment by the Commonwealth in urban transport infrastructure. The members of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) said that while all levels of government appeared to recognise the need for a sustainable transport plan, only tentative steps were being taken.
A new policy initiative drawn up by the CCCLM calls for an unprecedented investment alliance with the Federal Government. It argues that better public transport will have national benefits, including reduced congestion costs affect freight and commerce and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
NSW local councils urged to join war on waste fishing line
OceanWatch Australia's TAngler Bin project - the NSW recreational fishing line recycling scheme has been extended until 2008. The project has been providing Vinidex sponsored PVC recycling bins for installation at jetties, boat ramps and fish cleaning tables throughout NSW. The project runs in partnership with local councils, such as Rockdale City Council (lead council), Tweed Shire Council and Wollongong City Council.
Interested councils concerned about recreational fishing waste - such as fishing line and bait bags - causing damage to the environment, harming wildlife and being an unsightly blot on their coastal zone should contact Lowri Pryce at OceanWatch Australia on 02 9660 2262 for further information on how to get the free TAngler Bins. For more information www.oceanwatch.org.au
Experts call for lower jungle gyms
A growing number of kids are breaking their arms in the playground, according to a new report that calls for park equipment to be "shrunk" to a safer size.
A review of accidents at NSW playgrounds found the hospitalisation rate jumped by 56 per cent between 1993 and 2004.
While the proportion of head injuries declined dramatically over the 11-year period, the incidence of arm breaks or fractures rose by five per cent every year.
New standards for playground equipment were introduced in 2004, when the study ended, which limit the distance between the height of equipment that supports the body and the ground, or equipment beneath, to 2.2 metres.
But safety experts behind this new report, published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia, say the height must be reduced further to halt the increase in arm injuries.
"Unless you reduce playground equipment height to 1.5 metres, it's not going to have any effect on upper limb fractures," said lead author Rebecca Mitchell, from the NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre.
The specialist team, which also involved Kidsafe NSW and the University of Technology, Sydney, (UTS), has called for regulations to be tightened on the back of the results.
"We would like for the Australian standard to be revised," Ms Mitchell said.
"We would also like to see everyone complying with the safety regulations, particularly in council-run playgrounds."
The review found there were almost 17,000 hospitalisations following playground falls in children under 15 over the 11 years of the review - a rate of 106 incidents for every 100,000 kids.
But the rate of hospitalisation increased dramatically over the period, from 83 in 1993 to 130 in 2004.
Children aged five to nine years had the highest rate of falls, particularly boys who had almost 200 hospitalisations for every 100,000 kids.
Most children fell off standard playground equipment, but monkey bars, trampolines and slides were responsible for about a quarter of all incidents.
LGAQ Fifth Annual Environment Conference - 'Local Government: Meeting the Environment Challenge'
Eighty delegates attended the recent 5th LGAQ Environment Conference held in Hervey Bay including representatives from 34 councils across Queensland, Regional NRM bodies, the Australian Local Government Association, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Department of Natural Resources and Water and the Australian Government.
Cr Paul Bell, President of the LGAQ and the ALGA opened the Conference. Cr Bell referred to the strength of the LGAQ's NRM Capacity Building Project and the publications and training that the NRM team have delivered over the past twelve months to councils across Queensland. He also mentioned the training that will be offered to councils in Queensland over the forthcoming year. The Project is funded under the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
On a regional scale, Cr Bell referred to the MoU with the Queensland Regional Groups Collective that he signed on behalf of member councils earlier this year. The MoU aims to strengthen partnerships between local government and regional NRM bodies in Queensland. On the national front, Cr Bell highlighted the work of the LGAQ along with the other State and Territory Local Government Associations to develop a number of national policies for strengthening Local Government involvement in NRM.
With respect to the next phase of the NRM Program, Cr Bell acknowledged the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to the regional arrangements by committing a further $2 billion over 5 years to ensure that NRM action continues on a local, regional and national scale. The LGAQ has been lobbying for a stronger role for local government and have made representations to both State and Australian Governments seeking a number of commitments in this regard.
The theme of the Conference, 'Local Government: Meeting the Environment Challenge' was reflected in the range of topics and workshops conducted over the three days. Keynote presentations covered topics including sustainable development, climate change and carbon trading which were all very topical and well received.
All presentations from the Conference will be available on the LGAQ website, www.lgaq.asn.au For Further information about the Conference contact the LGAQ on (07) 3000 2222.
ABS Population Distribution, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
This product is due for release in August 2007 and will present counts of Indigenous Australians from the 2006 Census, accompanied by information on data quality to help interpret the data. Population estimates of the Indigenous population based on the 2006 Census are also included with counts of small areas including Indigenous Areas and Locations. For more information, go to www.abs.gov.au
Quote of the week
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases. I fit moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it."
Ronald Reagan, former US President
International news 
The 2007 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting has found that cities in Western Europe, North America, Australasia and Japan dominate the top of the rankings.
Zurich scores highest for overall quality of living; Baghdad ranks lowest. Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand rank in joint 18th place, with a rating of 123.1. All the Australian cities covered by the survey rank higher than New York, the base city. Adelaide is the highest-scoring city in Australia at position 35 (score 119.5) while Sydney is the lowest in 62nd place (score 111.3).
The analysis is based on an evaluation of 39 quality of living criteria for each city including political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health, education, transport and other public services.
Baghdad remains the world's least enticing city for expatriates with a score of 14.5. Other low-scoring cities for overall quality of living include Brazzaville in Congo (29.5), Bangui in the Central African Republic (30.6) and Khartoum in Sudan (31).
More information available on: www.mercerhr.com/summary.jhtml?
idContent=1173105#overall#overall
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Brisbane Summit offers international investment opportunities for local municipalities
Brisbane, 31 August – 3 September 2007
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and City Hall
Hundreds of senior civic and business leaders from cities throughout the Asia Pacific region will shortly converge on Brisbane for the sixth Asia Pacific Cities Summit.
Recognised as the region's premier government and business forum, this year's theme is Renewing Asia Pacific Cities and will focus on business growth, trade and investment outcomes for delegates.
Brisbane City Council and the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) have joined forces to match inbound business delegations with potential customers, suppliers and partners in the following sectors:
- Building and construction
- Professional services
- Information Communication Technology (ICT)
- Food and Beverage
- Leisure Marine
The Summit's 'Sister Cities Day' on Friday 31 August will also feature presentations on off-shore trade and investment opportunities in Brisbane's seven sister cities.
The afternoon will then feature presentations on international business opportunities from more than 20 other Asia Pacific cities.
Highlights of the Summit will include:
- World renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson to host a Hypothetical on 'Asia Pacific Cities in 2026'
- International business matching with Austrade
- Cultural and entertainment activities feature whale watching, a private viewing of the Riverfire spectacular, a golf networking event, lunch and wine tasting at Sirromet, free entry to the Brisbane International Boat Show.
Register now to attend the Asia Pacific Cities Summit at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/apcs
or contact the Secretariat on +61 (7) 3403 8888
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INNOVATION AND BEST PRACTICE IN DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT SUMMIT
Thursday August 16 and Friday August 17
Dockside Conference Venue, Sydney
This important two-day conference will review the latest innovations, including new technologies, and best practice in Development Assessment with a focus on practical case studies within local government. It will examine, in depth, the respective roles of planners, councillors and state agencies in the DA processes.
Councils are seeking to identify ways to improve process efficiencies, reduce conflict, and identify best practice. The conference will examine: governance, case load management for planners, new online and software technologies to improve efficiency outcomes, geospatial visualisation tools, streamlining and innovation across the DA processes, and directions arising from the new National Electronic Development Assessment (NEDA) project.
Speakers at this important two-day conference in Sydney will include senior planners, Mayors, CEOs and governance and technology experts. Invited speakers include the President of the ALGA, Cr Paul Bell; the Chair of the Development Assessment Forum, Sue Holliday; the former Commissioner of the Tweed Shire Council inquiry, Emeritus Professor Maurice Daly. CEOs from a number of councils have agreed to contribute to the conference.
For details about the conference speakers and agenda or to register for the event, please visit www.halledit.com.au/conferences/devac/2007 or telephone Denise McQueen on 03 8534 5000 or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au
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