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Australian Government to override Qld Government on plebiscites

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Prime Minister John Howard yesterday introduced legislation into Federal Parliament that would override Queensland laws giving the state government power to sack councils who hold referendums on the amalgamation issue.

Mr Howard said councils should not be sacked for exercising a democratic right, and accused Premier Peter Beattie of arrogance.

But Mr Beattie said he was prepared to go to the High Court in order to stop the local votes.

Local Government Association of Queensland President and ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said that the Prime Minister had "restored democracy to the amalgamation process" by moving to alter the Commonwealth Electoral Act to allow councils to hold plebiscites on the mergers.

Queensland parliament last week passed legislation which would halve the number of councils across Queensland to 72. The legislation also includes the power to sack councils which hold polls to gauge community feeling on the issue.

In Canberra on Tuesday, Cr Bell met with the Australian Government and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd to put forward the case against forced amalgamations.

"The amalgamations would gut regional communities in Queensland and there is a tidal wave of opposition which is growing and has been heard all the way to Canberra."

"We certainly welcome this move by Mr Howard, which restores into local government itself the democratic right of being able to carry out the requests of their communities to have a poll," he said.

ALGA Vice President Cr Bill Mitchell said local communities across Australia should be outraged.

"What is happening in Queensland is a complete disregard for democracy by a State Government that has seemingly lost interest in governing for the people," Cr Mitchell said.

"Every local community that values its independence and entitlement to contribute to its future should be outraged."

Cr Mitchell, who is also President of the WA Local Government Association, said the action by the Beattie Government should be of particular concern for communities in WA - the only state not to have structural reform imposed on local government.

"The only commitment we have had from the WA State Government has been that amalgamations will not be forced in the term of the current government but with an election due in 2009, time is running out," Cr Mitchell said.

Douglas Shire mayor Mike Berwick said his north Queensland community - set to merge with Cairns City - would hold a poll.

He predicted as many as 80 per cent of residents would oppose the merger, but did not believe it could be stopped.

Noosa Shire mayor Bob Abbot welcomed the move, but said his council would proceed with caution.

"The community deserves a voice and indeed under normal Australian democracy they could expect one," he said.

Two rural councils - Warroo and Tambo - have risked dismissal and already surveyed their communities on the issue.

Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said federal Labor would support the bill proposed by Mr Howard.

Freight report tabled in Federal Parliament

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The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport and Regional Services report: "The Great Freight Task - is Australia's transport network up to the challenge?" was tabled in Federal Parliament on Monday. The Committee's focus was on the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure to meet the growing freight transport task.

Chaired by Paul Neville MP, it received 194 submissions and held 30 public hearings through out Australia. Not surprisingly given the large numbers of submissions numerous specific concerns were raised with the Committee and are covered in the Report.

In tabling the Report, Mr. Neville commented that "infrastructure problems are widespread. It [the Report] found a pattern of infrastructure difficulties in the access to and the operation of our major ports. There were missing supply links, a lack of rail capacity, a need for bypass or ring roads, and bottlenecks that needed an overpass or a rail loop to overcome traffic congestion."

The Committee made twenty five recommendations including a number that have the potential to impact directly on local government.

The Committee noted that the decline in rail, including closures of grain lines, is placing increasing strain on the road system generally but especially on local roads and recommended that the Minister for Transport and Regional Services refer to COAG the question of how local government can be assisted with the extra coat of road maintenance caused by the increasing use of heavy vehicles.

A theme throughout the Report is the need for better coordination between all spheres of government and the private sector and calls on the Australia Government to take a stronger leadership role in planning Australia's transport system.

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell welcomed the findings of the Report in relation to local government and said that they confirm and validate what local government has been saying for many years. "The increase in freight and the resulting increase in numbers of heavy vehicles is damaging the local road system and putting a huge financial strain on to many councils," he said. "At the same time local government understands and recognizes the importance of these freight movements to local and regional economies."

"Local Government deals on a daily basis with planning issues and would support the Federal Government working cooperatively to give national planning direction to our cities regions."

Cr Bell said that the bipartisan support in the Committee for the findings in the Report show demonstrate the need for investment and coordinated planning of Australia’s transport infrastructure if the economy is to operate effectively.

Cr Bell urged the Federal Government and the Opposition to carefully consider all the recommendations as they have the potential to improve the over all efficiency of Australia's transport system which would improve Australia's economic performance and enhance its international competitiveness.

The Federal Government has indicated that it will consider the report's recommendations.

The report is available at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/trs/networks/report.htm#chapters

ALGA President meets with Assistant Treasurer

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Cr Bell met with the Assistant Treasurer Peter Dutton at Parliament House on Tuesday. Cr Bell and Minister Dutton discussed the issue of tax deductibility for councillor expenses. ALGA is seeking a review of the legislation and an amendment to remove the $1000 limit applicable to tax deductibility for election expenses for local government candidates. "It is important that local governing bodies around Australia are able to attract a diverse cross-section of the community," Cr Bell said. "Any rules which limit the ability of members of the community to participate in the democratic process clearly undermine this objective."
From the President

During the past week I spoke at the Coaltrans Australia Conference about the "Challenges of Community Infrastructure Planning and Provision: Local Government Perspective" in the context of the rapid expansion of coal mining, and mining more generally in Australia.

It is worth reflecting on the impact on local government of the mining boom that we are experiencing in Australia at present.

Local government and the communities they represent are generally supportive of mining developments in their regions as they bring extra population and with that, the basis for the development of extra facilities. However, as you would expect, a new mining development, and the associated rapid population increase, also brings its challenges.

In my speech I identified seven distinct challenges facing councils experiencing rapid and large mining developments: Cultural shock; infrastructure demands including social infrastructure; water; housing; employment; a fly-in/fly-out workforce, and safety issues.

I also mentioned the need for councils to look forward to the day when inevitably the mines close and for councils to start planning for that day. A good example is Broken Hill, which has a thriving tourism and arts industry, supported by the local council.

These are not reasons to oppose mining. They are issues that arise and that need to be worked through jointly by the councils involved and the mining companies. As I said in my speech, it is my experience that councils and mining companies are able to work through these issues and reach satisfactory outcomes.

However I do have concerns about some state processes.

State planning is too slow and does not allow councils to get on with the development of housing developments and the associated social infrastructure. This just encourages fly-in/fly-out arrangements which are anathema to the establishment of local communities.

The mining companies pay state government's very royalty payments. Unfortunately very little of these royalties is being returned to the communities in the mining regions.

I have called on mining companies to more strongly advocate the needs of the mining regions with governments and will be working closely over the next couple of weeks with industry and government representatives to ensure that local government's viewpoint is heard.

My speech can be found on the ALGA website: www.alga.asn.au

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Women and men encouraged to nominate for Australian of the Year Awards 2008

Women and men are called on to send in nominations for Australian of the Year Awards.

Prime Minister John Howard today launched the call for nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards 2008, encouraging all Australians to have their say about who should receive this prestigious award.

"The Australian of the Year Awards plays an important part in Australia Day celebrations each year, allowing Australians to recognise citizens who have contributed in outstanding ways to our community," said the Prime Minister.

The National Australia Day Council relies on nominations made by the public in the annual search for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero.

You can nominate a great Australian online now at www.australianoftheyear.gov.au or pick up a nomination form at your local Commonwealth Bank branch or call 1300 655 193 for more information. Nominations close on Friday 31 August 2007.

There are four categories in the Australian of the Year Awards:

  • Australian of the Year - open to all Australians who deserve recognition for their extraordinary achievements, contributions to the community and nation and who are inspirational role models to all Australians;
  • Senior Australian of the Year - recognises those Australians aged 60 years and over who continue to achieve and contribute to the community;
  • Young Australian of the Year - recognises those extraordinary young Australians aged 16-25 years who are contributing to our community;
  • Australia's Local Hero - recognises Australians who make a real difference in their local communities and whose outstanding contributions enrich the lives of those around them.
Spatial information interest group

The Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI) has announced the introduction of its Special Interest Group on Spatial Information in Local Government (SILG).

In announcing the SIG on Spatial Information in Local Government, the SSI President Tony Snow said that the SIG was created in response to a strong and growing demand from the GIS analysts and other spatial professionals working in Councils, Shires and Municipalities across the country (as well as in New Zealand). He said that there had been a very strong GIS community within local government in some of the founding associations of the SSI and that the Institute now had more to offer than before in terms of professional certification, CPD and networking.

More details on both the SIG on Spatial Information in Local Government and the Sustaining Partnership Program can be read at www.spatialsciences.org.au

Telco review

The members of the first Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) have been announced by the Australian Government.

The RTIRC will review the progress of the Australian Government's upgrades of telecommunications services in rural Australia and its recommendations will determine how the interest earned from the $2 billion Communications Fund - around $400 million - will be spent.

The RTIRC will be chaired by Dr Bill Glasson, an ophthalmologist and former federal president of the Australian Medical Association who was born in Winton in far western Queensland and continues to practice in rural and remote areas.

The other committee members include: telecommunications expert from the National Farmers Federation Mr Mark Needham; agriculturalist and Birchip Cropping Group CEO Ms Alexandra Gartmann; Northern Territory Law Society executive Ms Josephine Stone; and the Mayor of the central west Queensland Shire of Barcoo Councillor Bruce Scott.

"The members of RTIRC have strong rural backgrounds and are very familiar with the challenges faced in regional and remote areas," Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Senator Helen Coonan said.

"The review will commence immediately and all stakeholders will have an opportunity to make a submission or speak directly with the committee during their consultations."

The Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, said the Communications Fund provides a guaranteed income stream to fund hard infrastructure and services for regional communities such as additional mobile phone towers, broadband provision and even backhaul fibre capabilities.

"The committee will place particular emphasis on the under-served areas of remote and rural Australia," he said.

National Simultaneous Storytime 2007

It's always a good time for a story, but on Thursday 6 September 2007 at 11:00am it will be better than most, as thousands of Australian children sit down to share the same good book at the same time across the nation!

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) will be holding its 7th National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) on the 6 September 2007.

ALIA is giving the opportunity for Mayors and councillors to take part in National Simultaneous Story in 2007 by reading The Magic Hat to children at their local library. Last year saw approximately 40,000 children at over 620 locations took part in the simultaneous reading of "Good night, me."

The aim of NSS is to:

  • promote the value of reading and literacy
  • promote the value of books
  • promote an Australian writer and publisher, and
  • promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country.

National Simultaneous Storytime provides a great opportunity to involve parents, grandparents, the press and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion. At the same time, it highlights the importance of reading and literacy for children, and demonstrates ALIA is more than happy to provide further information as well as a list of library locations. For more information, please visit our NSS website at www.alia.org.au/advocacy/storytime/2007/ or contact the Events Manager at 02 6215 8214.
Senate condemns Qld amalgamations

On Monday, Senator Parry (Liberal, Tasmania) at the request of Senator Boswell (National, Qld) introduced a motion into the Senate. The motion was passed on party lines with the Government having the majority with support from Democrats and Green Senators. The motion was that the Senate:

  1. condemns the dictatorial actions of the Beattie Queensland Government in imposing forced amalgamations on Queensland local government without the opportunity for appeal;
  2. expresses serious concern at the Queensland Government's decision to impose fines on councillors who put the amalgamation policy to local citizens by referendum;
  3. notes that the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights states that every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity to take part in the conduct of public affairs and that this right is being undermined by the Queensland State Government; and
  4. calls on the Beattie Government to make any amalgamations voluntary as recommended by the Federal Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rudd).
National street-lighting initiative

A project for sustainable public lighting, funded by the Local Government Association SA, through the LG Research and Development Scheme, has been adopted by national climate protection group ICLEI Oceania (International Council for Local Environment Issues) in its new Sustainable Public Lighting Toolbox, an information website to encourage environmental savings.

Depending on the size of the council area, public and street lighting for the community accounts for between 15 and 70 per cent of councils' greenhouse emissions and is an area with enormous potential for significant energy and financial savings. SA Councils spend between $75,000 and $1.5 million each year on public lighting.

The LGA funded ICLEI - A/NZ Strategic Action Planning Guide for Sustainable Public Lighting can be found on the LGA website at www.lga.sa.gov.au or accessed through ICLEI website at www.iclei.org/oceania.

Amalgamations: 'one of biggest attacks on local government in history'

Scott Prasser, Senior Lecturer in Management, from the University of the Sunshine Coast, says the Beattie Government's forced amalgamations "undermine local government's national aspirations of becoming a recognised third tier in our crumbling federal system."

"This is one of the biggest attacks on local government in history," he said in a comment piece sent to 'ALGA News.'

"While some amalgamations were necessary the process indicates state governments' real views of local government."

"Even by Queensland standards the Beattie Government's enforced amalgamations have been breathtaking in their speed of execution, breadth of impact, and lack of consultation with only a fourteen hour debate in parliament. Threatening to sack any council seeking to hold a referendum on the issue has hardly helped assuage tempers."

"Queensland's amalgamation has been marked by duplicity in setting up another process that distracted local government and by obfuscation through contentious evidence concerning the financial viability of councils. Also, the Beattie Government’s motivations for such extensive and rushed amalgamation after years of seeking to work co-operatively with local government are hard to fathom. It may be partly driven by a desire to gain control over planning and resource issues given Queensland’s burgeoning population, but other reasons not yet explicit must be driving this action."

Latrobe City wins international award

Latrobe City Council's innovative 'Our Future, Our Place' sustainable housing project has been recognised internationally, winning an ICMA (International City/County Management Association) Community Partnership Award in the 2007 Program Excellence Awards scheme.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Tony Zimora said that this prestigious award is a significant achievement as Latrobe City was the only 2007 winner from outside the USA.

"The Our Future, Our Place program provides training and employment opportunities for groups of job seekers and Indigenous people in Latrobe City by constructing low cost, attractive and environmentally sustainable houses in renewal areas. Two houses have been constructed and sold at public auction and proceeds have been invested back into the project to allow work on a similar project to proceed in the very near future," Cr Zimora explained.

The Our Future Our Place project was developed in partnership with Try Youth and Community Services, the Department of Human Services (Victoria), the Department for Victorian Communities, and the Commonwealth Government's Department of Transport and Regional Services along with support from a range of organisations in the private sector.

Libraries' commitment to internet safety

The Australian Library and Information Association has rejected the description of public library filtering efforts as an "abject failure" by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, in her announcement regarding new moves to enforce internet filtering through the 'NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online' program.

"The role of libraries, first and foremost, is to promote the free flow of information. This is a core value of libraries and librarians everywhere," said Executive Director of the Australian Library and Information Association, Ms Sue Hutley.

"Libraries have a flexible strategy for dealing with undesirable online content because we have a diverse range of adult and child users. Australia's public libraries already have detailed policies and guidelines for internet access. Many libraries are already using filtering software on public access terminals. We must remember that libraries are part of larger council networks," Ms Hutley said.

"During the past five years the Association has conducted a number of surveys regarding internet filtering in public libraries. Over that time we have seen a steady increase in the installation of filters, with the 2007 survey revealing 39% of Australian public libraries currently use filtering software on some or all of their public Internet access terminals - compared with 18% in 2002.

Past survey results are available to the public via the Association's website at www.alia.org.au/advocacy/internet.access/

Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund

The Minister for Transport and Regional Services Mark Vaile has recently announced a grant of $360,000 for the Aramac Shire to develop a new medical precinct delivering vital health services through the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund. More details on the RMIF can be found at www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au/
infrastructure.aspx

Need for capital city policy highlighted

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) released its national policy document Partners in Prosperity in Canberra yesterday. The document identifies five areas in which the Council wishes work in partnership with the Australian Government to boost productivity, investment, competitiveness and liveability in Australia's capital cities: Sustainability; Transport and Infrastructure; Social Infrastructure; Global Engagement and Tourism and City Safety and Security.

The Council called for a National Cities Policy to improve the assessment, coordination and planning of economic and social infrastructure and called for the establishment of a Capital City Policy Unit within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The CCCLM also identified 23 major urban projects for federal funding.

Quote of the week

"The community deserves a voice and indeed under normal Australian democracy they could expect one...What is it that is driving this Premier so hard to leave himself with a legacy of a Labor Party premier who attacked Australian democracy so deliberately and so determinedly?"
Noosa Mayor and ALGA Board Member Bob Abbot

International news  

On 27 July the European Commission launched a public consultation on actions the European Union could undertake to meet the challenges of Sustainable Consumption and Production and a Sustainable Industrial Policy. The aim of the internet-based consultation is to gather input from the public and stakeholders to help the Commission prepare Action Plans to address these challenges. The consultation will last until 23 September.

Putting consumption and production onto a sustainable path is a major global challenge that will require considerable technological innovation. Current patterns of consumption and production are leading to the rapid depletion or exhaustion of certain natural resources, such as oil reserves and fish stocks, as well as causing serious environmental degradation and pollution. The issue is a global one: several studies and assessments suggest that the current consumption and production already significantly exceeds what the planet can support in the long term.

The Commission aims to address these problems and turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities for EU industry, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency in use of energy and natural resources. By developing robust sustainable consumption and production policies, the EU can make an important contribution to sustainability worldwide since Europe is one of the biggest consumers at global level and products are traded globally. European standards to foster sustainable consumption and production will tend to become global benchmarks.

State of the Regions report 2006-07