Australian Local Government Association

22 August 2008

Constitutional reform - calm and steady wins the day

ALGA's Constitutional Forum held in Canberra this week provided an opportunity to consider ways to achieve change to the Australian Constitution to better reflect the role of local government. This will feed into debate at the Constitutional Summit in Melbourne from December 8-11.

Impacts of emissions trading on local government

ALGA is commissioning a research paper on the impacts on local government of the emissions cap and trade system as outlined by the Federal Government. The paper will form the basis of ALGA's submission to the Government's Green Paper on a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Local government recommendations on liquor licensing

Local government needs more support to better manage alcohol-related issues and minimise harms through planning, licensing and regulatory functions, according to the National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee (NLGDAAC).

15 August 2008

Ministers warm to planning reform in cold Hobart

Local Government and Planning Ministers agreed to measures to accelerate planning reform at the 7th meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council (LGPMC) in Hobart on 13 August.

Disaster planning for local government

ALGA, State Associations, and several local council representatives attended pandemic exercise workshops around the country as part of Exercise Sustain 08, designed to enhance Australia's capacity to deal with such a national disaster.

The artistic heart of a community is local government

Local government arts and performing venues are "the cultural hubs that feed life and creativity into the community," according to the CEO of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA), Rick Heath.

08 August 2008

28 councils sign funding agreements for Regional Partnerships

Twenty-eight councils have successfully signed funding agreements with the Federal Government for community infrastructure projects promised under the disbanded Regional Partnerships program, with four still completing negotiations.

Taxation review discussion paper released

ALGA welcomed the release this week by Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry AC (pictured) of the first Discussion Paper on the review of Australia's Future Tax System.

The innovation of NSW councils highlighted at awards

A water education program, a bike recycling project and an informative community newsletter were some of the projects recognised at the annual Local Government Week Awards evening held at Parramatta Park last week.

01 August 2008

Councils urged to apply for natural disaster mitigation funds

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has urged local government to apply for funding under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program for 2008-09.

Score points for the environment

To help celebrate Keep Australia Beautiful Week, which kicks off on Monday 25th August, local councils are being encouraged to participate in the Score points for the Environment challenge, to help tackle climate change and protect natural resources.

Local government assists its neighbours

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, at Parliament House earlier this year to discuss the Government's approach to foreign aid and how local government could be further engaged.

25 July 2008

ALGA addresses Senate Committee on fiscal relations

This morning ALGA addressed the Senate Select Committee on State Government Financial Management which is focusing on Commonwealth and state and territory fiscal relations and financial management.

ALGA responds to Housing Affordability Fund Consultation Paper

ALGA's submission to the Federal Government's Housing Affordability Fund Consultation Paper underlines the effects of housing affordability stress on many households and its adverse impacts on the effective functioning of local and regional communities.

National Aviation Policy Statement

Nearly 40 councils, local government associations and community groups have responded to the Federal Government's discussion paper on a National Aviation Policy Statement.

18 July 2008

Minister Wong announces climate change Green Paper - submissions open

ALGA is preparing a submission to the Federal Government following the release of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper on Wednesday by the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong.

Regional infrastructure funding - your chance to have a say

ALGA's submission to the Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program was sent to the House of Representatives Infrastructure and Regional Development Committee this week for consideration.

Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

The Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs met in Perth recently. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.

11 July 2008

The Garnaut Report and Local Government

There has been a great deal of media speculation over the past week about the Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and the Garnaut Climate Change Review.

Community infrastructure promotes active living

ALGA, together with the National Heart Foundation and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), has provided a tripartite submission to the Inquiry into Obesity, which is being conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing.

Greens weigh in on climate change

Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown laid down the gauntlet for the Government and the Opposition at the National Press Club this week, with a steely resolve to use the party's Senate numbers to force through tough emissions targets.

04 July 2008

ALGA President attends COAG

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell attended the meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in Sydney yesterday.

Grain Lines response provides 'some hope'

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, has rejected ALGA's call for a national approach for grain transportation, whilst providing some hope for further federal assistance to upgrade grain lines.

ALGA's submission to the Aviation Policy Review

ALGA's submission to the Federal Government's review of national aviation policy calls for an assessment of the costs of council ownership of airports; a more balanced approach that recognises the level of security risk in regional aviation and provides an ongoing commitment to subsidies for aviation services to remote communities.

27 June 2008

ALGA President meets with Local Government Minister

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, at Parliament House last week.

Meeting with Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek

ALGA President Cr Paul met with Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek last Thursday at Parliament House to discuss the Government's Housing Affordability Fund and electronic Development Assessment initiative to flag local government's views on implementation.

Meeting with Senator Alan Eggleston

Cr Bell met with Senator Alan Eggleston, the former Mayor of Pt Hedland, last week in his Parliament House office.

20 June 2008

R2R allocations, depreciation of equipment discussed at Roads Congress

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to Roads to Recovery (R2R) at the National Local Roads and Transport Conference in Shepparton this week.

Truss outlines transport challenges facing Australia

Nationals Leader and Infrastructure, Transport and Local Government Shadow Minister, Warren Truss, outlined the transport challenges facing all spheres of government at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress.

Fischer calls for balance between road and rail

Former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer argued for a rethink of Australia's freight system and how the use of rail could be maximised at ALGA's National Local Roads and Transport Congress this week.

13 June 2008

Councils vie for a slice of $100 million for Coastcare

Councils are reminded that applications close at 5.00 pm Friday 25 July 2008 for the Community Coastcare grants.

Local Government recognised in Queen's birthday honours

Local government stood out this week in the Queen's birthday honours with serving and former mayors and councillors receiving awards across a range of categories.

ALGA President meets head of Opposition's federalism taskforce

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell recently met with Kevin Andrews MP, the head of the Opposition's federalism taskforce, to discuss local government's view of its role in the federation.

06 June 2008

A place in the sun for local government

Constitutional recognition is the 'hot topic' at the moment for councils around Australia.

Inquiry into a new regional development funding program

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with Independent MP Tony Windsor last week to discuss local government's interest in regional development funding and in developing a new transparent and accountable model.

ALGA President meets with Opposition Local Government Spokeswoman

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met last week with the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary on Local Government, Sophie Mirabella, to discuss local government's constitutional recognition summit in December 2008 and the 'council conversations' which are currently taking place.

30 May 2008

ALGA President meets with Attorney-General

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, this week to discuss local government's concern about the extension of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program for only one year.

ALGA President urges Govt to extend Grain Rail Task Force to other states

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has written to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, seeking an expansion of the Grain Rail Task Force to include other wheatbelt states, in addition to NSW.

End of June deadline for submissions to broadband review

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, has written to ALGA inviting submissions from local government relating to broadband solutions for rural and remote areas outside the coverage of the National Broadband Network.

23 May 2008

Former local councillor appointed to board of Infrastructure Australia

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has welcomed the appointment of Professor Peter Newman to the Infrastructure Australia Advisory Council.

Dealing with the Media at ALGA's Roads and Transport Congress

It is only three weeks to the Congress. There has been a good response from councils registering to attend. There are however still vacancies available.

Australian councils called on to help PNG local government

Expressions of interest have been called from Australian councils to partner with PNG councils for a capacity building program at local government to local government level.

16 May 2008

ALGA's policy agenda taken up in 2008-09 Federal Budget

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has welcomed the endorsement of many of ALGA's pre-Budget proposals in the Federal Budget 2008-09.

ALGA ready to work with Govt on local community infrastructure

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has applauded the Federal Government's announcement in this week's Budget that a Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program will be established from 2009-10.

Transport Funding - 2008-09 Federal Budget

The first Rudd Government Budget locks in the funding increases for the AusLink program announced in the 2007 Budget. This is in line with Labor's promises during the election campaign to maintain AusLink funding, including for the Roads Recovery Program.

09 May 2008

PM outlines role for Local Government in affordable housing

In a wide-ranging speech to the Housing Industry Association, the Prime Ministrer, Mr Kevin Rudd, has reaffirmed the Commonwealth's commitment to a Housing Affordability Fund - and a big role for local government.

Australian Transport Council meeting report

Australian, State and Territory Transport Ministers, the New Zealand Minister for Transport Safety and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) met in Melbourne last Friday to consider a range of national infrastructure and transport issues.

Barcaldine's Tree of Knowledge Lives On

Barcaldine Regional Council, in Queensland's central west, has been presented with 35 clones and cuttings of the historic Tree of Knowledge as part of the State's Labour Day celebrations.

02 May 2008

ALGA puts the Budget case for local government

In a cogently argued 2008/2009 Budget submission to the Commonwealth, ALGA President, Cr. Paul Bell, says local government continues to demonstrate its ability to deliver services directly to Australian communities.

Truss attending Roads Congress

The leader of the National Party and Opposition spokesman on transport, Warren Truss, will be speaking at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Shepparton, Victoria, from 15-17 June 2008.

Minister comes out strongly in support of local govt

The federal minister responsible for local government, Anthony Albanese, this week made one of the strongest Commonwealth government statements on record in support of local government.

24 April 2008

Greater recognition of local government to flow from 2020 Summit

ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, foresees a greater recognition of the role of local government - and its importance to Australian life - flowing from the 2020 Summit.

The 2020 Summit and local government at a glance

The ALGA was one of 3,600 individuals or groups that made almost 8, 800 submissions to the Australia2020 Summit convened by the Prime Minister on 19 and 20 April in Canberra.

Productivity Commission Report on local government revenue-raising capacity

The Productivity Commission Report, released on April 17, presents 29 findings about the capacity of local governments to raise own-source revenue.

18 April 2008

Launch of Constitutional Recognition Website

Recognition in the Australian Constitution is one of the most important challenges facing local government today. It is an issue that we need to manage properly if we are to maximise our chance of success.

2020 Summit - This weekend

This weekend (April 19-20) ALGA President Cr Paul Bell will be attending the 2020 Summit in Canberra.

Review of National Aviation Policy

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese, has released an Issues Paper and announced a review of National Aviation Policy.

11 April 2008

ALGA President writes to Minister on broadband roll-out

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has strongly backed a timely, cost-effective and extensive roll-out of high-speed broadband in a letter sent this week to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.

Launch of Constitutional Recognition Website

ALGA will launch its Constitutional Recognition website on April 18. The website will provide material for councils to undertake conversations which will feed into the Constitutional Summit in Melbourne in December 2008.

Councils lead the way in climate change

Last Friday, ALGA attended the COAG Climate Change and Water Working Group Adaptation Sub-Group meeting.

04 April 2008

Ministers support the role of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program

Mayor Cr Barry Easter, representing the President of ALGA, attended the first Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Services in Canberra 26th March 2008, chaired by Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport

ALGA has provided critical comments on the draft report of the Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport being conducted by the Federal Government.

First-ever State of Regions launch at Parliament House

Over 70 MPs and Senators from all sides of politics, and ALGA stakeholders, attended a briefing at Parliament House recently on the 2007-08 State of the Regions Report.

28 March 2008

Council of Australian Governments meets in Adelaide

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell attended the COAG meeting in Adelaide on 26 March 2008. While the focus of the meeting was on major Commonwealth/State issues such as Health and Hospitals and Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs) to the states, there were some important developments for local government.

ALGA President urges Government to 'reconsider' environment cuts

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell made urgent representations to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, about the Government's decision to slash funding to the Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator Network.

ALGA Board meets with the Hon Gary Gray MP

Members of the ALGA Board held discussions with the Hon Gary Gray MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, on Wednesday 19 March.

14 March 2008

ALGA calls for NRM funding certainty

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell wrote recently to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd regarding the continuing uncertainty of funding for national natural resource management programs.

President's plea for constitutional recognition

In a passionate plea for Constitutional recognition for local government, the ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said the lack of recognition for local government in the Constitution is 'one of the fatal flaws in the federation and it's something that really needs to be fixed.'

ALGA spreads word about breast cancer research

The Chair of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ros Kelly, addressed a Parliamentary breakfast yesterday to raise awareness of breast cancer research initiatives.

07 March 2008

ALGA President welcomes $30 million for eDAs

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has welcomed an announcement by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of a Government investment of up to $30 million to roll-out nationally electronic development assessments (eDAs) and online tracking services to streamline planning approvals and cut the cost of new homes.

Roads Congress - securing the first mile

This year's National Local Roads and Transport Congress will follow closely after the Rudd Government's first budget in May.

International Women's Day - local government needs you!

Thousands of women across Australia will commemorate International Women's Day tomorrow with many events taking on a sombre and reflective tone as despite progress that has been made, women are reminded of the huge task ahead.

29 February 2008

National Constitutional Summit - 8-11 December 2008, Melbourne

The achievement of formal recognition remains one of the most cherished goals of local government, so we can finally take a seat at the federalism table as an equal partner with the states and the Commonwealth.

ALGA President to attend 2020 Summit - Women and men of local government encouraged to nominate

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has invited ALGA President Cr Paul Bell to attend the Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House in Canberra on 19 and 20 April 2008.

Indigenous leader calls for better infrastructure and services for remote communities

Indigenous leader and former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu has vowed to hold the Federal Government accountable for providing basic infrastructure.

22 February 2008

Minister Albanese addresses National Press Club

ALGA welcomed the Government's commitment to infrastructure and the details of the establishment of Infrastructure Australia in a speech by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, at the National Press Club on Wednesday 20 February.

President meets with Minister Plibersek on housing affordability

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met this week with the Commonwealth Minister for Housing and the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, to discuss the important issue of housing affordability.

ALGA raises concerns about Productivity Draft Report findings

ALGA has raised concerns about the findings of the Productivity Commission's Draft Report Assessing Local Government Revenue Raising Capacity in its comments on the report provided to the Productivity Commission this week.

15 February 2008

History made as Federal Parliament apologises to Stolen Generations

Indigenous adults and children gave federal parliamentarians a long standing ovation after MPs formally apologised on Wednesday for the pain and suffering inflicted on the stolen generations.

ALGA's 2008-09 Budget Submission

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has urged the Federal Government to address the financial relationship between local government and the Commonwealth in the upcoming May Budget.

$2.2 million safety upgrades for remote airstrips

The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, announced on February 8 funding of $991,000 for remote airstrip projects with a total value of $2.2 million.

08 February 2008

First meetings of 3 COAG working groups

ALGA has participated in recent COAG climate change, housing and infrastructure working group meetings. These working groups were part of the seven established at the COAG meeting on 20 December 2007.

$150 million damage bill after Queensland floods

Recent flooding has cost local government $59 million, and the Queensland economy at least $150 million.

Cr Helen Scott OAM JP

The National Secretary of the Australian Local Government Women's Association, Cr Helen Scott, is one of 26 local government recipients of awards in the 2008 Australian Day Honours List.