Australian Local Government Association

Media releases: 2004

December

Paul Bell elected as ALGA President

9 December 2004

The President of the Queensland Local Government Association and long serving member of the Emerald Shire Council, Councillor Paul Bell, has today been elected as the President of the Australian Local Government Association.

November

Local government will struggle to cope with ageing population

25 November 2004

It is now abundantly clear that local government will struggle under current funding arrangements to properly provide for our ageing population, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Mayor Rae Perry, said today.

National Flower Garden Award goes west!

17 November 2004

Australian Local Government Flower Garden Awards for 2004. The national winner of the first Australian Local Government Flower Garden Awards is the City of Bayswater, a suburban council in Perth, Western Australia.

Darebin Mayor elected ALGA President

10 November 2004

The Mayor of the City of Darebin in Melbourne, Councillor Rae Perry, has today been elected as President of the Australian Local Government Association. She becomes the Association's first female president.

Local government pursues urban forest strategy

9 November 2004

Local government leaders meeting in Canberra today have resolved to seek an inter-governmental approach to the development of a national urban forest strategy.

ALGWA: A new way ahead for women in local government

9 November 2004

Mrs Kaele Way has been elected as National President of the Australian Local Government Women's Association at its Biennial Conference held in Orange, New South Wales, on November 5.

Local government motion on James Hardie Industries

9 November 2004

The National General Assembly of Local Government today condemned the actions of James Hardie Industries in the strongest possible terms for not accepting responsibility to fully fund the legitimate claims brought by asbestos victims against its former subsidiaries.

State of the Regions Report

5 November 2004

The 2004-05 edition of the leading source of comparative data on the economic performance of all Australian regions - the ALGA/National Economics State of the Regions Report - will be launched at the Australian Local Government Association's Regional Co-operation and Development Forum in Canberra on Sunday 7 November.

Fair funding top issue as local government leaders gather in Canberra

3 November 2004

Key issues at the General Assembly will include the need for a fair funding deal for local government, progress on implementation of the Fair Share report on cost shifting and local government financing, infrastructure, transport, environment and ageing issues.

October

ALGA welcomes O'Brien, Thomson to key portfolios for local government

26 October 2004

The Australian Local Government Association has today welcomed the appointment of Senator Kerry O'Brien as the Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Territories and Mr Kelvin Thomson MP as the Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Roads, Housing and Urban Development.

ALGA applauds ALP's integrated transport plan

6 October 2004

The Australian Local Government Association has welcomed today's announcement that a newly elected ALP Government would renew the Roads to Recovery program and expand the national government's role in passenger and urban transport.

ALGA welcomes Coalition's local government policy

5 October 2004

The Coalition's local government policy helps pave a way forward to address the key issues facing Australia's 700 local councils, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Mike Montgomery, said today.

September

Emergency management plan a boost for community safety

30 September 2004

Today's announcement that a re-elected Coalition Government would provide $33m to enhance the emergency management capacity of local government has been warmly welcomed by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomer

Anderson's commitment to help councils retain GPs welcomed by ALGA

24 September 2004

Today's announcement that the Coalition would provide $15m over three years to help rural councils recruit and retain GPs has been welcomed by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery

ALGA applauds Coalition's new deal for local roads

15 September 2004

The Australian Local Government Association has warmly welcomed today's announcement that a re-elected Coalition Government would commit a further $150m over five years to the much needed and highly successful Roads to Recovery program and make major changes to the way the program's strategic regional road pool would be funded and operate. Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson announced the changes in Townsville.

Planning workforce report a curate's egg - good in parts

7 September 2004

The Planners for Tomorrow report on planning workforce shortages released in Melbourne today is something of a curate's egg - good in parts, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said today.

August

Blueprint for building better communities

31 August 2004

The major parties have been asked to support the needs of local communities with the launch today of the Australian Local Government Association's Blueprint for building better communities.

Helping local government get the most out of spatial data

23 August 2004

A new toolkit has been launched today by the Australian Local Government Association and ANZLIC - the Spatial Information Council of Australia and New Zealand. The toolkit is a practical document developed from the experience of a cross-section of local councils from around Australia.

Continued government support needed to avoid regional digital divide

20 August 2004

A survey of 200 councils across Australia, carried out as part of the report, found that all councils had Internet access. However, 89% of urban councils were on broadband compared to 59% of those in rural areas. Across the country as a whole, 68% of councils were on broadband and 32% on dial up. By early 2005, 85% of councils were predicted to be on broadband.

July

ALGA, Bishop launch Ageing Action Plan

27 July 2004

An action plan to assist Australia's 675 councils plan for demographic change has been launched today by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, and Federal Minister for Ageing, Ms Julie Bishop, at the Ballina Shire Council in New South Wales.

ALGA impressed with new minister's grasp of core issues

21 July 2004

ALGA met with Mr Lloyd in Canberra this morning, his third day as a federal minister. It was the Minister's first meeting with a stakeholder in any of his three portfolio areas.

ALGA welcomes Jim Lloyd, congratulates Ian Campbell

15 July 2004

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, today welcomed the appointment of Jim Lloyd as Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, saying it came at a critically important time for Australia's 675 councils

Brisbane engineer receives Roads award

13 July 2004

Brisbane City Council engineer, Mr Bruce Hansen, today received an Austroads Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to road transport. The award was made at the National Local Roads Congress being held in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

Commitments

13 July 2004

Delegates congratulated the Australian Government for renewing the vital Roads to Recovery program for a further four years, a national investment of $1.2 billion.

Road deaths are preventable

12 July 2004

Australian Automobile Association (AAA) media release

The Executive Director of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), Lauchlan McIntosh has called on the Commonwealth and states to follow the lead of local governments and take a broader approach to road safety.

ALGA welcomes Ferguson's transport commitments

12 July 2004

Commitments by Labor today to support the renewal of the $1.2bn Roads to Recovery program, continue the Black Spots road safety program and take a cooperative approach to transport infrastructure funding have been welcomed by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery.

ALGA applauds Campbell's commitment to R2R2 state-based shares

12 July 2004

ALGA President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, today welcomed a commitment from Federal Roads Minister Ian Campbell to ensure local government in each state and territory gained a fair share of the $400m strategic funding component of the renewed Roads to Recovery program.

2004 National Local Roads Congress

10 July 2004

More than 500 councillors, local government officials and road experts from across Australia will attend ALGA's 5th National Local Roads Congress to be held in the Barossa Valley on Monday 12 July and Tuesday 13 July.

June

Don't cave in to developers on planning controls, warns ALGA

24 June 2004

Today's Productivity Commission report on housing affordability comes dangerously close to caving in to developers' demands that the ability of councillors to make decisions on controversial development applications should be restricted, Australian Local Government Association President, Cr Mike Montgomery, said today.

AusLink confirms $1.2 billion boost for local roads

7 June 2004

Today's AusLink white paper strengthens the Australian Government's commitment to the nation's local road network, confirming the provision of $1.2 billion to renew the much needed and highly successful Roads to Recovery program, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said today.

Six step strategy: Councils the key to secure sustainable cities

4 June 2004

A six point strategy focused on building local government capacity was needed to secure a sustainable future for the nation's cities and towns, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said today. The call came at the National Summit on the Future of Australia's Cities and Towns, being held in Canberra.

May

Strong economy should drive new deal for local government

11 May 2004

Tonight's Federal Budget addresses a number of concerns for local communities, with additional funding for important transport, environment and human services initiatives, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said tonight.

ALGA welcomes PM's new Community Crime Prevention Program

7 May 2004

ALGA President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said that councils would be eligible to apply for grants of up to $500,000 to support innovative collaborative community safety and crime prevention demonstration projects in high-need areas.

March

SaferRoads targets road deaths and injuries

31 March 2004

"Safer drivers in safer vehicles on safer roads" is the focus of a new national road safety initiative launched today in Canberra to coincide with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) 2004 international year of road safety.

NSW Shires Association welcomes rural health plan

24 March 2004

The Shires Association of NSW has welcomed a proposal for the federal government to fund medical clinics and hospitals in rural areas.

Major organisations unite to bring good health to the bush

24 March 2004

Five of Australia's major organisations with an interest in rural health have come together in collaboration on a ten point plan aimed at bringing good health to Australia's regional, rural and remote communities. The document, "Good Health to Rural Communities", was launched today by the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party, the Hon. John Anderson.

ALGA welcomes additional SA local road funding

16 March 2004

The Prime Minister has announced that an additional $26.25m over three years will be provided to the 73 local government authorities in SA to align the state's share of road funding under the local government financial assistance grants with the state's share of the Roads to Recovery program.

ALGA calls on regional development ministers to get joint meeting back on track

12 March 2004

Australian Local Government Association President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, has expressed deep disappointment that today's planned meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) had been cancelled and urged regional development ministers to get the meeting back on track.

February

ALGA launches campaign to protect community from open slather planning

27 February 2004

Local government leaders from across the country have resolved to launch a vigorous campaign to protect the critical regulatory role of councils in the planning process and prevent developers from by-passing democratically elected local community representatives. The Executive of the Australian Local Government Association (representing every state and territory) meeting in Hobart have resolved to launch a campaign to defend council planning functions following the release of a model development assessment process for public consultation.

Local Government Flower Garden Awards launched

4 February 2004

A new awards scheme to acknowledge the creative flair and good growing of local governments' parks and gardens team has been officially launched for 2004. Called appropriately the 2004 Australian Local Government Flower Garden Awards, one will be presented in each state and territory and a national winner selected for their plantings over winter into spring this year.

January

Australia Day - Big day for citizenship ceremonies

26 January 2004

More than 9000 people will become Australia's newest citizens today in more than 200 local government councils events across Australia. Thousands more will be able to affirm their commitment to Australia by participating in Affirmation ceremonies, organised by local government councils.

Roads to Recovery decision a boon for Australia

22 January 2004

Every Australian will benefit from today's announcement that the Roads to Recovery program will be renewed by the Australian Government for a further four years. It is replacing dangerous bridges and upgrading intersections. It is sealing roads and improving traffic flows. It is easing congestion and improving safety.

Connecting Local Government Conference

13 January 2004

The next IT revolution - How do 720 local government authorities, eight state and territory governments and one federal government get incredibly diverse IT systems and programs to work together to share information, reduce duplication, improve efficiency and enhance service delivery to the public?