Inland rail conference sets priorities
The inaugural Inland Rail Conference held last month in Parkes, New South Wales, brought together key players for the first industry-led conference aimed at identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with the project.
The value of community centres recognised
Western Australian Regional Development Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, has announced a decision to reinstates $13 million in funding for 105 regional community centres across the State.
Inclusive strategy
Life is about to become a whole lot more accessible for people living with a disability in Moreton Bay, Queensland, where the region’s first Disability Access and Inclusion Plan has just been adopted, committing Council to the development of an inclusive community.
The Elephant in the Wheatbelt
Shire of Corrigan, Western Australia (WA) is talking loudly about the ‘elephant in the room’ in an effort to save lives on local roads.
Watering spike does it right…*
Every irrigator, from the home gardener to the professional nursery manager, knows the challenge of putting the right amount of water onto each plant.
Disaster resilience strategies learned locally
Knowledge gained by Bundaberg Regional Council staff in the wake of the 2013 flood event has been instrumental in providing strategies that will provide for a more disaster resilient Queensland.
Age defying bridges
Locally made, highly sustainable carbon fibre reinforced bridges could one day become commonplace thanks to a successful City of Greater Geelong, Victoria, initiative, and the first Procurement for Innovation project to be successfully tendered in Australia.
There is a new type of zebra
What started as a quick glance on Facebook by Boulia Shire Council, Queensland, Mayor, Rick Britton has ended in a project that is claimed locally to be the first of its kind in Australia.
Putting the customer first
The City of Adelaide’s planning and development team has made improvements to planning processes that will save time and make processes easier for customers.
Proposal for waste to energy
Tenterfield Shire Council, New South Wales (NSW), has put together a proposal to deal with its ongoing waste problem by converting waste into energy at a local scale.
Improving air quality
Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, has attempted to improve air quality by combining with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to install a dedicated air quality sensor with hourly data available online and a network of Purple Air sensors across the city which also deliver real-time data.
An ear for busking
City of Darwin is considering new ideas to improve busking in the city.
City and country unite
In a first for Western Australia, the Town of Victoria Park in metropolitan Perth, and the Shire of Morawa 400 km to the north, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to recognise the importance of an effective working relationship between the two councils.
Integrated transport strategy
The Glen Eira City Council, Victoria, Integrated Transport Strategy recognises that Glen Eira should be a city that is easy to move around in, with a range of safe travel options and walkable neighbourhoods.
Rewarded for improvement
Noosa Council, Queensland, has been awarded Local Government Workcare’s Bronze Award (missing the Silver Award by just one point) after an audit in May confirmed that the Council has fully compliant systems.
International leader on climate
City of Melbourne Councillor, Cathy Oke, has been elected the international First Vice President of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.
Smart cities from the street up*
Picture the street outside your office in 10 years’ time. Driverless Ubers dart in and out of the traffic.
Adopting a THINK ahead approach
Shire of Dardanup, Western Australia, is setting new benchmarks for local government in the application of technology to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.
National landscape architecture award
The Shire of East Pilbara, Western Australia, is celebrating after being awarded a Landscape Architecture Award for the Newman Town Square, as part of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) awards.
Keeping it simple*
TeleChoice wants to give its customers the best possible service.
Neighbours work together
Three neighbouring councils from New South Wales have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan Shire and Yass Valley Councils have recognised that more can be achieved by working together.
Vote for the wonder of Wallaman Falls
Hincheinbrook Shire Council, Queensland, is urging residents to take part in a competition which will put the district squarely on the tourist map.
Feature: Community services, leisure, parks & gardens
Keeping fit
Yass Valley Council, New South Wales, has completed the first of a planned 38 service reviews as part of its commitment to be ‘Fit for the Future’.
Ella meets the Mayor
It’s not every day an eight-year-old gets a one-on-one with the Mayor, but when young Queenslander from Warwick, Ella Winfield, received a surprise visit from Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor, Tracy Dobie, she was all smiles.
Library’s Language Cafe celebrates
Language is often a barrier for people from different backgrounds, but a Wagga Wagga City Library program is bringing the New South Wales (NSW) community closer together through the power of conversation.
Birthday party planned for art gallery
The state-of-the-art Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery, Queensland, celebrates its 5th birthday in August and to commemorate this exciting milestone a special exhibition and weekend of free activities have been planned.
Nature conservation saves wetlands
Fifteen years of nature conservation in Town of Claremont, has restored Lake Claremont, previously fringed by a rubbish tip and long-hole golf course, bringing new wildlife to the urban wetlands.
A big splash for the Craigieburn community*
The Peddle Thorp-designed Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre in Craigieburn is now in full swing, after opening in October 2017.
A waterfall of savings
A new water filtration system – the first of its kind in Australia – saved the Willoughby City Council, New South Wales (NSW) Leisure Centre more than $14,000 and 1 million litres of water in a year.
Pole walking a fun way to better health
As part of the City of Armadale, Western Australia’s positive ageing program a new pole walking group will be introduced in Kelmscott, for senior residents keen to increase their fitness levels.
Industry makes way for the Arts
An historic building with roots deep in a city’s industrial past is about to get a new life as a creative hub for artists.
Town plans empower communities
Over an eighteen month period Wattle Range Council, South Australia, has developed fourteen community/town plans by working closely with all the towns and settlement communities within Council boundaries.
Foreshore art trail
An innovative art trail that adorns the Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, foreshore and creates a national tourist attraction for the City was unveiled last month at Warners Bay.
It’s a lifestyle*
Is there anything better than enjoying a sunny day cooking on the barbecue with family and friends?
Garden sprouts on car park rooftop
A stunning, new community garden will grow on the roof of the Kings Cross carpark after the City of Sydney approved requests from a dedicated group of local residents.
Bringing the library to you
Melton City Council, Victoria, will be taking the library straight to the doorstop of its newest residents.
Social enterprise cafe for Civic Centre
Town of Gawler, South Australia, has announced a local agribusiness will manage a social enterprise cafe within the Gawler Civic Centre.
Foreshore amenities upgrade*
City of Busselton, with the help of CIVIQ, has introduced a number of outdoor showers and drinking water stations along the picturesque foreshore of Busselton, Western Australia.
Celebrating five big ones*
Forty-five thousand Australians with disability are getting support for the first time under the NDIS.
Synthetic rugby field a first
Blacktown City Council, New South Wales, has unveiled its $6 million synthetic rugby league field, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Joint effort bears fruit
The Shire of Esperance, Western Australia, and the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Corporation Ranger team have embarked on a joint project.
More park for your bark!
In welcome news for dogs and dog owners across Knox City, Victoria, councillors have endorsed three concept option plans for proposed new dog parks.
Ride fuels passion to build the best
Tweed Shire Council staff working on the design of the first stage of the New South Wales Northern Rivers Rail Trail literally got on their bikes last month to gain first-hand experience of a successful rail trail operation.
Streetscape designs
Snowy Monaro Regional Council, New South Wales, streetscape enhancements are set to boost the economic and social viability of towns across the region.
Improving health in Honeywood
The City of Kwinana, Western Australia, is making it easier for residents to improve their health by installing a series of new outdoor exercise stations in Honeywood Estate, Wandi.
Art and culture and economic development*
As the world economy evolves, regional, rural and remote Australia’s economic development is increasingly reliant on ‘new economy’ industries, including more mechanised agricultural production, ‘advanced’ manufacturing, specialist technical and business services and the ‘creative industries’.
A business you can trust*
Some businesses are built on trust. Trust means you can believe what is said to you, that you’ll get what you thought you were asking for, and that after sales service won’t run out just as you need it.
Sweet Days, Hot Nights
Burdekin Shire Council, Queensland, has launched a new-look festival designed to drive destination awareness and tourism.
Highway to the hydro-zone
With the City of Nedlands in Western Australia managing a large number of parks, reserves and sporting ovals, there has been a key focus on improving water efficiencies in the irrigation of these areas over recent years.
Wonders of Wallaby Reserve
Toodyay Shire Council, Western Australia, has many bush reserves most of which are under active management and some of the higher value areas are preserved and promoted for nature and heritage conservation and recreations such as walking.
Making Maldon an inclusive town
Mount Alexander Shire Council, Victoria, is working alongside the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council to make their towns more accessible to people with disabilities.
Tourism roadmap launched
Glenelg Shire Council, Victoria, has joined forces with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) and community leaders to develop a tourism strategic plan aimed at strengthening the visitor economy and increasing visitor satisfaction.
Indigenous banners will fly
More Indigenous artwork will pop up on prominent streets in Queensland’s Douglas Shire, during a public art rollout in coming months.
Free offer for Fuso Canter range*
Fuso has introduced free Best Basic scheduled servicing for its popular Canter truck that covers 100,000km or three years (whichever comes first), for a limited time.
