Federal election focus should be local
Under the theme 'all politics is local', the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has launched its federal election document outlining 12 ways political parties and their candidates can keep the election local and deliver for Australian communities.
Articles
Crossing borders
In a first of its kind, the Regional Development Australia (RDA) areas of Tasmania and southwest Western Australia last month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an exclusive collaborative relationship designed to support economic growth in their regions.
Drones inhibit osprey
Starting a family is not always easy for Osprey living in the Tweed, New South Wales.
New opportunity
Goondiwindi Regional Council, Queensland, welcomed the announcement that the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will move to town.
Stakeholder engagement is critical*
As the practice of community and stakeholder engagement continues to become more critical to the success of projects, and evolves and expands, then so too does the International Association of Public Participation (Australasia) Conference.
Edible pocket gardens
City of Palmerston, Northern Territory, residents will soon be able to plant fruit and vegetables in sections of local parks and reserves, following the release of Council’s draft Edible Pocket Garden Policy for public comment.
Social housing campaign launched
The Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance (EAHA) has called on all Victorian political parties to zone in and deliver real action on social housing.
Which bin?
How many times have you stood on the street checking which coloured bins your neighbours have put out for collection?
International recognition for botanic gardens
Wollongong Botanic Garden, New South Wales, has become the first Australian Botanic Garden to receive Conservation Practitioner Accreditation from Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI).
Cuttlefest is exactly right for growing
Whyalla’s growing cuttlefish experience is on the South Australian Government’s radar and “exactly” the sort of nature-based tourism venture it is keen to support.
Next gen council meeting
Local high school students were invited to get a taste of what it’s like to be a Councillor when Central Coast Council, New South Wales, hosted its annual Future Council program.
Artwork from the Inside comes out
An exhibition with a difference was opened in the Rural City of Wangaratta, Victoria, last month by Regional Director Hume Region Department of Justice & Regulation, Rob Francis.
A win for the community
The Shire of Woodanilling, Western Australia, have been successful in their Grant Application for $42,000 through Lotterywest for the installation of two banks of Outdoor Exercise Equipment.
Three tips for the caretaker period - The Good Oil by Rod Brown
When Cormann, Cash and Fifield wandered, with grim faces, into the Senate courtyard on Thursday 23 August we knew that the right-wing had prevailed in its quest to sack the Prime Minister.
Reimagining Rochester
The small township of Rochester in Victoria’s Campaspe Shire, was devastated by the announcement that Murray Goulburn would close the door on the Rochester manufacturing plant that had sustained the town for 40 years.
Scrap metal delivers return
Thanks to a new coordinated approach to metal recovery, Central Coast Council, New South Wales, collected a record amount of scrap metal from across its operations last financial year.
Working together to reduce waste
Western Sydney councils are on a mission to reduce waste, increase recycling and prevent illegal dumping under a new four-year strategy.
City of Cairns leads the way*
Cairns Regional Council followed in the footsteps of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne when they recently installed 172 Braille and tactile street signs and by doing so, became the first regional council in Australia to implement a Braille and tactile street identification programme.
Active Living reaching more people
Ollies, grinds and grabbing air are about to join the Cairns Regional Council, Queensland, Active Living program through a new skateboard class covering basic skills and tricks.
Another rock in the wall
City of Nedlands, Western Australia, has announced completion of stage two of the river wall restoration – and savings made will go towards the next stage.
Training for the World Cup
Southern Downs Regional Council has joined forces with TAFE Queensland to launch Be Our Guest, a new training program aimed at getting Warwick and the Southern Downs business community ready in the lead up to Polocrosse World Cup 2019.
Gawler on the Go!
Gawler City Council is excited to announce that the Visitor Information Centre is now selling “Gawler on the Go” reusable hot beverage cups.
Policy for more street libraries
Hornsby Shire Council, New South Wales, fully supports the installation of street libraries and has adopted a draft policy that will allow them to be placed on public land.
Visitor Information Centre supports local travel operator
West Coast Council, Tasmania, has announced it will partner with locally owned and operated start up business, Tassie4Kids, in an exciting new venture that will see the West Coast Visitor Information Centre in Strahan as a direct operator booking engine for the Tasmanian travel website.
The coconut action plan
Douglas Shire, Queensland, is investigating the viability of a commercial coconut harvesting trial on Council land.
Excellence in Family Day Care
Greater Hume Children Services have been announced winners of the 2018 New South Wales (NSW)/Australian Capital Territory Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
Girls get active
Greater Shepparton City Council has partnered with VicHealth in their ‘This Girl Can – Victoria’ campaign to offer a series of Women Only Swimming sessions at Aquamoves Lakeside Shepparton.
Council showcased in human rights report
East Gippsland Shire Council features in the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s 2017 report on the operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, which was tabled in Parliament on 23 August.
Free reusable bags
Macquarie Regional Library, New South Wales, incorporating the Councils of Dubbo Regional, Narromine and Warrumbungle will be offering free reusable library bags to the community when they borrow from any branch of the library.
Funding for natural disaster resilience
Maranoa Regional Council has received $150,000 in Commonwealth and Queensland Government funding to implement a Risk Assessment of Critical Infrastructure.
Innovative road edge repairs
They are not quite the holy trinity but three City of Ipswich, Queensland, workers are doing some pretty divine work when it comes to road maintenance.
Shire of Wiluna selects MAGIQ Documents*
The Shire of Wiluna in Western Australia has selected MAGIQ Documents to achieve its records and document management requirements and significantly improve community and stakeholder access to Council information.
Stadium-sized sustainability
Manningham Council’s premier new Mullum Mullum Stadium in Victoria is changing the game with sustainable design a key feature of this facility.
Following the KISS principle
Sometimes the simplest solution to a problem just happens to be the best one, and that was the case for Broken Hill City Council (BHCC), when they set about live streaming their monthly Council meetings.
Can you trust your data?*
Every organisational unit has amassed large amounts of data, so much so, we specifically reference the magnitude using terms like, data ‘warehouse’ or ‘lake’.
The smart war on waste
The District Council of Yankalilla, an hour south of Adelaide, recently combined their war on waste campaign with Smart City innovation with the installation of their first Smart Bin Clean Cube at Second Valley.
TSA working to increase rubberised road building knowledge base*
Australian Local Government Authorities are the focus of a knowledge building program delivered, in cooperation, by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) and the Australian Asphalt Paving Association (AAPA).
Drainage nets post goes viral
City of Kwinana, Western Australian, made Facebook fame last month with a post about the success of its drainage nets, which has gone viral with over 2.5 million people all over the world reached in 48 hours.
Puppies boost social profile
More than 1,000 people braved wet and dreary weather to enjoy a new City of Gosnells, Western Australia, event – all thanks to the power of social media.
Awarded app gets even better
Mosman Council’s innovative MyMosman resident app has been acknowledged with a win in the Local Government New South Wales awards held last month.
Community’s voice is the key
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, released the Kal City Centre Place Plan to the community for consultation last month.
‘Gardens for Wildlife’ goes state-wide
Knox City Council’s highly successful Gardens for Wildlife (G4W) program will be used as a role-model across Victoria with the assistance of the State Government and RMIT University.
A place of learning
Aurukun’s library has become a place of learning for young and old community members through a partnership between Aurukun Shire Council and Education Queensland.
Berri solar farm
Berri Barmera Council, South Australia, is planning a $25 million, 10 megawatt (MW), Renewable Energy Solar Generation Facility.
Adopt a Street Tree spreads its roots
Western Downs Regional Council, Queensland, has called on residents to help keep their towns beautiful by participating in the new ‘Adopt a Street Tree’ program.
Leading the way in bushfire mitigation
In the Shire of Jerramungup, Western Australia, in December 2012, more than 11,000 hectares of bushland at Bremer Bay was destroyed by fire.
Conference sets new horizons*
Coffs Harbour City Council is organising the 21st Local Government Information Technology Conference at Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, 28-30 November 2018.
Open Data Hub proves a big hit
One year on the City of Darwin Open Data Hub has proved highly successful with 12,179 views for information on a range of data.
Mobile app improves road maintenance
Committed to exploring how Smart City ideas can be implemented in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Council has transformed its road maintenance processes by developing a custom-made software system using mobile technology.
Roads of the future*
Is the future of re-sheeting unsealed roads viable any more?
Recycled plastic path trial
In a Victorian first, Hobsons Bay City Council will trial Emesh, a 100 percent recycled plastic fibre product used to reinforce concrete as part of the Skeleton Creek Trail upgrade.
