Tasmania's troubled waters
The Tasmanian Government yesterday released the draft legislation it will present to Parliament in order to take over TasWater.
New complaints system for Queensland
The Queensland Government will introduce an Independent Assessor to consider all complaints against councillors, in a move to reform local government.
Australia Day change up to each council says ALGA
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has clarified its position on the contentious resolution for councils to lobby the Federal Government to change the Australia Day date.
Articles
Building tomorrow
Smart tech and building liveable communities were key points on the agenda at the Australian Local Government (ALGA) 2017 National General Assembly in Canberra.
Councils still work towards equity
“Progress towards 50:50 is not inevitable,” Virginia Haussegger AM told the annual Australian Local Government Women’s Association Networking Breakfast at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National Assembly.
Councils muster recycling pride
The District Council of Orroroo Carrieton in South Australia has taken out the top prize of the MobileMuster awards this year.
Reconciliation effort rewarded
A walking trail in the Rural City of Wangaratta has won the top award for Indigenous reconciliation for Victorian local governments.
New website accessible for all
Digital accessibility for all, whether that be for people with disability, those who are ageing, or residents who are culturally and linguistically diverse, is the aim of the City of Cockburn’s new website.
Skills and support for small business
Inverell Shire in northern New South Wales is up-skilling small business owners by bringing renowned trainers to the region.
Game of drones
Western Downs Regional Council in southwest Queensland is positioning itself to become known as Australia’s ‘home of drones’.
Sustainable dog bag switch
Noosa Council’s decision to introduce compostable dog waste bags could rid landfill of over a million plastic bags annually.
A focus on towns not industries? - The Good Oil by Rod Brown
Professor Richard Holden of University New South Wales (UNSW) says we should provide tax incentives to coax expanding firms into regional centres, rather than propping up failing industries.
Sun shines on large-scale solar
The Burdekin Shire Council in Queensland recently approved construction on what will become one of Australia’s largest solar farms.
Buying local boosts business
Thanks to Sunshine Coast Council’s “local preference” guidelines, local suppliers are reaping financial benefits.
Koala population thrives
Wollondilly Shire Council in New South Wales is protecting koalas across the region.
Fresh lick of paint celebrates local history
Colourful electricity boxes in Fraser Coast Regional Council are spruiking local history – including the region’s famed Mary Poppins connection.
South Australian council says welcome
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield has become the first council in South Australia to join the Welcoming Cities Network.
Remote recycling
Roper Gulf Regional Council in the Northern Territory is simultaneously encouraging recycling and up-skilling local students.
Fifty years in local government
After a career of more than 50 years in the local government sector, General Manger of Lake Macquarie City Council, Brian Bell, has called it a day.
Tourism training for jobseekers
Moira Shire Council in northern Victoria is offering free tourism training for those seeking work – including placement at its Visitor Information Centres.
Tributes flow for West Daly mayor
The West Daly region in the Northern Territory lost a leader early this month when Mayor Harold Wilson passed away.
High commendation for dunny run
A Tweed Shire Council accessibility project that evaluated accessibility of public toilets has earned national praise for combining the expertise of Council staff with the lived experience of people with a disability.
Burning right tonight
The ACT Government has called on residents to remain wary of the air pollution caused by wood heaters.
Banning the bag
City of Canada Bay has become the first council in New South Wales to officially offer support to Clean Up Australia’s #BanTheBag campaign.
New head for LG Professionals
The Chief Executive Officer of City of Palmerston in the Northern Territory, Mr Ricki Bruhn, has been formally inducted as the 2017-2018 LG Professionals Australia National President.
Gluten free audit a success
The City of Busselton in Western Australia has carried out a local ‘gluten free’ test with pleasing results.
Fast tracking high-rise fire safety checks
In the wake of the Grenfell fire tragedy in London, the Inner West Council is fast tracking a fire safety audit of all high-rise with external cladding within the New South Wales local government area.
Editorials
Editorial
A discussion on the ground at the National General Assembly centred on the lack of female speakers on panels – particularly those focused on technology.
Drones save time and money
A new initiative that will reduce costs and improve efficiencies at East Gippsland Shire Council has got off the ground – literally.
Community hub fit for all seasons
The tiny community of Adjungbilly – 60 kilometres from Gundagai in Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council – has a community hall that can now be used comfortably all year round, thanks to a grant from the Stronger Communities Fund.
Rolling on
The Shire of Esperance in Western Australia recently upgraded 60-year-old rollers and is improving the safety of the staff that operates them.
BMW leads with PHEV pricing parity*
BMW’s iPerformance range continues to grow with the arrival of the BMW 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Success granted
A ten-year Capital Works Program of Sunshine Coast Council is delivering key infrastructure projects and successfully leveraging grant funding.
Streamlining asset management workflows
Eighteen months ago Tablelands Regional Council in Queensland officers drew a line in the sand and looked to transform how the organisation delivered asset management.
Community input an asset
The City of Burnside in South Australia has dramatically increased community engagement and input on its asset management.
Harnessing people-power to manage facilities
An innovative partnership between Lake Macquarie City Council and the community is helping to deliver major upgrades to local community and sporting infrastructure.
Preserving cultural history
Glenelg Shire Council in southwest Victoria presides over a vast collection of historical artefacts – but maintaining it presents a challenge.
Men’s Shed restores historic gems
A Men’s Shed has collaborated with Hobsons Bay City Council in Victoria to help bring historic facilities back to their former glory.
No more wasted time at the tip
Cutting edge technology being used by Logan City Council in South East Queensland has made a trip to the tip so much easier for customers.
Exposure to wood good for the heart, the head and healing*
Planet Ark has completed a new report – Wood – Nature Inspired Design – which outlines the importance of connecting buildings with the natural world and how with ‘nature connected design’ (also called biophilic design) and using wood we can bring nature indoors and provide a healthier, happier environment
for all.
Roadmap for economic growth
Tea Tree Gully Council has adopted an economic framework that focuses on support for small businesses and methods to attract new investment to the South Australian community.
Re-sheeting and sustainability on unsealed roads*
The sustainability of unsealed roads is not just about the environment, it’s also about the ability to maintain service levels and cost efficiency.
Stormwater intelligence
Brimbank City Council in Victoria has developed and adopted the use of cutting edge technology, artificial intelligence and CCTV to monitor and maintain the ongoing maintenance of its stormwater pipe assets.
Roof upgrade saves thousands
A thermal insulation upgrade to the roof of the local entertainment and convention centre will save the Mackay Regional Council between $10,000 and $15,000 per year.
LED lighting to save millions
The Local Government Association (SA) is working towards transitioning councils to LED street lighting, with projections of saving South Australian communities up to $196 million over a twenty-year period.
Easy Guides make safety easy*
When James Tennant taught factory workers how to read and speak English, he noticed a problem.
Tropical urbanism scoops highest accolade
An award-winning collaborative study into tropical urbanism in Cairns has claimed the title of Australia’s Best Planning Idea – Small Project at the 2017 Planning Excellence Awards.
