Sale of toll road should buy better public transport
New South Wales’ sell off of the Sydney Motorway Corporation will help fund the final stage of the WestConnex Motorway but locals expect to see the windfall reinvested locally in public transport.
State Budget boosts local jobs
The Palaszczuk Government has announced the 2017-18 State Budget is giving regional Queensland a major boost with $200 million over two years earmarked for Works for Queensland program.
Articles
In transition
Regions around the country are in economic transition and local governments are helping their communities to embrace economic diversity while building on regional strengths.
Go plastic free this July
By 2050 it is estimated there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. To stop the waste, the nation is asked to make the pledge and be Plastic Free this July.
Capturing local history
Creative Regions is working with Bundaberg Regional Council to develop a history trail for the Bundaberg CBD area.
Looking ahead - President’s comment
The 2017-18 Federal Budget last month saw the government deliver on its promise to councils to restore indexation to Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs), worth around $836.5 million over the next four years – a good result for local government.
‘Internet of Things’ creates smart park
Bins that alert the City when they are almost full, sensors that monitor weather and noise conditions and car parks that tell drivers if there are vacant spaces are part of a digital innovation trial being undertaken by the City of Joondalup in Western Australia to create Australia’s smartest park.
Increasing first aid training
Noosa Council celebrated Heart Week by promoting Walking Groups in Tewantin and Pomona and providing first aid training for 60 hardworking local volunteers.
Building community one dollar at a time
In a win-win for council and community, Cessnock City Council in New South Wales is matching funding for community projects dollar-for-dollar.
GivingBackathon prompts social change
The City of Armadale in Western Australia has hosted its inaugural GivingBackathon to design solutions for social problems.
Fresh take on mental wellbeing
Breaking the silence and starting conversations about mental health in an innovative program titled FRESHminds has earned Sunshine Coast Council special recognition from Local Government Managers Australia.
How to move a library
The Armidale War Memorial Library moved premises recently, which involved relocating 84,000 items.
Men’s discussion group proves a winner
A Men’s Discussion Group in Knox City Council is helping to form connections and friendships between older men in the area.
Photo competition drives local pride
Residents of Aurukun Shire Council in Queensland have celebrated the people and places they most love about their region.
Show must go on
In the midst of the clean up after Cyclone Debbie, Whitsunday Regional Council has stepped in to ensure the local Annual Proserpine Show will go ahead.
CCTV improves community safety
Broome Shire Council has undertaken a significant CCTV project to improve safety across the region.
Heading towards zero
Mornington Peninsula Shire in Victoria has plans to become a national leader on road safety.
Setting new records*
Records and information management in local council is not often renowned for innovation.
Moving to activity based working
Northern Grampians Shire Council is one of only a handful of local governments that has embraced Activity Based Working (ABW).
Welcoming visitors an economic boon
The City of Adelaide’s innovative approach to welcoming Chinese visitors to the city has been recognised at a local government awards ceremony.
Editorials
Editorial
Local governments across Australia breathed a collective sigh of relief on budget night as the Federal Government decided to reinstate local government Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) indexation.
Feature: Environmental Management
Urban creek welcomes back platypus
Urban waterway regeneration by two metropolitan councils in Victoria has seen the return of platypus to a local creek.
Water project recognised for innovation
Manningham City Council in Victoria has received a prestigious Engineering Excellence award in recognition of its lead role on the Bolin Bolin Integrated Water Management Project.
Students take the lead on sustainability
High school students in Campbelltown City Council in New South Wales are helping to develop and implement sustainable projects at their schools.
Taking the pledge to waste less
Port Pirie Regional Council is the first regional council in South Australia to “take the pledge” to send less to landfill.
Antelco launches ReuZitTM recycled water products*
Antelco, a world leading Australian manufacturer of micro irrigation products, has launched the ReuZitTM range of products specifically for the domestic and small commercial waste water and non-potable rain water market.
Remote town tidies up
Proud residents of the remote Northern Territory community of Areyonga visited Tasmania last month to compete in this year’s Tidy Towns ceremony.
Zapping weeds with technology
New technologies, including a mobile app, in-house developed data capture and mapping processes, are helping the City of Onkaparinga in South Australia tackle a deep-rooted problem – weeds.
Increasing tree canopy with confidence
The nursery industry is reviewing the national tree standard to give councils added confidence when planting in their local areas.
A barbie in the park is as Aussie as it gets*
Barbecuing outdoors is a great Australian tradition, and there is nothing better than spending a sunny day with family and friends at the local park cooking up a few snags on the public BBQ.
Adapting infrastructure for climate change
Northern Beaches Council in New South Wales is ensuring local infrastructure – including the area’s many surf life saving clubs – will be resilient in the face of climate change.
Innovative project cleans creek
The Northern Midlands Council is partnering with NRM North in consultation with other agencies, to develop a long-term open space plan for Sheepwash Creek, which flows through the western side of Perth, Tasmania.
Apartment composting
In partnership with Worm Lovers and Food Compost Food, the City of Stonnington in Melbourne has worked with local Owners Corporations to help set up communal worm farms at three apartment buildings.
Swimming pool goes green
The 68kW solar system on the roof of the Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre was switched on earlier this month, making it one of the ‘greenest’ swimming pools in Australia.
Conserving rural environments
To improve conservation values in its rural areas, Hume City Council has committed to a grant program for landowners and environmental community groups.
Railway greenway project on track
Stage four of a project to create a greenway along the Nedlands section of the rail reserve is now under way in Western Australia.
International leaders share climate strategies for cities
A recent urban resilience and climate conference in Bonn, Germany discussed some exciting projects for Australian local governments – including a burgeoning urban food network.
Embracing solar for heritage buildings
Installing a photovoltaic system on the Newcastle Museum was no straightforward task for Newcastle City Council (NCC). As a heritage-listed site, the former railway workshop that houses the museum posed unique challenges.
Tracking adaptation
The Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA) has launched an innovative web tool to inform local governments and communities about climate change impacts and responses in the west of Melbourne.
Fresh look at remote waste
The rubbish adding to landfills in the Northern Territory’s Big Rivers region could soon be providing financial and environmental benefits to its three Regional Councils, thanks to a collaboration driving a rethink on remote waste management.
Run silent, run deep at Applecross*
For those exercise junkies in the Perth suburb of Applecross, the impressive new set of steps installed by Landmark Products at Heathcote Reserve are a welcome sight. But the news is also good for nearby residents.
Waterwise council earns top gong
The City of Mandurah in Western Australia has received the highest recognition in the State Government’s Waterwise Council Program, having been awarded Platinum status at a special event recently.
This car is electrifying*
For BMW, sustainability isn’t just about emission-free motoring. It goes beyond the vehicle’s day-to-day use, and extends to factors such as supply chain, production, service life and recycling.
Unreserved about reserves
The Toodyay Shire in Tasmania boasts a number of stunning nature reserves.
Councils implement smart-city ready infrastructure*
Smart controls and innovations are on the rise in the lighting sphere. In 2016, 80,000 LED street lights, the bulk of them smart-city ready if not enabled, were installed throughout Australia.
Restoring roadside vegetation
Glen Innes Severn Council in the New England region of New South Wales is managing local roadside vegetation and stamping out invasive weeds.
Educating on biosecurity
The City of South Perth has run a series of successful workshops on woodland protection and sustainability.
Sustainability communication goes online
The City of Unley in South Australia has taken its commitment to environmental sustainability into the digital realm with the creation of five short videos for its social media channels.
AWRE returning to Melbourne for 2017*
Off the back of a record Sydney show in 2016, the Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) will return to Melbourne from the 23-24 August 2017 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
