National assembly
Canberra was host to almost 900 mayors, councillors and chief executive officers last month at the 25th annual National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) hosted once again by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the sector’s national peak body.
TurtleCare volunteers make a world of difference
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, has more than 1500 local volunteers who have so far this year donated over 15,000 hours of their valuable time and skills towards Council’s volunteering program.
World heritage secured for Budj Bim
The protection of one of Australia’s most important indigenous cultural sites has been secured with this month’s historic UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Fresh food returns to Coonalpyn
An innovative new partnership project being delivered by the Coorong District Council, South Australia (SA), will bring weekly deliveries of fruit, vegetables and meat back to Coonalpyn residents for the first time since the local supermarket was closed in 2010.
Threatened species added to the list
Northern Corroboree Frogs, Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and two species of rare orchids are now listed as ‘critically endangered’ in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to align with national listings.
Keeping track of assets
Central Highlands Regional Council, Queensland, is investing $2.1 million in an ongoing physical asset condition program.
Red Tape cut from tendering processes*
THE CouncilWise local government software and support business has been approved by Queensland’s Local Buy platform, opening up significant new opportunities for the Tasmanian based information technology (IT) company.
Food, glorious food - The Good Oil by Rod Brown
Food and tourism are the cornerstones of many regional economies, so it makes sense to chase development opportunities where the two sectors intersect.
Toodyay celebrates with its first mural
A new inclusive changing places building, built in the Shire of Toodyay, Western Australia, is the site of the town’s first mural.
Taiwan visit presents international opportunities
Redlands Coast businesses were on the global smart cities stage as part of a Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) delegation to Taiwan led by Redland City Mayor Karen Williams.
Environmental grants benefit local groups
Nineteen local groups will receive just under $340,000 through the latest distribution of Coffs Harbour City Council, New South Wales, Environmental Levy funding.
Partnership righting environmental wrongs
The first of more than 47,000 native trees, shrubs and ground cover plants has gone in as part of efforts to revegetate 26 hectares of the important Franklin Vale Creek catchment.
Dual names recognise Aboriginal heritage
The City of Melville, Western Australia, is mid-way through installing nine new dual name signs at five places of Aboriginal heritage significance.
Welcome to Sun Country’s Discovery Weekend
In a novel approach to tourism local residents of Moira Shire, Victoria, will be the targeted guests in the upcoming Discovery Weekend being held on 27 and 28 July at tourist spots right across the shire.
New funding cycle, new strategy*
The Federal Election is over and we are now at the start of a three year Australian Government funding cycle.
Homelessness outreach program awarded
A homelessness outreach program has netted Inner West Council the Community Partnerships and Collaboration Award at the New South Wales Local Government Excellence Awards.
Hunt for country doctor gets a boost
The District Council of Kimba’s push to attract a permanent general practitioner is set to reach a wider audience thanks to a $20,000 cash injection from the South Australian Government.
A modern slant on asset management
Thanks to an ongoing focus on asset management, the City of Nedlands, Western Australia, is making strides in developing its forward works programs using evidence-based data and whole-of-life costings.
Road to the future
One of Australia’s fastest growing suburbs marked a major milestone recently when Liverpool City Council, New South Wales, opened a key route to the local train station.
Built to last
Early this year, the road crew from the Shire of Dandaragan, demonstrated why it is one of Council’s most highly valued assets.
Local government contributes to national Data Standard development*
Development of a nationally harmonised Data Standard to enable local councils and road agencies to collect and share asset management data across Australia has involved pilot projects with local councils in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Transition to mobile software
Clarence City Council, Tasmania, has transitioned to the innovative mobile software solution of OneCouncil.
Budgeting and reporting in the Cloud*
MAGIQ Software has announced its market leading MAGIQ Performance budgeting, reporting and planning suite is now available as a native Cloud software application.
Leading in waste management
With a long record of innovation in waste management, MidCoast Council’s new integrated waste management facility at Tuncurry is a multi-award winner, most recently recognised as a finalist in two categories at the New South Wales Local Government Excellence Awards.
Best in the west
City of Armadale’s long standing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ray Tame capped off a stellar career and celebrated his transition to retirement last month, by receiving the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Western Australia Leader of the Year Working in Local Government award.
Bellbird Community Hall upgrade complete
Bellbird Community Hall has received a much needed upgrade and is more accessible to everyone utilising this important community asset.
Building Nations symposium*
Big Names, Big Issues, Big Ideas: join us at New Zealand’s premier infrastructure conference
A positive budget
Cook Shire Council, Queensland, has chosen to adopt a ‘responsible and realistic’ budget for the coming year prioritising renewal of existing infrastructure and maintaining services.
Smarter parking for the city centre*
Warrnambool City Council, Victoria, has chosen CellOPark to modernise parking in the regional city’s central business district.
Emergency management software benefits road users
Central Highlands Regional Council in partnership with QIT Plus is leading the way as the first Queensland council to go live with emergency management software Guardian IMS.
A visit from the Minister
A new program supporting small business is being rolled out across New South Wales the Minister for Finance and Small Business, the Hon Damion Tudehope MLC, told Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith and Wollondilly Council representatives in a meeting with local small business operators.
New HR approach delivers injury free year
Changing the way the 700 strong workforce at City of Gosnells, Western Australia, approaches safety and on the job risk has resulted in a year without lost time through injury.
FunSearch helps highlight free council assets and events*
Australian technology start-up and Destination Marketing company, FunSearch.com.au is a new ‘location aware’ photo and video search engine that allows councils across the country to promote all manner of council assets and green spaces to both locals and travellers alike.
Stay connected – maintain control*
The new Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws will mean that incident investigators will focus on all measures that could have reasonably been taken to avoid a trailer separation.
Minimal Rates rise
For the 24th consecutive year, Brighton Council, Tasmania, will keep its rate increase in line with inflation with the general rate rise again pegged to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2019-20.
Green light for financial management
Somerset Regional Council was one of only 13 councils across the state to score top marks for financial sustainability and management following the release of the 2017/18 local government audits by the Queensland Audit Office (QAO).
Yarra’s waste revolution
A revolution has come to the City of Yarra, Victoria, with 1300 households in the area trying a Victorian-first new waste and recycling collection.
Recycled waste paves the way
Central Coast Council, New South Wales, has expanded its war on waste to include constructing a road from recycled soft plastic, glass and toner cartridges.
Innovation continues at former college
Mount Alexander Shire Council, Victoria, has proposed repurposing the former Castlemaine Secondary College campus as a new training, education and business incubator hub.
Can it be done?*
In early 2019, an unsealed road in outer suburban Melbourne was going to be subjected to increased traffic volume of up to 3500 VPD. This was required due to the construction of a new estate and the subsequent upgrade of a sealed road leading to it.
Close the loop on waterwaste*
RegenAqua™ is a wastewater treatment system at the cutting edge of innovation in municipal tertiary wastewater treatment.
