Waste levy should be deferred
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has released a statement calling for the State Government to push back the date of the planned introduction of its new waste levy to 1 July 2019.
Articles
Two way street
A Western Australian wheatbelt community is ‘grading the roads of integration’ through an innovative community based work program.
Intercultural city promotes inclusiveness
City of Maribyrnong, Victoria, has signed a statement of intent to become a member of the Intercultural Cities Programme. Following the official signing, a ceremonial signing was held on Wednesday 24 October at a Children’s Week event with local families in Braybrook.
Councils join to prepare for Summer
Four neighbouring Victorian councils have joined forces in a bid to highlight the importance of community safety.
Untapped bounty used for drought relief
Ipswich City Council staff are behind a heartfelt initiative that is making a difference to Queensland farming families in need.
Weekend warriors clean up graffiti
A small, but dedicated team of volunteers gathered over the weekend for Mooree Plains, New South Wales, Graffiti Removal Day, on Sunday 21 October 2018.
Events help senior community prosper
Town of Claremont, Western Australia, with over 35 percent of the community aged over 55, has an annual program of events for seniors to aid active ageing, mental wellbeing and social interaction.
CouncilWise – ‘Now that’s different’*
A Tasmanian Council has developed a fully cloud based total software solution for local government and is now directly competing against other software suppliers.
Pillowcase project
An educational program designed to better prepare Queensland’s Hinchinbrook primary school students for natural disasters began with St Peters Catholic School, Halifax, the first school to participate in the Pillowcase Project.
Solar battery makes good sense
A 35kw solar system was recently installed by Bathurst Regional Council, New South Wales, at the Visitor Information Centre (BVIC) and is the first Council facility to have a solar system which includes a battery storage system.
Export meatworks one step closer
Maranoa Regional Council, Queensland is seeking a proposal and quotation to update the Maranoa Meat Processing Facility pre-feasibility report.
Hawkesbury Watch quality monitor
Hornsby Shire Council’s Hawkesbury Watch is a unique program using remote monitoring buoys to collect real-time information on water conditions in the Hawkesbury River.
Bright future for local youth
Swan Hill Rural City Council was announced as one of five councils across Victoria to share in $2.5 million funding from the State Government’s Youth Empower Program.
Mobile technology aids safety
Enhanced community safety is just one benefit of the successful roll-out of 24/7 mobile technology for CoSafe officers, the mobile patrol security service instituted by City of Cockburn, Western Australia (WA).
Storytime turns twenty
Coffs Harbour City Council Libraries’ Storytime celebrated its 20th birthday last month with special birthday stories and, of course there was cake.
Tickled pink
The Penrith City Council, New South Wales, showed its support for Pink Up Penrith during the month of October.
Gender equity framework informs all business
City of Greater Geelong, Victoria, has released the Ba-gurrk Gender Equity Framework to inform the development of an action plan which will ensure all of the City’s policies, plans, services and programs commit to gender equity principles.
Glossy Black-Cockatoo Birding Day
Noosa Council, Queensland, put out an all points bulletin in October, calling for eagle-eyed residents to join Glossy Black-Cockatoo Birding Day.
Road to savings
Liverpool City Council, New South Wales, will save more than $800,000 by building a major new road with recycled road materials.
Conference supports women
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Victorian branch conference was hosted last month by Maroondah City Council in Melbourne’s outer east.
Tackling alcohol and drug issues locally
Burnie City Council has received funding from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Australia’s leading organisation committed to preventing and minimising the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.
Long distance neighbours make good friends
The Sire of Murrindindi, Victoria, celebrated the opening of MiRA the new Marysville Information + Regional Artspace, on 12 October, almost ten years after the town was destroyed by fire.
Visitor Guide broadens horizons
Planning is now underway for the 2019/20 Carnarvon Gorge, Sapphire Gemfields and Queensland Central Highlands Visitor Guide and Touring Map.
Town Beach project underway
Town Beach, Shire of Broom, Western Australia, is a significant location for locals and visitors, with an important role in recreation, culture and heritage.
Bike path for the littlies
Shoalhaven City Council, New South Wales, has opened a new Learn to Ride bike path for Parramatta Park, East Nowra.
Designed to lower cost of living
Rural City of Wangaratta is one of eight regional councils to prepare a research paper on environmentally sustainable design for residential subdivisions in regional Victoria.
New roof and floor for Gawler sports
Town of Gawler has been granted $120,000 from the South Australian Government’s Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program as a contribution towards the replacement of the Gawler Sport and Community Centre Stadium roof.
Town centre renewal
Western Australia is a state renowned for remote holiday destinations, but Bremer Bay, Sire of Jerramungup, somehow stayed out of the limelight until recently.
Active Launceston
City of Launceston, Tasmania, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Active Launceston and reflecting on the agility required to maintain funding for 10 years.
Cluster fencing adds value
A third round of funding has been announced for exclusion fencing clusters across the Goondiwindi region as part of the Queensland Government’s Feral Pest Initiative, aiming to reduce the impacts of pest animals and weeds.
Along the road to Gundagai
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, New South Wales, has breathed new life into the mainstreet of Gundagai with a transformational face lift.
Lithgow launches strategy for growth
Lithgow City Council, New South Wales (NSW), has launched a four year Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) (2018-2022) which recognises the region’s historical links with coal mining while supporting a diverse range of new economic opportunities in the future.
BMX world cup hosts
In a major sporting coup Bathurst, New South Wales and Shepparton, Victoria, have been selected to each host a round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in February 2020, the first time the event has been held in Australia.
Giving life back to the heart of town
City of Onkaparinga, South Australia, has given a $3.2 million streetscape upgrade to the historic township of Aldinga in Adelaide’s south, creating a connected, beautiful and inviting place for people to gather.
Host City makes mark on international stage
The City of Joondalup, Western Australia (WA), hosted more than 60 international delegates from China’s aged care industry for the inaugural Innovation: Solutions for an Ageing Population International Conference at Joondalup Resort.
Built on a solid foundation
The Orange Women’s Shed has flourished into a strong network for women to learn skills and access support and grow confidence.
Let there be light
Moreton Bay Regional Council, Queensland, has announced a smart lighting and city network system to be delivered at The Mill, Moreton Bay.
West is best for tourism
Four of Adelaide’s metropolitan councils are helping boost the local economy by working together to increase visitors to the city’s western region.
Broadwater shared pathway opens
A small yet enthusiastic crowd was present last week to witness the ribbon cutting for the new Broadwater shared pathway by Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, and Richmond Valley Council Mayor, Robert Mustow.
Small businesses benefit
The cities of Melville and Canning, Western Australia, collaborated last month to create the free series aimed directly at small businesses.
Quality turf the biologic way*
For Parks and Gardens staff the emphasis has always been on turf quality - how to get a great looking turf whilst staying within water budgets and not over-using chemical fertilizers.
‘There is fun to be done’
When people think of Bayside, Victoria, the iconic Brighton bathing boxes immediately come to mind.
Major legacy project
Rockhampton Regional Council completed several key projects this year but one that generated significant ‘buzz’ throughout the community, was the Kershaw Gardens redevelopment project.
Healthy and happy wellness challenge
Blaney Shire Council, New South Wales (NSW), is making it easier for residents to enjoy a healthier lifestyle with improvements to walking trails and the installation of outdoor fitness equipment in time for the Blayney & Villages Healthy & Happy Wellness Challenge.
Regional tourism campaign
The Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith, New South Wales (NSW) were showcased in a new cooperative tourism marketing campaign, developed by Destination NSW in partnership with the Regional Strategic Alliance.
Containing costs on new build
Coffs Harbour City Council, New South Wales, has adopted a well-established approach to the design and construction of the new Cultural and Civic Space to help cut the potential risk of escalation in costs or completion time.
Fire services hub
Unique cooperation between Armidale Regional Council and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is helping entrench Armidale as a regional epicentre for rural fire protection services.
Museum refurbished for future generations
Shire of Lake Grace, Western Australia, is hoping to put the tiny town of Varley, population 50, on the tourist and heritage map with a $20,000 grant from Building Better Regions Fund to renovate their museum.
Rebuilding a beach
Mackay Regional Council, Queensland, has developed an action plan to restore one the worst hit areas in Cyclone Debbie to pre-cyclone condition.
Community Hub development
Whitehorse City Council, Victoria, has announced the development of a new Community Hub on the former Nunawading Primary School site will start in coming weeks.
Tech hub joint venture
A new defence, aerospace and technology hub has been hailed a sign of the great economic diversification to come on the march to smart city status.
Nostalgia entices return visits
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s tourism and visitor services teams manage the Castlemaine, Maldon and Surrounds Facebook and Instagram pages to promote local events, attractions and highlights and to attract visitors to the region.
Strategy targets metro day-trippers
Many Melbourne-based travellers think that a trip to Gippsland requires serious commitment before heading out.
Invitation to join the conversation
Ku-ring-gai Council, New South Wales, is undertaking one of the largest urban renewal projects in its 100 year history and residents and business owners are being invited to give their view.
Most accessible community award
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has received the Most Accessible Community in Western Australia (WA) Award – Regional Town/Shire Category by the Regional Capitals Alliance of WA.
