Drought funding delays
Tenterfield Shire Council, New South Wales, signed a $1 million contract for drought funding initiatives on 20 December 2018 after a protracted application process that Mayor, Peter Petty has called extremely frustrating.
Talking about rural struggles
Goondiwindi Regional Council, Queensland, is doing its bit to lift the cone of silence on the unique problems faced by Australians living in rural communities.
Biomass central
The Green Triangle region of Victoria and South Australia has been labelled ‘biomass central’ by industry experts at a recent bioenergy seminar.
Plastic roads head west
The first South Australian (SA) road built with soft plastics and glass at Happy Valley in the City of Onkaparinga has seen plastic from approximately 139,000 plastic bags and packaging and 39,750 glass bottle equivalents diverted from landfill.
Youth vote
Tasmanian Local Government elections in October 2018 provided an opportunity for the West Tamar Council Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to give young people in the municipality a chance to have their say.
Getting back on track
Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Queensland, has stepped in to support local residents with concerns about the Inland Rail project, by providing an office in Gatton to ensure residents have reasonable access to the Australian Rail Track Corporate (ARTC) during the Inland Rail consultation process.
Impressive facilities
City of Kwinana’s Youth Precinct has received a visit from the Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, Colin Pettit.
Forum on climate change
Central Coast Council, New South Wales, has targeted the region’s youth for consultation on Climate Change Policy, at a forum hosted by Mayor Jane Smith.
Building a city smartly
The City of Parramatta, New South Wales, will be the field laboratory for ground breaking smart climate neighbourhood technology following a Federal Government Smart Cities grant of $571,000.
Nature trail has positive impact
Coorong District Council, South Australia, will begin construction on another 32 kilometres of the Murray Coorong Trail using $110,000 granted by the State Government to help increase walking and cycling access along the region’s unique waterways.
Councils implicated in Chain of Responsibility laws
Reforms to the National Heavy Vehicle Register (NHVR) Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws, implemented on 1 October 2018, have direct implications for Local Government including large fines and/or imprisonment for breaches.
Clean rivers by design
Manningham Council, Victoria, has developed a new system that provides a low cost method to clean stormwater with little or no ongoing maintenance requirements.
Holding the key
Local government knows there is a problem with affordable housing in Australia but few councils are acting according to the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA).
West coast brand hits number 1
The West Coast, Tasmania, is the talking point of the design world, with the West Coast Brand given the top spot in the BrandNew Annual Review Best of 2018.
Healthy chooks happy neighbours
People who keep chooks in residential areas of Tasmania’s Central Coast Council have a new tool to help keep their hens healthier and their neighbours happier.
Countering gender-based violence
Mildura Rural City Council, Victoria, is collaborating with the Gender Equity Action Sunraysia group (GEAS), to better understand gender inequality and the effect it has on violence against women in the community.
Council adopts Aboriginal names
Inner West Council, New South Wales, has voted to rename all five wards within the Local Government Area to include Aboriginal names.
Breaking the mold
Gnowangerup Shire has the unusual credit of being the only council in Western Australia with a female Works Manager according to the Local Government Supervisors Association.
Innovative road maintenance*
Unsealed road maintenance budget can be reduced significantly with Australian made innovation.
Bio energy powers pool heating
A biomass boiler at the Albany, Western Australia (WA), Leisure and Aquatic Centre (ALAC) is now keeping the pool heated while significantly reducing the centre’s reliance on gas.
Seeking skills from overseas
The Great South Coast region of Victoria, has secured a five-year agreement between Warrnambool City Council and the Commonwealth which will help employers address local skill shortages in key industries.
