Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

NSW Councils charge pay TV carriers
Metropolitan mayors have unanimously resolved that Councils in NSW should take immediate steps to begin charging pay TV cable carriers for their cable networks on public land. According to the NSW Local Government Association, while pay TV carriers have obtained temporary exemption from State and Local planning laws, they are obliged to pay Local Government charges.

Editorial
Laying a xenophobic card on the table is simply not good business and the multiplier effect will have devastating results on our communities, let alone tear the heart and soul out of our communities through its divisive nature. However, reacting to the hip pocket nerve via economic repercussions is simply not good enough. Australians are renowned for giving everyone 'a fair go'. Tolerance, fairness and respect for others are the essence of healthy, safe and productive communities. It is now over to Councils to translate this National Statement on Community Tolerance into practice within their own localities through leadership and their total commitment to 'community'.

Tourism on the Net
Two and a half years ago, six Councils in Western Australia pooled their resources to produce a tourism map of their region. Comprising the Shires of Chittering, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Gingin, Moora and Victoria Plains, six months ago the Councils decided that the map and information being developed could also be promoted on the Internet. Called the West Coast Connection, a world wide audience can, with the click of a mouse, tour the region electronically seeing all it has to offer.

Mornington training
On Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Shire Council has a much closer relationship with its community than most local authorities. One of its principle concerns is to bring about meaningful and ongoing employment for its 1,100 residents.

Councils join Australia's 'big conversation'
Councils all around Australia have been invited to participate in Australia Consults 1997, a grass roots consultation program on key national identity issues. It is expected that 200 Councils will join in this 'big conversation' either on, or around Australia Day 1997. Australia Consults is a simple idea - Mayors or Presidents invite the local community to a public forum.

Elected Members Network in SA
With elected members having more responsibility placed on them with amalgamation, overhead cabling, and so forth, the need for them to have necessary information on these important issues to make informed decisions for their community is vital. To assist with this, an Elected Members Network has recently been established in South Australia.

Quality awards for LG
Three Victorian Councils, the Cities of Port Phillip, Whitehorse and Manningham, were among 57 organisations recognised in this year's Australian Quality Awards. An increasing number of organisations are using the Australian Quality Awards assessment criteria in their pursuit of excellence and for measuring business performance.

Strategic approach to service delivery
Kalamunda Shire in Perth's East has developed a Project Management System covering all aspects of service delivery. The Project Management System, introduced in Planning Services in 1995, is a best practice framework allowing decision makers to ensure strategic needs are met, and service delivery is properly managed.

Benchmarking the way to go at Marion
Marion Council in South Australia is not waiting for change to forced upon it. Determined to improve its efficiency, 18 months ago Council began to examine work practices throughout the organisation. With the object of further improving the efficiency and contestability of operations, Council is now embarking on a process of benchmarking services against other organisations, both public and private.

Energetic about savings
Energy costs in large organisations like Councils can be a serious drain on budgets, as well as having long term effects on the environment. In response, Melville Council in Western Australia has successfully implemented a radical Energy Management Program in its Learning Recreation Centre.

LG initiative to slash Australia's domestic energy bill
Each year Australians spend $5 billion on domestic energy consumption. In the process, 48.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. According to Environs Australia, the Local Government environment network, this is not only unsustainable environmentally but unnecessary. They propose to introducte a National Energy Efficient Housing Policy to radically reduce Australia's rate of energy consumption.

Customer commitment
Providing exemplary customer service is a goal of Adelaide's City of Hindmarsh and Woodville. As part of its customer service package, Council has endorsed a new 'Customer Commitment' document outlining specific methods of providing superior customer service.

Code of Conduct for Crow's Nest
Following a study of the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994, Crow's Nest Shire Council, its staff and Councillors have unanimously supported the introduction of a Code of Conduct. It covers all Shire business and activities.

Getting the best people
Recognising employees are its most important asset, Brisbane City Council believes getting the best people and developing a highly skilled, flexible workforce is best assured by merit based career moves. To deal with instances where a staff member is aggrieved by a promotion decision, an Appointment Review Committee was established early in 1995.

'Parliament of the People'
In his Presidential address at the 3rd National General Assembly of Local Government, David Plumridge welcomed some 700 delegates, representing Councils across the nation, to Local Government's 'Parliament of the People'. Referring to 'the golden thread of Australian democracy', he said this is the right of people to be heard and to influence decision makers in the areas of government that impact on their lives. He believes the 'golden thread' is woven into the fabric of Australian society by Local Government.

A just and tolerant society
During the General Assembly, a national statement on community tolerance was passed unanimously. This statement was handed to Kim Beazley, Leader of the Opposition and the seconder of the bipartisan motion passed recently by the Federal Parliament, to present it to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on behalf of those present, who represent and reflect the aspirations of communities across Australia.

Dispelling the 'truths'
Professor Don Aitkin, Vice Chancellor at the University of Canberra, presented the keynote address. Speaking on the topic, 'Local Government and the future of communities', Prof Aitkin said that over the past 40 years our country, like most others, has undergone a series of powerful changes. However, he believes the values of those who govern us are changing in a counter productive way.

What the politicians said
Comments by Federal Politicians representing all major parties who spoke at this year's General Assembly.

Best practice exchange
Various examples of Councils working to achieve best practice in national Local Government issues were presented during the Assembly in concurrent workshops. Featuring a number of case studies submitted by Councils and Voluntary Regional Organisations of Councils from around Australia, they demonstrate innovative and interesting projects across a range of categories furthering the Local Government national agenda.