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Council leaders forum
Recently, 70 Mayors, Deputy Mayors and General Managers from Tasmanian Councils gathered in Launceston to discuss a range of microeconomic issues confronting their Councils. Throughout the forum emphasis was placed on the importance of Councils developing a team approach to running their affairs.

LG Professionals inaugural conference
The first Annual Conference staged by the newly formed LG Pro, an organisation merging the Victorian Divisions of the Institute of Municipal Management and Institute of Municipal Engineering Australia and the Victorian Municipal Community Services Association was staged in Melbourne in February.

Editorial
As a nation, we cannot deny major blemishes, particularly in the treatment of indigenous Australians. Throughout our short history as a nation, Aboriginal people have not faired well. Recent moves to redress past injustices through the Mabo and Wik decisions are attempting to rebuild bridges giving reconciliation real meaning. As we open our doors and host the rest of the world at the 2000 Olympics, all Australians must be able to stand up and say they are proud of what we have achieved. If recent moves to extinguish native title for pastoral leases succeed, then our credentials for tolerance, fairness and justice could well be thrown out the window.

Residents respond positively to planning initiative
In a unique consultation process, the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne's inner bayside recently held a Community Summit. All those who work, live or have other interests in the City were invited to attend and give their point of view on the direction the Municipality should take in the future.

Business approach at Circular Head
Having decided not to wait for changes under National Competition Policy to be forced upon it, Circular Head Council in Tasmania has set up its outdoor workforce as a competitive Business Unit.

Community Leadership Program a great success
Thirty nine members of the Nillumbik community have successfully completed a Community Leadership Program. The program is designed to lead to individual empowerment and self confidence, develop negotiation skills and improve understanding of human nature and decision making processes. With elections scheduled for 15 March this year, seven of the participants are now contesting positions on Council.

Toward a sustainable future
One of the world's most exciting conferences, 'Pathways to Sustainability' will be held in the City of Newcastle in 1997 during its bicentenary year. All cities and towns face a great challenge today - how to improve the environment of urban areas in a way that involves local communities. Accelerating urbanisation has inevitably resulted in a trend of environmental degradation of cities and towns, a trend that needs to be arrested. Based on the evidence of many of the case studies to be presented at this conference there are answers. The cooperative action of business, Local Government and community leaders is crucial.

Doing better business with latest IT
Delatite Shire Council, in Victoria's north east, is in the process of radically improving the way it does business by utilising the latest in information technology. Application of state of the art technology was critical to Council's ability to manage with reduced resources.

Document management technology delivers improved customer service*
Hobart City Council has implemented document management, imaging and workflow technology to deliver improved service to ratepayers as well as substantial operational benefits to staff.

New concept in business management for Local Authorities*
Praxa Enterprise is a new business term encompassing Praxa's product and mission to implement effective information technology strategies for Local Authorities, enabling them to meet their corporate objectives.

Best practice using the Internet
FOCUS Web Site, http://www.loc-gov-focus.aus.net, promotes Best Practice in Local Government. The Internet is a new means of communicating. FOCUS Web Site, part of this new communication network, provides information that can be accessed by the world wide audience of Web users.

Changing face of Local Government
"With our emphasis clearly on change, Lismore City Council has undertaken a total reorganisation," said Ken Gainger, General Manager. "We are now recruiting people with specific expertise relevant to the changing face of Local Government." A key element of the change strategy is a focus on customer service.

Open for business
Lismore has long been the regional centre for the Far North Coast of New South Wales. On the doorstep of three World Heritage rainforests, Council's theme 'Between Rainforests and the Sea' clearly reflects what the region has to offer particularly in the area of ecotourism. Add to this, Lismore's cultural diversity, vibrant business sector, world class sporting and educational facilities, and the opportunities abound.

Reconciliation in practice
At the third National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association, a Community Tolerance motion was passed unanimously affirming the commitment of Local Government throughout the country to reconciliation between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians. At Lismore, Council not only resolved to adopt the national statement but is endeavouring to give practical application to the statement in the local context.

Between rainforests and the sea ...
Renowned for its physical beauty, frontier spirit and cultural diversity, Lismore is a thriving university City with world class sports facilities, branches of most Government Departments and an extensive shopping centre. Fringed by rainforests, it is just 40 minutes from some of the North Coast's most spectacular beaches.

Sound approach to Council business
A number of Council's operations are run on a business or commercial basis. This ensures services are efficient and effective and rate revenue is not drained from other Council programs. Now under the management of the Business and Enterprise Group these operations include Council's quarries, the Airport, cemeteries and crematorium, water and sewerage, waste services, tourism and property management. In addition, Lismore City Council has a number of joint enterprises with the private sector.

Taking garbage to the streets
Educating people about the need to reduce the volume of waste generated in the community can be a bit of a bore. However, Lismore has employed the time honoured method of theatre to take the message to the streets, where people make shopping decisions that influence the volume of waste.

Testing the waters
Water is one of our most valuable resources, yet the impacts from industrial, agricultural and urban land uses and poor management of natural resources continue to threaten our environment. To develop a greater understanding of water quality within the Richmond Catchment, Lismore City Council has undertaken an extensive waterways monitoring program.