Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

100 years on Local Government is finally on the agenda
From 20 January to 17 March 1898, the Australasian Federal Convention met in Melbourne to finalise a draft constitution to be put to the Australian people via referendum. To mark the Convention's centenary, the Victorian State Government together with the Constitutional Centenary Foundation, invited Government, business and community leaders from around Australia to reenact the Melbourne event.

Editorial
Facilitator of the Group Session that looked at the Role of Local Government at the recent Melbourne Convention, Peter McMullin, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, asked delegates to consider where Local Government fits in our Federal system at present and where it might progress. During the ensuing discussion, consensus was readily reached that Local Government should have recognition in the Australian Constitution. However, the need for Local Government to have a higher profile and an improved image was also seen as a prerequisite for recognition.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a State Local Government Association President. The following is from Mayor Sue Smith, President Local Government Association of Tasmania.

Sell out seminar on managing Council planning disputes
Recently, over 170 delegates from across NSW attended a major Interactive Seminar in Sydney. It was designed to assist Councils, and those who deal with them, to better manage planning and building disputes, with a consequent reduction in costly litigation.

Schools production promotes reconciliation
Gosford City Council's support for a school project which took a radical approach to Australian history has resulted in a significant step towards reconciliation.

Rethink on Tas restructure
Referenda conducted by a number of Tasmanian Councils earlier this year have led to a rethink on the current restructure program. With most polls resulting in between 50 and 90 percent of voters saying 'no' to further Council amalgamations, the Minister for Local Government, Denise Swan, has requested the Local Government Board reconsider their recommendations.

Regional infrastructure - linking local champions with institutional investors
Funding for regional infrastructure - ports, airports, roads, water treatment, pipelines, transport terminals, tourism facilities, hospitals, schools - is a recurring issue in the run up to virtually every Federal and State election. The debate inevitably focuses on whether there really is a shortage of capital for infrastructure projects, and buck-passing as to whose responsibility it is to fund them. The end result is continued disillusionment among project champions at the Local Government level - and a lament for the days of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme.

Import replacement = big gains for Flinders Island
A commitment to self sufficiency has led to innovative infrastructure provision and widespread benefits for the small community of Flinders Island in Bass Strait. While the Island has always aimed for self sufficiency, the absence of saw log timber, among other factors, meant many components for infrastructure and building had to be imported by air or sea, adding to costs.

Mapping system linked to customer service inquiries
An updated version of Geomation's MapIt software system is set to make life easier for Council staff and ratepayers. Victoria's City of Kingston has recently implemented the latest version of the MapIt software.

Litter controls bring results
A concerted anti litter campaign combining education, guidance and enforcement, has won high praise for the City of Whittlesea from the Victorian Environment Protection Authority.

Revamp for industrial heritage site
Some of Australia's earliest industrial history has been recaptured in an engineering project that combines heritage values, engineering skills and environmental management. Involving the City of Yarra and Melbourne Parks and Waterways, the project has restored Australia's first 'hydro-electric' power source in an old flour mill established in 1838.

Forward thinking asset management
Devonport, with assets valued at $200 million, has taken a concerted approach to managing these assets to minimise costs and maximise value in the long term. Based on the recommendations in the National Asset Management Manual, Council first divested itself of surplus assets. Secondly, it concentrates its management efforts at the concept or planning stage to minimise life cycle costs.

Canterbury using grants to 'trap' key waterways
Having won two major grants from the NSW State Government, Canterbury City Council is going to be able to better protect two key Sydney waterways with the installation of cutting edge Gross Pollutant Traps.

A model for infrastructure planning
Wollongong Council has embarked upon an extensive planning process involving a multi million dollar development. Ultimately intended to house up to 60,000 people, it will provide an environmentally sustainable, high quality of life for residents.

When 'Fido' has to go
Man's best friend has proven to be an ongoing problem for Councils responsible for dealing with the public nuisance dogs can create. Apart from their ability to inflict injury and even death, a major problem dogs create arises from their poor toilet training. However, a new concept involving a bin designed to provide a convenient, hygienic and attractive receptacle for dog litter has recently been launched.

Moreland leads on governance
Councillors elected in 1996 came to office with a formidable policy platform that had been developed and debated in the community over the 12 months prior to the election. The platform, called Bringing Moreland Together, was endorsed as official policy through the Mayor's Speech given at new Council's first ceremonial meeting. According to the City's first Mayor, Mike Hill, the newly elected Councillors were determined to take control of the Council's agenda.

Language Link
In a city where almost one third of the population has a first language other than English, for local governments to be fully inclusive, communicating in people's languages is essential. Moreland's Language Link ensures residents can access Council services, using their own language.

Fighting for local amenity - the Moonee Ponds Creek
When Laurie Cox, Chairman of Transurban, the contractor responsible for constructing the Victorian Government's City Link project, spoke at a luncheon in February last year, he indicated that the Moonee Ponds Creek would be restored to its natural state. However, Moreland Councillors and residents fear these improvements now may not happen.

Local constitutional convention a winner
As the debate about an Australian republic builds a head of steam, local governments are staging their own conventions enabling local people to come together to discuss our nation's future. In Moreland over 120 residents turned out to discuss the topics, 'An Australian Republic' and 'Citizens Rights'.

Politics eclipsed as reps work for Moreland
Over the past year Councillors at Moreland have worked closely with the Municipality's 16 State and Federal Members of Parliament to develop a stronger bond between all the community's representatives in Moreland. Quarterly Elected Representatives Forums have been the vehicle to achieve improved cooperation and understanding of the issues facing Moreland people.

Faith leaders work together
Moreland's culturally rich community includes devout members of many religions. Their presence provides a supportive focal point for people from many different ethnic backgrounds. In Moreland there are regular faith leaders gatherings. Not only do the meetings serve to bring about better communication between the various religions, they also allow the church representatives, as community leaders, to discuss the various issues and problems which their communities face, many of which they share in common.

A rich cultural mix
Having the second highest level of ethnic diversity in Melbourne, Moreland's Multicultural Strategy is of key importance in embracing its non English speaking peoples. This means a commitment to a high level of access and communication with Council and helping ethnic groups take part in community life.

Promoting a thriving arts community
At the southern end of Sydney Road Brunswick is a flourishing arts community. Council supports the arts throughout Moreland, and now has a major role to play to build on existing assets by creating an arts precinct at the southern end of the City.

Park provides an environmental experience
One of Moreland's truly wonderful assets is its alternative energy park, CERES (the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies). The Centre, also named after the ancient goddess of the harvest, was originally set up to provide examples of a variety of alternative energy sources and energy conservation practices.

Energy to save
Creation of a Moreland Energy Fund will promote energy conservation practices and products and reduce overall levels of Greenhouse gas emissions.

Successful waste reduction
A strategy to reduce the amount of waste generated in the Moreland community, and the costs associated with it, is proving highly successful. The results have been outstanding, with a 25 percent reduction in waste already.

Greening Moreland
Moreland has just completed a landmark Street Landscape Strategy which will transform the urban image of the city.