Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

NSW LGA meets in Dubbo
In welcoming over 900 delegates to the 1999 NSW Local Government Association Annual Conference, Mayor Gerry Peacocke said Dubbo was an ideal location to host such an event. Located at the crossroads of the major highways west of the Blue Mountains, he said that Dubbo is not only a major service centre but very much the regional capital of New South Wales.

Editorial
When Central Governments start talking about Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) it is the element of 'compulsory' that immediately starts alarm bells ringing in Local Government. Where CCT has been used in Britain, and more recently Victoria, the key complaint from Councils was the loss of autonomy, particularly in regard to making decisions which best reflect the needs of their residents and locality. The one size fits all approach takes away flexibility. Councils are forced to put services out to tender. This can be detrimental to their community.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor John Jago, President Victorian Local Governance Association.

Mosman proudly on world stage
Australian Local Government will be represented for the first time at the International City Managers Association (ICMA) Best Practice Symposium on Local Government Excellence. Selected as one of six in depth case studies, Mosman Council will showcase its MOSPLAN and Community Conversations initiatives.

Walking in Whitehorse
As part of its campaign to provide a variety of leisure and fitness opportunities to local residents Melbourne's Whitehorse City Council is launching 'Walking in Whitehorse'.

Off and racing in Casey
The City of Casey has long been a home to quality racing. Each year, the Cranbourne Cup kicks off the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. However, it was horsepower of a different kind being waved off by Casey Mayor Janet Halsall on the weekend prior to the Cup. Joined by five time world 500cc motorcycle champion, Mick Doohan, the Mayor farewelled over 5,000 motorcyclists in the annual Oz GP Run to Phillip Island.

Knowsley a service leader
Following a restructure of Local Government in Britain, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough was formed in 1974. It is one of five Councils in the Merseyside conurbation.

Putting the community first
Knowsley Council has formed a People's Panel to ensure it continues to meet community expectations. To form the panel, Council wrote to 11,500 households asking for people interested in being involved.

Fast track applications
The formation of a Fast Track Development Team has reduced the average time to process development applications in Parramatta by 33%.

Digital dashboards - monitoring the corporate digital nervous system*
The Digital Dashboard concept promotes the idea that standard messaging infrastructures and formula information dissemination and filtering tools. They can support and monitor best practice by delivering the right information to the right person at the right time and for the right cost.

Burnie: the Online City of the Future
Facing similar problems of most rural and regional areas in Australia, Burnie in Tasmania needed to urgently address the economic and social repercussions resulting from the recent downsizing of its major industry, pulp and paper production.

E-Council from INTEC
Burnie City Council and INTEC Australia have developed a complete Local Government Information System known as E-Council. E-Council means that the management and dissemination of information that Councils currently undertake manually can be delivered electronically for internal customers and the public at large.

Council overall winner of Workplace Safe Awards
Total Workforce, a commercialised business unit of the Launceston City Council, has been named overall winner of Tasmania's 1999 Workplace Safe Awards.

Boosting performance
Four Victorian Councils have joined forces in a cooperative alliance to meet various business demands on Local Government. Under this new initiative, 20 middle managers from Kingston, Bayside, Frankston and Glen Eira Councils are undertaking a Graduate Certificate of Business Management, designed and delivered by Monash Mt Eliza Business School.

Tax Reform compliance made easy*
The tax reform agenda within Australia has resulted in a significant range of changes to the mode of operation of most medium to large Australian operations. Primary changes include GST, PAYG, FBT and the potential for further changes arising from the Ralph Report. Under its i-Mergence product range Computron Software has developed an innovative range of software tools.

GST: whole of organisation approach vital
According to Pat McCarthy, Director of Gadens Accounting, for Councils to ensure they are revenue neutral, following the introduction of the GST next year, they need to take a whole of organisation approach.

Message from the Minister
I am pleased to bring you this special issue of National Perspective which showcases the winners and commendations from the 1999 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government. Local Government can be proud of the quality of entries for these Awards. With a record-breaking 338 entries this year - 98 more than last year - this year's entrants were competing in a high calibre field.

Identifying, rewarding and promoting innovation
For over a decade, the National Awards for Innovation in Local Government have been identifying leading practice in local government. With a record number of entries in 1999, the Awards proudly showcase the diverse work of local government in building sustainable communities.

National Awards for Innovation in Local Government 1999 Winners

First Rural Transaction Centres open
Australia's first Rural Transaction Centres have opened at Eugowra in Central West New South Wales and at St Mary's in North East Tasmania, with another four centres expected to open before the end of the year.

Help with the GST
Under an initiative announced recently by the Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, up to $2.51 million will be provided in 1999 - 00 under the Local Government Incentive Programme to assist councils prepare for the introduction of the GST.

Regional Australia Summit
Local Government was well represented among the two hundred and eighty two delegates who attended the Regional Australia Summit held at Parliament House in Canberra from 27 - 29 October. The Summit drew together business and community representatives from across the nation to focus on solutions to issues facing regional areas as a result of economic change globalisation, advances in technology, microeconomic reform and rationalisat on of services.