Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

2006 – The challenges ahead

Local Government’s key national policy and lobby group, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is gearing up for a busy and energetic year as it seeks to secure significant commitments from the major political parties in the lead up to the 2007 Federal election.

Editorial

As we start another year, an unfortunate reality of the recent festive season is the fact that some of us did not make it into 2006 and others who did, will not see in another New Year. Over the recent holiday season, from midnight 23 December to midnight 6 January, 78 Australians lost their lives on our roads. This is an alarming 29 more lives lost than for the same period last year and the highest toll for seven years. Many more are laid up in hospital, some with dreadful injuries that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Hoon hotline targets driving offences

The City of Brimbank, located in western Melbourne, has set up a hoon hotline to assist local residents report reckless driving. Established in April 2005, 67 offenders have already been identified, with 35 of these prosecuted for driving offences. Community safety forums, focus groups and resident surveys had indicated that residents were concerned about speeding and reckless driving in local streets and car parks and about anti social behaviour.

LGPro’s 2006 Annual Conference tackles the next generation

Future challenges facing Local Government will be the focus of LGPro’s 2006 Annual Conference to be held at Melbourne Park Function Centre from 15–17 February. Titled “The Next Generation” and proudly sponsored by McArthur Management Services and the Department for Victorian Communities, the conference will provide a high quality, informative program.

The troutification of Cressy

By identifying a theme that typifies their town and reflects the community’s fishing village history, Northern Midlands Council has built an identity and pride in Cressy.

Bold initiatives possible despite political torpor

The Good Oil by Rod Brown*
The nation is in a political torpor. Labor can’t lay a glove on the Coalition. A recession less 13 years, the soothing, fatherly figure of John Winston Howard, and middle Australia in mostly conservative mode. But I am tipping that the Howard Government will surprise with some bold initiatives during 2006.

Mid Murray STEDS take out environmental award

South Australia’s Mid Murray Council has been awarded the Norman Waterhouse Award for Excellence in Environmental Health Management for its innovative Mid Murray River Dwelling Effluent Removal program servicing holiday homes and shack communities along the Murray River. Council’s Environmental Services Manager, Kelvin Goldstone, said that establishing septic tank effluent disposal systems (STEDS) for shack dwellings has resulted in an overall improvement to the River Murray flood plain environs and has assisted in orderly development of shack areas.

Meekatharra’s path to success

Meekatharra Shire Council has joined forces with the Yulella Aboriginal Corporation and the Yugunga-Nya and Ngoonooru Wadjari people to build a 3.6 kilometre walkway to raise awareness of the significant biodiversity of the rangelands and the rich Aboriginal heritage. The project, funded with more than $22,000 from the Australian Government Envirofund, involved 20 Indigenous youths, who helped build the walkway over four months.

Operation Flinders helping kids at risk

Onkaparinga, located in South Australia, is steering kids at risk in the right direction through an eight day wilderness programs run by Operation Flinders. The camping trips are aimed at 13 to 18 year old males and females who have either breached the law or are at risk of breaching the law.

2006 Public Relations conference in Sydney

The Local Government Public Relations of Australia (LGPRA) is inviting professionals from all over the nation to its annual conference. The conference theme, ‘A Fine Balance working with stakeholders and communicating the right message’, will be held at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Bondi on 15–17 February 2006.

Voice of the village

In November, Palmerston Indigenous Village, an indigenous community residing five kilometres from the Palmerston City Centre in the Northern Territory, launched its first community plan. Voice of the Village is the result of two years of development and consultation between village residents, Palmerston City Council and service providers.

Women in Local Government

The Northern Territory is leading the way with the number of women in key roles in Local Government. Mayor of Alice Springs Town Council, Fran Kilgariff, said that it is important to have women in Local Government as they act as role models for other women and bring a different perspective to a range of issues.

Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund to cut small business compliance costs

Australia’s 1.2 million small businesses can look forward to relief from some costly and time consuming red tape through an innovative new Australian Government grants program, the Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund (RRIF), in partnership with Local Governments. The aim of RRIF is to foster the growth potential and sustainability of small business, in particular home-based businesses, by removing or amending unnecessary regulatory red tape and compliance impediments facing these groups.

Victoria Park receives a high commendation from customer service council

The Town of Victoria Park’s Ranger Services team was awarded a High Commendation by the Customer Service Council of Western Australia at an awards night held in December.

SCU offers flexible study programs

Southern Cross University (SCU) offers a range of flexible study programs ideal for people wanting to upgrade their skills or looking for a career change.

Challenge for the New Year

The UK Experience by Malcolm Morley*
In England it looks increasingly likely that 2006 is going to be a year of debate about Local Government reorganisation. As with many reorganisations the risk is that within Councils the debate will be about structure first rather than about function. This runs the risk of missing a real opportunity to ensure that Local Government evolves.

Tube and lamp recycling ... the responsible thing to do*

Energy efficient fluorescent and HID lamps have gained widespread usage over the years compared to incandescent ones, and rightly so. Their increasing popularity is due to the fact that fluorescent lights use only about one quarter the energy of a common incandescent bulb and fluorescent lights last an average of 10,000 hours. Conventional incandescent bulbs only work for about 750 hours - quite a difference, especially when you consider the investment in time and money, not to mention potentially saved energy.

Hume City profile

Hume City is a progressive, sustainable and vibrant City. Located approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Melbourne and covering an area of 503 square kilometres, Hume City is an area of exciting contrasts, from major industrial corridors to urban residences and vast expanses of rural land. Hume is also home to Melbourne Airport and boasts a wide array of tourism and historical locations for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Leading the way in Local Government

Hume City Council is setting the pace to build a better future for its community. With its long term strategic planning, nationally recognised commitment to lifelong learning and a focus on strengthening the economic prosperity and environmental sustainability of the City, Hume City Council is leading the way in Local Government.

HumeCity the place to live, work, play and learn*

Hume City is experiencing significant and sustained growth in population, residential investment and industrial and commercial investment. Over the past five years, the annual population growth has been 4.4 per cent, residential investment was over $5 million per week and industrial and commercial development averaged $2 million per week. To ensure the City can sustain and support this rapid growth, Council has been undertaking a number of initiatives to ensure the best possible future for the City. In 2004, Hume City Council undertook unprecedented levels of community engagement to develop the community’s Hume City Plan 2030.

Reaching out through recreation and cultural expression...

Providing vibrant artistic and cultural expression is a key ingredient in reaching out to Hume’s diverse community. Each year, Hume City Council hosts the Hume Winter Music Festival. The event is held over four weeks and involves more than 30 concerts, events and workshops at historic venues and cultural centres across the City.

Inspiring and connecting the Hume community

To enhance lifelong learning in the community, the Hume Global Learning Village developed the Learning Together Strategy, which comprises 56 initiatives that all village partners have committed to delivering over the next five years.

Storytime in the diverse languages of Hume’s community

More than 120 languages other than English are spoken by Hume residents and with 34.6 per cent of Hume residents who speak a language other than English, Hume City Council is committed to supporting its culturally diverse communities through education and learning opportunities.

Employer of First Choice

Hume City Council aspires to be an Employer of First Choice. Hume CEO, Darrell Treloar said Council’s commitment to staff is evidenced by the many programs run by Council to ensure employees are supported and encouraged.

Broadmeadows Transit City Masterplan

A key strategy in building a better future for Hume City has been the development of the Broadmeadows Transit City Masterpan following extensive consultation with the community. It provides a clear vision for the future of Broadmeadows Central.

Nurturing Hume's environment

Hume City Council is fostering an environmentally aware community. Initiatives like the Nurturing Nature project and the Multicultural Planting Festival are prime examples of the way Hume City Council is working with its community to deal with such environmental challenges as educating and creating awareness about recycling, water conservation and environmentally friendly practices among the community.