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Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online | |
| Editions > 2007 > August | Tuesday December 02, 2008 - Melbourne Time: 08:03:29 |
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Last April, the Beattie Government commenced a review of Queensland Councils, scrapping the Local Government Association of Queensland’s self reform process and raising major concerns among many Councils and their communities.
In Barcaldine for a ceremony marking the removal of the Tree of Knowledge, Premier Peter Beattie faced a hostile reception as a result of the recently released Queensland Local Government Reform Commission report.
The Beattie Government asserts that its recent moves to halve the number of Councils in Queensland from 157 to 73 has been done to improve the financial viability of Councils and make them stronger. This is based on the premise that larger Local Government units are more economically sustainable. In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Alderman Kerry Moir, President of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory.
In July, Hume City Council opened one of Australia’s greenest office buildings, setting the bar high for all future Local Government and business multi storey office buildings.
Launceston City Council is currently seeking national funding for a community safety program aimed at enhancing crime prevention and public transport. Council has applied for funding in partnership with State owned passenger transport company, Metro Tasmania.
The City of Fremantle is continuing its proactive approach to climate change. Council has not only adopted the Kyoto Protocol, but has initiated programs, such as Travel Smart and Living Smart, to reduce the harmful impact greenhouse gases have on the environment. By Rod Brown Warringah Council has used a Long Term Financial Strategy (LTFS) to identify gaps between current funding capabilities and future required funding levels for the sustainable management of its assets. Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we feature two Councillors from Western Australia.
At the 2007 Local Government Managers Australia National Congress in Hobart, Local Government FOCUS invited delegates to nominate individuals or teams from their Council who are improving Council’s operations or enhancing service delivery within their community. Located on the upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia, Whyalla Council will progressively replace its fleet of six cylinder petrol fuelled sedans with four cylinder diesel driven vehicles.
Western Australia’s City of Belmont has taken out the Local Government division of the 2006/2007 Customer Service Institute of Australia Excellence Awards for customer service.
Located approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, Knox City Council recently adopted a long term financial strategy, putting in place a five year plan that will improve its financial and environmental sustainability.
It took more than the usual public exhibition process for Newcastle City Councillors, staff and ultimately the community to get a handle on the issues of infrastructure maintenance, service reductions, rate increases, cost shifting and increasing Local Government responsibilities that culminated in the City’s 2007/2008 Management Plan.
Following a number of staff movements and retirements, Blacktown City Council wanted to be proactive in addressing the loss of corporate knowledge and experience in the areas of pavement evaluation, identification of appropriate treatments and the prioritising of works.
An unusual looking high tech vehicle is working on streets across Rockhampton as part of Council’s commitment to a ten year plan to continue rebuilding and upgrading City roads.
Frankston City Council is celebrating ten years of action in tackling greenhouse gas emissions. Council was one of the first Local Governments in Australia to sign up to the International Cities for Climate Protection program and one of the first in Victoria to develop a Sustainable Public Lighting Action Plan (SPLAP). During the first six months of 2006, Hornsby Shire Council’s Waste Management Team conducted a broad scale community consultation into the future direction of its waste services
Ensuring the earth’s future viability needs affirmative action today from businesses and the community. It also means educating and empowering the adults of tomorrow.
The Murray Darling Association invites you to take part in its 63rd National Conference and Annual General Meeting.
In June, Brisbane Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, tapped into one of the City’s oldest natural water supply systems to help beat the worst drought and water supply crisis in living memory.
Cardinia Shire in southeast Melbourne took out the prestigious Local Government Professionals Award for Excellence in the Community Assets and Infrastructure division for its Connecting Cardinia project.
Local communities and emergency service volunteers across Australia will share a $13.8 million funding boost as a result of the latest round of grants under the Australian Government’s ‘Working Together to Manage Emergencies’ initiative. In July, I spoke at a conference organised by the Government’s Communities and Local Government Department. The title of the conference was, ‘Making a real difference: The role of research in delivering improvements in Local Government practice’.
The third Future of Local Government (FOLG) Summit was staged in Melbourne in June. Three frameworks were discussed and endorsed to help Councils across the nation share an agreed vision for the future. |
| Feature - FOCUS on Community Services, Parks & Leisure |
The Active After-school Communities (AASC) program, developed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), provides primary school aged children with access to free, structured physical activity in the after-school timeslot.
Jabiru Town Council has used a Northern Territory Department of Sport and Recreation grant to upgrade its local skate park.
An interview with Joel Johnson, Manager Trees, Parks and Aquatic Facilities, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Hobsons Bay City Council and the TLC Aged Care Marina facility have joined forces to create Hobsons Bay’s first ever ‘intergenerational playgroup’.
Following the announcement of a $4 million commitment by Federal Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, Alice Springs Town Council’s vision for a multipurpose Indoor Aquatic and Leisure Centre will now be fulfilled.
Located an hour’s drive from Melbourne in Central Victoria, Macedon Ranges Shire recently completed the installation of an adventure playground for children of all abilities.
Located in the exact geographic centre of Victoria, the City of Greater Bendigo is preparing to introduce a new world class pedestrian signage system throughout the city centre.
While all spheres of government realise the need for process, far too often process can take control of what was well intentioned policy and strangle it to the point that it fails. The consequence is that people and places miss out.
In June the City of Port Phillip began trialing a new DNA dog attack kit that enables animal management officers, livestock owners and police investigators to collect DNA evidence from saliva, blood and hair at dog attack crime scenes.
Hurstville City Council is currently developing a management plan for its golf course to ensure it is used to its full potential. From 26 May to 3 June, Manly Council, located on Sydney’s north shore, encouraged residents to give their support to a new Sydney wide community event called Know Your Neighbour Week.
A playground that will delight children of all ages and abilities is the central project in the next stage of works for Sydney Park.
The City of Whitehorse is developing an $8 million multipurpose indoor sports facility that will provide a major boost to sporting facilities in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Rockhampton City Council has developed a film program to educate and entertain residents of Central Queensland, with films to be shown at the Walter Reid Cultural Centre. The City of Geraldton, together with the Shire of Greenough and the Department of Sport and Recreation, recently hosted a series of workshops aimed at assisting sporting groups to secure money for their club. A unique new board game at the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba is enticing visitors to have fun while learning about the environment.
Earlier this year, Launceston City Council unveiled interactive play equipment in Brisbane Street Mall as part of a wider strategy to make the CBD more family friendly. So far the move has proved very successful.
Chapman Valley Shire Council is in the process of upgrading and improving its premier nature based camping area, Coronation Beach. This work will protect and restore the coastal environs.
Maribyrnong City Council is working with local food businesses to assist them in identifying food allergens in the foods they prepare and sell.
Holroyd City Council is installing flashing lights in all school zones within the area. The initiative is thought to be a first in Australia and will incur no cost to Council.
Maps are second nature to most Local Governments. Councils all over Australia use many types of strategic planning and land use maps along with various types of overlays.
In what is believed to be a first for Victorian Local Government, Surf Coast Shire has used a citizens’ jury to recommend actions about how Council manages roads, stormwater drainage and roadside vegetation in one of its townships, Aireys Inlet.
Campbelltown City Council in South Australia is proving to young adults that they can have a great night out without getting blind drunk, through its gutsy alcohol awareness program, ‘Know Your Limits’.
The Shire of Coolgardie in Western Australia is embracing its biggest change period since the Western Mining Corporation revitalised its old mining town, Kambalda, in the 1960s.
Nillumbik Shire Council in outer Melbourne has embarked on a community consultation process to determine a long term solution to its Civic Centre requirements.
Dan Gleeson Gardens in Thuringowa now has a water wise radio irrigation system thanks to the Australian Government’s Community Water Grants. |
| Focus Promotion - RANDWICK city council |
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Randwick City, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, is bounded by Centennial Park in the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east and Botany Bay in the south. In June 2006, after five year’s research and community consultations, Randwick Council adopted a visionary 20 year Randwick City Plan. A City is nothing without its people – those who live in it, shape it and enjoy it. We wanted to show where our City is heading through the eyes of a new born child, following her first 20 years, so we created a DVD and called it ‘Anna’s story’. Randwick City Council has made outstanding progress in the last year, initiating major changes in the way Council operates and in our achievements and improvements for the residents and the whole City of Randwick. Randwick City Council’s new Councillor Online Training Program is a first for Local Government in Australia. Randwick City has 29 kilometres of rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the north east shores of Botany Bay, with spectacular cliffs and the iconic beaches. A new Council initiative that combines old fashioned face to face contact with leading technology has added a new dimension to Randwick City Council’s community liaison.
Local Councils are reducing emissions of harmful greenhouse gases by changing their own practices, and through direct assistance, subsidies or rebates to residents and businesses. In late 2004, Randwick City Council began a concerted effort for organisational renewal and performance improvement. At the heart of the renewal strategy was the development and implementation of a strong set of corporate values. Randwick’s rich and diverse heritage is steeped in the history of this country. Prior to European settlement there was an extensive Indigenous community living a traditional lifestyle, taking advantage of the plentiful coastal location.
In May 2007, Randwick City Council won a prestigious award for its new recycling centre. The centre processes building and road construction material as well as organic garden waste.
Children and young people in the City of Randwick helped to design the artwork and paint two State Transit buses in a unique project that aims to enhance young people’s connection to the local community. |
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© Eryl Morgan Publications Pty Ltd - Last update: Thursday August 23, 2007
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Queensland amalgamations slash Council numbers