Main Articles
This Month's Feature

June 2012

Main Articles

Fracking under fireCouncils in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and, more recently, Victoria have been vocal in their opposition to the exploration for and mining of Coal Seam Gas, arguing that fracking can have dire environmental, social and economic consequences.
LGMA National Congress 2012 — Reframing local futuresThe Local Government Managers Association (LGMA) National Congress and Business Expo Perth 2012, held over four days in May, drew speakers and delegates from both national and international contexts.
EditorialEnvironmental Management has increasingly become crucial to the function of local government, in an effort to lessen the cost of infrastructure and services and reduce councils' carbon liabilities. Our June feature highlights the many ways councils are responding to the challenge of protecting the environment and to the new carbon economy.
President's Comment - Local Government – an important and efficient service providerIn each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Samantha Dunn, President of the Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA).
Excellence in management reaps rewardsThe Barossa Council is basking in the achievements of their Director of Corporate & Community Services, Joanne Thomas, who coordinated one of the largest infrastructure projects ever seen in regional South Australia.
Social media restores sense of communityA free website encourages Sydneysiders to share their skills, knowledge and ‘things’, reducing consumption and connecting people within the community.
Regional brands for the bold - The Good Oil by Rod BrownLast month I talked about the problems in coordinating action on regional food brands. This got me thinking about regional branding itself – about getting regions recognised as important economic and administrative units in their own right. It’s a battle because local government is legally beholden to state governments. And both local and state government are beholden to the federal government for their revenues.
LGAT speaks out on Tasmanians for ReformA recent article in the Mercury by Mary Massina from Tasmanians for Reform has prompted the Local Government Association of Tasmania to examine the group’s credentials.
Prime Minister attends City of Casey Community CabinetRepresentatives of City of Casey Council, including the Mayor Sam Aziz and Deputy Mayor Wayne Smith, highlighted key advocacy priorities for Casey with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Julia Gillard at the Community Cabinet held at Berwick on Wednesday 16 May 2012.
TAFE reforms alarm councilsAt least four councils across Victoria have resolved to oppose the State Government’s $300 million cut to TAFE funding.
Surveys give insight into residents’ satisfactionCouncils are increasingly turning to surveys as a way of gauging residents’ satisfaction with the services provided by local government. Councils can use the results of the surveys to prioritise services and the allocation of resources in the future.
‘Babycino’ brings new mums togetherMaroondah mums are being encouraged to sit back and relax over a cup of coffee at a new breastfeeding support program, Babycino, being offered by Council’s Maternal and Child Health Team.
Innovative solutions highlighted at CIVENEXExhibitors from a broad spectrum of the infrastructure industry attracted a large crowd to CIVENEX 2012.
Queensland council elections under scrutinyA record low voter turnout and high informal vote in the Queensland local government elections in April has raised some serious questions.
Your Say, Our Future’ Community Strategic PlanA 20 year vision for Gunnedah Shire has moved another step forward, with Council endorsing the ‘Your Say, Our Future’ Community Strategic Plan.
Broome’s biggest citizenship ceremonyBroome celebrated its biggest ever citizenship ceremony on May 8th when 26 people from seven different countries made the affirmation to become Australian citizens.
Parents urged to take up free vaccine offerRecent data indicates that parents of two year olds are increasingly less likely to take up the offer of a free, one off dose of the new Pneumococcal vaccine for their toddlers.
Councillor profiles - Local Government FocusThis month we are profiling two councillors from Queensland.
Caloundra wins Australian Tidy Towns AwardsThe Queensland town of Caloundra is the Overall Winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Tidy Towns Awards 2012.
Redland City Council wins national planning awardRedland City Council has been acclaimed by the Planning Institute of Australia for its groundbreaking planning tools, which were developed to create a child and youth friendly city.
MAV launches Prevention of Violence against Women StatementHorrifying statistics indicate that one in three Australian women is likely to be impacted by domestic violence over her lifetime, and in 2009 reported incidents of violence against women cost the economy $13.6 billion.
Flippa Swim School finalist in national children’s awardsThe City of Melville’s Flippa Swim School is a finalist in the prestigious What’s On 4 Junior Awards in association with LeapFrog.
Library renamed to honour Randwick’s first female MayorRandwick Mayor Scott Nash welcomed Randwick’s City’s first and only female Mayor, Margaret Martin, to meet some young Library patrons, and inspect the library renamed in her honour.
Council welcomes stamp duty reform to boost city livingAdelaide City Council welcomes the announcement by the State Government to abolish stamp duty for Off-The-Plan apartment sales of up to $500,000 in the Adelaide City Council area for two years.
RSPCA Queensland’s EMU educates the community on animal careRSPCA Queensland believes that the most powerful way to change people’s attitudes and behaviours towards animals is through humane education.

Feature - Environmental Management

Sydney’s new generation of trigenerationThe City of Sydney’s ambitious plans to cut carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030 are fast becoming a reality with the signing of an agreement between the City and Cogent Energy to build Australia’s first large scale trigeneration network.
Help is here for local governments to meet their carbon tax obligation*With carbon pricing set to begin on 1 July and complementary measures such as the Carbon Farming Initiative already up and running, it is more important than ever for local governments to be ready and to understand the opportunities available and risks involved.
Landfill expansion for LauncestonThe Launceston City Council is overseeing the construction of a $5 million expansion of the landfill site at the Launceston Waste Transfer Station.
Future Directions in Environmental ManagementIn 2009, our Council developed a ten year overarching Sustainability Strategy, which aims to embed sustainability into all aspects of Council’s activities. The Strategy guides our sustainability actions under five pillars: land management, water, waste, liveability, and climate change.
New life for polystyreneAn estimated seven million wheelie bins worth of polystyrene packaging is thrown out in Australia every year, taking up precious space in landfill.
Waste management moves to kitchen organicsThe carbon tax, increased landfill levies and a commitment to sustainability are spurring councils to introduce household food and organic waste collection and recycling services.
Smart energy use reaps rewardsThe Grove Precinct, a joint project between the Town of Cottesloe, the Shire of Peppermint Grove and the Town of Mosman Park, has won the ‘Energy Smart’ category of the 2012 National Awards for Local Government.
City of Mount Gambier wins ‘Energy Innovation’ awardThe City of Mount Gambier in South Australia has won the ‘Energy Innovation’ category at the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Tidy Towns Awards 2012.
City of Gosnells commits to a greener cityAdhering to the principal of ‘think global, act local’, the City of Gosnells in Western Australia (WA) has been taking some big steps towards reducing its carbon footprint.
Barossa Bushgardens conserve biodiversityWith only three percent of native vegetation surviving colonisation, the Barossa Bushgardens project has stepped in to conserve and protect the region’s unique flora for the future.
Ku-ring-gai Council is tops at saving powerNew statistics from Ausgrid show Ku-ring-gai residents cut power use by more than
seven percent between July and December last year – the biggest reduction of any council area in
the power supplier’s coverage region.
Council launches ‘GreenMoney’Randwick City Council in New South Wales has scored an Australian first with its launch of the ‘GreenMoney’ program.
Low Carbon Finance*Low Carbon Australia has been working with local government across Australia to provide finance to implement energy savings and carbon abatement projects.
Defibrillators on siteUsers of the Ballan Recreation Reserve will benefit from the Moorabool Shire Council program to supply the Shire’s key active sporting reserves with potentially life saving defibrillator units.
You will DIG ‘Living Sustainably in Rental Accommodation’Manly Council is hosting a free workshop on ‘Living Sustainably in Rental Accommodation’ as part of its new ‘DIG Manly’ education for sustainability’ program. ‘DIG’ is an acronym for ‘Dream. Inspire. Grow.’
Councils to benefit from solar power fund*While solar energy is increasingly embraced by councils as a way to meet their environmental responsibilities, the major impediment to date has been the significant capital expenditure required to install solar energy systems.
Auburn City Council is green to a teeThe Auburn Golf Course Stormwater Harvesting Project has begun, with completion expected by September 2012, weather permitting.
City of Casey participates in eco-driving trialThe City of Casey has found it can reduce Council’s fuel consumption by up to 17 percent simply by changing driver behaviour.
Kogarah City Council puts the foreshore at the forefrontThe progressive urbanisation and transformation of marine and estuarine shorelines has resulted in extensive changes to the natural foreshores throughout the Kogarah City Council local government area.
Solar Inception helps councils*Councils throughout Australia grapple with many complex issues on a daily basis. Arguably, the most critical of these are related to planning for a sustainable future by reducing carbon and minimising electricity costs.
‘Big Bob’ — Queensland’s newest environmental iconGeographic Information System (GIS) technology helps Sunshine Coast Regional Council discover ‘Big Bob’, Queensland’s tallest tree on record.
Mt Isa City Council fights illegal dumpingMt Isa City Council has stepped up their campaign against illegal dumping with a poster design competition for high school students.
Energy saving projects help Council avoid carbon tax hitSwimmers and gym patrons at Aquamoves in Shepparton will soon be able to bathe in the glow of helping the environment while helping to keep energy costs down across the municipality.
Reduction in Adelaide’s carbon emissionsCarbon emissions within the City of Adelaide have reduced by 7.7 percent in the four years up to the end of 2010.
E-waste drop off successNewcastle residents set a new e-waste recycling record on the last day in March 2012.
Protecting the Western Ringtail PossumListed as a ‘vulnerable’ species by the Federal Government, the Western Ringtail Possum is being offered some protection by the City of Busselton with the release for comment of a Draft Western Ringtail Possum Habitat Protection and Enhancement Strategy.
Tweed Shire responds to the Carbon Farming InitiativeTweed farmers and landowners attended a seminar on managing their land and forest for carbon storage in May.
Melton Shire competes for Sustainable Cities AwardsMelton Shire Council have received a visit from the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) judges as part of their assessment of Victoria’s most sustainable cities.
Urban fox trapping project develops protocolIn 2010 the Western Australian Shires of Capel, Dardanup and Busselton were successful in gaining State National Resource Management funding to develop a protocol for urban fox control.
Council helps keep Maranoa beautifulMaranoa Regional Council in South East Queensland runs an annual campaign that gets the community involved in keeping Maranoa beautiful.
Clarence City Council supports call for clarity on climate change adaptationClarence City Council in Tasmania has thrown its support behind some of the key recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s draft report into ‘Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation’.
Councils see sense in solarCouncils are taking steps to drive down their carbon emissions and reach renewable energy targets by installing solar power on council infrastructure and buildings.

Feature Council - City of Joondalup

A leader in local government – Mayor’s messageThe City of Joondalup is a coastal Local Government area that is home to more than 165,000 people in the northern suburbs of Perth.
Joondalup – the northern capital of PerthAs well as achieving international recognition for being a leader and benchmark for Local Government in creating healthy and sustainable communities and providing innovative service delivery, Joondalup has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years.
Joondalup’s major projects and attractionsThe City of Joondalup recently held discussions with the State Government in relation to major projects that will have a significant impact on the growth and development of Joondalup and the surrounding region.
Joondalup is a self-sufficient cityHome to one of the biggest shopping centres in WA, a thriving Business Park, a major hospital, a university, the Western Australian Police Academy and an extensive public transport node, the Joondalup City Centre is uniquely placed to provide all the necessary services of a self-sufficient City.