August 2009 Main Articles Graffiti: costs to society off the wall Vandalism and graffiti impose huge costs to society, not only in dollars but also through danger to human lives, increased fear of crime, loss of services and a lowering of the quality of life in our communities. Editorial: Constitutional recognition a high priority While most Australians have already spent their tax bonus payments, the $42 billion economic stimulus package was only recently ruled constitutional. President’s comment In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Barry Easther, President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania. New President for LGAT Mayor of West Tamar Council, Barry Easther, has succeeded in his bid to become the new President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT). Port Augusta uses financial crisis to plan for growth Located at the head of Spencer Gulf in South Australia, Port Augusta City Council has found a silver lining in the financial crisis. Enhancing your environment* The following is a testimonial from an AK Associates employee, who now uses Ecomist products in her office. Inland Rail – time for proactive capacity building The Good Oil by Rod Brown* The Regional Economics Conference in Parkes last month covered some very interesting topics, including the declining population of inland New South Wales. The Road to the Future The tenth National Local Roads and Transport Congress is being held in Mackay from 8 to 10 November. Councillor Profiles Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we feature two Councillors from Tasmaina. Regional marketing – time to think outside your comfort zone By Stewart Kennedy* Why is regional marketing a good idea? Where should a regional marketing campaign start? Are there champions for regional marketing in your area, and do they care enough about it to commit the necessary energy and time? Clean slate for Melville food premises Food hygiene in City of Melville food premises has improved since the implementation of the Council’s Clean Slate program just over a year ago. Recognising LG’s high achievers At the 2009 Local Government Managers Australia National Congress in Darwin, Local Government FOCUS invited delegates to nominate individuals or teams from their councils who are improving operations or enhancing service delivery within their community. Making environmental law accessible and understandable* Knowledge of the law is a valuable skill – but only if you can access it. The Law Handbook and The Environmental Law Handbook put knowledge of New South Wales law into the hands of the community. State of the Regions update report urges more action on climate change If the Federal Government considers further fiscal stimulus measures are needed, much of this should be directed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions if Australia is to remain economically competitive, according to a supplementary report prepared for the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) by National Economics. Five essentials to ‘doing’ energy efficiency effectively *By Bruce Rowse Over the last few months I’ve interviewed a range of leaders in organisations that have significantly cut their energy use, asking them how they have achieved their energy savings IPWEAQ Excellence Awards 2009 Each year since 2002, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, Queensland Division Inc. (IPWEAQ) has presented Excellence Awards to encourage excellence in the innovation, development, completion and management of Local Government and public works projects. Sydney’s beachside councils join forces to combat antisocial behaviour Sydney’s beachside councils are taking a stand against alcohol related violence, antisocial behaviour, vandalism and graffiti at seaside hotspots. Join the waste reduction challenge during Keep Australia Beautiful Week Beginning on Monday 24 August, Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) Week will provide an opportunity for councils and their communities to get involved in the KAB Week waste reduction challenge. Social innovation gardening *By James Dellow Government 2.0, or the Government’s journey to adopt the Web 2.0 approach in Australia, is riding on the back of popular social media success stories from the tools themselves – Facebook and Twitter – to the people who use them, like President Obama in his election campaign. Planning kit to streamline development applications Tweed Shire Council has taken the first steps towards a gradual move to ‘e planning’.   Feature - FOCUS on Community Services, Parks & Leisure Melville encourages community cohesion and reduces graffiti The City of Melville in southern Perth has come up with an innovative project that is not only beautifying its streetscapes but is also reducing Council’s financial expense in the removal of graffiti damage on bus shelters. Living well: developing aged friendly communities Like most developed countries, Australia has an ageing population and a negative stigma attached to nursing homes. People are delaying the move to institutions, on average, relocating at around 85 years of age. Future directions in community services An interview with Phillipa Major, Acting CEO and Director Corporate and Community Services, MacDonnell Shire Council, Northern Territory Using pets to create healthy communities With 63 per cent of Australian households estimated to have some type of pet, it is safe to say Australia is a nation of pet lovers. BrowseAloud While the internet is a great tool for those who can read, accessing information on screen can be a formidable experience for many people. New city plan sets healthy goals for Logan Logan City Council is demonstrating that public health is a number one priority with the establishment of a community health action plan. Boroondara plans community garden for popular reserve In planning for the redevelopment of one of its reserves, Boroondara City Council in Melbourne’s east has earmarked a place for a community garden.  Midnight Basketball a slam dunk for Geraldton-Greenough The City of Geraldton-Greenough in the midwest region of Western Australia is engaging young people and diverting them from potentially dangerous situations through its Midnight Basketball program. Australian invention to catch graffiti vandals in the act* Originating in Australia in the 1980s, E-Nose technology was developed by scientists at the CSIRO, the University of Sydney and UNSW. These pioneering scientists are now members of E-Nose Pty Ltd. New Huon Valley pathway improves access to Franklin Huon Valley Council recently completed stage three of a four phase project that will eventually result in a footpath snaking along the entire length of the thoroughfare in one of its townships. Tea Tree Gully – looking after man’s best friend Tails are a-wagging in the City of Tea Tree Gully, with Council recently having opened a third dog park. Copenhagen style bicycle lane for Adelaide Adelaide City Council is constructing a new bicycle lane in one of its main streets – Sturt Street. The lane is similar to those common in Copenhagen, Denmark, where there is a strong cycling culture. It positions the bike lane between the footpath and on street parking. Partnerships help Queensland community stay fit and active Southwest Queensland’s largest regional centre, Roma, is building a healthy and fit local community through Active Roma, an exciting partnership between Local, State and Federal organisations, including the Australian Sport’s Commission’s Active After-school Communities program. AlburyCity exchanges weeds for native plants Residents who bought weeds to the AlburyCity Waste Management Centre on 1 and 2 August were rewarded with five free native plants as part of an initiative that aims to reduce weeds across the City. Land purchase part of urban koala rescue Redland City Council in southeast Queensland has purchased two hectares of land to be protected as koala habitat. Australian Made FIFA recommended soccer field* Located 25 kilometres west of Melbourne, CRC Caroline Springs recognised that sport plays a big part within their local community and recently decided to invest capital into a synthetic soccer field. Supporting community sport* After the dust settles on the sports funding allocations that occur at Federal and State budget time and the commitments made for developing sporting facilities to promote economic stimulus, it is often grassroots sport that is still left contemplating its future. And that is where the Australian Sports Foundation Ltd (ASF) can assist. Port Macquarie sets the stage to embrace new era After much anticipation, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in northeast New South Wales has opened the doors to its Glasshouse Arts, Conference and Entertainment Centre. Pool blanket to slash emissions Greenhouse emissions generated at Maroondah City Council’s Ringwood Aquatic Centre (RAC) will be slashed by 280 tonnes a year following the recent installation of a pool blanket. Innovative and creative playgrounds* At Playspace we are always striving for creative excellence and innovation in the manufacture of our products. Domestic violence – it’s not our game Carpentaria Shire Council is receiving a myriad of accolades for its ground breaking and highly successful ‘Domestic Violence—it’s not our game’ campaign. Status of 500 sports grounds available by SMS* Having just implemented the BounceBack SMS service in their tenth council, the team from Blink Mobile Technologies are on a roll making sure councils all over the country have access to this innovative and time saving customer service. Monash launches online economic profile It is vital for councils to understand the economic role and function of their area and how this interacts with their residential and community services. This information is needed to develop housing and economic development strategies, as well as transport planning and local area promotion. Youth mag hits the streets In June, the first edition of Melton Shire Council’s quarterly youth magazine ‘No Restrictions’ was distributed to local students in years six through to 12. Toowoomba installs second skate park Toowoomba Regional Council in the Darling Downs region of Queensland is in the process of installing its second Skateramps Australia skate park. Natural grass turfed to the kerb In response to the ongoing drought, the District Council of Loxton Waikerie has installed synthetic grass in all median strips across the Waikerie township. Shoalhaven tackles weeds The New South Wales Threat Abatement Plan for Bitou Bush recently received a highly commended award for Australasia from the Society for Ecological Restoration International. Flavours of the world in Sydney’s backyard In July, more than 35,000 foodies from all over Sydney attended Bankstown Bites to enjoy the international culinary mix of locally prepared foods, which Bankstown is fast becoming famous for. Look for the positives The UK Experience by Malcolm Morley* The number of people ill and dying from swine flu in England is increasing. Stirling scoops customer service award Western Australia’s City of Stirling was recently recognised at the 2009 Australian Telecommunications Awards (ATA) as the Western Australian Teleservices Centre of the Year in the under 50 full time employees category. Synthetic Sports Surfaces: are they a credible alternative?* The dual demands of encouraging sports participation and reducing water usage is creating a facility provision challenge across all spheres of government, sport and industry peak bodies.   Feature Council - Mackay Council Snapshot Mackay Regional Council was created on 15 March 2008 as part of the Queensland Government’s Local Government Reform Process. PM gives his seal of approval It has been referred to as one of this nation’s real treasures but the newly completed Mackay Water Recycling Project was no ordinary sewage treatment initiative. Message from Mayor Col Meng With unspoilt coastal beaches, a safe family friendly swimming lagoon and a state of the art convention centre, the Mackay region’s rapid growth and natural beauty have caught the eye of the rest of the country. New entertainment and convention centre makes business dealings a pleasure In its opening two weeks, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stepped foot on its freshly laid carpets, rock sensation Jimmy Barnes took to its stage and acrobats winched themselves to the ceiling to allure the audience at Mackay’s biggest dance party to date Infrastructure primes Mackay as the ultimate event hub Mackay Regional Council has launched itself as a top shelf player in the events arena, thanks largely to the successful running of the Mackay Region Festival of Arts Gardens on show Mackay’s Regional Botanic Gardens will be on show in October as over 300 delegates converge on the city for the 2009 Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Congress. Bluewater Lagoon a clear success With its crystal clear waters, tropical landscaping, waterslide and children’s play area, Mackay Regional Council’s $12.7 million Bluewater Lagoon is the envy of many across the nation. Enjoying life in the outdoors Afternoon sea breezes, idyllic temperatures and a tropical climate make for an attractive outdoor lifestyle in the Mackay region. So it’s no surprise that enhancing outdoor amenities is high on the radar of Mackay Regional Council. Leading the way in sport and recreation The Mackay region is home to many successful sports personalities, such as Olympic champion Cathy Freeman, World ranked tennis player Nicole Pratt, and rugby league greats Dale Shearer, Martin Bella and Wendell Sailor. Council takes out top state library awards For two consecutive years, Mackay Regional Council’s libraries have booked up some prestigious state awards. In 2007, they took out the Queensland Public Library Association (QPLA) Public Library of the Year award, followed by the 2008 QPLA Library Achievement of the Year.

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