September 2009 Main Articles Climate change data for sub regions With record high temperatures for August in northern New South Wales and south east Queensland, bushfires already on the south coast of New South Wales, the warmest winter on record for most of the southern regions of Australia and warnings of soaring temperatures and acute fire danger again this summer, whether you are a firm believer in climate change or a sceptic, extreme weather events – fires, floods or cyclones – are definitely happening around us. Editorial: State/Local relations a mixed bag In this edition we are reporting on some mixed outcomes in respect of Local/State Government relations. President’s comment In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Genia McCaffery, President of the Local Government Association of New South Wales. Cockburn recognised for environmental education initiatives Western Australia’s City of Cockburn has been named a finalist in the 2009 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management for its Environmental Education Initiatives Project. Partnership drives river health on NSW primary school curriculum A lack of specific primary school curriculum resources about the health of the Murray Darling Basin led the Murray Darling Association (MDA) to develop an extensive ongoing partnership project with a group of primary students. Anyone for marbles? The Good Oil by Rod Brown* A national economy is a mosaic of integrated regional economies. And these regional economies are essentially basins of attraction for private and public sector investments, that in turn drive economic activity and wealth. Local Government must be involved in any road and transport tax reform President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Councillor Geoff Lake has signalled that Local Government wants to be closely involved in any future move to introduce user charges for travel on Australian roads. WA council elections back in community control The potential for major political parties to manipulate Western Australian Local Government elections has been dealt a blow following legislation to return to the first past the post voting system being passed by the Western Australian Parliament in August. Councillor Profiles Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we feature two Councillors from Victoria. IPAA Queensland opens awards to individuals For the first time, individuals within the public sector will be recognised for their achievements by the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland inaugural Public Sector Excellence Awards. National funding to support local Barossa women through breast cancer treatment Local women in South Australia’s Barossa area undergoing treatment for breast cancer can now access a new and unique service courtesy of seeding grant funding from the Polo Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Campaign. This campaign is an international initiative that aims to address disparities in care for women with breast cancer. Bosch Wireless Discussion Systems for council meetings* Whether the venue is large or small, multi use or historical, the Bosch DCN Wireless Discussion System offers councils unparalleled functionality and flexibility. 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. Knox manager honoured for leadership Knox City Council’s Manager of Strategic and Economic Development, Kim Rawlings recently took out the inaugural ‘Sally Isaac Women in Local Government Leadership Award’ at this year’s LGPro awards. National bike conference set to cure growing pains* We all have a massive challenge ahead of us: more of our citizens are riding, and riding more often; riding in places and at times that were never envisaged; placing stresses and strains on physical infrastructure and political patience alike. Healthy Spaces and Places: Minister launches landmark planning initiative Planning that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport ahead of motor cars is the centrepiece of ‘Healthy Spaces and Places’, a major national initiative, unveiled on Wednesday 12 August at the annual Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) Summit at Parliament House, Canberra. Merging thoughts The UK Experience by Malcolm Morley* Council revenues are likely to slump by more than £4 billion due to the recession according to a recent study. In a time of increasing demand for services this creates a ‘perfect storm’ that has to be weathered. 113th LGAQ Annual Conference: Planning and performance key to the future “Following the recent period of turbulence caused by both the global financial crisis and amalgamations, governments of every level, everywhere need perspective.” ASC making sport more inclusive The twin themes of ‘active communication’ and ‘internal buy in’ are essential elements for success that resonate across all Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Community Sport programs. These range from Indigenous Sport and Disability Sport to All Cultures and Women and Sport, where ASC works with sports groups to make them accessible and increase participation. Central Desert Shire sees school attendance as vital in nurturing future leaders The Northern Territory’s Central Desert Shire Council will help boost school attendance by supporting only those sports carnivals that are held during the school holidays and on public holidays. Sponsorship, Shire managed sporting facilities and in kind support from Shire employees, such as sports and recreation officers, will only be available for events that take place over a long weekend or outside the school term. Public lighting – reducing energy use and emissions By Bruce Rowse* Proven technology exists to more than halve public lighting energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Right across Australia 80 watt mercury vapour street lights are used and are the predominant form of minor road lights. They can be easily recognised by the ‘flower pot’ type fitting, and are also used in the decorative light poles found in many new developments. Unique virtual link to international climate change policy Kingborough Council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer and Tasmanian Girl Guide leader, Abyilene McGuire, recently represented Australia at a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) conference on climate change. Green Jobs – of direct relevance to Local Government By Rod Brown* On 30 July, the Rudd Government announced 50,000 new green jobs and training opportunities to build a stronger and greener Australian economy.   Feature - FOCUS on Training and Professional Development Training for Zero Harm Queensland’s Rockhampton Regional Council has developed an innovative behavioural management program. Implemented last March, the program reflects Council’s commitment to being a Zero Harm organisation, where the safety of employees, volunteers, contractors and the public is its first priority ACELG taking shape The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) expects to commence some activities almost immediately and be fully operational early in 2010. Future directions in training and development An interview with Shane Crawford, Governance Manager, Devonport City Council, Tasmania New infrastructure asset management course* The Centre for Pavement Engineering Education (CPEE) and the University of Tasmania is offering a Graduate Certificate in Infrastructure Asset Management. Contractors streamline Greater Dandenong immunisation process With an extensive community immunisation program in place, the City of Greater Dandenong has called on an external organisation to support its Environmental Health team of eight nurses WA elected members to be recognised as leaders in governance The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has developed a diploma designed specifically to meet the needs of elected members in Western Australia. Playford harnesses aspiring leaders The City of Playford in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has just launched its Aspiring Leaders Development Program (ALDP). Night Patrol Officers life saving training Armed with the difficult task of ensuring community safety and attending domestic disturbances and other incidents during the late hours of the night, it is crucial that Central Desert Shire’s Night Patrol Officers are up to date with training across a range of areas. Recruiting young blood and retaining wise heads With the world rapidly changing and personal demands continually increasing, CEO of Brisbane City Council, Jude Munro, said organisational resilience can be built by increasing our understanding of each other’s situations. Dubbo awarded for safety excellence Dubbo City Council is increasing staff awareness of safe driving and operating procedures and reducing vehicle damage and personal injury through its Safe Driving Policy. Technical skills training delivered to your desk* Local Government technical staff must keep up to date with advances in the design, construction and maintenance of road pavements and their asset management and environmental impacts. Industry training resources – Easy Guides Australia* Learning how to stay safe can be as easy as reading a picture book. Easy Guides Australia Pty Ltd has developed a wide range of printed and electronic educational tools based on visual learning. Meander Valley staff cycle towards healthier lifestyle Over the last two years, Meander Valley Council in Tasmania’s north has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at steering employees towards healthier lifestyles. Increase in financial assistance for employers of reservists Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly, has announced that employers of Defence Reservists who claim financial assistance through the Employer Support Payment Scheme will now receive more money. Stirling nurtures staff to meet strategic goals The City of Stirling is striving in its effort to become a learning organisation.?Having recently introduced a new performance management tool and a competency framework, the City is focusing its efforts on introducing a blended learning approach to development within the City. Looking for apprentices or trainees?* MEGT is a not for profit national Group Training organisation specialising in the employment and placement of apprentices and trainees in various trades and industries.   Feature Council - Glen Eira Council A snapshot of reform Glen Eira City Council remains a high-investing, low cost and low rating Council. Creating a winning workplace It is difficult to pinpoint an exact definition of ‘employer of choice’ as the components of what makes a workplace appealing are changing rapidly. However there is a common theme among the myriad interpretations – it represents the development of human capital. Good to great – investing in people Glen Eira City Council takes an integrated and innovative approach to talent management in recognition of the contribution its people make to the success of the organisation. The ‘cycle of learning’ encouraged and facilitated by Council transcends the state of the economy and short term employment trends. A sense of purpose Keeping employees happy, engaged and interested is paramount. The diversity of Council responsibility means there is a great diversity in the roles of Council officers. Developing great careers Glen Eira’s job secondment program provides opportunities for employees to act in higher level positions when a supervisor or manager is away and also to work in different departments from their own. Star apprentice in training culture After 10 years working in hospitality Adrian Hewitt knew it was time to get out of the kitchen. “It was still a passion but I was working six and seven days a week and it was time to change direction,” he said. A brighter green future The staff of Glen Eira City Council are keen to be green and do their bit to reduce Council’s environmental footprint. The offices all have recycling facilities for cans, paper, cardboard and printer cartridges and there is an eco-buy policy that includes recycled paper. Grooming for leadership Glen Eira City Council’s Manager Statutory Planning Mark Stanojevic remembers the day he started at Glen Eira more than 10 years ago. We care about our carers “I have great work-life balance,” said Town Planning Assistant, Amanda Connolly. “I work part time with two children, roughly 20 hours a week in school hours. That enables me to drop my kids off at school every morning and I don’t work Fridays. Tales of the unexpected A critical attribute of an employer of choice is the ability to notice and acknowledge the efforts of the people who make up the organisation. Balancing a healthy working life Glen Eira City Council takes a holistic approach to employee health, encompassing the social, physical and mental aspects of wellbeing and how work affects all three.

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