The Local Government Focus RSS feed is now available for viewing. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/rss/index.xml en http://www.lgfocus.com.au/images/smlogo.gif http://www.lgfocus.com.au/rss/index.xml 140 51 Local Government faces a raft of challenges in 2012. On social, economic and political fronts, councils must deal with a fast changing and varied set of issues and concerns. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/issues.php There is an old Chinese curse: 'May you live in interesting times.' http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/editorial.php≈ In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Keith Rhoades AFSM, President, Local Government Association of NSW http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/editorial.php Operators of landfill facilities and Local Government can now reap the benefits of Australia's emerging carbon markets by reducing emissions from accumulated waste thanks to new opportunities available under the Gillard Government's Carbon Farming Initiative. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/carbon.php Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been under huge pressure to assert her authority and her latest ministerial reshuffle was clearly part of this. Her announcement of the new arrangements in December was peppered with phrases like 'I have decided' or 'I am committed to'. Rarely did she use the term 'we'. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/brown.php NSW Local Government Minister Don Page has refuted false claims that the State Government plans to reduce 152 councils to just 16 across the State, as claimed by the United Services Union in a recent circular. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/union.php Sometimes it is all too easy to feel that the world's problems are so big that you cannot make a difference. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/gympie.php This month we are profiling two councillors from Western Australia. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/profiles.php Local Government Focus has a fun look at what didn't happen in 2011 http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/2011.php An interview with West Arnhem Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Adam Seiler. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/future.php The 2011 Victorian Landcare Bushfire Recovery Award was presented to Baw Baw Shire Council to recognise its recovery efforts following the Black Saturday bushfires. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/bawbaw.php In this the twelfth anniversary of the Australian Safer Communities Awards, it is encouraging to see the continuing interest shown in developing projects which strengthen community self reliance and resilience in the face of emergencies and disasters. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/awards.php In June this year the world will be watching as delegates from countries around the world representing governments, civil society, business and Non Government Organisations meet in Rio de Janeiro for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/2012.php The Grove Library and Community Learning Centre, jointly owned and managed by the local authorities of Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park, is an outstanding example of Councils working collaboratively to deliver on community aspirations for a sustainable future. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/library.php Hurstville Mayor Steve McMahon has revealed that the Council is currently developing a free iPhone app to enable residents to access Council information through their mobile phone. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/iphone.php Using recycled rubber from old car tyres has helped Corangamite Shire increase the life of many of its road to as much as 10 years and saved ratepayers money in the process. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/rubber.php Parking and getting around in Parramatta is about to be made easier thanks to the introduction of two revolutionary smart phone applications. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/parramatta.php The township of Narromine sits on the banks of the Macquarie River as it flows northwest towards to the internationally recognised and protected Macquarie Marshes. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/wetlands.php Federal Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Conroy, officially launched the Coffs Harbour City Council's digital strategy 'Switched On Coffs'. http://www.lgfocus.com.au/index.php?view=editions/2012/january/switch.php