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Queensland councils welcome funding commitments
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk has committed to job-creation programs spanning the state, as well as extra funding for rural mental health in her opening address at the 124th Local Government of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference, today.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Mark Jamieson thanked Premier Palaszczuk for her commitment to continuing the successful Works for Queensland program.
Mayor Jamieson also thanked the Premier for announcing she would adopt the LGAQ’s Jobs Advantage program to create and support jobs in areas of socio-economic disadvantage in South East Queensland.
“Our job at the LGAQ is to advocate on behalf of all our councils to ensure no community is left behind.
“Together we have already created or supported more than 26,000 jobs through Works for Queensland and this commitment will ensure we can create or support thousands more.
“I would also like to thank the Premier for committing today to working with the LGAQ and its member councils on our Bush Councils Compact, an historic new agreement to establish a new level of collaboration between the State and bush councils to guarantee minimum standards of service delivery and infrastructure for rural and remote communities.”
The Premier also announced $75,000 grants for rural and remote councils to deliver tailored mental health initiatives, extra funding for cluster fencing, the QCoast2100 [coastal councils' hazard adaptation] program and a $280 million commitment to continue funding under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
Mayor Jamieson said a clear priority for the LGAQ going forward would be to continue to advocate for increased TIDS funding, as well as to secure Works for Queensland as a recurrent program set at a minimum of $100 million per year.
Alfresco cities
Businesses in cities all over Australia and the world are being encouraged to take up outdoor dining in reclaimed spaces and laneways such as in Sydney’s Barrack Street.
As Australia moves out of COVID-19 crisis management and into recovery, building a future based on our outdoor lifestyle looks like becoming our saving grace. Read more >
Save the environment to save jobs
Redland City Council officer tests water in Moreton Bay
New research commissioned by the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (SEQ) shows projects that protect and improve creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay are powerful drivers of job creation. Read more >
Welcoming Businesses are for everyone
Warrnambool’s Brown’s Depot Bakery owner, Nick Brown said small businesses need to cater for everyone.
Warrnambool City Council, Victoria, is working with businesses to make them as accessible as possible for everyone and ultimately, attract, serve and retain more customers, under the new Welcoming Business Program. Read more >
$8 million in grants available to deliver COVIDsafe Australia Day 2021 events*
The National Australia Day Council (NADC) has announced $8 million in grants to help local councils deliver COVIDsafe events that encourage all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate on Australia Day 2021.
In 2020, the NADC launched a new campaign, The Story of Australia that calls on Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate on Australia Day – because we’re all part of the story.
In response to the challenges facing the local government sector resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the NADC will provide $20,000 grants to councils to meet the cost burden of making Australia Day events COVIDsafe.
The money can be used to fund resources and services to ensure events meet the relevant state and
territory requirements for
COVIDsafe events.
This might include additional event staff, measures to enforce social distancing, additional cleaning or practical items like hand sanitiser.
The grants are available to all current and new
Australia Day events, and councils will be encouraged to display Australia Day-branded Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. promotional material and collateral.
Australia’s 537 councils also have access to free Australia Day-branded Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. artwork and can apply for an additional $1000 grant for production of event materials including banners, bunting and posters.
Councils will be able to choose the artwork suited to their event and can have the materials produced locally, supporting local small businesses.
The grants program is open now. For more information, including grant guidelines and applications, visit australiaday.org.au.
*Copy supplied by National Australia Day Council
As Australia moves out of COVID-19 crisis management and into recovery, building a future based on our outdoor lifestyle looks like becoming our saving grace.
