February 2012 Edition

• Recycling award for Dowerin
  The Western Australian Wheat-belt Shire of Dowerin, 165 kilometres east of Perth received the award for the 'Local Government Waste Reduction Initiative' category in the WA Waste Authority Waste Awards in Perth.
• Like father, like son, like grandson: 300 years at the City of Sydney
  Three generations of the remarkable Surry Hills' Walker family have clocked up almost 300 years of service to the people of Sydney in jobs that included dunny-cart man, official ratcatcher, fitter and turner and records manager.
• Ombudsman's report says councils can do better
  The South Australian Ombudsman's report into complaint handling by Councils has found there is room for improvement.
• National awards to recognise Local Government innovation
  Councils across Australia will be recognised for their innovative work in supporting local communities at the 2012 National Awards for Local Government.
• Report on council boundaries in Northern Tasmania
  Launceston City Council has praised a review of Local Government boundaries by a group of Southern Tasmanian councils, and will commission its own report into boundaries in the north of the state.
• Advances in Local Government communication
  Developments that are forcing governments to communicate faster and better than ever before will be the focus of the Government Communications Conference 2012.
• Councillor profiles
  This month we are profiling two councillors from Tasmania.
• Mundaring tree program selected as award finalist
  The Shire of Mundaring's Tree Canopy and Understorey Program has been selected as a finalist in the 'Government Leading by Example' category of the 2011 Western Australian Environment Awards.
• Greater Shepparton moves to attract sustainable businesses
  Greater Shepparton Council is using an area adjacent to Goulburn Valley Water's Wastewater Management Facility to attract investment for sustainable business development.
• Forum debates future of Metropolitan Councils
  A local government forum has identified a preferred future for the sector, in which the number of Western Australian Councils could be reduced substantially.
• Editorial
  The introduction of nationally consistent Work Heath and Safety (WH&S) laws is based on the principle that Australian workers are entitled to the same health and safety standards, regardless of where they live and whether they are volunteers or paid employees.
• Carbon price package - President's comment
  In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Bill McArthur, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria.
• Sydney is first carbon neutral council
  The City of Sydney has become the first council in Australia to achieve formal status as carbon neutral as a result of its benchmark greenhouse gas reduction programs.
• Study calls for open minded debate on amalgamations
  A report calling for more open-minded debate on council amalgamations has been released by a group of Local Government peak bodies.
• Are you game to support your community clubs? - The Good Oil by Rod Brown*
  We are in the middle of a fascinating political play. Thinking Australians agree that the influence of poker machines is way too large.
• Work health law concerns
  Concerns have been raised about the impact of new Work Health and Safety laws on volunteers in Local Government related organisations like Meals on Wheels.
• Local Government leaders honoured
  The 2012 Australia Day honours list recognised a number of Local Government councilors and officers for their achievements and dedication to their communities.

Feature: Human Resource Managment, Occupational Health & Safety

• Study law with the experts at ANU*
  The ANU College of Law has been offering professional development courses to the public and private sectors for over 15 years.
• Retaining young people in local industries
  Wodonga City Council has developed a project that connects employers to young people to help improve local retention rates, particularly in the manufacturing industry.
• ABS Statistical Capability Training - empowering better use of statistics within Government*
  Looking to improve your data analysis skills? Eagerly awaiting the Census 2011 data release or perhaps undertaking a survey of your own? The ABS has training options to help you make better use of data.
• Melton Shire Council Local Laws animal management vehicle improvements
  We all talk about it, some of us do it, but only a few of us make it really work. Consultation is a buzz word in occupational health and safety.
• Regional partners for tourism
  Outback councils of regional North West Queensland and the Northern Territory have joined forces to place the famous outback driving route known as the Overlander's Way on every travellers 'to do list'.
• Managing the risk of conflict*
  Excessive employee turnover, absenteeism, stress-related illnesses, grievances, complaints and reduced productivity are some of the costly by-products of unmanaged conflict.
• Local governments embracing online to train and communicate with staff*
  Local governments around Australia are getting better at training and communicating with their staff.
• Financial service for Local Government staff*
  Notice the difference a NOT FOR PROFIT financial service provider can make to the members of local government, their families and friends.
• Brimbank leading the way to a brighter future
  Former Victorian premier, Joan Kirner, has congratulated 76 graduates of Brimbank City Council's second annual Future Leaders program.
• Mandurah champions employing people with a disability
  The City of Mandurah has been recognised for its commitment to employing people with a disability at several award ceremonies in the past few months.
• Employability creating disability friendly workplaces
  A simple workplace modification has improved daily working conditions and future employment prospects for Luke Swain, who has lower body impairment affecting his legs.
• Innovating a new future for Dorset
  Following the closure of the local forestry industry and the loss of much of the region's industrial scale food processing capacity, Dorset Council in North-East Tasmania is attempting to renew its community level business and enterprise culture.
• Get a life in Holroyd
  Employees are increasingly aware of the importance of achieving a work/life balance – they want to work less and spend more time doing the things they love.
• Lean thinking at the City of Melbourne
  When you are working hard to deliver a service, it makes sense to take a step back and look at how things can be improved, or have someone take you through the process.
• Future Directions in occupational health and safety
  An interview with Tony Goode, Workforce Strategy Executive at the Local Government Association of Queensland
• More jobs in Penrith makes dollars and sense
  Penrith Council has called on the New South Wales Government to relocate more jobs to the regional city.