2014 National Local Roads and Transport Congress
The 2014 National Local Roads and Transport Congress will explore the themes of Collaboration and Corridors, and there will be a strong focus on how we best manage our transport infrastructure and systems and how they contribute to Australia's continued economic growth.
Local government award delivers flexibility
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed the release of the new industrial award, allowing local governments to improve the quality of the services they deliver to the community while continuing to look after the needs of staff.
Comment on Reform of the Federation Issues Paper
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has lodged its comment on the first Issues Paper released as part of the Reform of the Federation White Paper process.
Website for candidates goes live
The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) has launched their Candidate’s Website for the November 2014 Local Government election, with almost 370 of the1,261 candidates personalising their profile entries
Rivers to Recognition
Six western Victorian councils, under the banner of the Western Region Local Government Reconciliation Network (WRLGRN), have partnered to launch the Rivers to Recognition campaign.
Roads to recovery allocated
Local councils across Australia will this week receive advice of their allocation under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program.
Support for preventing violence against women
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Crime Prevention, Edward O’Donohue, of a further $200,000 of funding to support its preventing violence against women initiative.
The initiative will build on earlier work to develop local government engagement in the prevention of violence against women.
Mixed messages for local communities
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) have welcome a major Federal Government report that condemned restrictions on local councils using their own staff to recover from natural disasters.
New Vice President of international local government organisation
The Deputy Director of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG), Melissa Gibbs, has been elected to the position of Vice President of the International Association for Local Government (IALG).
Value of regional cities
The Australian Regional Development Conference will demonstrate the value of regional cities as residential destinations.
Cost of Reform
The Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA) have highlighted the announcement by the New South Wales Government of $1 billion in funding for its reform agenda, demonstrates a serious shortfall of funding for WA reform.
Northern Beaches Hospital Precinct structure plan
Warringah Council has appointed consultants Hames Sharley to prepare a Precinct Structure Plan to guide future land uses and development around the new Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest, New South Wales.
Disappointment over powers
The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) has expressed its disappointment over recent changes to the powers of Local Government.
Nominations break records
South Australians will vote for a record number of contested positions and a record number of women candidates following the close of nominations for Council Elections.
$6.3m to support the disability sector
Canberra’s disability sector will receive a further $6.3 million in funding to help the ACT adapt to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Addressing Cultural Diversity
Wyndham City Council hosted the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)’s inaugural biennial multicultural policy development conference on the 12th of September.
New Aboriginal Artwork
An art installation that celebrates local Aboriginal culture has been added to Hornsby Shire Council’s redeveloped James Park.
Local Governments mark Great War
Across Australia local governments are responding to community interest in the ANZAC Centenary, which runs until 2018.
Mayors for Peace conference.
Author, artist and Hiroshima survivor, Junko Morimoto, will address the Mayors For Peace Regional Conference in Fremantle next week.
Candidates' webpage
All candidates for the 2014 South Australian Council Elections will feature on a Candidates' website, currently under construction by the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA).
Call for LGNSW to lead reforms
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Clr Andrew Jefferies, has congratulated NSW Premier Mike Baird on showing strong leadership in the bid to reform Local Government, following his announcement to offer Councils financial and governance incentives to merge.
Calls for end to contributions tax
The City of Greater Bendigo will ask the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to make a submission to the Federal Government’s tax review calling for the removal of contributions tax on Defined Benefits Superannuation shortfalls.
Positive Ageing Ambassadors
Colac Otway Shire’s Positive Ageing Ambassadors have contributed a ‘positive ageing' photograph to an exhibition celebrating Seniors Week.
Almost 80 million steps
Participants in this year’s Burdekin 10,000 Steps Community Challenge recorded almost 80 million steps.
Federal kindergarten funding welcomed
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has welcomed the Federal Government’s investment of $406 million to fund 15-hours of kindergarten in 2015, ensuring universal access continues for all children.
Articles
Grants freeze sets in
Local Governments across Australia are beginning to feel the pinch as the freeze on Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) that was announced in the federal budget sets in.
Have your say... Letters to the editor
Have your say... Letters to the editor
This is your chance to speak up about current issues affecting your council. Please forward your letters to editorial@lgfocus.com.au
70th Anniversary of breakout
The Australian premiere of a renowned Japanese play has been a highlight of this year’s 70th anniversary commemorations for the Japanese Prisoner of War Breakout at Cowra.
Affordable housing funded
Residents in Roma will have access to more affordable housing options following the construction of the ‘Lander No. 4’ housing project.
Hospital site’s rebirth
The City of Mount Gambier has breathed new life into a former hospital site while laying its turbulent history to rest.
Creek clean up
Blue Mountains City Council, with funding from Council’s Environment Levy, is teaming up with the local community and the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) in a $300,000 project to clean up Leura Falls Creek.
Clearer drinking water
Yass Valley Council is tackling its discoloured water problems after a new trial manganese removal process implemented by Council in May this year proved successful. It is now being permanently installed.
Funk comes to night markets
The Liverpool Night Markets have returned at Liverpool City Council with a great range of food, stalls and entertainment, including a special performance by the Funky Love Squad dancers, bringing disco back with their incredible stilt-dancing skills.
New Horizons Program - The Good Oil by Rod Brown
The Cockatoo Network has recently created an alliance of businesses to create new horizons of business - by bringing together previously unconnected investors in various regions around the world.
Focused climate change strategy
The City of Joondalup has announced it is one of the first local governments in the country to adopt a Climate Change Strategy that combines adaptation and mitigation targets and initiatives.
New fishing platform
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Joanna Gash has joined fellow Councillors in inspecting the Council’s new recreational fishing platform.
Family Day Care to be hit
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillorr Sandra Wilson has expressed concern for the future of council’s family day care program after the federal government announced a reduction in funding.
Editorial
This month Local Government Focus has launched its new website, and with it we have implemented some exciting new ways to deliver you the news from councils across Australia.
Feature: Training and Professional Development
Developing people skills
Enhancing people skills is at the forefront of a Leadership Excellence Program being rolled out by Campbelltown City Council in Sydney’s south west.
AIME high
The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 Indigenous Governance Awards from a pool of 113 high quality applicants.
Future Directions - Training and Professional Development
The City of Mandurah has developed a training program to better educate our Customer Service Officers and therefore improve the level of service we provide to the community.
Seeds of excellence
Logan’s Shailer Pioneer Park is regarded as one of Queensland’s best, having picked up an Award for Excellence in the Parks and Open Space Development category at the Parks and Leisure Australia (Qld Region) annual awards in May.
ARISing Stars
The City of Holdfast Bay has been focusing on transforming its high-potential individuals into high-performing leaders.
Online enrolment
Nillumbik Shire Council has welcomed a $50,000 grant that will fund an online enrolment and student portal for Living & Learning Nillumbik.
Stop. Think. Respect.
Reconciliation Australia has congratulated Beyond Blue on its new national anti-discrimination campaign Stop. Think. Respect.
The Maintenance Challenge*
Australia relies on road transport more than any other nation in the world, on a per capita basis.
Building conflict competency*
As with complaints and conflict across all sectors, Local Government issues can escalate quickly; leading to the potential disruption of staff at many levels in the organisation.
Open air gym
Randwick City Residents can look forward to using a free public outdoor gym in Burrows Park, Clovelly.
Dynamic working environment
Penrith Council is one of the largest councils in the Sydney metropolitan area and is a recognised leader in local government.
Your career is our success
Hobsons Bay City Council is a leading metropolitan council with over 700 employees delivering over 120 services including engineering, planning, child care and maternal and child health.
Education the practical key
Working in local government provides such a huge range of challenges for the communication professional that it has proved the ideal training ground for a lecturer in a newly established degree in communication.
Street directory donation
Isaac Regional Council has donated over a hundred new street directories to local representatives from State Emergency Services (SES), Queensland Police, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Queensland Ambulance Service for distribution across the Isaac.
Day care extension
Moree Plains Shire Council has approved the construction of an additional room at Gwydir Day Care in response to a community demand for day care places.
‘Naturally beautiful’ North Burnett Regional Council
North Burnett takes its name from the Burnett River that flows through the area. The North Burnett region covers 19,708 square kilometres with the topography of the region being diverse, from fertile farmland to rugged geographical formations.
