INFORMATION BULLETIN · 2020-05-11 · Information Bulletin Correspondence & Papers Page Cor-2 The project is seeking feedback on producing a national health and planning guide through

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CITY OF Armadale

INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUE Nl. 19/2008 22 October 2008

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Information Bulletin

ttr/rHVri-^m^.-^/W^Tikj^^ W ^ - W W A - W " -^.-KI- "y - i : ^ ? ^ Issue No. 19/2008

Inside this Issue

3 Correspondence & Papers

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WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News Issue No.40.08 - 13 October 2008 COR-1 Issue No.41.08 - 20 October 2008 COR-3 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News 10 October COR-5 17 October 2008 COR-20 Correspondence Media Release - Everyone a Winner with New Project - 15 October 2008 COR-34

Employee Movements HR-1 ^ Information from Human Resources

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'd'TSi Information to Standing Gommittees

O City Strategy Lilac Divider

Development Services

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Technical Services Green Divider

Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Technical Services Committee T-l Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme T-3 General Information Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Meeting No. 126 - Minutes T7 Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Meeting No.127 - Minutes T25 Bungendore Park Management Committee Meeting No. 293 - Minutes T41 Bushcare and Environmental Advisory Committee T45 Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 117 - Sept 2008 T-54 Main Roads Western Australia -Project update Aug 08 - High Wide Load Corridor 2 .... T-60 Future Now E Newsletter T-62 Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Community Services Committee C-l Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Library & Heritage Services General Monthly Report - September 2008 C-2 Manager Ranger & Emergency Services Monthly Report - September 2008 C-12 Minutes of Occasional/Advisory Committees Armadale Highland Gathering Working Group - 26 August 2008 C-19/"CA-4"-26 Disability Advisory Team Meeting-2 September 2008 C-19/"CA-5"-30 Seniors' Interests Advisory Group Meeting - 26 August 2008 C-19/"CA-6"-32 Public History Advisory Group Meeting - 7 August 2008 C-19/"CA-7"-34 Miscellaneous Your Driving Future - Presentation by the RAC C-20

Community Services

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Issue 19-22 October 2008

Information Bulletin Correspondence & Papers

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WALG Issue No. 40.08

copy and distribute to interested readers

13 October 2068

HEADLINES * AUSTRAIIAN COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT-

I B NOVEMBER H ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000- NOMINATION OF

AMENDMENTS 4 HEALTHY SPACES AND PLACES CONSULTATION

WORKSHOP 4 NATIONAL ARTS AND DisABiimr STRATEGY * LEADERSHIP WA 2009 PROGRAM < WORTH OF CARERS SYMPOSIUM H IAP2 BREAKFAST- PROMOTION OPTIONS 4 PROTECTING OLDER WEST AUSTRALIANS i CCTV FORUM

4 PREMIERS PHYSICAL ACTiynv WORKFORCE (PATF) LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP

MAILBAG 4 INFO PAGE - LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY

BOARD INQUIRY INTO GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES-WALGA SUBMISSION

4 INFO PAGE-ROMAN SOFTWARE REPLACEMENT 4 ROAO TRAFFIC CODE 2000- NOMINATION OF

AMENDMENTS FAX BACK SURVEY

ISSUES UPDATE AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT - 1 8 NOVEMBER

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Local Government has issued all Mayors and Shire Presidents with an invitation to attend the inaugural one-day meeting of the Auslralian Council of Local Government. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 at Parliament House, Canberra with an official welcoming function to be held on the evening of 17 November.

The meeting will discuss the following issues:

• Building national and local infrastructure to boost economic capacity and improve the quality of life in our communities;

• Tackling immediate challenges facing major cities and growth corridors, including urban congestion, urban planning and design; and

• Steps towards constitutional recognition for Local Government.

The Minister's Office has advised that the invitation is for Mayors/Presidents only; however, if a Mayor/President cannot attend, they can be represented by an Elected Member from their Council. If a Local Government is not in a position to send their Mayor/President, they can be represented by a neighbouring Council or the State Association. There will be no voting involved.

Councils are asked to RSVP the attendance of their Mayor/President at both the 17 November evening function and 18 November meeting by email by no later than Wednesday, 15 October to [email protected] au.

The Government will meet the costs of holding the meeting, but each Council will bear the travel and accommodation costs for their attendee.

For travel bookings, please contact WALCA's preferred supplier Corporate Travel Management Narella Costantino on S467 2113 or email narelle costantinomravelctm com For further information, please visit hflp://www. ado, aov.au or phone WOO 065 113.

ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000- NOMINATION OF AMENDMENTS

The National Transport Commission is calling for submissions for the 9" package of amendments to the Australian Road Rules (ARR). As Western Australian traffic regulations (the Road Traffic Code 2000) mostly reflect the ARR, it is timely to determine if any changes are required.

WALGA is seeking input from Local Governments through a fax back survey included in this week's mailbag to identify and justify amendments to the RTC 2000. Information provided will be collated and presented to WA representatives of the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group for consideration.

If you believe that changes are required to existing traffic regulations, please complete the survey form and return by fax to 9322 2611 by Monday. 27 October.

For further Information please contact Policy Officer Road Safety, Jenna Andrews on 9213 2068 or email iandrewslSiwalaa.asn.au

HEALTHY SPACES AND PLACES CONSULTATION WORKSHOP

The Healthy Spaces and Places project is a joint initiative between the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the National Heart Foundation of Australia, and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). The project has received funding assistance from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

U PuWisned by Iho W«acm Australian local GorcramenlAssodattai, P0 Box 15« . Wosi PBith. WA 8672 lei: (08) 9213 2000, Fat (08) 8322 2611, Emalt InloSwalga .asn.au. Website; v m . m ^ a asn au

mailto:[email protected]://aov.auhttp://asn.au


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The project is seeking feedback on producing a national health and planning guide through a series of free consultation workshops. A draft for discussion purposes has been produced from the project's scoping phase, and it would greatly benefit from the input of Local Governments. The workshop is being held on Friday, 24 October at the Parmelia Hilton. For further information or to register, please phone 0403 509 736 or email hspworkshoo


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WALGA sue No. 41.08

copy and distribute to interested readers

20 October 2008

HEADLINES 4 MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW SSS STEERING

COMMITTEE 4 ALGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL

SUMMIT-MELBOURNE i AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT * WATER SENSITIVE CITIES SPEAKERS SERIES * TRAINING UPDATE 4 SOCIAL INCLUSION OF REFUGEES WORKSHOP

MAILBAG < CAPTIVATE PARTICIPATION FOR ALL TOOLKIT * INFO PAGE AND FAXBACK- RECREATION AND

LEISURE ISSUES < STRUCTURAL REFORM OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND UPDATE 1 WATER SENSITIVE CITIES SPEAKERS SERIES

FLYER

ISSUES UPDATE MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW SSS STEERING COMMITTEE

Local Government Minister John Castrilli recently announced the formation of a new joint State and Local Government committee to consider and progress the actions contained in the SSS Report The Journey: Sustainability into the Future.

The committee - to initially run for 12 months -will include:

• Jenny Mathews, Director General of the Department of Local Government and Regional Development;

• Ricky Surges, Chief Executive Officer of WALGA;

• Michael Parker, President of Local Government Managers Australia WA and present Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Harvey;

• Eric Lumsden, Director General of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure;

• Tim Shanahan. Director, Energy and Minerals Initiative at UWA, formerly the Chief Executive Officer of WALGA; and

• A Department of Treasury and Finance representative nominated by Treasurer Troy Buswell.

The Minister expressed his enthusiasm for progressing a reform agenda for Local Government. This, combined with the development of the R2Re fund promoted by Minister Grylls and the Nationals signals that this Government is committed to the future of Local Government. The committee is expected to meet shortly to discuss how the 39 recommendations contained in the report might be implemented in regards to cost, timeframe and agencies responsible for their implementation. For further information, please contact WALGA Deputy CEO, Wayne Scheggia on 9213 2024 or email wsheoofapwatos. asn. au

ALGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL SUMMIT - MELBOURNE

The Western Australian Local Government position on Constitutional Recognition was established at the special forum held during Local Government week in August, 2008.

This position - to support Financial and Institutional recognition - was communicated to ALGA and put forward at the Experts Forum in Canberra by WA delegates as part of the process of refining the agenda for the Constitutional Summit.

The Summit is being run as a Special National General Assembly (or the purpose of determining a national preferred option for recognition. Date: Monday, 8- Thursday 11 December Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition

Centre Keynote Speakers include Geoff Gallop, Dr Graeme Pearman, Dr Keith Suter, Khoa Do, Professor George Williams and Anne Twomey. All Local Governments are encouraged to consider attending the Summit to support the Western Australian position and ensure that a truly representative national policy stance is achieved.

Standard registrations close on Friday, 21 November and may be completed online at www.nqa.alqa.asn.au.

For further information, please contact Deputy CEO Wayne Scheggia on 9213 2024 or email wsc/ieoqia(5)wa/qa. asn.au

AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Due to the time and cost of sending Councils Mayors/Presidents to Canberra for the one day meeting of the Australian Local Government Council, the Association has requested the Federal Government consider broadcasting the meeting via teleconferencing facilities through Telecentres across the nation.

Published by tlw Western Auslralian Local Gowrmenl A$si)ciallon. PO Box 1544, West Peitn. WA 6872. Tel: (08) 9213 2000, Fax: m 9322 2611. Emait iiili)@walaa asn.au. Website: vmnMstga-asitjiii

http://www.nqa.alqa.asn.auhttp://asn.auhttp://asn.au


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This suggestion would allow those Local Governments who cannot attend to view the meeting and it would also allow for greater exposure, with all Councillor and senior staff able to listen to the proceedings.

Local Governments will be advised of the outcome of this request once it is received.

For further Information, please contact ExecoftVe Manager Governance and Strategy, tony Brown on 9213 2051 or email tbrown&walaa.asn.au

WATER SENSITIVE CITIES SPEAKERS SERIES

Starting Date: Friday, 31 October

Time; 12:00- 1:00pm Venue: The Atrium, 168 St Georges Tee,

4th Floor Thealrette

This is a free event which offers attendees the opportunity to network with each other. No RSVP is required to attend

Dr Mike Mouritz will introduce the series followed by Marino Evangelist who will speak on a case study regarding engineering solutions to complex development in areas with a high water table.

Topics to be discussed throughout the series include:

. What is the Water Sensitive City concept?

» How can Australian Cities make the transition to be more Water Sensitive?

• What does a Water Sensitive City look like?

• What are we currently doing here in Perth?

For further Information regarding events in National Water Week, please visit www.natlonalwaterweek.oro.au

For further information, please contact Manager of New WAter Ways, Rebecca Duffy, on 9213 2033 or email rritjffvOwatoa.asff.au

TRAINING UPDATE

The venue for all the following training modules (unless stated) is:

Local Government House 15 Aftona St. West Perth

The cost for each of the training modules Is as follows:

Full Day Cost $330 (inc GST) for Wortqslace Solutions Members

$363 (inc GST) for nonmembers

Half Day Cost $165 (inc GST) for Workplace Solutions Members

$181.60 (inc GST) for nonmembers

Elected Member Development Program

Module 8: Community Consultation and Participation Date: Monday, 17 November Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm Module 10: Change Management Date: Tuesday, 18 November Time: 9-.00am - 12-.30pm (Half Day)

Module: 11 Policy Development Date: Tuesday, 18 November Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm (Half Day)

Module l a - Getting Started, An Introductory Program for New Councillors Date: Friday, 21 November Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm Module S: Meetings • Date: Monday, 8 December Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm

Module 17: , Introduction to Environmental Management (New Module)

Date: Monday, 15 December Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm

Offlcer Professional Development

Managing Employee Performance

Date: Tuesday, 11 November Time: 9:00am • 4°.30pm

-Policy Development for Officers

Date: Monday, 24 November Time: 9:00an) - 4:36pm

Writing Procedures in Local Government

Date: Tuesday, 25 November Time: 9:00am - 4;3dpm .

Recruitment and Selection

Date: Friday. 19 December Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm For further Information, please contact Acting Training Coordinator, Branna Heagney on 9213 2098 or email [email protected].

SOCIAL INCLUSION OF REFUGEES WORKSHOP

Murdoch University is pleased to extend an invitation to participate in the second Social Inclusion of Refugees one-day workshop of researchers and practitioners.

If you would like to present a paper of between 10 to 20 minutes on any aspect of the social inclusion of refugees, please email your abstracts to f.fOSdarjftmvrtgpMdu.gu by Friday, 31 October.

For fairtfter Information, please contact Martene Cunningham on 9200 8284 or email mat1ene.cunninaham®.mmrcwa:om.au

15 Oct

MEDIA RELEASE Everyone a Winner with New Project

DIARY DATES: WALGA ZONE MEETINGS

® Denotes Teleconference 2008 10 November 14 November 20 November 21 November 24 November

Kimberley Country Zone Murchison Zone North Metropolitan Zone Avon Midland Country Zone South Metropolitan Zone

http://www.natlonalwaterweek.oro.auhttp://rritjffvOwatoa.asff.aumailto:[email protected]


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ALGA NEWSLETTER - 10 October 2008

Housing Affordability Fund applications close on October 15

Expressions of interest in the Federal Government's $512 million Housing Affordability Fund close on October 15.

Applications are invited from state, territory and local government groups, in association with the private sector. The program will be run through the federal Department of

Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA).

The Fund looks at bringing down costs by addressing possible barriers to the supply of affordable housing, for example planning and approval timelines and offsets for infrastructure costs such as water, sewerage, transport and open space. Priority will go to areas with growing populations and demand for new housing and applicants are required to demonstrate that cost savings would be passed on to homebuyers. Proposals must be aimed at entry-level and moderately priced homes suitable for average-income earners. FAHCSIA has indicated that funding agreements with successful applicants will be signed by March 2009.

ALGA is a member of the Housing Working Group of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) which agreed to the establishment of the Housing Affordability Fund, the National Rental Affordability Scheme, and a land audit to identify surplus Commonwealth land. In addition to these initiatives, a national Housing Supply Council will provide research, forecasts and advice to COAG on housing and land supply and "A Place to Call Home" will deliver 600 new dwellings for homeless people. This week, the first Victorian leg of the $150m national program was announced. A 100-120 unit supported-accommodation facility will be build in Melbourne's CBD by developer Crocon at cost. Every night it is estimated that 105,000 people in Australia are homeless and of these over 12,000 are children. The supportive housing approach is based on a successful New York model called Common Ground.

Constitutional Summit - early-bird registration still open

The speakers at this year's Local Government Constitutional Summit will spark insights and challenge your thinking about constitutional recognition of local government.

Addressing delegates on the first day of the Constitutional Summit, is former WA Premier Dr Geoff Gallop.

Dr Gallop brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in intergovernmental relations as well as a passion for constitutional change.

He attended the Constitutional Convention in Canberra in 1998 where he put the case for a republic with a directly elected president. In 2001 Dr Gallop was elected as the 31st Premier of Western Australia, a position he held until 2006. As Premier, Dr Gallop oversaw a range of political and social reforms, including native title and Indigenous partnership models, stopped logging in old growth forests and established

Information Bulletin Page Cor-6 Correspondence & Papers

a State Administrative Tribunal. For full program information or to register go to www.nga.alga.asn.au

Cultural Ministers' Meeting

ALGA representative and MAV President Cr Dick Gross attended the recent Australian and New Zealand Cultural Ministers' meeting in Alice Springs. Ministers endorsed the Cultural Ministers Council Strategy which identifies opportunities for collaboration between jurisdictions against five key goals over the next five to ten years. These key goals are:

1. Enriching our citizens' lives covering arts education to improve access and participation, and promoting Indigenous arts and culture.

2. Supporting vibrant cultural communities covering cultural diversity. 3. Projecting Australia to the world promoting Australian arts and culture

internationally. 4. Building creative futures including strategies for creativity and innovation and

building the sustainability of the sector. 5. Transforming cultural spaces and assets covering heritage assets and collections,

planning and the built environment, digital and virtual environments, and arts and cultural infrastructure and facilities.

Ministers noted that each goal under the strategy would provide opportunities for collaborative actions to be explored.

Ministers also released a discussion paper calling for community input and submissions on the development of a National Arts and Disability Strategy. The national strategy will look in particular at ways of improving cooperation between governments and,where appropriate, at ways of developing and implementing nationally based initiatives and programs. It will feed into the National Disability Strategy and the Social Inclusion Agenda and be coordinated through a Cultural Ministers' Council (CMC) Working Group chaired by the Australian Government. The discussion paper is available for download from the CMC website www.cmc.gov.au and will be open for public submissions until Monday 3 November 2008. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected].

From the President Waste management is not generally regarded as a "sexy" issue. But having said that, it is incredibly important for local government and the community and some media outlets understand this. Following my letter to Climate Change Minister Penny Wong and media release I was contacted last week by state-wide ABC radio in South Australia and several rural newspapers got in touch to have a yarn.

A large number of councils run waste and recycling facilities and waste management is at the 'pointy end' of the carbon cycle. The opportunity for local government to be involved in changing community behaviour and mitigation initiatives is immense and many councils are already involved in best-practice initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, such as methane capture and flaring, which may be threatened due to the

http://www.nga.alga.asn.auhttp://www.cmc.gov.aumailto:[email protected]


possible negative financial impacts resulting from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

These 'landfill gas to energy" projects have been developed and implementecl on the basis of planned income from the on-sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). While the operators of these facilities would still be able to generate energy from their landfill sites, the Government's proposal to have very limited offsets could send some of these projects to the wall. We are talking about penalising councils and operators that have taken early decisions to innovate and address carbon emissions.

The additional burden on councils as a result of extra waste disposal costs and a contingent liability for 'legacy waste' produced over 20-30 years mean that the CPRS has been estimated by think-tank The Australia Institute at $344 million per annum.

Professor Ross Garnaut in his final report makes it clear that the early inclusion of emissions from waste dumps would be problematic due to the variability of these emissions and the timing of their release. The report recommends that before being covered in the scheme, other policies to encourage mitigation in the waste sector should be pursued.

ALGA's view is that the sector, including local government, should continue to work with the Australian Government on a number of outstanding technical issues which needed to be resolved before waste was included in the CPRS.

The issues are:

• the absence of accurate and affordable measurement of methane; • the absence of a grandfathering clause which means that ratepayers will have to pay

for waste produced 20-30 years ago; and • unintended consequences resulting from the establishment of a low threshold such as

providing an unfair advantage to larger landfill operators with little or no effect on emissions reduction.

Local government does not support views from some corporations (mainly large landfill operators) that uniform national regulations need to be introduced across all sites that emit more than 10,000 tonnes per annum carbon dioxide. Lowering the threshold from the proposed 25,000 tonnes would be an administrative nightmare. All i t would do would make smaller landfills less economically viable and reduce competition in this sector. The miniscule gains in terms of carbon emission reduction from this end of the sector just don't make it worthwhile. Apart from local government, a large number of the bigger landfill sites are owned and operated by third party operators. Regardless of ownership, the cost of municipal waste disposed at landfill will need to be met by councils and through them, by ratepayers. Putting up rates to pay for this liability would be unconscionable in these difficult economic times, when even buying a compost bin from Bunnings can stretch the family budget.

ALGA's formal response to the CPRS Green paper is on the ALGA website: www.alga.asn.au

Cr Paul Bell AM ALGA President

http://www.alga.asn.au


Urban cultural landscapes

A free public seminar by Professor Xavier Greffe, Professor of Economics at Sorbonne University, Paris, will be held on Thursday, 16 October at 6.30pm at Macquarie University Art Gallery.

The concept of urban cultural landscapes is increasingly measured in terms of the level of amenities that cities provide their populace - leverage to life-style choices. But, we also inhabit a post-modern city where people are looking for experience, feeling and attachment to place. This imperative has implications for policy. This seminar brings to the fore the idea of the urban cultural landscape as an ecosystem, a vision for the future.

Professor Greffe is the author of Arts ond Artists from an Economic Perspective (2002) and a distinguished academic with the University of Paris at the Sorbonne. He is one of the leading figures within the LEED Program of the OECD where he has been a consultant on Economic Development in both Western and Eastern Europe. He is the current Chair of the LEED/OECD Forum on Partnerships and Local Governance. Join Professor Greffe and share his insights on local development, economic policy and the economics of culture. RSVP Essential - contact Blanche Menadier by 14 October on 02 9850 7915 or Email: [email protected]

Australians "bored" with climate change

Australians are getting bored with climate change, and many still doubt whether it is actually happening, a new survey has revealed.

Only 46 per cent of Australians said they would take action on climate change if they were in charge of making decisions for Australia, a dip from 55 per cent last year, according to the Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute's third annual climate change survey.

And almost one in 10 Australians (nine per cent) strongly agreed with the statement "I have serious doubts about whether climate change is occurring". A further 23 per cent agreed to some extent.

Ipsos-Eureka director of Sustainable Communities and Environment Unit Jasmine Hoye believes Australians are becoming more concerned with other environmental issues that they can have more direct control over.

"We believe the public is currently overwhelmed by other, more pressing environmental issues - namely water and river health - and sees climate change as something that is largely out of their control," she said.

"However, there is a desire among many Australians to know how they can personally make a difference regarding climate change."

Aside from river and water health, other environmental issues of most concern to Australians included illegal waste dumping, renewable energy, litter, smoky vehicles and packaging.

mailto:[email protected]


"What really strikes me is that we still have so few Australians taking specific actions like substantially reducing their household energy use, driving and flying less, switching to green power, or even buying carbon offsets, especially given all of the media coverage on this critical issue," she said.

Reforms to Indigenous employment

The Australian Government has released a paper on the Government's preferred model for Indigenous employment programs, Increasing Indigenous Employment Opportunity.

The proposed model includes reforms to Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) and the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP).

The Government's reforms are a key element to meeting its target of halving the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.

These reforms will commence on 1 July 2009. For the first time providers will be required to have a comprehensive indigenous employment strategy and to coordinate the delivery of services with local CDEP providers. Under the reforms, employment providers will work together forming partnerships at the local level.

Public consultations sessions on the discussion paper will be held across Australia and written submissions can be provided until 7 November 2008. The Government encourages all interested individuals and groups to attend consultations to hear about proposed reforms. The paper and details of sessions can be obtained at www.indigenous.gov.au or by calling 1802 102.

Financial counselling for families

The Australian Government has announced $3.5 million in funding for 41 community and local government organisations to continue delivering Commonwealth Financial Counselling services to help ease the strain on people under financial pressure.

Extra six-month term for Qld councils?

Brisbane's The Courier-Mail" reports that Local Government Minister Warren Pitt, with the blessing of mayors, shire presidents and councillors, will ask cabinet to extend the current term of all Queensland local government authorities by six months.

If agreed, Queensland's next local government elections will be postponed until October 2012. Local councils, and the Local Government Association of Queensland, argue "newly elected" representatives would have insufficient time to get their heads around complex budget deliberations.

Push for two-tiered system of government

Getting rid of state governments would simplify bureaucracy and free up billions of dollars for regional projects, Lake Macquarie City Council believes.

http://www.indigenous.gov.au


The council will lobby at the NSW Local Government and Shires Association annual conference for a review of the Australian constitution, looking at replacing the three levels of government with a two-tiered system.

The conference will be held from October 25 to 29 in Broken Hill.

The council said economic estimates showed that duplication among three levels of government cost Australia about $9 billion a year, money that could instead be spent on local infrastructure projects.

Lake Macquarie Mayor and state MP Greg Piper said yesterday that changing the system of government was not a new idea.

Cr Piper said it would be complicated, and putting the matter on the agenda was more about getting people to talk about how to make government more efficient.

North Qld Mayors lobby Canberra

Mayors from the greater North Queensland area have voted to convene a summit later this month to develop a common list of priority projects to take to the Australian Council of Local Government meeting at Parliament House on November 18.

The unanimous agreement to join forces came following a special meeting of mayors held following the North Queensland Economic Development Conference in Townsville.

Mayors of the Councils, which stretch from Mackay north and west to Mount Isa, will develop a common list of infrastructure priorities to present to the Federal Government. Townsville City Council has agreed to host the Mayors' summit in late October to work towards common goals and a better funding deal for the Greater North Queensland Region.

Flooding looms for 18,000 properties

A new study has found more than 18-thousand Victorian properties around Melbourne's south-east face being flooded in the face of climate change.

The Federal Government-funded study has found two billion dollars' worth of properties in five council areas from the Western Port region are vulnerable to flood events.

As both the population and temperature rises, the areas will be exposed to other extremes and hazards related to climate change leading up to the year 2070.

This includes storm surges and coastal inundation, bushfires and extreme temperatures.

Western Port includes the local government areas of Bass Coast, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Information Bulletin Page Cor-l 1 Correspondence & Papers

Climate change modelling

Treasury has released its climate change mitigation policy modelling assumptions book as part of the Federal Government's commitment to developing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

Stakeholder consultation workshops will be conducted from 7 October 2008 using these assumptions. Key assumptions outlined include global population, productivity, gross domestic product (GDP), Australia's terms of trade and technology assumptions. The Treasury has undertaken extensive research and consulted with a wide range of domestic and international experts in developing these assumptions, particularly in relation to historical trends and possible future economic, social and technological developments.

The Government intends to release a report examining the implications of alternative targets and trajectories, containing comprehensive documentation of assumptions and results, by the end of October.

There will be an opportunity for public scrutiny and comment on the detailed Treasury modelling before the Government makes its decision in December on the medium term target range and the indicative national emissions trajectory to 2012-13.

900 extra truck rest areas?

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is calling on federal politicians to deliver 900 extra truck rest areas on major highways by 2019, under the industry's plan to amend the Government's new heavy vehicle charges legislation.

The Government introduced the new heavy vehicle charges legislation into Parliament last week. The legislation would increase the effective fuel tax paid by trucking operators - the road user charge - from 19.633 to 21 cents per litre, and would give the Government the ability to index this rate in the future. The legislation would also introduce new registration charges for the 21,500 trucks with Federal Interstate Registration Scheme (FIRS) number plates.

The Chairman of the ATA, Trevor Martyn, said the ATA's plan to amend the legislation would tie future increases in the road user charge to the construction of truck rest areas on the AusLink National Network. He said the plan would also deliver an open and transparent system for setting the road user charge in the future, rather than indexation.

Aviation industry continues to grow

For the fifth year in a row, the aviation sector has grown at a faster pace than the overall Australian economy. Last year (2007) the aviation sector expanded by 4.9 per cent to $6.31 billion - equivalent to 0.62 per cent of Australia's GDP. This compares to a 4.2 per cent growth rate for the overall economy.


In fact, over the past decade (1997-2007) the aviation sector has grown by more than 66 per cent, while over the same period Australia's national income went up by 42 per cent.

This is the key finding contained in the latest edition of Avline, a bi-annual publication which reports on the health of the Australian aviation sector.

The Federal Government is developing an aviation White Paper to promote and guide the industry's growth over the next decade and beyond.

The purpose of the White Paper will be to assist the industry overcome its immediate challenges, such as a lack of pilots and engineers, as well as provide new growth opportunities, including the pursuit of a more liberal international aviation market.

The latest edition of Avline can be downloaded from: www.bitre.gov.au.

Grants commissioners examine funding

ALGA CEO Adrian Beresford-Wylie provided state local government grants commissions from across Australia with an awareness of local government's national strategic priorities at the meeting of commissioners in Charleville, in Queensland's south-west, which was convened to look at ways to improve federal funding allocations to councils. The meeting in Charleville provided commissioners with the opportunity to see first-hand some of the problems associated with providing local government services in the bush.

Qld Commissioner and Murweh Mayor Mark O'Brien says $370 million was allocated this year to Queensland councils alone. "Commissioners do have a very important role and a big influence on the relationships of those distributions," Cr O'Brien said. "I think it's really important that the commissioners right around Australia get to see the issues in all parts of the country and not just on the eastern seaboard. We can get blinded a bit by thinking that all the problems associated with Brisbane can be replicated everywhere else and that's not the case."

The annual meeting of state local government grants commissions focuses on opportunities to improve the distribution methodologies which determine the allocation of financial assistance grants between councils.

Rudd outlines infrastructure guidelines

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlined the criteria big infrastructure projects will need to receive funding from the $20 billion Building Australia fund. All transport, water, energy and communication proposals will be assessed against their ability to lift national productivity, strengthen Australia's international competitiveness, develop our cities and regions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Last week, Australia's political leaders agreed at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to fast track big-ticket infrastructure spending to help shield the economy from continuing global financial turmoil.

Infrastructure Australia will now present its audit and priority list by December.

http://www.bitre.gov.au

Information Bulletin PageCor-13 Correspondence & Papers

The Federal Opposition has branded the $20 billion Building Australia Fund a slush fund to help bail out struggling Labor states.

Legislation to pass the Building Australia Fund is due to go before Parliament during the next session, beginning next week.

Meanwhile Telstra is pushing for a fast broadband network to be the first infrastructure project the Federal Government tackles, saying it is crucial for Australia's economic productivity and no infrastructure is more important.

It argues it will reinvigorate regional communities, boost education and health services and help tackle climate change by allowing businesses to be more energy efficient.

Infrastructure plans 'not affected'

Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has rejected suggestions that global economic instability will hit the rollout of national infrastructure projects involving private companies.

Mr Tanner says business investment in Australia is strong and the government infrastructure plan involves medium term strategies.

He's told ABC radio the government's still going through the cost benefit analysis of various possible projects.

Mr Tanner says the fact there are major problems with private finance at the moment doesn't mean there'll be a problem in six or 12 months which is likely to be the earliest date the projects will be looking for private finance.

He says we shouldn't allow what could be short term turbulence to alter long term plans to invest in infrastructure for the nation's future.

Paid maternity leave could be a casualty

Treasurer Wayne Swan has acknowledged that the global financial crisis will affect the government's ability to introduce paid maternity leave in the short term.

Speaking on the Leon Byner program in Adelaide on Wednesday, Mr Swan said: "...We can't necessarily do everything. We've got to prioritise what we're doing and that does mean tough choices. Yes, there is a report before us about paid maternity leave but it will be considered in the context of our priorities for the short term and immediate term and long term. And I just simply can't promise to fit everything in given the circumstances that we are in at the moment." On the issue of pensions, the Treasurer offered slightly more hope: "We think it's a matter of priorities that something is done in this area and we're committed to receiving that report on pensions no later than February next year and to act on that in the Budget."


Advisory panels to fight corruption

Promoting the greater use of independent hearing and assessment panels (IHAPs) by councils would reduce the risk of corruption in planning and development in NSW, say the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW.

In the wake of the Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC) findings regarding Wollongong Council, the Associations say IHAPs would be one way of restoring integrity to the system.

Meanwhile new laws compelling developers to disclose political donations have come into force. Under the new laws anyone lodging or making submission on a development proposal must disclose political donations of more than $1,000 made in the past two years.

NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally said the changes would improve accountability in the development approval process.

ICAC has recommended charges be laid against former Wollongong town planner Beth Morgan and her former lover, developer Frank Vellar, over a sex-for-development scandal at Wollongong City Council.

The Commission has recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions" (DPP) advice be sought about charging 11 people following its investigations into "unprecedented" levels of corruption at the council.

High-ranking council staff, councillors and developers are among those facing a possible total of 139 criminal charges. The report makes 27 recommendations to guard against corruption, including calls for Wollongong to establish an independent hearing and assessment panel and to restore the position of an internal ombudsman. All three parts of the report are available on the ICAC website

$5,000 grants available for farmers

Landcare Australia wants to hear from farmers or land managers who have innovative ideas to encourage and develop sustainable farming practices. Grants of $5,000 are available from the Woolworths Sustainable Farming Program for developing and trialling best ideas.

The grants are funded by part of the money donated through the Woolworths Drought Action Day in 2008 which raised over $5 million for Australian farmers. Most of the funding was distributed by the CWA to severely stressed families coping with drought. The remainder is funding sustainable agriculture projects through Landcare Australia.

The grants are available for farmers in areas that were still declared eligible for "Exceptional Circumstances' assistance in January, 2008.

The Innovation Grants are aimed at helping farmers develop good ideas, focusing on issues such as climate change adaptation, crop or animal production, water or nutrient use efficiency and management of waste or salinity. Innovative ideas for


sharing information about successful strategies for managing drought are especially welcome. Applications for the Innovation Grants close on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

For further information, to see examples of projects already underway and to download application forms for the Woolworths Sustainable Farming Program, please visit www.landcareonline.com or contact the Project Officer - Shivani Jayasinghe on 02 9412 1040 or email [email protected]

Smoking and mental illness

Australia's smoking rate has halved during the past two decades but the massive public health push has failed people with a mental illness.

Mental illness sufferers are four times more likely to smoke than the general population - a smoking rate that has stayed relatively stagnant for the past 20 years.

This costs taxpayers more than $30 billion a year, according to the latest estimate from Access Economics.

University of Melbourne researcher Kristen Moeller-Saxone surveyed 280 clients of a psychiatric support service in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

Tackling smoking for people with a mental illness must be part of the mental health strategies from the federal and state and territory governments, Ms Moeller-Saxone said.

Filming money

Councils have been asked to provide a list of the costs they incur when films are shot in their area. The NSW Film and Television Office is developing a filming protocol for local government under which council charges to filmmakers must be limited to recovering costs. Submissions can be made to [email protected] before October 20.

Concern about broadband tender process

A telecommunications industry association representing non-dominant carriers says it has concerns about the transparency of the tender process for the National Broadband Network.

The Federal Government will receive tenders for the network by the end of November.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will give advice to the Government's expert panel, which is expected to recommend a successful bidder by February or March next year.

David Foreman from the Competitive Carriers Coalition has told a Senate select committee in Canberra that the ACCC needs to explain how it will be assessing the tenders.

http://www.landcareonline.commailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


"If the time allows publishing draft position, if not at least discussion papers that ventilate what it thinks are the issues that have to be resolved or the points of contention, and allow people to respond to that and publish those responses," he said.

Food Safety Week

The Food Safety Information Council needs your help to ensure enough resources are available for everyone for National Food Safety Week 2008, which will be held 10-16 November 2008. Council resources are largely funded through membership, sponsorship and supporter contributions.

Australia's brain drain biggest on record

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has released a new report that shows Australia experienced its biggest annual exodus on record with 76 923 people leaving the country permanently in 2007-08.

The Emigration 2007-2008 report reveals that almost half the Australian residents that left permanently were in skilled jobs and nearly two thirds were aged between 25 and 54. A further 102 066 Australian residents left the country for a year or more with more than 55 per cent in professional occupations or trades.

Senator Evans said the data showed that emigration played a significant role in Australia's current skills shortage.

Although there were 149 635 permanent settler arrivals in 2007-08, the net gain (arrivals minus permanent departures) was the tenth highest recorded.

Volunteering - too much of a good thing?

Doing volunteer work is good for your well being, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing - with those volunteering more than 15 hours a week showing a sharp decrease in their satisfaction with life and emotional health, according to an academic from The Australian National.

Dr Tim Windsor from the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) said the findings of his study - which looked at nearly 1000 volunteers in their 60s from across Canberra and Queanbeyan - show the value of taking part in moderate levels of volunteering. Dr Windsor said the research illustrated the importance of not over-burdening volunteers and ensuring voluntary organisations had sufficient support.

"The study found that those who volunteer at a moderate level - between around two and 15 hours per week - show high levels of well being compared with non-volunteers. It appears to have a really positive effect," he said. "However, with those who volunteer for more than 15 hours a week the pattern of results is quite distinct. Those people showed lower levels of mental health and well being.

'The findings indicate that we need to make sure that volunteers aren't being over-burdened. Adequate government and community support of the volunteer sector is


important to ensure that the burden of responsibility doesn't fal l to just a few, but is shared by many."

Quote of the week

'The Board judged that a material change to the balance of risk surrounding the outlook had occurred"

Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens, announcins a massive one percentase point cut in interest rates on

Tuesday.

International news H I

Mayo Clinic endocrinologist James Levine, M.D., Ph.D., has continued his research in environment-changing innovations with a six-month study of a real-life office that was re-engineered to increase daily physical activity or NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis). The study began in late 2007 and ended in 2008 at SALO, LLC, a Minneapolis-based financial staffing firm. Of the 45 employee volunteers involved in the scientific study, 18 were studied for weight loss and other changes.

Re-engineering included:

• Removing chairs and traditional desk seating

• Introducing walking tracks • Educating and encouraging staff to conduct walking meetings

• Replacing traditional phones with mobile sets

• Adding desks attached to treadmills

• Introducing games in the workplace

• Providing high-tech activity monitors

• Advising staff about nutrition

Results:

. The 18 individuals lost a total of 156 pounds, 143 of that in body fat.

. Individuals lost an average of 8.8 pounds - 90 percent of that was fat. Triglycerides

decreased by an average of 37 percent.

• The nine participants who had expressed a desire to lose weight lost an average of

15.4 pounds. Another key finding - no productivity was lost due to the new environment. In fact, company officials say revenue rose nearly 10 percent during the first three months of the study, and the company recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue in January 2008 - the study's midpoint.

Conclusion: This "office of the future" is a functional environment that can also enhance weight loss and maintain

health.

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Best practice in Local Government OH&S strategies November 1 9 - 2 0 , Dockside Convention Centre, Sydney

www.halledit.com.au/lgohs08

The Local Government Occupational Health and Safety Conference 2008 wi l l deliver important insights into occupational health and safety strategies being adopted by local governments across the nation. It wi l l focus on leading examples of councils' strategies to increase the health

and safety of their staff, and reduce the cost of occupational health and safety.

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The conference will also provide information on emerging legal issues in Occupational Health and Safety including occupational stress and workplace bullying.

Presentations at the Local Government Occupational Health and Safety Conference will include insights into the following topics:

• Emerging governance and legal issues in relation to OH&S • Embracing OH&S and promoting a culture of safety • Comparing AS/NZ 4801 to National Self-Insurer OHS Audit Tool • Effective integration of OH&S in management systems • Managing OHS for an ageing workforce • Whole-of-organisation health and well-being programs • Stress reduction initiatives • Activity-specific OH&S • Mitigating specific risks • Externally monitored systemic approaches to OHS • Strategic contractor management

Over 25 speakers will be presenting at the conference, including: Andrew Newton, Chief Executive Officer, Glen Eira City Council; Janice Walsh, Group Manager, City Works Unit, City of Wollongong; Bernie Cronin, Director, Wyndham Services, Wyndham City Council; Scott Wilcox, Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator, Hobart City Council and Sue Pilkington, President, Victorian Division, Safety Institute of Australia.

For the full agenda and conference registration details, please go to www.halledit.com.au/lgohs08

or for further information contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or email [email protected]

Excellence in Local Government Customer Service Conference

November 13-14, Cockle Bay, Sydney

The Excellence in Local Government Customer Service Conference will bring together experts in customer service

delivery from leading councils and the private sector who will provide detailed insights into best practice in this critically important field.

To be held on November 13-14 at Dockside Function Centre at Sydney's Cockle Bay, the conference is designed to provide local government customer service professionals with high quality information about benchmarking best practice in customer service and client relations, including latest technologies, analysis of customer feedback, complaints handling, and a range of other challenges.

Presentations will be delivered by more than 30 leading private and local government customer service practitioners on a range of topics including: Shayne Silcox, Chief Executive Officer, City of Melville; Pauline Webb, Customer Service

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Manager, City of Canada Bay; David Mayes, Manager, Strategic Planning and Sustainability, City of Melbourne; Mike Urquhart, Director, Corporate Services, Liverpool Plains Shire Council; June Ernst, Manager, Governance and Customer Service, City of Greater Dandenong; Brett Whitford, Executive Director, Customer Service Institute of Australia ; Paul van Veenendaal, General Manager, Customer Service Benchmarking Australia and Jeannine Walsh, Australian Teleservices Association.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Measuring customer service in local government • Future of customer service in local government • Best practice in complaints handling • Investing in a service excellence journey • Vulnerable customer strategies • Culturally intelligent customer service • Integrating people, processes and technology • New customer service technology • Latest trends in contact centre technology • Analysis of customer feedback • Effective internal dispute resolution

To view the Conference agenda, please go to www.halledit.com.au/ecs08/ For further information, please contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or email

[email protected]

Chartered Secretaries Australia Annual Public Sector Update

Navigating governance challenges

How successfully is the public sector responding to today's governance challenges? What are the issues around implementing practical governance? Are you equipped to deliver the truth that the public expects? These are the issues

of the moment.

You'll get insights into these and discover how to effectively navigate through these challenges at the CSA Annual Public Sector Update. You cannot afford to miss this major event.

DON'T MISS OUT! REGISTER TODAY

Sydney- 15th October Darwin - 27th October

For further information or to register visit www.CSAust.com/PublicSectorUpdate or ca l l l 800 251 849.

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Healthy Cities Conference Making Cities Livable

Wednesday the 25tti to Friday 27th of March 2009 Holiday Inn - Gold Coast - Queensland

The Healthy Cities Conference is a platform for Government and Industry sector professionals to consider healthy cities, sostamabilny and the implications for public policy.

Participants will also examine issues that affect Federal. State and Local Government agencies.

The future will present some exciting challenges, what do we need to meet these challenges and how will it affect the way we live and work?

Keynote Speakers Include Or Peter Oavey Deputy Direcloi - Centre for Enviionment and Population Health GnHith University Di Jay Chiel Executive - Planning Institute ol Australia Mr Philip Follent Queensland Government Architect Dr John Coulter President - Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) A/Prof Elizabeth Echermann Chair in History. Heritage & Society, Deakin University and consultant to die WHO. Ms Ull ias Bovell National President - Waste Management Association ol Australia. Mr Tim Power Freehills Parlnet. BA (Jur). LLM tEnv) Tim is froquentty recognised as one ol the leading environmental and planning lawyetE in the country.

Conference Secretariat

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Forthcoming events

For a full listing of forthcoming events, see ALCAs Events calendar.

03 - 05 October 2008 Art at the Heart

06 October 2008 Sydney Architecture Festival

06 October - 06 January 2009 Health and Social Impact assessment Short Course

07 - 09 October 2008 Australian Sponsorship Marketing Association Conference 2008

07-10 October 2008 Creating a Gold Medal Community

08 - 09 October 2008 National Economic Development Conference 2008

08 October 2008 Healthy Mind Festival - Mental Health Week

12-14 October 2008 Australian Parking Convention 2008

15 October 2008 Annual Public Sector Update

15 October 2008 National Ride to Work Day


ALGA NEWSLETTER - 17 October 2008

ALGA meets with Attorney-General

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with Attorney-General Robert McClelland on Wednesday to discuss the review into mitigation programs being conducted by Emergency Management Australia.

Local government is keen to ensure that funding continues for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program beyond 30 June, 2009.

"Local and regional communities throughout Australia have benefited significantly from a variety of projects funded under the NDMP, such as Lismore and Charleville where levies have had an impact on flood mitigation," Cr Bell said. "Given the recent experiences with natural disasters in Australia and the likelihood that bushfires, floods and cyclones will intensify due to the impacts of climate change, local government requires support more than ever to deliver these mitigation measures to communities. These investments are often made across a number of years."

Cr Bell also floated the idea with the Attorney-General that potentially some of the revenue generated from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme could be used to fund mitigation measures which would assist in making local and regional communities more resilient in the face of the increasing potential for natural hazards due to climate change.

On a related front, ALGA yesterday appeared before the House of Representatives Inquiry into climate change and environmental impacts on coastal communities. The committee is inquiring into and reporting on issues related to climate change and environmental pressures experienced by Australian coastal areas, particularly in the context of coastal population growth. ALGA has argued to the Committee that a coordinated cross-departmental and cross-jurisdictional approach is essential to ensure adequate catchment management is undertaken for coastal communities. ALGA has also strongly argued the need to improve the capacity of councils to assess risks from climate change and plan for those risks, and has also pointed to the need for better information about expected sea level rises and how this will impact on coastal communities.

ALGA will be attending the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management on 6th November in Sydney.

Meeting with new Shadow Local Government Minister

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the new Shadow Minister for Housing and Local Government, Scott Morrison, this week. Mr Morrison was appointed when Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull formed his Shadow Cabinet last month. Mr Morrison's father John was Mayor of Waverley Council in the 1980s. Mr Morrison and Cr Bell spoke of local government's journey towards

Constitutional Recognition and the process which was in place leading up to the Constitutional Summit in Melbourne from December 8-11. They also spoke of the


importance of infrastructure investment, including community infrastructure, in housing developments and the importance of clear responsibilities between jurisdictions to boost affordable housing and prevent cost-shifting. Roads to Recovery and the recent AusLink legislation were discussed and Mr Morrison expressed support for devolving decision-making for service delivery to the local level which is closest to the community.

Frankston wins Australian Sustainable Cities national title

Frankston came out ahead of a strong field when it won the recent Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Sustainable Cities National Awards.

In addition to winning the overall title, Frankston also won the national Resource Recovery Award and was highly commended in the Water Conservation and Community Partnership categories. Carrum Downs Secondary College in Frankston took home the national Young Legends Award.

According to the Australian Sustainable Cities Judge, Sean Rooney, who is also Director of the CSIRO Sustainable Communities Initiative, Frankston's efforts deliver on all key principals behind the Sustainable Cities Awards.

"Frankston has set targets and undertaken projects to reduce water usage by 45% over the next 10 years, whilst the diversion of waste from landfill is another key priority. A great example is the, 'If you don't eat it, your garden will • Halve Garbage Waste!' program, which has significantly reduced organic matter going into the waste stream. Weekly rubbish bin collections are now reduced to fortnightly for the 1,000 participating homes." Rooney added.

Further information about the Australian Sustainable Communities Awards can be found at www.kab.org.au

From the President

I was reading an article about the global economic down-turn in one of the weekend newspapers that claimed recessions improved people's health. Apparently smoking rates decline, people walk more, and rather than eat out people stay at home and enjoy more nutritious home-cooked meals. This goes to show there are some folk who will always find a silver lining in every circumstance!

Having shed a few kilos myself over the past year or so, mainly through stepping up the exercise and taking my walking shoes with me when I travel, this is a topic that is of personal interest. But of course, it goes much further than that.

Local government is at the cutting edge of providing services that build and nurture the well being of our citizens and create and sustain healthy communities. Many local councils are encouraging residents to use alternative transport such as the Fairfield City Council Western Sydney Cycling Network bicycle recycling project which was recently commended in the 2008 NSW LGSA 'Dougherty Awards."

http://www.kab.org.au


Beyond health, physical activity can deliver benefits, such as contributing to decongested roads, cleaner air, community safety, participation and civic engagement. We must have a community-wide approach to physical activity with all spheres of government involved.

Health and wellbeing dovetail very nicely with our campaign for a community infrastructure renewals fund. With the proven benefits of exercise, it is of crucial importance that communities have swimming pools, ovals, playgrounds, bike paths, and recreational facilities that are available and in good working condition. Now that the Parliamentary Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program is well underway and with substantial local government input into the inquiry we look forward with interest to its recommendations.

The influence that built environment has on people's health and wellbeing is unquestionably powerful. This is why ALGA is involved in the Healthy Spaces and Places project in partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Planning Institute of Australia funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing. The project aims to raise awareness and promote the importance of the relationship between people's health and well-being, physical activity and the built environment. The Healthy Spaces and Places project is in the process of developing a national health and planning guide. A copy of the draft guide is available for comment at www.planning.org.au.

On another front, the National Preventative Health Taskforce released a landmark discussion paper late last week to kickstart debate.

The Taskforce proposes a number of targets which it says can be achieved by 2020. These are:

• Halt and reverse the rise in overweight and obesity; • Reduce the prevalence of daily smoking to 9% or less; • Reduce the prevalence of harmful drinking for all Australians by 30%; and • Contribute to closing the 17 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-

Indigenous Australians.

The paper outlines options for reform, rather than making final recommendations. The Taskforce will now accept public submissions, before delivering its National Preventative Health Strategy to Government in mid-2009.

While Australia is a healthy country by international standards, around 32% of the nation's illness is caused by tobacco, obesity, harmful and high use of alcohol, physical inactivity, poor diet and associated risk factors of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

I join Health Minister Nicola Roxon in encouraging all of us to read the discussion paper and get involved in the debate.

To view copies of the National Preventative Health Taskforce discussion paper and its three comprehensive technical reports on obesity, tobacco and alcohol, visit www.preventativehealth.org.au. where an online submission form is available.

http://www.planning.org.auhttp://www.preventativehealth.org.au


In addition, consultations will be held in each capital city and a number of regional areas in late 2008 and early 2009 and will involve local health professionals, consumer groups, state and local governments and industry.

I congratulate the taskforce on its report and welcome its commitment to working with local government. We have much to contribute in this vital area. And I sign off with a challenge. Unless we are robust and resilient ourselves, how can we expect our communities to be? That reminds me - it's time to get my bike out of the shed....

Cr Paul Bell AM ALGA President

Extra funding for states 'a dream"

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has used a line from the film The Castle" to describe reports state and territory governments are demanding an extra $23 billion before signing any new federalism agreements at COAG.

The states and territories want the extra money on top of the $33 billion they receive now, it has been reported.

A confidential brief prepared for the states reveals they have developed funding options for the five big agreements in health, schools, disability services, housing and vocational education and training with the preferred option of an additional $23 billion over four years, The Australian reports.

7 reckon that this is one of larger try-ons of the century," Mr Rudd said. "But what was that great line in The Castle? You gotta be dreaming."

Meanwhile Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says the government will review all its spending promises as the global financial crisis starts to bite.

Mr Swan's told ABC TV the crisis has entered a new and damaging phase that will certainly affect Australia's economic growth but it's too early to say by how much.

He insists the country's in good shape to get through it and he doubts the government will need to go back on election promises.

Recycling green waste

Local governments and home gardeners are being urged to better manage their green waste recycling to help combat the spread of weeds. The Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) Executive Director, Karen Schneider has released two new guides on the correct handling and recycling of green waste.

"It's important that home gardeners and local governments ensure plants and weeds are disposed of appropriately," Karen Schneider said. 'When green waste breaks down in landfills, it generates methane-a major greenhouse gas. If green waste is recycled rather than being relegated to landfill, these emissions can be lower."


For further information or to download a copy of Managing green waste to reduce weed spread visit www.brs.gov.au.

Recycled water offers opportunities

Farmers and others looking for alternative sources of water will be interested in a new report released today by the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS).

The report aims to provide a better understanding of the issues influencing the use of recycled water.

The report includes three case studies of successful effluent recycling schemes:

» Shoalhaven Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (NSW south coast);

• Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (north western Victoria); and

• Coal River Recycled Water Scheme (south eastern Tasmania).

Information was gathered from people directly engaged in negotiating recycled water schemes, including regional water authorities, local communities, farming groups and state government departments.

An analysis of the social aspects of establishing agricultural recycled water schemes is available at www.brs.gov.au.

Pension guide

Nationals Leader Warren Truss has released a new edition of his Age Pension Guide. Mr Truss said the Guide which is available at www.warrentruss.com was extremely popular amongst pensioners because it explains as simply as possible the pensions that are available and outlines the eligibility criteria.

Smoking ban for children's playgrounds

Smoking would be banned in children's playgrounds if Campbelltown Council has its way.

Members last month voted, within limits, to support Greens MLC Mark Parnell in his legislative push to prohibit smoking in children's play areas.

While Mr Parnell wants smoking banned in any open recreational place where children are likely to be, the council believed the ban should apply to public playgrounds, sports grounds and designated children's play areas - not to entire parks.

Mayor Simon Brewer said the Parnell legislation, with the amended definition, made sense.

"Given that you're not allowed to smoke around children in cars, it makes sense to extend it to playgrounds," he said.

http://www.brs.gov.auhttp://www.brs.gov.auhttp://www.warrentruss.com


Report on community relations

A research report released by the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, provides a generally positive picture of relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim Australians.

'The report identified a range of positive activities undertaken at the local government level to encourage engagement between faith groups, while also suggesting where improvements might be made," Mr Ferguson said. Mr Ferguson singled out Fairfield City Council for its work and the expansion of its multicultural program.

The report is on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Ski I ling discussion paper

The Australian Government's commitment to increasing the investment in training targeted at addressing skills shortages across the Australian economy was announced as a 2007 election commitment. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations managed the consultation, including analysing the feedback received.

Charter of Rights for care

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot has announced the Australian Government was developing a Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for community care and flexible care packages. There will be consultation with consumers, aged care providers and other interested groups. A draft Community Care Charter has been prepared.

The draft Community Care Charter says each recipient of a community care service funded by the Australian Government has the right to:

• Full and effective use of his or her personal, civil, legal and consumer rights; • Quality care appropriate to his or her needs; • Be treated and accepted as an individual, and to have his or her individual preferences taken

into account and treated with respect; • Maintain his or her personal independence; • Maintain control over, and continue making decisons about, the personal aspects of his or her

daily life, financial affairs and possessions; • Complain and to take action to resolve disputes; • Have access to advocates and other avenues of redress; and • Be free from reprisal, or well-founded fear of reprisal, in any form for taking action to

enforce his or her rights.

Zero Footprint Week - Nov 23-28

A new national umbrella community awareness week focusing on reducing ecological footprint to tackle climate change will be held in the last week in November. An initiative of One at a Time Foundation, Zero Footprint Week is inviting local governments to participate.


Councils can get involved by: hosting their own events like nature walks, sustainable gardening workshops, community seminars and using the Week to showcase their sustainability programs to local residents.

One at a Time Foundation will be run a national media publicity program to support the week and will promote any local events and involvement to the media. A website where local governments can register their events will be available soon.

For further information Local governments can contact One at a Time Director, Amanda Little [email protected].

Package to stimulate economy

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has unveiled a $10.4 billion package aimed at stimulating the economy and protect Australia from the worst of an expected recession.

There were housing and infrastructure elements to the package as well as generous one-off payments to pensioners, retirees and carers.

First-home buyers who buy established homes will receive $14,000 instead of $7000 and those buying newly built homes will receive $21,000. There is also $187m for 56,000 new training places and accelerated implementation of infrastructure spending.

The stimulus for the housing market has been welcomed by housing industry groups but some economists such as ANZ's Saul Eslake have warned that it could push up house prices, benefiting existing home owners at the expense of first home buyers.

Ministers will bring forward their interim infrastructure report so work can start in 2009 in education and research, health and hospitals, and transport and communications. The government has sought pre-referral of the legislation for the nation-building funds into a Senate Committee this week.

Broadband funding not nailed down

The two main bidders for the National Broadband Network, Telstra and Terria, have revealed that fallout from the international credit crunch could affect funding for their bids. The broadband tender offers $4.7 billion of government funding towards the building of a high-speed broadband network that will reach 98% of the population. However, both carriers have said they are confident they will meet the funding requirements, with funding from alternative sources such as debt markets or other investment channels.

Faulkner calls for electoral reform

Government Senate Leader and Special Minister of State Senator John Faulkner has called for both Houses of Parliament to move to 4-year fixed terms, arguing that this would make Australia's political system more democratic.

Senator Faulkner said senators terms should be reduced from six years to four and their terms should start and end at the same time as MPs. Achieving these changes

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would require a referendum and broad bipartisan support. In a recent speech, Senator Faulkner argues the case for constitutional change through new "deadlock provisions' to prevent the Senate from blocking budget appropriation bills as it famously did in 1975 leading to the dismissal of the Whitlam Government. Labor's policy platform supports fixed four-year terms and constitutional reform to prevent the Senate blocking supply.

Timetable for digital switch

The Federal Government is expected to announce next week the timetable for a region by region switch-off of analog TV signals.

The Australian' confirms that a report prepared by the Government's Digital Switchover Taskforce has been presented to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and enabling legislation is expected to be passed during the current sitting of Parliament. The first region to switch from analog to digital transmission is expected to be around Mildura. It is expected that the task force will recommend that the switch-over process be started in the second half of 2010. The Government has already set a date for completion - December 31, 2013. Field testing is underway to try to identify potential digital black spots, mainly in rural areas.

Government sticks with 2010 carbon timeframe

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the government to take a cautious approach to climate change measures and delay the 2010 start date for the carbon trading scheme. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said over the weekend that he had not altered his plans to introduce the scheme in 2010. Treasurer Wayne Swan told ABC TV that the emissions trading scheme was a significant long term issue and the government would deal with it in a measured way. Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has called for the government to introduce the scheme after 2011.

Alcohol-related violence "out of hand"

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione's push for reduced trading hours has been welcomed as a way of addressing alcohol-fuelled violence.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said 1,800 licensed venues operated in the city's local government area (LGA) and half of all assaults in the LGA were alcohol related.

'The situation has got much worse over the past couple of years and it is getting out of hand," she said.

Mr Scipione says there is a body of research linking extended trading hours with violence, and warns the "drink to get drunk culture must stop". "All I'm doing is listening to the community, they tell me enough is enough" Mr Scipione today told Fairfax Radio Network.

He said alcohol-related problems in Newcastle had decreased after pubs were ordered to shut by 3am and not allow people entry after 1am.


Breast care nurses for regions

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has welcomed an announcement by the Federal Government to fund specialist breast care nurses in 44 locations across Australia. Almost 90% of the nurses will work in rural and regional areas of Australia.

Regional and rural communities to receive breast care nurses include:

NSW: Shoalhaven, Moree, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Mudgee, Bathurst, Cooma Monaro, Young, Griffith, Goulburn, Wagga^Wagga^

VIC:

QLD:

Shepparton, Benalla, Ballarat, Horsham, Warrnambool, Colac, Warragul, Bairnsdale, Sale, Swan Hill. Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Gladstone, Kingaroy, Warwick, Dalby, Roma.

SA: jWallaroo, Berri, Victor Harbor. WA: Bunbury, Geraldton, Albany.

Intellectual property crime

A recent Australian Institute of Criminology report deals with the nature and extent of intellectual property crime in Australia, its organisation, social and economic impacts, and the efficacy of responses through legislation, law enforcement and criminal prosecution. The importation and domestic manufacture of counterfeit goods by both the public and transnational organised crime groups attract response strategies that encompass surveillance, regulatory mechanisms and litigation. The report calls for better understanding of the impact of IP crime through monitoring and intelligence gathering, research into enforcement and prosecution activities, and econometric cost modelling, using educational, good practice and legislative reform initiatives.

Aged Care Approvals Round briefings

Information sessions on the 2008-09 Aged Care Approvals Round will be conducted in all capital cities and a number of regional centres across Australia early next month.

More than 10,000 new aged care places would be available for allocation including 7,600 residential aged care places - in the 2008-2009 Aged Care Approvals Round.

The approvals round is an annual competitive assessment process that allocates new Australian Government-funded aged care places to providers who best demonstrate that they can meet the growing needs of the ageing population within their local region.


2008-09 round is expected to be advertised on Saturday 8 November. Information sessions will be conducted from Monday 10 November to Tuesday 18 November. Information sessions are scheduled in a range of places including Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Shellharbour, Sydney, Melbourne, Shepparton, Brisbane, Alice Springs, Darwin, Bunbury, Bundaberg, Cairns, Caloundra, Gold Coast, Orange, Mackay, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston and Canberra.

Information sessions will be held in capital cities and regional centres from November 10-18, 2008. Applications from aged care providers close on December 19, 2008. For further information, including the locations and times of the sessions contact the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 or the state/territory office listed on www.health.gov.au/acar2008

Ipswich acts on junk mail l i t ter

A Queensland city has declared war on junk mail, threatening prosecutions for littering and environmental damage.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said too much junk mail was ending up on footpaths, front lawns, parks and creek beds.

"It's turned into just legalised littering/' Mr Pisasale said. "Everybody's had a gutful of it."

Mr Pisasale said Ipswich City Council would consider prosecutions unless the distributors of junk mail and several free newspapers in the city, which adjoins Brisbane's western suburbs, ensure it ends up in the letterboxes of residents who want it. He said the idea had been welcomed by locals he had consulted.

SA's lower lakes doomed, says report

South Australia's lower lakes are likely doomed because of water over-allocation and drought, a Senate committee report has found.

The report found the federal government may have to resort to flooding the freshwater lakes with salt water to save them.

"There is not enough water in the system," the Senate committee's report said.

"This is the result of historic over-allocations, the current unprecedented drought, and the emerging impacts of climate change."

The report, endorsed by Labor senators, was non-committal about flooding the lakes with sea water to keep them functioning.

"If the admission of sea water becomes necessary, the potential environmental impacts should be subject to further detailed investigation and community consultation," committee chair and Labor senator Glenn Sterle wrote in the report.

Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said the report showed how grim the situation is in the Murray Darling Basin.

http://www.health.gov.au/acar2008


'The evidence presented to the inquiry indicated there is very little fresh water available right now for either the lower lakes or for the numerous other icon sites throughout the basin," Senator Wong said in a statement.

However, the Greens and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon were less pessimistic, saying the lakes could be saved with the right action. (AAP)

Quote o f the week

"I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that he didn't trust me so much."

Mother Teresa

In ternat io

Documents

INFORMATION BULLETIN · 2020-05-11 · Information Bulletin Correspondence & Papers Page Cor-2 The project is seeking feedback on producing a national health and planning guide through