Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - February, 2013
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government has released a new working paper which suggest how local government bodies in Australia might independently improve revenue streams in the medium to long term.
Queensland announces more flood support for shires
The Queensland Government has announced it has secured additional flood support funding under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, and will see funding delivered to farmers in the Central Highlands, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Western Downs and all of Logan local government areas can now apply for Category C assistance, and enhanced disaster loans for primary producers under Category D.
WALGA delivers cash for containers petition
The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has delivered a 1,500 person petition to the State Parliament calling for the development of a cash for containers scheme.
McHugh urges councils to apply for waste funding
Outgoing President of the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) has urged the state’s councils to apply for a share in the $3 million in funding under the State Government’s program for household waste recycling.
New President for LGASA
Mayor David O’Loughlin has been named as the next President of the Local Government Association of South Australia.
NSW local government bodies to merge on 1 March
The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) will become one single association called Local Government NSW (LGNSW) this Friday 1 March 2013, representing all 152 councils throughout NSW.
Rates consultation to conclude
The Victorian Government has announced community consultation on draft council rating guidelines will conclude this week with a series of public meetings in Melbourne.
Western NSW councils discuss future
Population decline, financial and infrastructure delivery challenges faced by councils, and the need for a more collaborative approach in service delivery by all levels of government were key issues discussed at the Annual Conference of the Western Division Councils in NSW* held in Nyngan on 25-26 February.
Queenslanders offered to shape their state
The Queensland Government is encouraging the state’s citizens to contribute to the future shape of the State, with the Government launching the Queensland Plan.
De-amalgamation pre-polls open
The Queensland Government has announced that the pre-polling booths have opened for the four areas seeking to de-amalgamate from their regional councils.
LG excellence acknowledged in Victoria
Local government leaders, innovators and achievers have been celebrated at the annual LGPro Awards dinner in Melbourne last week, with State Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell commending the largest pool of nominations ever fielded in the awards.
ALGA continues referendum push
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is continuing the push for constitutional recognition as it prepares to make its final case before the second public hearing of the Joint Select Committee charged with investigating the likelihood of Australians voting ‘yes’ in a possible referendum over the issue.
Queensland outlines CSG strategy
The Queensland Government has promised better community engagement, more field inspections, audits and a ‘firm approach to industry non-compliance’ as part of a new coal seam gas management plan.
Report calls for rating reform
The Ratings Practices in Local Government report conducted by the Victorian Auditor-General has been tabled in the State Parliament earlier this week.
New standards for e-waste
More effort to diverting e-waste from landfill will be a key effort under the new Australian/New Zealand Standard for electronic waste announced by Standards Australia earlier this week.
NSW announces new CSG rules
The New South wales Government has announced ‘tough new measures’ to bolster the regulation of the coal seam gas industry in the State.
LGAT completes workforce report
The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) has begun distributing the final copy of the state-wide Tasmanian Local Government Workforce Report to the State’s councils.
South Australia to review planning system
The South Australian Government has announced it will overhaul the state’s planning system in a bid to establish Adelaide as ‘one of the world’s great small cities’.
Victoria welcomes local input for metropolitan future
The Victorian Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, has urged Melbourne’s metropolitan councils to continue to take a leading role in the ongoing community consultation over planning for Melbourne’s growth and development over the next 40 years.
NBN rolls out in Tasmania and NSW
The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has switched on major services across Tasmania, with eight new NBN Digital Hubs, seven Digital Enterprises, and five Digital Local Government Programs coming online across the State.
Queensland kicks of flood consultation
The Queensland Government has announced it will begin consulting with industry and local government bodies to ensure that legal protection for councils from inappropriate development on flood prone land.