Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - April, 2012
A new CEDA paper is calling for Perth to consider congestion charging to avoid the gridlock strangling other Australian capital cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
CEDA Chief Executive Professor the Hon Stephen Martin said Western Australia's economic success was generating significant population growth, increasing pressure on transport infrastructure.
"This population growth will need to continue if WA is to avoid predicted labour shortages, which means consequences of that growth, such as congestion, need to be managed now," he said.
Landfill a moneymaker in carbon price scheme
The Federal Government has teamed up with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to explain how landfill can be used to reduce pollution and earn carbon credits.
MAV releases draft Strategic Plan for 2012-13
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has requested public input over its recently released a draft copy of the proposed Strategic Plan for 2012-13.
Tasmanian water and sewerage governance working group starts
The working group tasked with considering governance issues associated with a possible move to a single water and sewerage corporation in Tasmania has met for the first time.
Councils concerned over Carbon Price
More than 100 delegates, representing more than 40 councils likely to be affected by carbon pricing have met in Canberra for the Carbon Price and Council Landfill National Forum to gain a better understanding of how to manage their responsibilities under the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Act.
Ararat review released
Victorian Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has released the quarterly report from the government-appointed Monitor overseeing the activities and performance of Ararat Rural City Council.
Crean calls for cooperation for Latrobe transition
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean has called on local leaders to work cooperatively in the Latrobe Valley to help identify new opportunities to assist the area transitioning to a clean energy future.
Extra councillors for Melbourne
The Victorian Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has announced she has accepeted the recommendations of the final report of the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on its electoral represenations of the review of the Melbourne City Council.
Victoria calls for more women in local government
The Victorian Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell, has opened the 2012 Australian Local Government Women’s Association with a call for more action to address the gender imbalance in local government.
LGAQ to blitz red tape
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has a red tape reduction task force in the wake of the recent state election.
ALGA to convene Carbon Price and Landfill National Forum
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will convene the inaugural Carbon Price and Landfill National Forum on the 23 – 24th April, to help local government bodies better understand and meet their obligations under the Federal Government’s Carbon Price Mechanism.
Expert Local Government panel selected
The New South Wales Government has announced the three members of the independent expert panel that will be responsible for examining the structural arrangements of councils in the context of improving the financial sustainability and future viability of the NSW local government sector.
NSW dual roles prohibited
The New South Wales Government has passed legislation through Parliament that will ban the holding of dual roles of State MPs and local mayors and local councillors.
WA announces strategic planning reform
The Western Australian Government has introduced legislation that aims to allow local communities to have a greater say in neighbourhood development and long term strategic planning.
WALGA praises planning turnaround
The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has praised the rapid turnaround in the quality of the state’s planning approvals systems, saying it has gone from one of the country’s worst to one of the best in a matter of years.
Logan wins Livable Cities projects
The Federal Government has announced Logan will host two innovative projects that will showcase best practice in urban design, planning and renewal.
Melbourne to lead a new global network on Sustainable Urban Development
The City of Melbourne and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group have announced that Melbourne will lead a new global network on Sustainable Urban Development.
Residents to absorb council rate rises when carbon pricing begins
A report by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) shows that some areas in Australia will be hit with a 3.3% council rate rise when the carbon price starts.
Sydney rolls out historic LED lighting scheme
In an Australian first, Sydney has begun installing the first batch of energy-efficient LED street and park lights.
Productivity Commission examines local government business regulation
The Productivity Commission has published a draft report examining the role of local government regulation on Australian businesses. The report found a number of areas of local government regulation that place ‘unnecessary regulatory burdens’ on Australian businesses.