Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - February, 2012

The Metropolitan Association of Victoria (MAV) has called for an immediate review of the state’s legislation with an aim to clarify roles and responsibilities for waterways, creeks, drains, levees, seawalls and other essential water and flood mitigation assets.

Amendments to Queensland's Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 (PDA) have been passed in parliament, introducing a range of measures to to cut red tape and reduce compliance costs.

The amendments widen the range of works that will no longer require council assessment or inspection, known as notifiable works.

The amendments will apply to additional plumbing work in existing homes, including renovations like a new bathroom or ensuite or a kitchen.

Local Government Minister Paul Lucas said that the amendments would result in significant savings for both councils and homeowners.

“Previously, plumbers and drainers had to obtain a permit costing anywhere from $300 to $1,600 from their local government before starting work, adding up to 28 working days to each job,” he said.

“Now plumbers will have to notify the Plumbing Industry Council within 10 business days of completion.

“Councils will be able to focus on carrying out inspections when new houses are built on more complex matters ensuring plumbing is done right the first time.

“Notifiable work will have a small fee associated with the lodgement of the forms to ensure the system is properly audited to protect consumers and keep standards high.”

Minister Lucas said this small fee will, in most cases, be a large saving when compared to the former application costs with possible savings between $300 and $1600.

“It is expected that local governments and the PIC will work together to monitor compliance levels and to direct auditing processes.” Mr Lucas said.

“Work that still requires a permit will be known as ‘compliance assessable work’ and will apply to all new buildings when they are first connected to water or sewer infrastructure. 

Rural councils in the Riverina/Murray region have met to discuss key issues including the review of the draft Code of Conduct for councillors, and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Ray Donald said the current Model Code of Conduct is a lengthy, cumbersome document written in bureaucratic jargon, which is far too detailed to act as an easy reference for councillors and is a deterrent to people thinking of standing for Local Government elections.

"The Code of Conduct we have proposed is written in plain English and in a similar style to the Code of Conduct of Members of Parliament and the Pecuniary Interest Register - a two page document."

"One has to wonder why the current Code for councillors is 30 pages plus, compared to the brief Code for State MPs which fits on one page - despite the fact that Ministers, MPs and councillors represent communities, are answerable to them at regular elections, and whose roles have many similarities."

Regarding the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Cr Donald said the Shires Association of NSW wants to ensure that the voice of the community is being listened to.

"The storage of water when it's plentiful needs to be a priority for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), and we need to develop infrastructure in order to lessen the financial and socio-economic pressure in local communities."

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA)  is calling for a comprehensive and localised socio-economic impact analysis, structural adjustment assistance to ensure that funds remain in support of regional economies, and a guarantee of town water supplies, to ensure communities, particularly in regional and rural areas, can maintain adequate living standards.

Other issues discussed were Constitutional Recognition of Local Government, the Destination 2036 Draft Action Plan, Local Government Elections, the impact of the carbon tax on councils, shortages of medical practitioners in rural areas, uniform truck loading restrictions, funding local walking/bicycle paths; and local policing in small communities.

Councils representated at the meeting were Berrigan, Carrathool, Conargo, Deniliquin, Griffith, Hay, Jerilderie, Leeton, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, and Wakool.

Legislation passed in the Queensland Parliament will mean that from 1 July 2012, Allconnex customers will receive water and wastewater services from their local council.

Minister for Water Utilities Stephen Robertson said the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Act would allow the Gold Coast, Redland and Logan City councils to withdraw their business from Allconnex and establish their own Council water businesses.

“The Act also requires Gold Coast City Council to bear the consequential costs incurred by the Redland and Logan City councils in withdrawing from Allconnex,” Mr Robertson said.

“Last year South East Queensland councils were given a once-only opportunity to opt out of their distributor-retailer and re-establish council-owned and operated water and waste water businesses.

"The Gold Coast City Council decided to withdraw from Allconnex and in doing so agreed to pay the consequential costs of disestablishment to Redland and Logan Councils.

“Gold Coast City Council knew this was a condition when they voted not once but twice to opt out.

“That decision left Redland and Logan City councils no option but to also leave Allconnex as it was not commercially viable to remain with the company.”

Mr Robertson said the three councils are responsible for setting and agreeing to these costs and Allconnex and the Redland and Logan City councils are required to keep these costs to a minimum.

“Should there be disputes the matter can be referred to an independent arbitrator for a binding determination,” he said.

“The Gold Coast, Redland and Logan City councils must deliver affordable, high standard water and waste water services to their community.

“Like the distributor-retailers, the councils will be subject to a Consumer Price Index (CPI) cap until 30 June 2013 on the annual distribution and retail water and waste water prices for households and small businesses.

“All South East Queensland councils must also have a price mitigation plan showing how they intend to moderate the impact of price increases, assist vulnerable customers and inform the community about price increases after the conclusion of the CPI cap. The Councils are to have and implement at least a five year price path which moderates any price increases.

“Councils need to be clear to their community about water and wastewater prices.

“The three councils – Gold Coast, Logan and Redland, will also be required - like the two remaining distributor-retailers, Unitywater and Queensland Urban Utilities - to participate in the Energy and Water Ombudsman Scheme to ensure all residents and small business in the south-east have access to the free dispute resolution and mediation service provided by the Ombudsman.”

Mr Robertson said the Government is also doing everything in its power to minimise the impact on Allconnex staff and uncertainty for employees.

“The State Government recognised the need to help Allconnex Water workers with the most orderly transition possible and do everything in our power to minimise the impact on jobs and uncertainty for employees,” he said.

“This legislation enables the establishment of a Retransfer Workforce Framework to allow Allconnex staff to transition back to the council water businesses, protecting work entitlements and ensuring job security.”

Using curbside, commercial and biowaste from its poultry industry, the City of Greater Bendigo is building a business case that could see the introduction of Australia’s first multiple stream waste to energy facility.

The Western Australian Local Government Minister John Castrilli has directed the Department of Local Government to undertake an inquiry into matters related to the governance of the City of Canning.

Irvinebank's Ibis Dam, south-west of Cairns in far north Queensland, is to be transferred to the ownership of Tablelands Regional Council in July next year, following a decision by the Queensland Government after local residents fought a State Government proposal to decommission it.

South Australian Planning Minister John Rau has announced that the State Government will respond to increasing community concerns over urban sprawl in the Barossa and McLaren Vale regions by introducing measures to constrain further development.

The Victorian Government has passed the City of Greater Geelong Amendment bill 2011, which will see the people of Greater Geelong directly elect their mayor at the 2012 local government elections.

The New South Wales Government has formally endorsed Newcastle’s bid to host the 2013 Special Olympics after Premier Barry O’Farrell pledged $1 million in state funding for the Newcastle Council.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MVA) has challenged a proposal by Ratepayers Victoria that council rates should be controlled by the State Government.

The Queensland Local Government  Minister Paul Lucas is considering requiring that larger local councils web-cast their meetings. Under the proposal, which could be in place by mid-year, smaller councils would to make audio recordings available on CD.

The Queensland Local Government Minister Paul Lucas has stated he will audit all councils following the failure of the Sunshine Coast Council to comply with new state laws requiring councils to publish online a full register of interests, including all money, gifts or hospitality provided to council politicians and the chief executive officer.

The Local Government Association of South Australia has pushed against a call for a new requirement that would see councillors obliged to crosscheck one another for conflict of interest after a report published by the SA Ombudsman urged the adoption of the practice.

The Queensland Government has released the final Regional Plan 2012 – 2031 for the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday region.

Whyalla City Council has appointed  Group Manager, Corporate Services, Migelle Hiscock as acting CEO, following the departure of Ian Burfitt.

The Federal Government has announced all senior appointments to the New South Wales Regional Development Australia (RDA) fund.

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has launched its new eLearning portal though its Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Network (IKEN).

Expressions of Interest (EoI) for positions on committees for Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees are now open in the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Victoria.

The Western Australian Department of Local Government has announced a new Advisory Standard for Integrated Planning and Reporting.