Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - August, 2014
A large sewerage spill has reached a creek just kilometres from Darwin’s CBD.
Rural business beaten-down by dry
Queensland’s wide range of wild weather is proving frustrating state-wide, with large parts suffering under drought conditions while others work to recover from floods.
Applications in ACT to find those touched by asbestos
ACT tenants and homeowners can now apply to find out if they have lived in a home contaminated by asbestos fibres.
Rural schooling hurt by continued cuts
A conference this week saw the unique challenges of remote schooling come together.
Apathetic vs. Disengaged in race away from majors
Not only are many Australians unhappy with the major political parties, their satisfaction with democracy itself has dropped too, a study shows.
High time for hemp in Tasmania
Tasmania wants to get into hemp, with vocal backing from numerous councils and MPs.
Road fund freeze sees services squeezed
More councils are calling out for millions of dollars in federal road funding to be unfrozen.
Rural money matters have day in court
The financial management of one rural shire has been placed on the dissecting table.
Wonky GST split divides state blame
The Federal Defence Minister has slammed the national GST distribution system, labelling it a “scandal”.
Councils call for all tiers to tighten Water Act
A group of councils have used their combined voice to call for changes to water laws.
Water body wants well worries quelled
Irrigation industry group Namoi Water says the NSW Government’s permission for AGL to fracture CSG wells in Gloucester is a dark sign of things to come.
Heads roll over developers' dodgy path
The Greens are seeking to remove a politician who admitted receiving payment from banned property developers.
People power could get corporate face
Studies have been undertaken to look at Australia's first community owned electricity retailer.
Funding change leaves less for some low-performers
Some authorities say that the new West Australian school funding model will do the opposite of what evidence suggests it should.
Aboriginal gaps must be leapt by all
Senator Nova Peris says all Australians need to push for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people.
Councils' call on repeal response
Legal experts say it will be up to individual councils to decide how they respond to the abolition of the carbon price.
Planning plans slammed as 'socialist'
One Local Government Association may have to fight to retain council control over planning decisions, after a range of “socialist” reforms were proposed.
Regional boost will take many small efforts
Population experts say the amount of people living in regional and remote areas can be doubled with a few simple steps.
State sweeps set stage for unlikely federal probe
Some may be wondering what happened to a budding movement from a few months ago, when it appeared there would be a push to set up a federal corruption watchdog.
Big Pilbara water find could bring flow of funds
A new study say there are huge untapped water reserves in the Pilbara, which could drive a massive agricultural expansion in WA.
TasWater takes up arms against spending claims
There is outrage over reports that one state government water body spent over $400,000 on some corporate advice.