Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - August, 2019
A blockchain program created for Queensland councils has won an industry award.
Council allows defamation defence
Local governments are allowing ratepayer money to be used to fund defamation action against members of the public.
Mayor slams homeless help
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has criticised charities that help homeless people in public parks.
Wyatt backs booze ban removal
Ken Wyatt has supported some reduction in anti-alcohol polices in the Northern Territory.
SA blood lead spikes
The average amount of lead in the blood of Port Pirie children is up 45 per cent this year.
Shark net toll counted
Official figures show animals other than sharks made up 94 per cent of the marine life caught by shark nets in NSW.
'Riot' claims at ACT centre
Unions are calling for more training after seven staff members at Canberra's youth justice centre were taken to hospital.
Legal action over traditional rejection
Environment Minister Sussan Ley is being sued after she rejected a heritage protection bid in favour of a Chinese coal project.
Coal towns see sulphur spike
An international review has found Australian regions with coal-fired power stations are among hot spots for sulphur dioxide pollution.
MP's report shows prison rise
A new report finds the proportion of Indigenous Australians in prison has doubled in thirty years.
Council ABN kerfuffle unfolds
A Victorian council has mysteriously used the ABN of a Queensland council on its parking tickets.
Councils pushed to green consideration
Adelaide has warned councils must budget for climate change and associated insurance risks.
Darwin denies facial aims
Darwin council has promised not to use facial recognition technology on its new CCTV cameras.
Meat-free council criticised
A Melbourne council’s meat-free Monday policy has angered local farmers.
Cash cards for local relief
Victoria’s Wellington Shire is giving farmers pre-loaded $700 debit cards to boost local economies.
Frogs won't stop dam plans
NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro says ‘green tape’ is hindering water security.
SA to scrap GM ban
The South Australian government is lifting its moratorium on growing GM food crops.
Council concedes cemetery failure
A council slammed for knocking over headstones at its own cemetery has admitted it did not follow its own guidelines.