Archived News for Professionals in Local Government

Community members in Far North Queensland are waiting to see what fate will be bestowed on them by the Queensland Government, with the state’s Deputy Premier saying he will all but disregard environmental authorities in favour of regional development.

One thousand voices wanted for bore-water survey

A groundwater monitoring group wants to take a real assay of bore water levels and pressure near coal seam gas operations – calling for 1000 landholders to take part.

River funds showered on SA businesses

Members of South Australia’s state government environmental departments have set out the criteria for irrigation funding.

River plans scanned for patch-ups

The Water Sharing plans for several rivers in New South Wales are under review, but the state’s Primary Industries Minister assures it is likely that little will be changed.

Councils push to RAT out routes

Several local governments in Victoria have banded together to push for the inclusion of the Performance Based Standards Route Assessment Tool (PBS RAT) in the national heavy vehicle regulatory system.

Upkeep required for train safety rhetoric

New statistics show how quickly complacency can seep in when it comes to safety around railways.

Fight brews with anti-nuclear radio-activists

The Queensland Government is striding ahead with plans to open up the state’s significant uranium resources to any interested parties.

First words in Alpha court case

Court proceedings have begun today in Queensland’s Land Court, with several groups trying to stop the Alpha Coal Project in the state’s central west.

Moves to soften tender hardship

The South Australian Government is attempting to make it easier for small and medium sized businesses to tender for public sector contracts, with a new training package for operators.

Prize to recognise Melbourne's greening out

The City of Melbourne has bagged a fairly prestigious award for its green thinking in urban design.

Council chief's spending spree lock-down

A former council CEO has been jailed after his free-wheeling use of the shire’s credit card.

Debate bubbles up over water plans

One regional council in New South Wales has deferred back to general scientific consensus, voting to undo a previous ban and start adding fluoride to its water.

Public servant faces spy charge with little to go on

A senior public servant accused of espionage activities has been denied access to evidence used to strip him of his security clearance.

Staff call for clarity, striking not impossible

Staff at the Newcastle City Council have initiated moves to take industrial action over the future of their jobs.

Tree-trimming delay while bats bunk down

The Cairns Regional Council has expressed some annoyance at having to delay its plan to rid the town of flying foxes.

Camp concerns over dam dumping

Wide Bay residents are worried some tourists to the area may be overcome by more natural beauty than they intended, with concerns over plans to release dam water near a camp-site.

Job service extends hand in drought

A group which provides employment assistance to people out of work in central Queensland says it may funnel the unemployed to drought-affected farms.

Tapping the desert with saline solution

A team from the Murdoch University are investigating ways to protect the vital water supplies for remote desert communities.

Looking for a way out of underground gold mine

The community surrounding a gold mine in Victoria have raised concerns about the operator’s plans to move from an underground dig to an open-cut project.