Archived News for Professionals in Local Government

The Western Australian Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced the initial nine towns that will share in $85.5 million in Royalties for Regions funding this year under the Regional Centres Development Plan (SuperTowns).

Queensland communities have been invited to give their views to the independent Local Government Change Commission about changes to their councils' electoral arrangements for the 2012 local government elections.

Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas said he had directed the Change Commission to conduct public consultation before making any recommendations for changes in the following council areas:

DIVIDED TO UNDIVIDED
Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Longreach Regional Council
North Burnett Regional Council

UNDIVIDED TO DIVIDED
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Gympie Regional Council
Townsville City Council

INCREASE REPRESENTATION
Balonne Shire Council
Blackall Tambo Regional Council
Carpentaria Shire Council
Flinders Shire Council
Richmond Shire Council
Winton Shire Council

DECREASE REPRESENTATION
Townsville City Council

“The independent Change Commission is responsible for recommending whether to change local government electoral arrangements and I expect them to talk to the local community before making any decisions,” Mr Lucas said

“We already know that there is very strong support from the local community for change in some of these areas.

“The Local Government Act 2009 (Section 19) provides for the Commission to conduct public consultation on this important issue.

“That’s why I’m using my powers under the Act to ensure the Change Commission conducts public consultation and ensures communities are heard.

“While the ultimate report from the Change Commission, after undertaking its enquiries, is a matter entirely for the Commission, it’s my view that conducting public hearings and allowing public submissions will assist the Change Commission in determining whether these proposals are in the public interest,” Mr Lucas said.

The process for changing the electoral arrangements for local governments – from divided to undivided or vice versa, or increasing or decreasing the number of councillors – is undertaken under the Local Government Act 2009.

Section 19(3) (b) specifically provides an example for the way in which the Change Commission may conduct its assessment via holding a public hearing.

Clr Khal Asfour has been elected as the new Mayor of Bankstown, following the resignation of Clr Tania Mihailuk who stepped down last week to focus on her obligations as the State Member for Bankstown.

The South Australian Government has announced a new approach to governance in Port Augusta in response to the Lew Owens report, which reviewed service delivery in the region.

Gold Coast City Counciil has handed down a $920 million budget, which Lord Mayor Ron Clarke has described as a 'responsible budget that is a reflection of the times'.

The Adelaide City Council has published its 2011-12 Business Plan and Budget for the coming financial year, including an announcement of ‘very significant’ infrastructure expenditure.

Draft local government budget data collated annually by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) confirms that Victorian council rates are budgeted to rise an average of 5.9 per cent or $82 this year.

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) have applauded the recent passage of the Local Government Amendments (Elections) Bill 2011 in the NSW parliament, which enables councils in NSW to conduct their own elections.

Victorian Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has used this year's Local Government Ministerial and Mayors Forum to detail three initiatives to assist local governments in improving their dealings with the state government and their local communities.

A high independent panel has been appointed by the WA Government to recommend appropriate boundaries and governance models for local governments in the Perth metropolitan area.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced Maitland City Council and Great Lakes Shire Council Shires in NSW are now eligible for disaster assistance from the Australian Government following last week’s flooding.

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has just published a new Working Paper called The Henry Review of Australia's Future Tax System: The Implications for Local Government.

A $17.1 million program has been announced by the Federal Government to help local councils take full advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN) through the development and upgrade of innovative online service delivery to homes and businesses.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and the National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) have co-launched a guide designed to assist councils prepare for the rollout of the NBN throughout the country.

Victorian Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has met with representatives from Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra shire councils to announce almost $850,000 in grants from Round 2 payments of the Local Government Clean Up Fund.

The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, has announced a funding injection of $4.5 million to ‘support practical approaches’ in managing climate change impacts on crucial coastal infrastructure and critical assets.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has reaffirmed the importance of local government in offsetting the emerging "patchwork economy" in an address to the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) National General Assembly.

Federal Minister for Regional Develoment and Local Government Simon Crean has announced the creation of an expert advisory panel to lead a ‘national discussion’ on a referendum on recognising local government in the Australian Constitution.

The Victorian Government has published its 2011 Community Satisfaction Survey for Victoria’s local government sector, finding a ‘slight downward movement’ from 79 per cent to 77 per cent of respondents rating their council as ‘excellent’, ‘good’ or ‘adequate’ on performance.