Archived News for Professionals in Local Government
The Queensland Government has allocated $6.3 million for two initiatives that will boost the number of people working in communities to support people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Community Action for a Multicultural Society (CAMS) initiative funds organisations to employ community based workers to support the needs of people through capacity building and group advocacy to strengthen multiculturalism in the local area.
$1.429 million will be invested per annum in CAMS for the next three years, which will see community workers employed in 14 parts of the state.
The Corporation of the Trustees of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy in Queensland (Toowoomba), the Kenalwyn Bundaberg and District Neighbourhood Centre Inc and the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre Inc will received the CAMS funding to employ community workers.
The Local Area Multicultural Partnerships (LAMP) initiative provides funds to local councils to employ a multicultural policy officer to strengthen multiculturalism in the region.
Funding of $680,000 per annum over three years through the LAMP initiative, matched by funding from thirteen local governments will enable them to employ a multicultural policy officer.
The Queensland Government is also providing funding for a program coordinator to be employed at the Local Government Association of Queensland.
Among the local governments receiving funding under LAMP over the next three years are the Gold Coast City Council, Gladstone Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council.
More information is at www.communities.qld.gov.au/multicultural
Community sector wins pay dispute
Fair Work Australia has ruled in favour of a large number of community sector workers, ordering a pay rise of between 19 and 41 per cent.
Perth City Link tunneling starts
Work on the Perth City Link has taken a major step after a ceremony saw the commencement of the tunneling to sink the Fremantle train line west of the Horseshoe Bridge.
$39.2 million to improve regional WA telecommunications
The Western Australian Government has awarded Telstra $39.2 million in Royalties for Regions funding to provide s regional, rural and remote communities and businesses with access to a self-sustainable and affordable mobile voice and wireless broadband service.
Grants announced under NSW Weeds Action program
The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson has announced $8 million in funding for weed management across NSW.
Queensland announces $28 million recycling boost
The Queensland Government has announced a $28 million waste infrastructure grants program aimed at assisting businesses, industry and local government bodies adopt innovate resource recovery and recycling options.
Consult Australia champions urban design protocol
Consult Australia has adopted the principles of the Department of Infrastructure’s Creating Places for People: an Urban Design Protocol for Australian Cities.
Planning Institute appoints manager of disaster planning initiative
The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has appointed a former airport redevelopment manager to set up the initiative 'Supporting Post Disaster Planning in Flood Affected Areas'.
Deniliquin Effluent Re-use Scheme funded
The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson has announced funding for the design and construction of the Deniliquin Effluent Re-use Scheme. The funding will be provided through the $1.2 billion Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program.
CEO Comings and goings
The City of Wodonga is recruiting a new CEO, following the resignation of Gavin Cator, who has been appointed CEO of Greater Shepparton City Council. Mr Cator had been in the position since August 2008. Patience Harrington has been Acting CEO since Mr Cator’s departure on December 19. The City of Wodonga has a population of around 38,000 and services over 170,000 people regionally.
ACCC approves waste recycling joint tender for Hunter councils
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted interim authorisation to allow Hunter Resource Recovery to run a joint tender process for recycling services on behalf of the Cessnock City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Maitland City Council and Singleton Council.
Queensland sets new date for local government elections
Queensland's local government elections will be held on April 28. Local Government Minister Paul Lucas said the date had been set after consultation with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
Hays Quarterly Report: Public Service
Recruitment specialist Hays has released its January to March quarterly report into labour and skills demand, examining the ‘current hotspots of recruitment activity and trends’.
Queensland sets state election date
The Queensland State Government has set the State election as March 24, three years since Premier Anna Bligh was elected in 2009.
Study of regional organisations of councils in NSW released
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has collaborated with the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) on a study comparing the structures, operations and activities of various Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) in New South Wales and similar groups in Western Australia.
Boroondara joins WHO Age-friendly Cities Program
Boroondara has become one of the first Victorian councils to join the World Health Organization's (WHO) Age-friendly Cities Program, reinforcing the City's reputation as a leader in the aged services field.
Representation review of City of Melbourne
The Victorian Electoral Commission is currently undertaking a representation review of the City of Melbourne, under the Section 219D of the Local Government Act 1989, which aims to ensure 'fair and equitable representation for the persons who are entitled to vote at a general election of the Council'.
SA councils invited to apply for RDAF funding
Seventeen South Australian councils have been invited to apply for funding under Round Two of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
NSW reviews swimming pool legislation
The NSW Government is currently seeking the views of swimming pool owners, local councils, key water safety organisations, State agencies and the wider community about the level of support for proposed amendments to the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and other relevant legislation to increase the safety of very young children around backyard swimming pools.
Metropolitan councils agree on strategic future
A forum of more than 70 leaders from metropolitan Local Governments has identified a preferred future for the sector that would reinforce strategic cooperation and could substantially reduce the number of Councils.
Queensland LNP to hand local planning back to councils
Queensland Liberal & National Party Leader, Campbell Newman, has released the LNP Property and Construction Strategy which claims a LNP government would ‘re-empower’ local councils in making planning decisions.