Archived News for Professionals in Local Government
Over the past decade numerous state and national inquiries have recommended major changes in the operations of Australian local government but only limited progress has been made in implementing those changes, according to a paper by the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG).
ACELG’s latest working paper: ‘Unfinished Business: A Decade of Inquires into Australian Local Government’, looks at the findings, recommendations and outcomes of nine major national and state inquiries into local government conducted between 2001 and 2008.
Based on research conducted by Brian Dollery, Professor of Economics at the University of New England, the paper was compiled by ACELG’s Director, Graham Sansom.
$16.1 million for NSW floodplain management
The New South Wales Government has announced $16.18 million in grants for floodplain management across the state.
$8 million for Tasmanian jobs and diversification
The Federal Government has announced $8 million in funding as part of the Tasmanian Innovation and Investment Fund (TIIF) aimed at delivering long-term sustainable employment and promoting regional economic diversification.
Apps spell end for Parramatta's parking problems
A new app developed for Parramatta City Council will see users track free car spaces in real time using their smart-phone GPS display. The free Parra Smart Parking application enables users to touch on any of the locations to view car park details including up-to-the-minute occupancy rates.
WA Development Assessment Panel meets
Western Australia’s first Development Assessment Panel (DAP) has met in Broome.
Victorian Local Government Ministerial-Mayors Advisory Panel appointed
The Victorian Government has announced the formation of the interim Local Government Ministerial-Mayors Advisory Panel (MMAP) with the appointment of five mayors drawn from the five council groupings in the state.
Call for submissions - Constitutional Recognition for Local Government
A discussion paper on whether local government should be recognised in the Australian Constitution has been released by the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government for public consultation.
Study discovers multiple benefits of green buildings
Bond University’s Institute of Sustainable Development & Architecture - has just completed a study that shows how ‘green buildings’, are not only good for the environment; they’re also good for the people working in them.
Sunshine Coast nets river management prize
A consortium of environmental groups, community groups and government agencies headed by the Sunshine Coast Council has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Australian National Riverprize.
Queensland announces $14.3 million for Charleville flood protection
The Queensland State Government has announced an ambitious $14.3 million project to provide long-term flood protection for Charleville, in the state's south.
Queensland councils to benefit from $8.4 million waterway recovery
The Queensland Government has unveiled an $8.4 million spending package for Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and local councils across the state to assist in the recovery of flood damaged waterways.
WA's local government questioned over uncontested positions
The Western Australian Government has questioned the growing number of uncontested vacancies within the state’s local government system, finding that 42 of the state’s 138 local governments will not hold an election because of lack of competition, with a further 7 councils having unfilled positions.
Councils take top honours in SA stormwater awards
Four Adelaide councils have taken out the top honours at the prestigious South Australian 2011 Excellence in Stormwater Awards.
MAV argues for simpler planning systems
In a submission to the Underwood Review, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) outlined its argument for a simpler “new generation” planning system with an eye to reduce cost and time consumption.
Boroondara's waste and recycling centre takes out award
Melbourne’s City of Boroondara’s Waste and Recycling Centre has been named Australia’s best at the 2011 National Transfer Stations Excellence Awards.
UN lauds South Australian waste management
The United Nations has lauded South Australia’s waste management systems, describing the state’s efforts as international best practice.
Queensland outlines waste infrastructure spending
The Queensland State Government as announced $13 million in funding for new or upgraded waste management infrastructure for councils in the state.
Tasmania to review councillor numbers
The Tasmanian State Government has announced a review into the number of councillors in two southern councils.
New Queensland floodplain mapping intiative underway
The largest floodplain mapping initiative in Queensland's history – built on the latest technology and supported by both new and historic data - is underway.
Victorian Auditor-General releases capital works and services planning report
Victoria’s Auditor-General has issued a report assessing the effectiveness of councils in business planning and budgeting for major capital works and recurrent services of four major councils.
NSW council census results released
New South Wales’ Division of Local Government has exposed systemic bias in the employment practices in councils across the state.