Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - May, 2011
The Local Government and Shires Association of NSW has released its consultation report on modernising local government, finding that there is considerable enthusiasm for reforms or initiatives that assist councils to continue to improve.
The report finds however that there is no common view about what the key reforms should be or how to pursue them, and that more work is required in what is a long-term and challenging project.
Overall councils support the need for the NSW Constitution to guarantee that councils are elected by local residents (not appointed, except in cases of extreme corruption or dysfunction).
Victorian Government announces bushfire planning funding
The Victorian Government has announced a $1.2 million funding pack for 10 councils to undertake ‘essential planning activities’ that have been recommended by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (VBRC).
Public administration professionals to experience employment demand
The Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations has released the Australian Jobs 2011 report into the state of employment in Australia, finding that employment with the public administration and safety sector is set to grow by 5.9%, or 40,900 jobs.
MAV releases pricing index
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has released its pricing increase forecast for the coming year, predicting inflation will push the costs of current local governance up by 3.6%.
Queensland announces council Community Development funding
The Queensland Government has announced the allocation of its $20 million Community Development and Recovery Package, with 17 of the worst affected councils sharing in $9 million of the funding.
Gold Coast pushes for water price capping
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has publically voiced his support for capping water price increases to Consumer Price Index (CPI) levels.
New report into options to improve council capacity and services released
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has released a major report on the options available for local government to increase its capacity and provide improved services.
Employment opportunities for skilled workers to boom
Employment opportunities for skilled workers, particularly electricians and nurses, will rise substantially over the next five years, according to the Australian Jobs Report 2011.
Productivity Commission releases land planning and development assessment report
A report released by the Productivity Commission has identified wide-ranging differences in the ways all levels of government plan and zone land uses and assess development proposals.
Tasmania revaluates municipalities
The Tasmanian Valuer-General Warrick Coverdale has commenced a mail-out to advise of the fresh valuations of nearly 90,000 properties in Derwent Valley, Dorset, Flinders Island, Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Glenorchy, King Island, Launceston, Sorell, Tasman, and Waratah-Wynyard municipalities.
Local Government seminars across South Queensland
Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government Paul Lucas said the Department of Local Government and Planning will be running a series of local government seminars in Southern Queensland.
Regional WA reaps RDAP benefits
Regional Western Australia is set to receive funding boosts under the state’s Regional Development Assistance Program (RDAP) with three residential subdivisions at Dalwallinu, Dowerin and Hyden.
Late councils to lose infrastructure funding
The Federal Government has a threatened to ‘blackball’ councils that finish Commonwealth-funded infrastructure projects behind schedule or over budget.
Latrobe boundaries open for review
The Victorian State Government has announced its intentions to review the current boundaries of the Latrobe City Council.
Burnie City Council pushes for tougher code of conduct
Tasmania’s Burnie City Council has announced a push for tougher code of conduct laws for local government following a spate of defamatory exchanges between its aldermen.
Local government urged to show climate change leadership
Local government is being challenged to take bold action on climate change and to show strong community leadership at a recent national roundtable held at the University of Technology.
Sustainable Population Strategy released
The Federal Government has released the nation's first ever dedicated sustainable population strategy which sets out the framework, backed by new funding for a sustainable Australia.
City of Sydney to spend $180 million on George Street
The City of Sydney has announced a $180 million redevelopment of the city centre’s light rail in what will be the single largest investment in the area since the 2000 Olympics.
$4.3 billion for regional Australia
The Federal Government has announced a $4.3 billion injection for regional Australia in the nation’s budget.
$31 million for Latrobe Valley jobs
The Victorian Government has announced a $31 million injection for the Latrobe Valley in the state’s east following the release of the Victorian Budget.
$181.4 million for National Urban Policy
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a new National Urban Policy, providing $181.4 million designed to ‘progress a range of practical measures which will promote more productive, sustainable and liveable cities.’