Archived News for Professionals in Local Government

Moonee Valley City Council has adopted a new Water Strategy which sets the future direction for sustainable management of all water in the City.

The strategy takes an integrated approach to water management; harvesting water, using it efficiently, keeping our communities healthy, and reducing the amount of pollution entering waterways, bays and groundwater.

Mayor of Moonee Valley, Cr John Sipek, said the new strategy builds on existing water achievements, combining Council’s previously separate Sustainable Water Use Plan and Stormwater Management Plan.

Victorian councils look to recycled roads

Councils across Victoria are leading an Australian-first project for road authorities committing to increase the use of recycled content in road, footpath and shared pathways construction.

Brisbane City Council releases budget

Modest rate rises have been announced in the 2011/12 Brisbane City Council budget but debt is up and hundreds of jobs will be lost to help cut costs.

City of Perth focuses on capital works in 2011/12 budget

The City of Perth has committed to undertake capital works valued at almost $80 million in the next financial year as part of its 2011/12 budget.

City of Melbourne only Australian council to achieve AAA/A-1+ credit rating

The City of Melbourne has received a AAA/A-1+ credit rating, with Standard & Poor’s attributing the achievement to Council’s ‘strong balance sheet’ and ‘solid economy.’

$276.3 million for regional SA

The South Australian Government has announced $276.3 million in spending on the state's regions, with particular aim to support economic, social and environment sustainability of communities.

WA rejects claims of electricity related rate hike

Western Australian Local Government Minister John Castrilli has rejected claims that increases to electricity prices would result in a rate hike of as much as five per cent for Western Australian households, saying that opposition claims are 'totally unsubstantiated'.

Griffith Uni takes leadership role in UN waste management partnership

Griffith University has been appointed as the Australia and New Zealand sub-regional secretariat of a United Nations global partnership on waste management.

Investment attraction strategy launched for Geelong

Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development Damian Drum has launched an investment strategy aimed at attracting over 10,000 jobs in Geelong.

Blueprint for Rockhampton region released

A new Rockhampton Region Investment Brief has been launched by the Queensland Local Government Minister Paul Lucas, providing a ‘blueprint’ for the region’s priority infrastructure needs.

WA announces $75 million 'Royalties for Regions' scheme

The Western Australian State Government has called for applications for its $75 million Royalties for Regions scheme.

Federal Government announces spending on disability access

The Federal Government has announced a $5 million nationwide spending package to improve accessibility of public facilities across the local government sector.

NT announces $1.3 million in grants to shires and councils

The Northern Territory Government has announced a $1.3 million package for grants to shire and municipal councils for the construction of infrastructure projects.

Brisbane mayor quells fears of rate rises

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has quelled fears of an impending household rates hike, saying that the rates will not rise above inflation levels.

Parramatta gets smart funding

The New South Wales Government has announced a $168,000 grant to Parramatta’s Smart City consortium to create a ‘virtual market place’ to allow workers and residents of the area to purchase goods and services away from a single transaction point, such as a register or eftpos machine.

Brisbane City Council sheds 350 jobs

The Brisbane City Council has shed over 350 jobs in under a year as the council attempts to halt the funding hemorrhaging and protect its bottom line.

$3.8 million for Cairns council's water management

The Federal Government has announced $3.8 million in funding for Cairns Regional Council’s Water Demand Management Program for its Port Douglas and Mossman Recycled Water Scheme project.

NSW Government announces local government reform agenda

The New South Wales Minister for Local Government, Don Page, has outlined the state’s plan for local government reforms, including planned legislation to allow councils to conduct their own local government elections, rather than depend on the centralised NSW Electoral Commission.