Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - October, 2012
The Queensland Government has announced that new plumbing laws aimed at significantly reducing red tape, delays and costs for industry, local governments and consumers have begun operation.
Parliament approves recognition committee
The Australian Parliament has passed a motion to establish a 12 member Joint Select Committee charged with considering constitutional recognition of local government in the country.
Queensland councils in the race for royalty cash
71 Queensland councils have applied to share in $60 million worth of funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions (R4R).
Government announces Riverland support
The Federal Government has announced additional funding for water projects and industry support in the Riverland area of South Australia.
Murray amendments pass lower house
The Federal Government’s amendments to the Water Act which set the provision for an additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling, have passed the house of representatives.
Queensland announces uranium committee
The Queensland Government has announced the membership of the Uranium Implementation Committee tasked with establishing the best-practice framework for the recommencement of uranium mining in the State.
Tasmania to cut councillor numbers
The Tasmanian Government has announced the number of councillors on six of the State’s councils will be reduced following the Local Government Board’s Review of Councillor Numbers.
Victorian planning paper launched
The Victorian Government is encouraging people to have their say on future metropolitan planning following the release of a discussion paper.
Government announces more Murray money
The Federal Government has announced a further $1.7 billion in funding to deliver an additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling Basin.
WA releases panel findings
The Western Australian Government has released Metropolitan Local Government Review Panel’s final report on local government in Perth for public consultation.
de Wit takes reins at LGAQ
Brisbane councillor Margaret de Wit has been elected as the new Local Government Association of Queensland, tipping Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O’Connell in a secret ballot.
LGAQ backs uranium mining
The Queensland Government has welcomed the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) decision to back uranium mining in the State.
New research to be released into coastal flooding
Soon to be released research stands to advice residents on ways to best respond to future flooding caused by climate change.
NSW strengthens code of conduct
The New South Wales Government has announced it introduce a strengthened code of conduct covering councillors and council employees across the State’s 152 local government areas.
Tasmania announces sea level rise planning allowances
The Tasmanian Government has announced the state’s first sea level allowances and statewide coastal inundation mapping in a bid to offset the effects of shifting sea levels.
Tasmania moves to establish single water and sewerage body
The Tasmanian Government has tabled legislation before State Parliament that will establish a single, statewide water and sewerage corporation.
WA river rejuvenation work starts
The Western Australian Government has upped work on the State’s five-year Healthy Rivers action Plan (HRAP), following the planting of two million native seedlings along the Swan Canning Riverpark area.
Bell tilts for top ALGA job
Outgoing Local Government Association of Queensland President, Cr Paul Bell, has announced he is taking a tilt at a second term as President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
Financial controller appointed for struggling council
The Queensland Government has announced the appointment of a financial controller in a bid to reverse the fortunes of the struggling Torres Strait Island Regional Council.
Melbourne to host PAX
The Victorian Government has announced Melbourne has been selected as the host for the Penny Archade Expo Australia in 2013 and 2014.
New challenges for fresh faces in LGAQ
The ‘changing of the guard’ in Queensland councils and a new State Government are driving challenging and exciting times, according to outgoing Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President Paul Bell.