Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - February, 2012
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.