Archived News for Professionals in Local Government

The Victorian Government has released a new, 40-year blueprint for Geelong outlining everything from land supply to job creation.

$30 million to revitalise Newcastle Uni

The Federal Government has announced Newcastle University and Newcastle’s Civic Precinct will undergo a ‘major transformation’ following a $30 million funding injection.

Contaminated land report handed down

Old factories, service stations and contaminated sites that pose a risk to the population will be audited under a scheme proposed in new report handed to the Victorian Government.

Top councils take out national award

Eighteen of the nation’s 565 local councils and shires have taken out Australia’s top local government awards in this year’s National Awards for Local Government.

Queensland begins work on de-amalgamation

The Queensland Government has released the rules that will guide the de-amalgamation process of four Queensland councils.

Queensland releases draft Planning Policy

The Queensland Government is calling on local governments, industry and the broader community to have their say on the recently released draft State Planning Policy (SPP).

Taskforce releases local government discussion paper

The New South Wales Local Government Acts Taskforce has released its discussion paper on the proposed development of new local government legislation.

Victoria introduces rates guidelines

The Victorian Government has promised greater consistency and transparency for rate payers after it released new Ministerial guidelines for the use of differential rates.

WA announces departmental merges

The Western Australian department of Local Government and the Department of Communities are set to merge under a plan announced by the State Government.

Government announces community environment grants

Grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 for community groups to continue their local environmental projects under the Federal Government’s Community Environment Grant program are now available.

New agreement to govern state-local relations

The New South Wales Government and the state’s largest local government representative body, Local Government NSW, have signed a new agreement which will guide relations between the two government bodies.

Councils join up to Queensland planning project

Three councils have joined up to Queensland’s new pilot planning project, which will aim to best practice for council planning systems.

Times Square, Champs Elysees, Reagent Street, George Street?

Sydney’s George Street is set to receive a major make-over after the Sydney City Council unveiled plans to convert the ‘car-choked’ city centre into a ‘vibrant pedestrian boulevard’.

Victoria to streamline environmental approvals process

The Victorian Government has claimed that businesses and the broader community will benefit from a fairer and more predictable approval system following the release of EPA Victoria’s Approvals Review Final Report.

Climate report a 'wake-up call' says Combet

The opportunity to effectively counter climate change is fast slipping through out fingers, a new report published by the Climate Commission has found.

Local Government key in transport discussion says WALGA

The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has the State Government to commit to greater local government and community consultation surrounding the delivery of proposed light rail networks.

New Local Government Chief for NT

The Northern territory Government has announced Allan McGill has been appointed as the acting Chief Executive of the Department of Housing and the Department of Local Government for a six-month tenure.

NSW ups ante against weeds

Nine councils from across NSW and two multi-council regional projects will share in almost $1 million of grants funded by the NSW Environmental Trust to rehabilitate and protect roadside vegetation, improving the habitat of native wildlife.

Victoria approves South-East Water complex

The Victorian Government has announced it has approved the construction of a new $70 million office complex that will see a significant jobs boom in the area.

Delays highlight need for reform says Hazzard

Constant delays in council approval times for new housing, renovations and commercial construction highlights the ‘urgent need for a new planning system in NSW’ State Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard has said.