Media Releases
Kangaroo Island Mayor Jayne Bates has been recognised for her work with Local Government and her community by being awarded the 2012/13 annual John Legoe Award for Excellence.
Mayor Bates was presented with the award, by Mrs Gayle Legoe, at the 2013 Local Government Showcase and General Meeting Dinner in Adelaide last week.
Mayor Erika Vickery, Narracoorte Lucindale, was awarded the John Legoe Encouragement Award.
The Awards were named in memory of former LGA President and Mayor of Kingston, John Legoe who died in 2005 shortly after completing his term as President.
Auditor General Andrew Greaves’ report into the accounts of 68 Queensland local governments has highlighted the financial challenges councils face in the wake of real declines in funding support by governments and a renewed push by the developers’ lobby for ratepayer supported subsidies to prop up their industry.
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam said the report into the financial statements of councils and their associated entities for 2011-12 backed up the LGAQ’s view that financial sustainability will be a key challenge for its members over the next few years.
He said a series of decisions by the previous Labor government, including the withdrawal of state government subsidies, had hit council finances and forced an increase in local government borrowing in order to maintain services to local communities.
New research released today that investigates the best way to respond to future flooding situations will help the City of Melbourne and its residents be better informed and prepared for the challenges ahead.
The Coastal Adaptation Pathway Project, coordinated by the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Association of Bayside Municipalities and the Central Coastal Board, has developed a framework to help local governments manage the risks of inundation from rainfall and rising sea levels.
Environment portfolio chair Councillor Arron Wood said five case studies from the Port Phillip Bay area were produced as part of the research, two of which are within the City of Melbourne’s municipality – Southbank and Arden-Macaulay.
Cardinia Shire Council officially opened the new Holm Park Recreation Reserve in Beaconsfield on Saturday.
The $12.2 million sport and recreation facility on Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd has been jointly funded by Council, the State Government and Beaconsfield Football Club.
Council contributed $9.6 million to the project, with the State Government providing another $1 million through the Community Facilities for Growth Areas fund, and $1 million through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Facility Funding Program. Beaconsfield Football Club dedicated an additional $660,000 to the project.
A large and enthusiastic crowd attended the opening, which coincided with Casey Cardinia Football League’s first games of the season.