Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - June, 2013
Some City Councillors are plugging bureaucratic leaks and clamping down on perks to save Council cash.
Fluoride fight taken to the polls
A rural Queensland Mayor has announced residents will vote on whether their water should be fluoridated.
Local Government Assoc. to fix failing Vic elections
Victoria’s Local Government elections in 2012 were marred by poor voter turnout and political bad behaviour, now the Local Governance Association has released their report on what went wrong.
New report for small towns to compare competitiveness
A new regional competitiveness index has been launched, collating detailed information on the strengths and weaknesses of many local governments and regional shires.
NSW rolls out red carpet rates for cruise ships
The New South Wales Government is looking to draw in some extra tourist dollars, with discounted rates at one of its Ports.
Peace deal reached in warring remote community
A remote Australian community has brokered peace in a feud that has lasted nearly three years.
Students caught up in river management fun
One Local Government Council is keeping its waterways clean and educating young residents at the same time.
QLD Council slashes jobs, increases rates
One Queensland council is seeking to trim the fat from its own services, axing more than 100 jobs to save $10 million.
Referendum set to recognise local governments
A referendum will take place on the same day as the Federal election to amend the Constitution, officially recognising local governments in Australia.
Regional Development Fund Round 5 applications open
$150 million will be given out to eligible local governments in Round Five of the Regional Development Australia Fund.
Round 2 of Federal funding for airstrip upgrades
The Federal Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories, Catherine King has announced more funding is available for remote and isolated airstrips to get a facelift.
Vic Council plans prison for the elderly
A western Victorian council is pushing ahead on an ambitious plan to build a prison specifically for elderly inmates.
Queensland Hopes To Open The Flood Gates For Tourism
Queensland is reopening the Somerset Spillway Common which had been closed since sustaining damage in the 2011 floods, and is unveiling a plan to transform the Somerset region's network of dams into a natural tourism attraction.
$10 Million to "Yes"
The Commonwealth is putting down another $10 Million to convince voters to say “Yes” to the Local Government Referendum on 14 September.
Commonwealth Money For Local Projects
The Commonwealth is sending $150 Million in new funding to local governments to improve community infrastructure, because as Minister Anthony Albanese puts it, “local councils are better positioned than the Commonwealth to establish local priorities for community developments.”
Mitigate Now, Spend Less On Recovery Later
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is out with its 2013-14 State of the Regions Report. And it is calling on the Commonwealth to help local governments mitigate against costly natural disasters.
Sydney Takes The Point In Climate Change Battle
Australia knows global warming better than most other countries, especially after the hottest January ever. Sydney aims to lead the country in solving the problems that cause global warming.
US Unit Prevents Lehman From Paying Debts to Oz
Lehman Brothers Holdings in America is blocking Lehman’s Australian unit from paying its creditors including Local governments, churches and charities as much as $225 Million.
Add Some Political Veritas To Your CV
The University of Melbourne is announcing the launch of the new Melbourne School of Government (MSoG), which it hopes will provide the Asia Pacific’s next crop of political leaders.
NSW announces waste reduction funding
72 New South Wales councils will share in $38.7 million in State Government funding to help them improve resource recovery, tackle waste and improve their local environment.
Victoria to cut red tape for major projects
The Victorian Government has announced red tape cuts which it says will deliver a streamlined approval process to the delivery of major projects throughout the state.