VOLUME 37, NUMBER 10, OCTOBER 2021
REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST PRINT POST APPROVED PP 100001964 ISSN 0819–470X
Climate costs councils More funding is needed to help local governments cope with the costs of climate change, according to a new report from the Climate Council and Cities Power Partnership.
The report, Neighbourhood issue: Climate costs and risks to councils, released last month, found climate-fuelled extreme weather was compounding costs for councils. The bill for local governments to fix eroding beaches and protect beachside property or infrastructure commonly exceeded $1 million and could reach as high as $54 million per year. Report author and Climate Council spokesperson, Professor Lesley Hughes said, “Climate impacts cut across almost all areas of local government responsibility including the maintenance of critical assets and infrastructure and delivery of essential community services. As the closest tier of government to the community, councils are often at the forefront of disaster response. “State and federal assistance is falling short of what’s required to help councils prepare for and respond to extreme weather.
“However, while council responsibilities – including those related to climate change – are growing, their tax revenue has shrunk to the fourth lowest share among the 30 industrialised nations that make up the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. “Effectively, councils are being asked to do more, with less. Without increased funding, guidance and support, I can’t imagine how they will continue to protect and provide for their communities.” Key findings The report found that while climate change is an immense challenge for all levels of government, its impacts are felt most acutely at the local level. Worsening extreme weather, is compounding costs for councils including mounting damage to council-owned assets, rising insurance premiums and increasing liability risks.
One South Australian council reported over a third of total operating expenditure goes to coastline management.
Flooding on the New South Wales Central Coast February 2020.
Twenty-four New South Wales councils impacted by floods in March 2021 also experienced floods or storms the previous year. Additionally, six of those local governments had more than 40 percent of their region burned in the Black Summer bushfires. During Black Summer,
one fifth of Towong Shire Council staff were personally affected and Council resources were ‘effectively exhausted’ within 72 hours. A growing number of Australians have no insurance or inadequate insurance coverage for their property, which increases pressure on councils
and the broader community to provide financial support in the wake of climate-fuelled disasters. Rates of noninsurance range from 17 percent in north Queensland (more than 62,000 properties) and as high as 40 percent in northern Western Australia (more than 10,000 properties).
Preparation vs recovery Cities Power Partnership Director, Dr Portia Odell said, “Spending public money on disaster preparation rather than disaster recovery is always money better spent, yet 97 percent of all Australian disaster funding only comes in the wake of an event. “Many councils are leading on actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change by cutting emissions through switching to clean energy and building greener, more efficient communities. But more can be done. “If we want to avoid catastrophic impacts and create a prosperous future for local communities, all levels of government must ramp up their climate action.”
Hidden emissions a growing problem Without action, embodied carbon will be responsible for 85 percent of Australia’s built environment emissions by 2050, a new report from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and thinkstep-anz has found. The report, Embodied Carbon and Embodied Energy in Australia’s Buildings, was developed by GBCA and thinkstep-anz with support from the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. It found embodied carbon – the emissions generated during the manufacture, construction, maintenance and demolition of buildings – made up 16 percent of Australia’s built environment emissions in 2019. Without intervention this share will balloon to 85 percent
at a time when Australia must achieve net zero emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Davina Rooney, said the challenge of decarbonising the built environment had never been more urgent since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sounded the global alarm, announcing temperatures were likely to rise by more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels within just two decades, bringing with it widespread devastation and extreme weather.
“We are on a journey to decarbonise our buildings, but up until now we haven’t quantified the hidden emissions in Australia’s built environment – our embodied carbon. “While we are making great strides forward in our work to tackle operational carbon in buildings, embodied carbon is largely locked in before a building is occupied. The decisions we make today will have implications and impacts for decades to come.” Chief Executive Officer of thinkstep-anz, Dr Barbara Nebel, said, “As Australia’s
electricity grid decarbonises, and as more buildings are powered by renewable energy, embodied carbon from the built environment will make up a greater proportion of Australia’s total carbon footprint – increasing by 50 percent from 2019 to 2050.” Embodied carbon is hard to solve and requires systemic change along the length of the supply chain. A significant share of embodied emissions in buildings come from common building products, like concrete and steel, that are manufactured through process heat and chem-
ical reactions. This means their embodied emissions will not decrease by decarbonising the electricity grid alone. Rooney explains, “On the supply side, we need manufacturers to innovate – to experiment with design, process substitution, carbon capture and storage and green hydrogen, for example. On the demand side, we need constructors to ask for low-carbon products, to reuse existing materials and to refurbish, where they can, rather than rebuild. “Industry and governments must also step up their game.
The report makes this clear: there is a clear need for governments to support suppliers as they decarbonise and for investment in research and development of new materials and practices. “Tackling embodied carbon is an enormous challenge, but by doing so we will not only drive down emissions in our building stock. We will also help to future-proof Australia’s energy-intensive industries and ensure we can maintain our global competitiveness in a low-carbon world.”
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OCTOBER 2021
INSIDE THIS EDITION PRESIDENT’S COMMENT
EDITORIAL 4
Cr Denise Massoud President Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
COUNTING THE COST OF LOST EVENTS
COUNCILLOR PROFILES
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Paula Masselos Mayor of Waverley Maurice Collison Mayor of Upper Hunter Regional Council
THE GOOD OIL
Fourteen shopping trolleys were removed from one Cairns waterway as part of the annual Great Northern Clean Up in September. Almost 200 community volunteers removed more than a tonne of litter from riverbanks and waterways from 15 council clean-up sites. All Australian councils must feel the same frustration when forking out for the clean-up cost of illegal dumping of rubbish. It is heartening to hear about the measures being implemented to tackle the problem creatively. Getting in early Ten schools across Gladstone, Agnes Water and Boyne Tannum are currently participating in the Litter Education and Awareness Project (LEAP) facilitated by Gladstone Regional Council. The LEAP Program provides
opportunities for students to learn about stormwater pollution, environmental conservation, litter source reduction and to create awareness of what kind of waste is entering our region’s waterways. Increasing access The Mildura region has been part of a successful bid for inclusion in the Victorian Government’s Neighbourhood Battery Initiative, which will identify potential locations for community batteries in their municipality. Providing alternatives Cash will be paid to parents who switch to reusable nappies, under a rebate program from the City of Hobart. Disposable nappies make up around 5 percent of all residential waste to landfill in Hobart, equating to approximately 466 tonnes – or the equivalent of 100 full
to deliver a state-wide waste education and awareness initiative that will ensure consistency of messaging and incorporate key information on the proposed waste levy and Container Refund Scheme, litter and reporting measures, as well as event guides and school program resources. Numerous other clever ways are being implemented to educate and inform residents and thereby change behaviours and reduce the incidence of illegal dumping. It’s good – creative, inclusive or encouraging rather than punitive. There will probably always be a need for the dumped rubbish removal team, but I like to see councils and communities who try to do things a bit differently. That’s how things change, one inch or one person at a time.
garbage trucks – each year. They are the fourth most prevalent material in Hobart’s residential waste, behind food waste, plastic packaging, and textiles. Targeted approach Armidale Regional Council, NSW, and social housing provider Homes North will target residents in social housing for an education campaign around waste disposal and will provide more opportunities for low income earners to properly discard of bulk waste. Working on the premise that in the areas with a high volume of social housing, bulky items are often illegally dumped or people hold onto rubbish due to not having the means to go to the waste management facility. Consistent message Tasmanian councils are partnering with the Government
DIARY DATES
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Rod Brown
FOCUS ON
7-12
Training and professional development
125TH LGAQ LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE
LGANT CONFERENCE AND AGM
25-27 October Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre ‘Together’ lgaq.asn.au/events/event/20/the-125th-lgaq-annual-conference
4-5 November 2021 Alice Springs Convention Centre Visit lgant.asn.au for more information
LGA SOUTH AUSTRALIA BEST PRACTICE SHOWCASE, ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AGM 28 and 29 October Adelaide Entertainment Centre ‘Beyond the Horizon’ Any questions please contact Natasha Black on (08)8224 2013 or events@lga.sa.gov.au
COMMUNITY BACKS BLUE PROJECT
LIFEGUARDS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
NATIONAL LOCAL ROADS AND TRANSPORT CONGRESS 8-9 November 2021 Due to the on-going issues with the pandemic the face-to-face component of the National Local Roads and Transport Congress will not be taking place in 2021. We are currently looking at a virtual component of the event being presented. For updates go to alga.asn.au
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS
OCTOBER 2021
Cloak of Hope installed Pop ups breathe new life Blue Mountains City Council, New South Wales, has completed the upgrade of the Katoomba Civic Centre with a magnificent art installation by local artist Kevina-Jo Smith, titled Cloak of Hope, draped over the northern wall of the former Katoomba Library.
Cloak of Hope by Kevina-Jo Smith. Photograph courtesy Maja Baska.
The artist said the artwork featured up-cycled mixed media and was a ‘protection symbol over our local World Heritage Listed landscape’. “Cloak of Hope is an abstract topographical covering, constructed completely by hand. A mix of weaving, knitting and knotting over a seven month period, using only up-cycled materials,” Smith said. The installation is the third and final artwork added to the Katoomba Civic Centre in the first stage of the centre’s planned revitalisation. Mayor, Mark Greenhill, said, “This third artwork completes the first stage in our revitalisa-
tion of this town centre space. This is just the start of a process that will bring new life and vibrancy into this precinct. “I’d like to thank the three local artists who have taken part in this project, with the three wonderful artworks. Each bring something different to the area, but are unified by theme of paying homage to the natural world.” In August, Dharug woman and local artist Leanne Tobin installed the first artwork, entitled Yanema Waradah (Walk with Waratahs). It is an arresting array of art panels that relate to First Peoples creation and cultural stories.
Following this, Mandy Schoene-Salter painted a series of stunning murals over five columns on the lower level of the Civic Centre. The murals, entitled Luminous Presence, celebrate the abundance of Australian wildflowers. The Katoomba Civic Centre upgrade also includes landscaping and greening, redressing of the red canopies, upgraded street furniture, and the establishment of a cowork space at the site of the old library. It is being funded by a $750,000 grant through the Building Better Regions Fund. Council is matching this funding to a total of $1.5 million.
The Toowoomba Gallery is relocating to new premises in the redeveloped Rowe’s complex fronting Victoria Street next month following its successful launch as part of a trial Creative CBD Toowoomba program by Toowoomba Regional Council, Queensland. While the trial ended last month, Toowoomba Region Mayor, Paul Antonio said the new venture’s move into a commercially leased space was evidence of how the partnership with Renew Australia had allowed fledgling creative enterprises to flourish. “Five emerging creative industry businesses were granted access to previously vacant central business district (CBD) spaces in a bid to generate greater interest and foot traffic across the Toowoomba CBD. “New life was breathed into previously vacant CBD properties in Margaret and Ruthven streets. “Council was pleased to have been able to help promote business renewal in creative industries across Toowoomba’s CBD. On a positive note, The Toowoomba Gallery has found a new home at the redeveloped Rowe’s complex from October.” The Toowoomba Gallery co-creative director Niki Hall said she and her business partner took the plunge to test their concept to open the initial Ruthven Street store due
When the full moon rose over Chinatown in Broom, Western Australia, on 23 August 2021, the metaphorical stars and planets aligned to create local history.
LGFOCUS.COM.AU
to the support provided by the Creative CBD Project. “The Renew Australia model allowed us to pursue our dream of opening a gallery and an interior design studio, servicing residential and commercial clients.” Renew Australia is a notfor-profit social enterprise that provides support and resources to transform vacant spaces into vibrant businesses. Mayor Antonio said a lack of suitable CBD properties limited opportunities for creative enterprises to turn concepts into reality in a short time. He said some landlords preferred to see their properties secure longer-term tenancies through traditional commercial
lease arrangements, rather than the rolling 30-day tenancies that were a feature of the trial. Of 20 vacant CBD properties that were identified as being suitable for the trial in January 2021, only one third remained available for potential projects in July this year. Mayor Antonio said Council continued to invest in the Toowoomba CBD to aid business investment and promoted the mix of retail, leisure, arts, dining, entertainment and commercial operators. This included a new suite of promotional videos that was produced in June this year with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Southern Queensland Country Tourism.
Local Government IT conference 2022
Shinju moonrise brings connection Shinju Matsuri, the Festival of the Pearl, traditionally marks the end of the pearl harvest season and is a special time of fun and celebration for Broome. This year, the full moon rising over Roebuck Bay created a unique spectacle when it aligned with Chinatown’s new entry statement sculpture: ‘Fusion; interwoven cultures’. Shire of Broome and Shinju Matsuri combined, with support from Regional Arts Western Australia, to create a special commemorative community art event that invited all to ‘take a piece of the moon home’. Safehaven artists, Alex and Nicole Mickle designed the Fusion artwork with the themes of interwoven connections that characterise Broome – connections between the diverse people who make up the town, its connection to the saltwater country and the connection between the pearling past and vibrant present. Broome’s famous moonrise over Roebuck Bay was a way
Creative CBD Toowoomba attracted 1562 visitors to 44 events held at participating venues.
RECSCHEDULED DATE 1 – 3 June 2022 Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Due to the extended Public Health orders, lockdowns, and ongoing travel restrictions Coffs Harbour City Council have made the difficult decision to postpone our 2021 Conference scheduled for 3 to 5 November. We are committed to the conference proceeding in 2022 which has been re-booked at the Opal Cove Resort for Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd June 2022.
Hosted by Coffs Harbour City Council
The program will feature expert speakers from government, the private sector, online organisations, and the computer and communications industries.
Keynote Speakers
Future Crunch, Anders Sorman-Nilsson and Lisa McInnes-Smith arranged via Claxton Speakers Bureau
Steven Bradbury
Inaugural moonrise event is a symbol of connected cultures for the people of Broome.
of connecting earth and sky, so as the August moon rose, it sat at the pinnacle of the artwork, while Napier Terrace became a pedestrian zone with music and art activities. Four artists were invited to create moon designs for the event – Jacky Cheng, Tomoko Yamada, Maxine Charlie and the Safehaven artists will
showcase the diversity of Broome’s community and connections between the town and its heritage. The designs were made into stamps and the community was invited to choose a moon stamp to mark their own commemorative card to create a memento of the inaugural moonrise event.
www.lgit2022.coffslgconferences.com.au FREE REGISTRATION for the full conference will be offered to accepted presenters who are employed by a council.
Head to the ‘call for papers’ tab on the website for abstract submission details
For further information please contact Michelle Aubert, Conference Manager, Countrywide Conference and Event Management 0408 791 492
michelle@ccem.com.au
www.lgit2022.coffslgconferences.com.au For COVID 19 related details please check the website We would like to thank our Gold Partners
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OCTOBER 2021
President’s comment
Cr Denise Massoud President Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) In September the Victorian State Government announced the Local Government Culture Project. This has come from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office report, which found more than one in four councillors and council staff had experienced sexual harassment in the past 12 months. The Local Government Act 2020 introduced stronger Standards of Conduct for councils, clearly defining sexual harassment as serious misconduct. This discussion paper will go further, looking into the history of the culture in local government and finding ways to promote
a more positive and inclusive work environment, ensuring fairer and more equal representation of community views and importantly build the public trust. The Royal Commission into Family Violence identified a lack of women in leadership positions as a key driver of violence against women, and as such the VLGA is committed to our goal of achieving 50:50 representation in the next council election cycle. It is critical that we encourage women from a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and abilities to
run for local government. In particular, the VLGA believes that increasing the number of First Nations women elected to Victorian councils is integral in improving outcomes in municipalities across the state. We celebrate the richness that comes with cultural and linguistic diversity, and the improved social cohesion that comes out of better representation and enfranchisement. Women across the state have a significant contribution to make to public life. Their connections to their community, their skills and their unique perspectives mean
Counting the cost of lost events Figures presented to the City of Greater Geelong, Victoria, last month highlighted the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region’s events sector.
The exhibition by Geelong-born artist RONE, was rescheduled due to nation wide gallery closures.
The City’s Major Events Committee annual report showed that seven sponsored events were able to go ahead last financial year, generating an estimated $9.2 million in economic activity. This represented a strong return on Council’s sponsorship investment despite the challenges associated with the pandemic. Events attracted around 70,000 participants and spectators, with 54 percent of those coming from outside the Greater Geelong region. However, the report also indicated that 13 planned events were forced to be cancelled or postponed. It estimated that the nine cancelled events resulted in the loss of around $40 million in economic benefit for the region. 4
The report listed four events as ‘postponed’, although the Australian International Airshow – worth $28.9 million to the local economy the last time it was staged – has since been cancelled. As a comparison, during 2018-19 – the last full financial year not impacted by COVID-19 – Geelong Major Events sponsored events injected $99.3 million into the local economy. Mayor Stephanie Asher said the report provided a stark reminder of the pandemic’s impact. “Major events are vitally important to local businesses and they also bring our community together – so we feel their cancellation from both a financial and social perspective. “The events that were able to go ahead have still proven
to be a significant driver of visitation and economic activity to Greater Geelong, providing excellent value for Council’s investment. The RONE exhibition was especially successful. “Hopefully we are not too far away from our vaccination levels reaching a point where major events can be planned and staged with more certainty.” Councillor Ron Nelson, said, “In an extremely uncertain landscape, we have continued to work hard to attract events to Greater Geelong and to assist organisers to stage their events wherever possible. “We are focused on delivering an exciting calendar in 2022, in the hope and expectation that we will have a more stable environment to host major events.”
they are rich with potential to be great local councillors. The VLGA is committed to supporting good governance in the sector and recognises the value of a wide-ranging review into what influences culture and behaviour in Victorian councils. The business of local government is complex, and it is evident that the value delivered to and received by communities is inextricably linked to the culture of each council and in particular, the ability for the council and elected representatives to model and uphold the principles of good governance – having regard
for respect, collaboration, accountability, transparency, strategic focus, and delivery of the best possible outcomes. The VLGA and councils across Victoria look forward to engaging with the appointed project team, overseen by the Price Waterhouse Coopers team, and their academic partners Professor Graham Sansom, Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, and Professor Anona Armstrong AM, Emeritus Professor at the Victoria University College of Law and Justice. I would also like to acknowledge all those who work in the local government
sector. As Victoria approaches almost 18-months of cumulative lockdowns, the VLGA is keen to shine a light on the positive initiatives that local governments undertake across the state (and the country) to support their communities and local economies. There are countless examples of LGA’s doing extraordinary work to support and include their communities through the pandemic. We thank you.
Environmental action for the long term Southern Mallee District Council, South Australia, has adopted its first ever Environmental Action Plan (EAP), taking a proactive approach to protecting and preserving its environmental assets and long- term sustainability. The four-year plan (20212024) is a major step forward and demonstrates a commitment from Council to environmental leadership amongst its rural local government peers. The plan’s seven focus areas and future plans are clearly aligned with the South Australian Government’s Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025. Further, it has been backed by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board as an innovative and positive strategy, which will provide Council with a clear mandate to plan for better environmental outcomes, and improved access to funding and resources for environmental-focussed programs. The plan takes a focus on supporting climate smart practices within the business and agricultural sector and the urban and natural environment, while reducing waste and transport emissions. Southern Mallee District Council Mayor, Jeffrey Nickolls said in addition to the focus areas, Council had identified future actions for consideration over the next decade. “Implementing significant and proactive changes to the way we do business will be a challenge, and it takes a long-term commitment. I’m proud of what our Council has mapped
out within the new Environmental Action Plan. “Our Council has not only committed to this plan over the next four years, but also mapped out future aspirations, recognising that in order to achieve sustainable outcomes, a long-term approach and continual improvement is key.
“We are one of the first small rural councils in Australia to proactively adopt such a significant environmental plan, and it should be recognised that it was also developed by our internal Council team members, reiterating the talents and skills that we have here in the Southern Mallee.”
Southern Mallee District Council’s first Environmental Action Plan. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS
OCTOBER 2021
Councillor profiles
New South Wales
Paula Masselos Mayor of Waverley The Waverley Local Government Area (LGA) is one of Australia’s oldest, having been incorporated in 1859. We are also one of the most densely populated LGAs in the country with a population of around 75,000 spread over just nine square kilometres.
We are home to some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks including the world-famous Bondi Beach, and the popular and beautiful Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk. The Coastal Walk attracts more than 1 million people annually and is home to the in-
ternational Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. During whale season, the Coastal Walk also provides vantage points for whale and dolphin spotting. Waverley was the birthplace of the surf lifesaving movement in Australia and the very first surf clubs were established in our LGA. Our five surf clubs, along with our professional lifeguards who star in the multi Logie award-winning documentary, Bondi Rescue, keep our beach-goers safe. Migrant milestone Being elected to Council nine years ago was a great personal honour and being elected as Mayor in September 2019 has been especially gratifying. Being the daughter of Greek migrants and the first Mayor of Hellenic heritage in Waverley is a milestone. I decided to become involved in local activism more than 15 years ago when I joined my local Bronte Precinct Committee. I felt I
needed to give back as Waverley gave me so much. The experience gained in saving the local Tamarama Waterfall from being destroyed and fighting against overdevelopment – which is rampant across Waverley – stood me in good stead when I was elected to Council. For me, local government is the most important level of government. It is the purest form of representative democracy, where our decisions can have immediate and impactful outcomes on our community. Councillors are readily held to account by constituents as we live and move within our community on a daily basis. It is all about local relationships and the trust that comes with those. Big capital works agenda The most enjoyable aspect of being a Mayor is the ability to set and guide the policy and program agenda. COVID-19 has certainly been a key focus during
my two years as Mayor. We have supported our community and local business with a COVID support package while keeping our staff employed. Our response to the COVID-safe management of outdoor public spaces saw me close Bondi Beach in March 2020 for the first time since WW2! But in spite of COVID-19, I have managed to push through some major achievements of which I am proud. Under my Mayoralty, Council is delivering the biggest capital works program in Waverley’s history which includes major projects such as the restoration of the heritage-listed Bondi Pavilion, progressing design work on the upgrades to important local surf clubs, and much needed upgrades to local parks and playgrounds right across the council area – all with a balanced budget. My training as a social worker/psychologist has provided me with an appre-
ciation of community and how it works. I introduced a resilience framework across community, planning and environment designed to build a resilient, inclusive and connected society wherein we all want to live and recreate. This so important during these times of COVID-19. Having a passion for innovation, I am excited to see the much-loved heritage listed Boot Factory building in Bondi Junction being restored and repurposed to become a community-based Innovation Civic Hall. And closing our streets for street play at various times refocuses attention on to our residents and pedestrians rather than on cars. There is still so much more to do so I will be seeking re-election at the imminent local government elections. In the meantime, I continue to work tirelessly for the community while managing my communications business.
hard drought our community has had to endure the economic and social impacts of COVID-19. Although I am proud of Council’s ability to quickly adapt to these challenges, it is still painful to see the impacts on rural communities. Emerging from the grips of COVID-19 will be a key challenge in the years ahead. As we have proven before,
our economy and community is resilient. My focus will be to ensure that we can capitalise on the opportunities of a post COVID economy. I am excited to open up the Upper Hunter and to share our great region with everyone. I look forward to the growth of our tourism economy, with the Hunter Warbirds exhibit playing a leading role in encouraging investment.
Maurice Collison Mayor of Upper Hunter Regional Council The Upper Hunter Shire is predominantly rural with a population of around 14,100 and a land area of about 8000 square kilometres, of which a large proportion is National Park and nature reserves. Most of the rural area is used for grazing, dairy farming, horse studs and general farming. I am looking forward to everyone coming to visit the Upper Hunter again. What makes this area special is the community. Each town has its own character and heritage, which they proudly put on display. Merriwa in the west is well known for its popular Festival of the Fleeces; Murrurundi has one of the largest sheep dog trials in the state and the annual King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge; Aberdeen with its rich Scottish heritage has its annual Aberdeen Highland Games; and Scone is renowned for its thoroughbred horse industry and the long running Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival. Serving the community I joined Council in 2012 due to a desire to represent the needs of rural people. I related to the issues of isolated LGFOCUS.COM.AU
rural living and was eager to address the challenges of rural roads and infrastructure. Serving the community has always been a part of my life, with both my grandfather and father serving for many years on Council. Being a farmer has played a huge role on my time serving as Councillor. It has helped me understand the needs of the rural sector and how local growth and development must be provided with improved access to our towns in order to benefit from the business centres, schools and medical care. Critical partnerships Council has played a very proactive role in developing partnerships with other levels of government to deliver critical infrastructure. The $137 million New England Highway Bypass of Scone is a great example of all levels of government working together to deliver for the community. I’m excited to see that transformation continue with our upcoming Scone central business district revitalisation. I am very excited about the upcoming Hunter Warbirds attraction that is currently under construction at Scone
Airport. This multi-million-dollar, world class, tourism experience has the potential to be a real drawcard to the region and is a product of Council’s innovative destination management plan. As a region with a small rate payer base, projects such as this, would be impossible without Council’s proactive approach in seeking partnerships with other levels of government, along with support from the business community. Introducing a new executive team has been a major milestone. In January, we appointed Greg McDonald as General Manager and during his tenure a new executive team has been established with a new Director for Infrastructure recently appointed. During this short period of time Council has seen a significant change in its culture, operations, and strategic direction. I believe that, through this change, Council has embarked on a new, more aspirational direction. Our recent Development Program and Operational Plan received unprecedented levels of community response, which is a huge endorsement on Council’s refocused priorities and
agenda. During this period of change, Council has placed a greater focus on communication, community engagement and accountability. Rising to the challenge I am also proud of Council’s agility in responding to community concerns, needs and at times, moments of crisis. Behind the scenes staff have been worked tirelessly, advocating for and supporting the community during COVID-19, planning and facilitating mass-vaccination pop-ups and mass-testing facilities. I love seeing outcomes for our community. We’ve been successful in getting funding for the airport and saleyard upgrades and a horse arena at White Park, but the impacts of the drought and COVID-19 have meant that we’re not really seeing the full potential of these new assets for our community. I’m looking forward to when these facilities are operating at full capacity again and creating economic benefi ts for all of our community. A large portion of my time as Mayor has been during the pandemic. After only recently emerging from a
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OCTOBER 2021
The Good Oil by Rod Brown
Sad misjudgement by Defence Australia’s defence purchases have been notoriously problematic, but our submarine saga is the most glaring. It will have huge ramifications for years to come. The inability to manage the submarine issue highlights the real lack of professionalism within Defence, including its inability to stand firm against incoming PMs’ differing wants re subs viz. Abbott (Japan), Turnbull (French) and now Morrison with Unites States submarines. Clearly politics has swamped the ‘frank and fearless advice’ that should have been coming out of Defence. The fact of the matter is that French nuclear-powered subs were available to us in 2016, but we decided we needed French diesel subs (in other words, redesigned French subs) with the attendant disadvantages e.g. noise, submersion time, range, sitting ducks while refuelling. Then came the concerns about the lack of local content, budget blow-outs and delivery delays. The never considered option What is lost in all this drama is that the off-the-shelf option was never seriously considered. Why? Well, successive governments have always wanted the jobs, the industry spin-offs and the prestige that come with manufacturing them in Australia. But do the maths – the subsidy per job runs into the millions.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all for manufacturing jobs in Adelaide, but: • the off-the-shelf option would have been vastly cheaper and faster • we still would’ve had the servicing function • we wouldn’t be saddled with having to reskill a neglected workforce • we wouldn’t have been beholden to the Yanks, and • some of the savings could have been spent on research and development or marketing support for industries where we have true competitive advantage. The last point is important. Submarines aren’t part of our competitive advantage. Due to the lack of an industry policy we’ve walked away from our engineering-based industries. Adelaide and other manufacturing centres should be focussing on agricultural machinery, mining equipment, environmental equipment, avionics etc. This is exactly what Canada has done. French anger A sad part in all this is the lack of courtesy to the French – sure things needed to be kept confi dential, but if we’d kept the French in the loop about our need to switch to the US subs, they would have at least privately understood our position.
Gladys’ legacy might be a federal ICAC? The demise of New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian this month wasn’t unexpected once the Independent Commission Against Corruption began exploring the $5.5 million grant to a gun club in Wagga. Sure Gladys reportedly got sucked into this by her boyfriend, but that’s no excuse. The Morrison Government has steadfastly refused to move on a federal ICAC – if he continues he will dig his own grave. I am advised that a federal ICAC would be legally able to delve into past problem areas (sports rorts, car park rorts) if ‘there is a contemporary relevance’ – and surely there is. And a new federal party FIN (Federal ICAC Now), currently being registered, could draw many disillusioned voters. Chinchilla – 1 million solar panels and rising! An old mate from high school days in Warragul now lives in Chinchilla, west of Toowoomba. I expressed surprise when he told me, but he explained that it’s a nice town, living is cheap, he has a circle of friends, there’s the mod cons of city life and only 3.5 hours to Brisbane to visit his daughters.
I’ve been ruminating on this and gee he’s got a point. Housing prices are at ridiculous levels in the major cities and coastal hotspots, and traffic snarls will re-emerge once COVID-19 recedes. In Chinchilla’s case, it has very good infrastructure – a hospital, good schools, a couple of nice pubs, a snazzy aquatic centre, an irrigated golf course, sports infrastructure (tennis, footy, cricket etc.), a racecourse with 6-7 meetings annually, good internet services. My mate explained that there are lots of fly-in fly-out workers camping in hundreds of detachables. Five years ago there were in excess of 200 properties to rent, and nearnew 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom houses could be purchased for $200k or less. Now almost no rentals are available and house prices have lifted. He says this might may shortlived, because the construction of solar farms has been the driver. Councillor Andrew Smith, the Deputy Mayor, informed me that the Western Downs Local Government Area has 3-4 solar projects on the go (and 23 in the pipeline), with the Western Downs Power Hub the biggest in Australia! The lead company is NEOEN, a big French renewables
outfit. The bulk of the construction is being handled by an Indian company, with 500600 jobs in the construction phase. One million solar panels over 1545 acres, thank you very much. Annual output of 1,080 GWh, enough to power 235,000 homes. Cr Smith explained their solar industry agenda has been underway for about five years, and it has been a spinoff from the infrastructure during the Coal Seam Gas era. Chinchilla’s population has been relatively constant at around 6000 (excluding the construction workers). It is interesting to note that Queensland has some other cracking towns in the 5000-7000 population range viz. Stanthorpe, Gordonvale, Beaudesert, Goondiwindi, Roma, Gatton, Beerwah and the now famous Biloela. These sorts of towns seem to tick along. The Queensland Government deserves some recognition because it has historically taken regional development more seriously than some other states. Coincidentally, Chinchilla is
the hometown of federal Agriculture minister David Littleproud, which might help in the clinches? Toowoomba on the move Meanwhile, global aviation giant Boeing has chosen Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct as the preferred site for an un-crewed aircraft production facility, the first to be located outside North America. The aircraft is the first military combat aircraft designed, developed and manufactured in Australia in half a century. It is expected to deliver $1 billion worth of benefits to Queensland over a decade. The facility build will support around 300 construction jobs, and 70 permanent advanced manufacturing jobs. The key locational factors cited were its access to a flight line, clear flying days, commercial flight access from major cities, and ability to support the Airpower Teaming System program. You can add in the Wagner family, the gung ho owners of the airport.
Rod Brown is a Canberra-based consultant and lobbyist specialising in industry/regional development, investment attraction and clusters, and accessing federal grants. He also runs the Cockatoo Network. Phone: (02) 6231 7261 or 0412 922 559 Email: apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au
Councils unite against homelessness The number of homeless men, women and children is growing in suburban areas and COVID-19 has further impacted the vulnerability of those without a safe place to call home. Greater Dandenong City Council, Victoria, is among 13 eastern and south eastern municipalities uniting to address homelessness with a best practice guide launched during Homelessness Week, the Housing First for People Sleeping Rough Practice Guide for Local Government.
More than 116,000 Australians and around 25,000 Victorians were homeless on any given night pre-COVID-19 (ABS 2016 Census), including 7490 across the 13 municipalities and 2103 in Dandenong. Greater Dandenong City Council Mayor, Angela Long, said, “Homelessness is a grow-
ing problem in our region, and COVID has complicated the situation. Councils are close to the communities they serve as providers of ground-level services, we are well placed to make a difference. “The guide encourages an approach to homelessness based on human rights. Every-
one has a right to safe housing and we all have a responsibility to make it happen.” The 13 eastern and south eastern Council CEOs formed the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter Group in late 2019 to end homelessness and advocate for more social housing.
The Charter Group Councils recognise the growing need for suburban and local government advocacy for our most vulnerable through improved supports and more permanent and safe housing. The municipalities include Bayside Council, the City
of Casey, City of Cardinia, Frankston City Council, City of Greater Dandenong, Knox City Council, City of Kingston, Manningham City Council, City of Monash, Maroondah City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, City of Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges Council.
Short-stay changes target growing housing crisis Hobart City Council will consider taking steps to limit the number of new permits to convert entire homes to short-stay visitor accommodation in an attempt to address housing affordability and rental property supply in the Tasmanian capital. A University of Tasmania 2019 report on balancing housing needs with the rise of shortstay accommodation, provided background on the current status of short-stay and long-term rental markets in Tasmania, examples of regulations in other cities, and the required steps to amend the planning scheme. According to recent reporting by short-stay accommo6
dation providers to the state government, of 971 total listings in the Hobart local government area 335 are not the host’s primary residence. Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Helen Burnet said the growing number of vacant homes converted to visitor accommodation was concerning. “We know housing affordability in Hobart is reaching
crisis point and we have a responsibility to look at actions that could help address this. “A study has recently found that Hobart had lost around 12 percent of its long-term rental properties to visitor accommodation in just a couple of years. “The recommendations to be considered by Council look at limiting the amount of
self-contained, unhosted, entire-home listings in certain parts of our city as a means to reduce the loss of long-term rental properties. It builds on an existing policy for Battery Point.” The proposed actions would not impact existing permit holders, or those intending to let part of their home or an ancillary dwelling on their property such as a granny flat.
Any changes to the planning scheme would need to be approved by the Tasmanian Planning Commission prior to implementation. The City Planning Committee recommendations include: prohibiting new permits for entire home short stay accommodation within the Hobart Local Government Area, advocating for
state wide regulations, similar to those in New South Wales, that would enable councils to make decisions about properties within their local government area, and supporting the establishment of a ‘Housing Supply Forecasting Council’ to research, analyse and inform policy around short stay accommodation. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS
OCTOBER 2021
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TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Women mean business Women at Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, are unlocking their leadership potential so they can be seen and heard in the work place – and they mean business. Council is embarking on a ‘Restore and Thrive’ Turnaround Strategy to reset its own operations and earn the respect of the community once again after operating under an interim administrator from June to December 2020. An integral part of the strategy is developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region, and women in leadership roles are crucial in bridging the gender diversity gap. Council has partnered with the Dattner Group whose flagship leadership courses and women’s programs are assisting women in ouncil at all levels of leadership, on a transformational journey that links women’s ambition with their deepest sense of purpose and core values. C o u n c i l ’s E x e c u t i v e Manager People and Culture, Annie Harris said the program aligned with the
values based leadership model Council is adopting. “Nine women in various leadership roles have been, or are currently enrolled in the program. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from staff on the program. Our hope is that we start to see women step up and drive change within the organisation and not only be seen, but more importantly heard and valued for their contribution. “Council is aware, like a vast majority of councils, particularly in regional areas, that it has a way to go in ensuring gender parity within its leadership group. This program is absolutely the first step to changing this. “As we see more women moving into typically male dominated areas of our operations, to me, this investment just makes good sense.
Compass Women in Leadership graduates - Katrina George, Wendy Warner, Caitlin Doughan, Aimee Hutton and Lilian Colmanetti.
“We know that the impact of this program is not only on current participants, building confidence and leadership
capability, but it will develop strong role models and mentors for the next generation of women who join Council.
“I’m confident that with the programs we have in place and with a values based leadership model em-
bedded into the organisation more women will join me at the executive level before too long.”
Fast-track mediation and de-escalation skills and strategies* Mediation is widely known as a cost-efficient, confidential, self-determinative process that catalyses problem solving and the resolution of disputes. What is sometimes forgotten is that mediation often plays a crucial role in maintaining relationships between people by applying an impartial mediator’s inter-personal and problem-solving skillset. These attributes have propelled the use of mediation into all sectors of Australia’s civil society, averting costly, adversarial and lengthy legal proceedings.
Now more than ever, local government is needing to deliver services and support to individuals and businesses in personal and economic need. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions and lockdowns have created an entirely new category of community and workplace conflict that impedes local
government action and hinders day-to-day productivity. At a time when health restrictions are constantly changing and uncertainty continues, disputes can be more difficult to resolve. The growing number and complexity of these disputes has created an increasing demand for skilled mediators to help the parties resolve their differences.
For most issues a half-day, fast-track mediation session is an efficient way to get the matter resolved and get back to focussing on core business. The Australian Disputes Centre offers a fast-track mediation service that for just $2,500 keeps you in the driving seat in resolving high conflict situations. In 2021 ‘online’ mediation is
now proven to be as effective as ‘in-person’ meetings, making it easy and accessible for all. Add in capability development, upskilling your team with the strategies and tools to de-escalate conflict, and you put your team in the driving seat to catalyse mutually beneficial agreements long before the conflict turns super toxic.
Pre-emptive, de-escalating and early intervention strategies are the three key skills’ focus areas for building a positive reputation for respectful engagement, responsiveness, fairness and delivering durable solutions. For more information visit: disputescentre.com.au *Copy supplied by Australian Disputes Centre
Layered learning for Local Government Conflict levels are high in the community and in workplaces. Skilled staff who can facilitate difficult discussions, de-escalate conflict and resolve disputes have never been in greater demand. Call us today to discuss how ADC training can help your team meet today's challenges.
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OCTOBER 2021
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Focus on
Local training leads to jobs Community backs blue project Roper Gulf Regional Council, Northern Territory, is celebrating the success of its Community Development Program in Borroloola, which saw strong participation in local training opportunities by job seekers. The goal of the Community Development Program (CDP) was to support, assist and service CDP job seekers by providing a ‘Package of Support’ including a combination of vocational and non-vocational training, essential skills training, assistance to overcome personal barriers to employment, job search assistance, ongoing support and more. Recently, CDP job seekers in Borroloola completed training to receive their White Card: Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry. The training was delivered by Senior Lecturer, Alvin Tan, from the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. Participants were made up of CDP job seekers, Ma-
bunji staff and Council Municipal staff. Of the 26 trainees, 19 went on to begin a Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, also delivered by Alvin Tan, developing their skills and expertise further to operate and work on a civil construction plant. Roper Gulf Regional Council congratulated all participants involved in the course for investing time in their professional development and in their future, appreciating the commitment shown by job seekers and encouraging all participants to keep persevering with the training. The high level of participation in the course was a terrific
Community Development Program saw strong participation from Roper River job seekers.
result for the Community Development Program and for the Borroloola Community. A number of local construction projects about to commence in Borroloola will require qualified employees, aligning with the training undertaken and offering potential for employment. Some of these upcoming projects include: • construction of new toilet block at the airport ($448,000) • upgrades of the power and water at the Borroloola Sports and Showgrounds ($486,000) • road construction and upgrades in Borroloola township ($547,000), and • construction of a shelter and cyclone shelter at basketball courts ($6.9 million). This is a great example of how the Community Development Program can assist local job seekers to complete training and provide an opportunity to be employed on local jobs. Council congratulates all CDP participants, staff and local stakeholders involved in this training and looks forward to seeing the opportunities that surface as a result of everyone’s hard work.
Thanks to the initiative of Northern Midlands Council, Tasmania, and the financial backing of local business and community members, a dead gum tree bordering the Midland Highway between Perth and Longford now provides a vivid reminder of the importance of mental health. The tree has been painted blue to help encourage people to speak up when battling mental health issues. It is the third Blue Tree to be registered in Tasmania as part of a national program to stimulate mental health awareness. Last year Councillor Andrew Calvert came up with the idea of joining the Blue Tree program by painting a prominent tree bordering the newly constructed Perth bypass. The idea initially failed to gain the support of Council because of the cost involved. However local businesses recognised the importance of the gesture and stepped forward, offering their services free of charge, while a community member funded the project. On Saturday 22 May, the project came to fruition with services and time donated by Pfeiffer Cranes, Mitre 10, and several residents and community members. Mayor, Mary Knowles, said, “In the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic we need to focus on action-based resilience initiatives that strengthen local capacity and
Northern Midland’s own blue tree was a community enterprise. Photo courtesy of Stephanie George.
capability and encourage community engagement. “Never has the need to spread the message that ‘it’s OK to not be OK’, and to break down the stigma associated with mental health, been of greater importance.
“This project is 100 percent sponsored by the community, with cash and in-kind donations being generously provided by Pfeiffer Cranes, Mitre 10, Meander Valley Painting and a number of local residents.”
Grants roadmap into 2022* The most common question Section51 has been asked over the past few months is: ‘where will the grants and funding roadmap take us to in 2022’. The answer we provide is ‘even governments don’t have the roadmap’. But there are some key signs Section51 uses that provide a powerful map of what may happen. We have started at the top with the National Cabinet plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 response.
We can see that this plan provides phases of transition which will align with when funding changes from being open and available to limited and highly competitive. Timing is everything when planning for grants to open and how you frame your application. We have looked
at the pattern of grants in the last 18 months and how these have been allocated, both federally and statewise. This analysis provides an idea of how rocky the road will be if governments effectively run out of money and become very selective in grant programs.
The events in New South Wales, with the resignation of the Premier and Deputy Premier, will have a significant impact on grants around the country. These resignations may not seem relevant to other states, but they are, as they lead to a fork in the road for
all governments in relation to how decisions on grants are made. Then there is the Australian Government election and how the road map for that leads to decisions on what is happening with Building Better Regions Fund and other Australian Government Grants.
Just like the National roadmap, the grants roadmap into 2022 shows that the path you take with project selection and preparation will be critical to success in a very different funding landscape. Visit section51.com.au *Copy supplied by Section51
Webinar: Feeling lost with Grants? Section51 Webinar Grants Roadmap to take you into 2022 Section51 is providing a webinar grants roadmap for councils and community groups to take you into 2022. The webinar training is both instructive and interactive as we transition into the new grants landscape. The roadmap is specifically focused on grants and funding but based on the phases in the National Cabinet plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 response. Contact Colin Steele on 0423337563 or email at admin@section51.com.au or have a look at www.section51.com.au 8
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS
OCTOBER 2021
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Focus on
CQUniversity’s affordable MBA outperforms Youth project kicks goals Young people in Tasmania’s south east are receiving support to achieve their dreams and goals locally, thanks the big players* to a program run by Clarence City Council in June. CQUniversity is outperforming many of the ‘big players’ among universities offering MBAs, reflected by its sustained top business press rankings.
CQUni has outranked many other business schools in the CEO Magazine and AFR BOSS MBA rankings.
and who have insights to tackle the changing landscape of the public sector, not-for-profit, social and ethical purpose organisations as well as the for-profit sector. It’s an approach that helps meet the increasing demand for managers in the public and private sectors to make organisations financially and socially sustainable, according to Dr Segon.
“As we prepare for the reopening of the economy following COVID-19, we definitely will need better equipped managers than in the past to get businesses back up and running. “Along with knowledge of contemporary people management and leadership practices, our MBA equips managers with the capability to adapt to
dynamic, human-tech workplaces that provide positive outcomes for employees, stakeholders and broader society.” CQUniversity offers a suite of courses including the MBA, MBA (Leadership) and MBA (Global). To find out more about these courses visit cqu. edu.au/mba. *Copy supplied by CQUniversity
“The SERDA Youth Project is something I am very honoured to be involved in, as I enjoy helping the youth and if that’s drawing on my past experiences, I am happy to do that.” As part of the program, students meet with a variety of local employers to learn more about their businesses and the different types of jobs involved, as well as hearing personal stories from business owners and staff about their own life journeys. “Since the program started in June this year, we have worked closely with Bayview Secondary College, Sorell School, Tasman District School and The Industry Pathways Program students. We have introduced the students to 12 local businesses such as Lyden Builders, TASSAL, McHenry Distillery, McDonalds, Banjos and many more.”
Young people meet with potential employers in the SERDA Youth Project.
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In 2021 it maintained its CEO Magazine Tier 1 ranking for a fourth year in a row. This is building on its significant Top 10 ranking in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) BOSS MBA Rankings for 2019. Associate Professor Michael Segon, the MBA Director, highlights the recognised sustained quality of the CQUni MBA which is sure to benefit its graduates. “One of the reasons why CQUni has outranked many other business schools in the CEO Magazine and AFR BOSS MBA rankings is because we are one of the few universities teaching core MBA units with 100 percent PhD qualified instructors who have relevant business experience. “Additionally, our faculty are among the most qualified and active in the business community through consulting and advice roles.” CQUni’s MBA focusses on developing human-centred management capabilities to develop innovative leaders with integrity and purpose,
The South East Region Development Association (SERDA) Youth Project is coordinated by former AFL draftee Sam Siggins, and helps the region’s youth to develop their employability skills and introduces them to local employers. The Youth Project is the vision of Andrew Hyatt, Workforce Development and Engagement Officer for SERDA, who works tirelessly and passionately to help local people into local jobs. The project provides ongoing opportunities for students to develop and expand their skills and knowledge in a structured and safe environment and helps them to learn more about local employment opportunities and career pathways. Siggins has drawn on his own experience with mental health support to deliver the Youth Project.
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9
OCTOBER 2021
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
First Aboriginal rangers graduate in Jabiru Members and staff of Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation congratulated fourteen Djurrubu Rangers who last month graduated with their Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management from Charles Darwin University.
Clarrie Nadjamarrek with Matty Rawlinson.
The graduation ceremony took place at Djidbijidbi College on Wednesday, 22 September. The qualifications are a huge achievement for the Djurrubu Rangers and staff who have worked with four training organisations over the past 11 months, completing all units on Mirarr Country. The diversity of the Djurrubu Rangers work program provided a variety of practical learning experiences supporting the students to succeed in their final assessments in many units. Elective subjects included Indigenous land management studies,
fire management, weed management, operating in remote areas and many small engine and driving qualifications. Djurrubu Rangers is a group of Bininj and Daluk (Aboriginal men and women) working on Country to provide land management services across the Northern section of Kakadu. The group is funded by Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation and works to engage local Bininj in management of land and cultural heritage and to provide ongoing training and employment. These first-time qualifications for Djurrubu are
happening as Jabiru makes the transition from mining town to regional service centre and tourism hub. The work of Djurrubu Rangers is part of the Mirarr vision for Jabiru to become ‘nationally recognised for excellence and best practice in Indigenous land management knowledge and employment and supporting Bininj living on country’, as well as for ‘research in North Australian biodiversity, ecology, education, indigenous language, cultural heritage, and archaeology and a gateway for education-based tourism’.
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Staff development is the key With an area that extends to half the size of Victoria and staff dispersed across four towns in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, staff culture and development at the Shire of Ashburton presents a unique set of challenges, not least an extended distance between colleagues. In addition to distance, the Shire’s towns experience highly transient communities due to the extensive fly in/fly out (FIFO) population, meaning the Shire of Ashburton must work against a high staff turnover and thus a constantly changing organisational culture. Despite the obstacles, the Shire has committed to ensuring that as an organisation it prioritises employees’ health and well-being, and creates a workplace that is supportive and inclusive. To achieve this goal, over the past 12 months the Human Resources team has taken an enterprise-wide approach towards organisational development.
This has been achieved by driving key programs relating to learning and development and engagement through a mix of online and in person workshops delivered to staff in Tom Price, Onslow, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica. Through the implementation of an annual performance review program with key performance indicators, values assessments, blended learning models, and ongoing support, the Human Resources department has been able to increase internal mobility and drive a culture of continued education and development. In addition to the performance review program,
the Shire has also implemented a bi-annual Chief Executive Officer facilitated ‘introduction to local government’ for all new employees, ongoing manager training, and a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) course for all leaders to help employees effectively manage the harsh realities that can often come with living in a small rural town. These programs, in addition to a continuing rotation of personal, team, managerial and executive training opportunities, have allowed the Shire to develop an organisation of consistent development and success.
‘Healthy mind at work’ initiative September saw the launch of the ‘Supporting a Healthy Mind at Work’ program by Town of Claremont, Western Australia, with two weeks of activities and initiatives for employees to get involved in. The program, developed by the Town’s Human Resources team saw bright shirts, furry friends and meditation zones brought into the office to promote both healthy minds and bodies. Running from 30 August to 10 September, each day provided a new opportunity for staff to think or actively engage in improving their mental wellbeing. Of the various programs, bring your dog to work day was perhaps the biggest hit as beloved pets kept their owners company at their desks and encouraged them to move and take walks around the park with colleagues. Others enjoyed a head and shoulder massage while some took time in the Town’s popup meditation zone. Town of Claremont Chief Executive Officer, Liz Ledger said the initiative was launched in the lead up to R U OK Day. “The health and wellbeing of our staff is a priority, even more so now given the 10
Members of Ashburton’s executive and management teams attended Mental Health First Aid training facilitated by Kylianne Farrell from Move for Mental Health.
Furphy Barbecues now with hand sanitisers* Furphy Foundry is proud to launch our new range of Furphy Barbecues with Hand Sanitisers which have been produced to promote clean and hygienic public environments.
Bring your dog to work day was the biggest hit during Claremont’s ‘Healthy mind at work’ initiative.
impact of COVID-19. The two-week initiative offered ideas for people to try and if it resonated with them, to continue on with to support their mental wellbeing.” The second week coincided with R U OK day, with the Town’s Employee
Assistance Provider, People Sense giving a presentation on the help and services available to employees. They stressed the importance of seeking help as that is the biggest barrier for those wanting to improve their mental wellbeing.
Made in Australia at the Australian owned Furphy Foundry in Shepparton, Victoria, each Furphy Barbecue has been manufactured under strict quality guidelines based on a commitment developed since 1864. Furphy Barbecues with Hand Sanitisers provide an acute alignment of food handling areas and community hygiene with 5000 sprays per bottle, refills readily available and easy maintenance – adding to cleaning contract or stand alone servicing. The integrated Hand Sanitising unit is for all open
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OCTOBER 2021
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Focus on
Lifeguards up for the challenge Western Australia’s state-of-the-art indoor aquatic facility at the City of Armadale is home to an exceptional team of lifeguards and swim school instructors. Since its opening in early 2019, the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre (AFAC) has picked up a swag of industry awards, including recognition in 2020 as Western Australia’s AUSTSWIM Swimming and Water Safety School of the Year. But no prize is more exciting than winning the 2021 Royal Life Saving Western Australia’s Lifeguard Challenge. In February, AFAC sent two teams to the challenge held at Riverton Leisureplex. Although this was only the centre’s second year competing,
both AFAC lifeguard teams proved to be winners. The first team won the overall challenge after competing in swimming, aquatic rescue tows, throw rope rescues, and a CPR skills test. AFAC’s second team was recognised for ‘going above and beyond’ in a first-aid challenge where blindfolded lifeguards could only rely on verbal cues from their partners to treat an injury correctly. Great team camaraderie and co-operation proved to be a winner! The winning teams of lifeguards and swim school instruc-
tors are a testament to the centre’s strong focus on staff training and commitment to providing ongoing professional development. In the past 12 months, AFAC has invested over $5,000 in additional lifeguard training equipment. The Swim School’s trainee program is the first program of its kind. New trainees complete a two-week intensive course which delivers hands-on training and assessments on a regular basis to ensure teachers are delivering swimming training at a gold accredited level. The centre opened two and a half years ago, and its
Ongoing training keeps AFAC lifeguards and swim instructors at the forefront of their field.
reputation has grown steadily with over 50 trainees
completing training in that time. Half of all current staff
were initially students within the training program.
Councils encouraged to drive awareness of tyre export ban* Tyre Stewardship Australia is asking local councils to watch for illegal dumping, storage or collection of passenger tyres ahead of the Commonwealth’s waste export ban on all whole or baled tyres coming into effect 1 December 2021. It comes as Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) warned the ban could see unscrupulous operators offering last-minute cheap collections to councils and other organisations involved in the safe disposal of used car tyres ahead of the ban. TSA Chief Executive Officer, Lina Goodman, said, “The elimination of cheaper waste tyre disposal options through the waste
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export ban will no doubt lead to increased disposal costs as organisations invest for greater local recovery. “We are hearing concerns from our network of accredited participants of approaches from operators offering to remove waste tyres cheaply – but their intention may not be aligned with sustainable disposal of end-of-life tyres.
“Left unsupervised, the mismanagement of end-of-life tyres can lead to fire or other human health concerns, not to mention the burden of cost involved with having to clean these sites. “We’re encouraging councils across Australia to keep an eye out for increased illegal dumping or on-site storage of tyres, as well as new ‘pop-up’ collectors that
might emerge ahead of the export ban.” Ms Goodman also warned organisations that fail to meet regulatory or TSA Scheme requirements could increase collection of tyres in the lead up to the ban. “These organisations may enter the market for a quick injection of revenue.” TSA will continue to audit accredited tyre retailers, collectors
and recyclers to ensure they meet TSA Scheme guidelines. “We will need to remain vigilant even after the 1 December deadline, as collectors who don’t take action will find themselves with no end markets – what may have once been open markets may no longer be the case.” Ms Goodman encourages all tyre collectors and retailers to join the TSA Scheme.
“This ensures they receive pertinent information, assistance and possibly support with end markets to help them manage their end-of-life tyres.” TSA encourages anyone who sees a tyre stockpile or illegal dumping of end-of-life tyres to contact getonboard@ tyrestewardship.org.au. *Copy supplied by Tyre Stewardship Australia
11
OCTOBER 2021
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