LG Focus - May 2023

Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper

Guiding Hobart

Future Hobart Portfolio chair Helen Burnet said they were now moving towards implementing the plan, which the council had been working in partnership with the Tasmanian Government and the community. The plan will be a comprehensive guide to future develop in the city over the next 20 yeas.

“All of the stakeholder and community feedback will be carefully considered to further enhance the draft plan to even better reflect the diversity of voices, ahead of its presentation to the Hobart City Council for adoption later in the year,” Cr Burnet said.

“After the adoption of the plan, the City of Hobart will start to deliver, partner and advocate for the implementation of its actions.”

Billions in relief

This year’s Federal Budget has been seen as largely positive by the local government community, with the peak body seeing it as a solid investment in the sector.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has praised the $3.1 billion in Financial Assistance Grants being provided to councils in the coming 12 months.

ALGA said the funding was a vital investment in the nation’s productivity, allowing councils to employ nearly 200,000 Australians and provide local services “in every corner of our nation”.

However the group said in a statement, “it was disappointing that another Federal Budget has passed without the government delivering on their pre-election promise of ‘fair increases’ to these grants”.

“Alongside your state and territory associations, we will continue to work with the government to see this happen, returning local government funding to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue,” the statement read. “We all know our local roads are in a state of significant disrepair, with increasingly frequent natural disasters as a result of dangerous climate change.

“We appreciate the local roads funding we receive, but will continue to advocate for a significant increase to the Roads to Recovery Program that will support all councils to build better, more resilient roads.

“It was also disappointing to see that the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program wasn’t extended in tonight’s Budget, beyond the government’s $750 million preelection commitment delivered in the October 2022 Budget.”

The Housing Industry Association welcomed the government’s continued focus on social housing but branded the budget “light on housing supply”.

“Social and affordable housing is one important part of Australia’s housing continuum,” HIA deputy managing director – industry and policy, Jocelyn Martin said.

“Social and affordable housing has suffered from prolonged under-investment. Greater investment in new housing servicing this part of

the market will assist in reducing the number of households experiencing housing stress. The additional rental assistance support will also offer some relief.

“The ‘Housing Australia’s Future Fund Bill 2023’ is an important step towards achieving this goal.

“While necessary, the government’s investment in improving the supply of social and affordable housing will do little to put downward pressure on rental costs and housing affordability in the wider market.

“Housing affordability challenges facing Australian households can only be addressed if the supply of housing can align with demand. HIA estimates that Australia needs 1.66 million additional houses by 2030, just to keep up with the demand from population growth.”

The peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), has welcomed some of the federal govern-

ment’s 2023 budget initiatives – particularly those providing relief for people struggling on low incomes – but says much more needs to be done.

“The Prime Minister Mr Albanese has said the federal budget aims to build ‘a stronger economy and a fairer society’, but with Australia’s wealth gap widening, the modest measures announced in the 2023 federal budget, while welcome, simply won’t be enough to lift some of our most vulnerable out of poverty,” said WSROC president, Cr Barry Calvert.

“Supporting vulnerable communities is a key consideration under all WSROC’s strategic priorities.

“The cost of housing and rents has become a crushing burden for many Western Sydney families, so we were pleased to see that people getting fortnightly Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) – a program for low-income Australians – should receive an additional 15 per cent in financial support from 20 September.”

The Central Hobart Plan is ready to move to the next stage after finishing its extensive consultation period earlier this month.

Hobart Urban Design Advisory Panel chair Scott Balmforth and Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds.

EDITORIAL DESK

Housing affordability and availability both renting or buying continues to be the issue that consistently appears in the Local Government Focus email basket every week.

Whether it’s a council having a summit about it, putting together a proposal to open up more land or control the number of short-term rentals or the Housing Industry Association or State and Federal governments talking about how to solve the problem.

While some issues tend to come from one state or one region this is widespread, country, coastal, metropolitan, rural, tourist areas or small towns.

And while the Housing Australia’s Future Fund Bill for 2023 and the Federal Government’s investment in improving the supply of social and afford- able housing is a step in the right direction, it’s pretty clear this won’t be a quick fix one budget solution.

- TaniaPhillips

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Roads boost

LGA President Mayor Dean Johnson said securing an extension of the annual $20 million funding was a key advocacy focus leading up to the election and has resulted in a big win for local government in SA.

“For most councils, maintaining roads is the single largest item of expenditure they have –and over the past 12 months that’s been felt even more with significant wear and tear from storm damage and flooding,” Mayor Johnson said.

“Councils spend more than $340 million per year to maintain local roads but rely on federal funding to ensure they’re not only kept to a high standard, but can support the productivity of our state’s freight network.

“In SA, we have seven per cent of Australia’s population and 11 per cent of its local roads, but receive just 5.5 percent of the Federal Government’s local road funding under Financial Assistance Grants.

“This is why the retention of Supplementary Local Road funding over the next three years and funding for disaster resilience is so important, along with the range of road and infrastructure packages available.

CONTACT US

Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper

Website: LGFocus.com.au

Noosa Office:

Telephone: (07) 5455 6946

Address: 36 Mary Street, Noosaville Qld 4566

Pakenham Office:

Telephone: (03) 5945 0666

Address: 10 Army Road, Pakenham VIC 3810 Network with LG Focus twitter.com/@LGFocusau facebook.com/LocalGovernmentFocus

Editorial:

E: editorial@LGFocus.com.au

Advertising:

E: advertising@LGFocus.com.au

Classifieds:

P: 1300 666 808

E: sales@NetworkClassifieds.com.au

EDITORIAL

Tania Phillips Journalist

E: tania.phillips@StarNewsGroup.com.au

ADVERTISING

Phill Le Petit Sales Manager

E: phill.lepetit@StarNewsGroup.com.au

M: 0439 377 525

Louisa Kneller Sales Executive

E: louisa.kneller@StarNewsGroup.com.au

M: 0413 380 545

Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108. Publisher Paul Thomas.

visit LGFocus.com.

DIARY DATES

National General Assembly

13-16 June

· Canberra

ALGA is now calling for councils to submit motions for the 2023 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA), which will be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra this June. The theme for this year’s NGA will be “Our Communities, Our Future”. ALGA is seeking motions that align with this theme and identify opportunities for new federal programs and policies that will support councils to build stronger communities.

A discussion paper providing further information, and outlining the criteria that motions must meet is available on their website.

Motions are due by Friday 24 March 2023 and must be lodged online.

“I thank the Treasurer the Hon Jim Chalmers MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon Catherine King MP, and Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories the Hon Kristy McBain MP for supporting SA councils and their communities with this funding extension.”

The Supplementary Local Road funding is in addition to $500 million allocated to the Roads to Recovery Program and $350 million for national road network maintenance.

Included in the Budget is also a $862.8 million allocation of Financial Assistance Grants committed to SA councils.

Local government across the state will share in $202.9 million for the 2023-24 financial year, and a further $659.7 million collectively over the following three years.

Mayor Johnson said while the sector had hoped to see increases to Financial Assistance Grants, the renewed funding will facilitate vital

resourcing for councils.

“At a time where councils are confronted by rising inflation and growing external cost pressures, we greatly welcome this allocation,” Mayor Johnson said.

“Financial Assistance Grants make up more than 20% of annual operating expenditure for around one in four Australian councils – they’re a lifeline for the liveability and productivity of communities.

“SA councils are already among the most efficient in the nation and deliver enormous value by providing essential services and community infrastructure at a local level, keeping our suburbs safe, vibrant and attractive places to live and work.

“Funding priority community infrastructure through programs like the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure fund, Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program and Thriving Suburbs Program are absolutely essential.

“We’ve already seen councils facilitate thousands of community projects through federal funding – everything from new community centres and upgrades to sporting facilities, to the development of recreational trails, playgrounds and renewal of roads.

“While returning Financial Assistance Grants funding to one percent of national taxation remains our priority, we recognise the significant impact this funding makes to our councils and look forward to continued discussions with the Federal Government on this topic.”

From council to MP

National ALGWA Conference

17-20 May

· Mornington Peninsula

The 2023 National Conference, hosted by ALGWA and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, will be held from 17-20 May 2023 at RACV Cape Schanck Resort in Victoria.

The Conference brings councillors and officers together from across Australia to advance female participation in Local Government and spotlight issues facing women in the sector.

Delegates draw inspiration from thought-provoking presenters, network with other attendees, and benefit from the tremendous peer support offered by ALGWA.

Water Management Conference

June 26-28

· Parkes Shire

The 2023 LGNSW Water Conference will run from Monday 26 June to Wednesday 28 June.

Host council and destination will be Parkes Shire Council.

#LGNSWWater2023.

The NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference 2023

29-31 May

· Manly NSW

DVE 2023 will be hosted by Northern Beaches Council in Manly from Monday 29 May to Wednesday 31 May 2023.

#VEC2023

Local Government New South Wales President (LGNSW), Darriea Turley said for 50 of the 135 parliamentarians to have once been councillors was a tribute to the community spirit of the MPs concerned and recognition of the fine political training ground that local government provides.

“On behalf of the Board of LGNSW I want to congratulate all 50 former councillors who are now in the State Parliament,” Cr Turley said.

“Some have been re-elected for a second, third or fourth time, but a number are entering state politics for the very first time which is an exciting development in their political careers.”

She said winning a seat in the state parliament was an endorsement for each MP of the work they had done and the profile they had created in their own communities.

“It’s worth noting our new Minister for Local Government, Member for Heffron Ron Hoenig brings a wealth of experience to his ministerial role, having been the Mayor of the City of Botany Bay from 1981 to 2012, a record 31 years,” Cr Turley said.

“A number of other MPs have also been civic leaders, serving as mayors or deputy

Local Government New South Wales President (LGNSW),

mayors in their local government areas.”

Councillor Turley said it was gratifying to know that such a large percentage of MPs knew the importance of the role local government plays in the community.

Queensland Disaster Management Conference

30 May

· Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

The conference will be held on 30 May at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Glenelg Street South Brisbane.

IPWEA International Asset Management Congress

14 – 15 June

· Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2684-2690 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD

NSW LGA Conference

12-14 November

The 2023 Local Government Annual Conference will be held from Sunday 12 to Tuesday 14 November at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.

Darriea Turley.

It seems local government is a good grounding for a career in NSW State politics with more than a third of the members of the NSW House of Assembly and Legislative Council getting their first break serving their local communities on local councils.

South Australia’s Local Government Association has welcomed the three-year extension of local road funding for SA councils, announced in this month’s 2023-24 Federal Budget.

LGA CEO Clinton Jury and LGA President Dean Johnson.

Budget invests in councils

Australian councils have welcomed the Federal Budget as a solid investment in local government, with councils receiving $3.1 billion in Financial Assistance Grants over the next 12 months.

“For Australia’s 537 councils, $3.1 billion of local government funding is a vital investment in Australia’s productivity, allowing us to employ nearly 200,000 Australians and provide local services in every corner of the nation,” said Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Cr Linda Scott.

“However, it’s disappointing that another Federal Budget has passed without the government delivering on their pre-election promise of ‘fair increases’ to these grants. Local governments will continue to work with the government to see this happen, returning local government funding to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue.”

“Our local roads are in a state of significant disrepair, with increasingly frequent natural disasters as a result of dangerous climate change.

“ALGA welcomes the $500 million in local road funding, and will continue to advocate for a significant increase to the Roads to Recovery Program that will support all councils to build better, more resilient roads.”

Cr Scott said it was encouraging to see the Budget’s strong focus on supporting vulnerable Australians.

“As the closest government to communities, councils play a critical role providing community services and welcome this increased support for vulnerable Australians.”

Cr Scott said local governments would miss the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, which was not extended in this year’s Budget.

“Established in 2020, the LRCI program has been successful in helping all councils deliver much-needed local infrastructure projects, including libraries, community sporting fields, local roads, parks and playgrounds,” said Cr Scott. The demise of the LRCI Program will be partially offset by two new urban funding programs – a $200 million Thriving Suburbs Program and a $150 million Urban Precincts and

Partnerships Program, alongside the Growing Regions and Regional Precinct Funds.

“Local governments successfully advocated for the establishment of the $200 million Disaster Ready Fund, to enable us to invest to better prevent damage from natural disas-

ters. Councils are delighted to see the Disaster Ready Fund continued, along with new Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Remediation, allowing councils to better protect our communities from flooding and other natural disasters in the future.

“ALGA also welcomes the extension of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, a new $10 million National Waste Education campaign, as well as an extension of $20 million per year supplementary road funding for South Australian councils disadvantaged by the national local roads funding formula.”

Conservation groups voice disappointment

The Albanese Government has committed $146.8m in the budget towards their election promise to complete the MurrayDarling Basin Plan, but failed to commit the funds needed to deliver on the final 450 gigalitres (GL) of water for the environment, according to conservation groups.

Australia’s peak conservation groups covering every basin state have warned more funding will be needed to reach Basin Plan targets and restore our rivers to health after a decade of delay.

Environment Victoria, Nature Conservation Council NSW, Queensland Conservation Council and the Conservation Council of SA said the Albanese Government has clear election commitments to deliver the MurrayDarling Basin Plan in full - but this budget doesn’t include the additional funding needed for water recovery.

Environment Victoria’s Healthy Rivers campaigner Tyler Rotche said the rivers and wetlands of the Basin couldn’t wait.

“Under the Coalition, we lost years and billions of dollars on bloated handouts and dodgy offset schemes,” he said.

“Now water’s more expensive — the Albanese government needs to allocate more money for water recovery.”

“The Albanese government has some leftover funding. The bulk of the $1.575 billion to recover 450 billion litres went unspent while the Murray-Darling faced mass fish kills and toxic blackwater events.

“The government needs to get the most water for the funds already set aside. Purchasing water from willing sellers is the most reliable option. It’s by far the most straightforward, aboveboard and cost-effective method on the table.”

Conservation Council of SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek had so far shown genuine

commitment to deliver more water under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“But this budget hasn’t committed the additional funding required to return the system to health,” he said.

“As a nation, we won’t be able to do what is required to improve the health of Australia’s greatest river system without the federal government entering the market to purchase water from willing sellers.”

Nature Conservation Council NSW CEO Jacqui Mumford said while the decision not to fund the dud Dungowan Dam near Tamworth was applauded, the money saved should have been repurposed for water purchases.

“Funding is critical if we are going to save the Murray Darling Basin,” she said.

“Entire communities have run out of water, ecosystems are collapsing, native fish populations have declined by 90 per cent, and even once common birds like the pink cockatoo are at risk of extinction.”

“The solution is simple. We need stronger laws to stop over-extraction, purchase more environmental water, and invest in regional communities.”

Water Policy Officer for the Queensland Conservation Council Nigel Parratt said today’s program funding was needed but the fact that there was no money for water purchases means the job of repairing the damage from years of neglect was going to get harder.

“The previous government’s lack of action pushed species to the brink of extinction and damaged many regional communities. We don’t want to see this happen again.”

Victoria’s Healthy Rivers campaigner Tyler Rotche.

Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Cr Linda Scott.

Outstanding leader

City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans has been named the 2023 recipient of the LGA’s esteemed Joy Baluch Award, which recognises outstanding female leaders currently serving as elected members of SA councils.

Named in honour of the late former Port Augusta Mayor and LGA President (Nancy) Joy Baluch AM, the award is presented to eligible individuals who demonstrate leadership, innovation and support the role of women in local government.

Mayor Evans – who has served 16 years on council, including one term as LGA President between 2020-2022 – has made significant contributions to the Charles Sturt community and broader local government sector during her tenure.

She has overseen the redevelopment of major Charles Sturt precincts including the awardwinning $8.4 million Henley Square Precinct, the $110 million Port Road Drainage Project and the $26.5 million St Clair Recreation Precinct, to name just a few.

Mayor Evans has also participated in numerous groups including the Gender Matters Panel, the LGA’s Greater Adelaide Region Organisation of Councils, and the Climate Emergency Australia Strategic Advisory Group and has regularly made herself available to support members, particularly women, within the sector.

She said it was a huge honour to receive the Joy Baluch Award in front of her peers at last Friday’s LGA Ordinary General Meeting, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

“Encouraging more women to stand for local government is incredibly important, and it’s something I’ve actively promoted during my time on council,” Mayor Evans said.

“Strong female leadership is vital for a wellfunctioning council, and I thank everyone who decided to choose me as this year’s recipient of the Joy Baluch Award.

“It’s an incredible privilege.”

In addition to her achievements at City of

Charles Sturt, Mayor Evans demonstrated exceptional leadership as LGA President.

During her term she strengthened relationships with regional councils through extensive visitations, led the sector through COVID, successfully lobbied for funding during state and federal elections, and oversaw the implementation of the Local Government Reforms and new Behavioural Standards Panel.

Call for certainty

“Angela has served her council and the LGA with distinction and has been an inspiration for women in local government throughout her career,” LGA President Dean Johnson said.

“She is an incredibly worthy winner of this year’s Award – not just for her achievements, but for her continued advocacy and championing the importance of female representation, and leadership, within councils.”

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has warned the recently announced infrastructure review has councils concerned that projects their communities were relying on – including critical transport upgrades –were now at risk.

LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said councils needed certainty to plan how best to deliver for the communities that rely on them.

“Certainty is critical to getting the best result, and the best value, from every dollar,” Ms Smith said.

“Across Queensland, there are huge challengesthatcouncilsaregrapplingwith every day – whether it is housing, roads, congestion, maintenance, workforce or water supply.” Ms Smith said councils were also concerned about shifting goalposts for hugely popular programs like the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP), that will see an end to all community infrastructure funding as well as the exclusion of some previously eligible councils.

Budgets in meltdown: NSW councils body

by the State Government,” LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM said.

LGNSW said that for some councils the unexpected cost hit would all but wipe out any IPART-approved rate rise, shredding budgets already under massive pressure from the combined impact of the pandemic, extreme weather events, high inflation and wage increases.

The ESL is a cost imposed on councils and the insurance industry to fund the emergency services budget in NSW. The majority is paid as part of insurance premiums, with a further 11.7 per cent picked up by councils and 14.6 per cent by the State Government itself.

“The ESL is an absolutely blatant cost shift

“To make things worse, the ESL has seen stratospheric increases year-on-year to make up for the Government’s unfunded workers’ compensation liability for emergency services workers struck down by a range of cancers.

“Now it appears councils are being asked to fund massive rises in emergency services budgets, including a 73 per cent increase in the budget allocation to the State Emergency Services (SES).

“The levy increase for the state’s 128 councils in 2023/24 alone sits just under $77 million.

“To put that in perspective, Hay Shire Council will immediately lose 88.6 per cent of its approved rate rise to the ESL, while

Bourke Shire Council will lose 94 per cent, Yass Valley Council will lose 96 per cent, and Tenterfield will lose 119 per cent.

“Hornsby council will lose about 75 per cent of its approved rate rise.

“This is an alarming development coming late in the council budgeting cycle and well after the IPART’s rates determination for 2023-24.

“The effect will leave some councils with insufficient funds to cover cost increases in other areas. These costs will need to be met by cuts to staff and services.”

Cr Turley said the local government sector’s fight was not with emergency services workers, but with a duplicitous and financially unsustainable funding system.

“I’m seeking urgent talks with Treasurer

Daniel Mookhey where I will ask him to work with councils to develop a fairer funding system,” she said.

The newly elected NSW Government has kicked off its first term in the worst possible way by sending NSW council budgets into meltdown, forcing them to shed jobs, close services and scrap infrastructure plans according to councils’ peak body. Local Government NSW (LGNSW) said the decision to apply sky-high increases in the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) would be catastrophic for many councils, and could see some become insolvent.

“This shock increase comes at a time when council budgets are still struggling with flood and bushfire disaster recovery.

“When you factor in the inflation and soaring costs we are all facing across the full gamut of our operations, the immediate future looks particularly bleak.

“We are urgently calling on the government to:

· Restore the subsidy for 2023.

· Unshackle this payment from council rates.

· Develop a fairer, more transparent and financially sustainable method of funding the critically important emergency services that benefit us all.”

Recreation funding increase welcomed

A two-year $15 million increase in funding to the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) has been welcomed by WALGA, but more funding is still needed for vital community sporting infrastructure.

WALGA has been advocating for several years for funding to the CSRFF to be increased, and recently called on the State Government to increase the fund to $25 million annually in its State Government Budget Submission.

The fund had been cut from $20 million per annum in 2016-17 to $12.5 million in 2022-23, limiting the capacity of local governments and community sporting groups to invest in infrastructure to meet sport and recreation needs across the state.

Local governments and community sport-

ing groups match funding allocated through the CSRFF.

The weekend announcement of an increase in annual funding to $20 million per annum restores the Fund back to 2016-17 levels.

WALGA President Cr Karen Chappel said while the increase in funding was welcomed, more funding was needed to meet the state’s growing population.

“The CSRFF is an essential resource for local governments to access funding for vital community sporting and recreation facilities and it is oversubscribed each year,” she said.

“The reduction in funding has impacted the capacity of local governments to deliver projects that support their communities and are often a focal point for community activity.

“The provision of high quality, well-designed sport and recreation facilities encourages increased physical activity, fosters social inclusion and connects communities, and ultimately reduces significant costs imposed on the health system.

“We also know that expenditure in these facilities is a significant generator of economic activity with a State Government report es-

timating that for every dollar invested by the State Government through the fund, $2.36 is generated in direct economic activity and $6.51 in total economic activity.”

WALGA welcomed the announcement that the maximum grant available for major projects will increase from $2 million to $2.5 million.

It also supports the streamlining of the application process for projects of up to $500,000 and the consolidation of the existing Annual Grants category for projects between $300,000 and $500,000 with the Small Grants category, which will widen access to the scheme.

LGA President Dean Johnson and Mayor Angela Evans.

The peak body for Queensland’s councils has called on the Federal Government to provide certainty for desperatelyneeded transport and community infrastructure, rather than wholesale changes that will hurt communities.

Tree planting for the King

Mayfield residents have come together to celebrate the opening of a new playground at the Avon Street Reserve, which was upgraded as part of City of Newcastle’s annual playground replacement program. The community event also provided an opportunity for City of Newcastle to plant a tree to mark the coronation of av`id environmentalist King Charles III.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes helped plant the Australian red cedar at the Avon Street Reserve today, following the formal ceremony for the newly-crowned British monarch, which was held in London on 6 May.

Tree planting activities have been held around the world to celebrate the coronation, while King Charles III himself recently planted the final tree in Britain’s Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which saw more than three million trees planted across the United Kingdom in honour of his mother’s reign of more than 70 years.

Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to increasing urban forest canopy cover for future generations and for wildlife.

“Late last year City of Newcastle created a living legacy for the long-lasting reign of Queen Elizabeth II by planting a 700m long avenue of native trees in Maryland as part of the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program,” Cr Nelmes said.

“It seems only fitting to plant a new tree today in honour of the coronation of King

Charles III who, like his mother, is well known for his interest in the environment and conservation.

“This Australian Red Cedar will grow into a large feature tree that will add shade to the park and complement this fantastic new play-

ground, which is already being well utilised by the local community.” The Avon Street Reserve playground was one of five new playgrounds upgraded across Newcastle this year as part of a $750,000 investment into delivering improved recreational opportunities for

families across the local government area. Other new playgrounds have been opened at Loch Ness Drive Park in Fletcher,

Park in Waratah, Harold

Park in Birmingham Gardens and Vera Wilson Park in Beresfield.

Budget impact on NSW’s local governments

With the assistance of their colleagues at ALGA, LGNSW believe they have teased

May 2023 Federal Budget for the local government sector. Their summary is below.

By LGNSW

Financial Assistance Grants

The 2023-24 Budget maintains the system of payments to support local government, through Financial Assistance Grants including maintaining but not increasing the quantum in real terms. In 2023-24, the Australian Government will provide $3.106 billion in Financial Assistance Grants funding to local governments across Australia.

The Government will advance 75 per cent of funding earlier than would usually occur, maintaining current practice and assisting councils with cash flow. The Financial Assistance Grants as a proportion of Commonwealth Tax Revenue in 2023-24 is estimated to be 0.5 per cent, continuing the decline further from the 1 per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue ALGA and LGNSW are calling for.

Roads

While roads funding has been largely maintained, we would have preferred to see an increase in funding to assist councils as they continue their long response to the Statewide Roads Emergency following the severe weather and flooding over the past year.

Roads to Recovery funding for 2023/24 is set at $483.9 million ($132.7 million for NSW), which is stable. Identified Local Road Grants are maintained at $954.8 million ($277 million for NSW). Black Spots funding is set at $120.1 million ($35.9 million for NSW), and for the Bridges Renewal program, $95 million ($20.8 million for NSW).

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program

ALGA advocated for a continuation of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program at $500 million per annum. While the LRCI program has been continued for the next three years (2023/24: $350 million, 2024/25: $250 million, 2025/26: $250 million) the funding has been reduced and the program will phase out by the end of 2025-26.

As well as the critical roads funding, this program has been so important in investing in parks, sporting facilities, tree planting, cycling and walking paths and improving accessibility and access. These investments are critical to what makes our communities liveable and we call on the Australian Government to reconsider its decision to phase out this funding.

Other measures

Skills: The Budget reflected the Australian Government’s late April announcement that it

would invest up to an addition $3.7 billion for a five-year National Skills Agreement to be negotiated with states and territories, alongside a further $400 million to support another 300,000 TAFE and VET fee-free places. This is good news for councils, businesses and communities grappling with severe skills shortages.

Aged care: An additional 9,500 home care packages will be made available across Australia in 2023-24 ($166.8 million), to meet the growing preference for older people to continue to live independently in their own home. Many councils deliver these services in partnership with the Commonwealth .

Flood and river gauges: The government will provide $236.0 million over 10 years from 2023/24 (and $13.9 million per year ongoing from 2032/33) to remediate high priority flood warning infrastructure and address critical reliability risks. The Bureau of Meteorology will acquire, upgrade and integrate local and state government-owned rain and river gauges into its existing flood warning network. This investment aligns with a key LGNSW recommendation to the NSW Independent Flood Inquiry.

Rental assistance: From September 2023, the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will increase by 15 per cent for eligible recipients, meaning about 1.1 million households will be better off. Multiple 2022 LGNSW Annual Conference resolutions sought action on housing and homelessness, and LGNSW has advocated directly to the Federal Government in line with these resolutions calling for urgent measures to address the rental affordability crisis.

Sustainable urban development: Two new programs have been announced that are intended to promote sustainable urban development. We will seek further details on these programs and opportunities for councils:

· $211.7 million over three years from 2023/24 to establish the Thriving Suburbs Program to provide grants for community infrastructure in urban and suburban communities through a competitive grants program

· $159.7 million over four years from 2023/24 to establish the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program to support investment in place-based priorities of local urban communities through a collaborative partnerships approach with state, territory and local governments and communities.

Bulk billing incentive: The Federal Budget announced a tripling of the bulk billing incentive paid to GPs.

Waratah

Myers

Councillor Katrina Wark, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Councillor Deahnna Richardson and Mayfield community members officially open the new playground at the Avon Street Reserve.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Councillor Katrina Wark, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, City of Newcastle Tree Planting Officer Michael Linsley and Councillor Deahnna Richardson help plant an Australian Red Cedar at the Avon Street Reserve to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

Roads

Picture: FILE

out the most important components of the

Watching over the Tamar

West Tamar Council Mayor Christina Holmdahl answers the LG Focus questions this time around.

Tell us about your area: what makes your council special or different?

The West Tamar municipal area includes the western side of the Kanamaluka/Tamar River estuary from the suburban areas of Trevallyn, Riverside and Legana extending north to Greens Beach on Bass Strait and as far west as Frankford.

West Tamar Council was inaugurated on the 2 April 1993 and operates within 709 square kilometres of land including 472 kilometres of road network.

The major industries are tourism, retailing, agriculture, fishing, world class vineyards and first class maritime education facilities.

The valley has various natural attractions including the Narawntapu National Park, Notley Fern Gorge, Tamar Island Wetlands and the Kanamaluka/Tamar River estuary.

The valley has an abundance of historical attractions and points of interest that account for the foundation of Tasmania, in particular the York Town settlement site and the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre.

The Kanamaluka/Tamar River estuary and its tributaries are home to an abundance of bird life and combined with its beautiful landscape the West Tamar is a peaceful and idyllic residential and rural setting.

How long have you been on council and why did you become involved in local government?

I have been representing my municipality for fourteen years, as a Councillor for four years, Deputy Mayor for two years and Mayor for eight years and counting.

Along with my duties as Councillor and Mayor of the West Tamar Municipality, I served two terms as a member of the General Management Committee of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, and was elected President in July 2019 and re-elected in 2021.

I have also served for four years as a director of the Australian Local Government Board and am a past Vice President. My tenure as President of LGAT ends in June 2023.

I became involved in local government after lobbying the state government as a private citizen, for upgrades to the West Tamar Highway as chair of the West Tamar Highway Safety Committee for many years.

What activities do enjoy outside of work hours?

I am particularly interested in the arts, am a

self-confessed opera tragic, I garden when time permits and find reading the ultimate relaxation.

What are the key challenges facing you and your Council?

The Tasmanian Government is currently under-

taking a Future of Local Government Review which is due to hand down its findings in September 2023. The Stage Two Report indicates broad amalgamation of councils reducing the number of councils in Tasmania. This creates great uncertainty for all Tasmanian councils and provides challenges moving forward. What innovative projects or policies is council working on?

The West Tamar Council has received Federal funding for upgrades to the Beauty Point and Gravelly Beach Foreshores which were defined in our Master Plans for each area. With these two major projects we are working in conjunction with local communities to improve their connection with the Kanamaluka/Tamar River estuary.

We also have one of the fastest growing suburbs in the state in Legana, which is 15 minutes north of Launceston. We have undertaken strategic planning for the area which started with a new main street and we continue with a new primary school for the area. This project is currently under construction and will soon be taking enrolments for the beginning 2025 school year. The Legana Industrial Estate is also expanding to include a food innovation hub led by FermenTasmania.

Tell us about a specific success you have had in local government.

I feel that all the good things that happen in our municipality are a team effort. I may come to the table with an idea or project, but it’s through the support of my Councillor colleagues that brings it to fruition. Whether it’s taking the opportunity to bring a new food technology industry into our area or lobbying for funding for an issue I’m passionate about, like a new primary school in Legana, it’s our teamwork that provides these benefits to our ratepayers.

What is the best part about being a councillor?

Working hard to make the community that I live in and love a better place.

What is the worst part?

A farmer phoning at 6am on a Sunday morning wanting to know when his verges are going to be slashed!

What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

I will work hard to see all of the projects that my colleagues, both councillors and council officers, have promised come to fruition for our community.

Serving Tasmania’s food bowl, Huon Valley

The Huon Valley south of Hobart is well-known for its long history of apple growing, craft cider and boutique winemakers, salmon producers and other home-grown produce.

By Huon Valley Mayor Sally Doyle

Between the Huon River, far south coastline, mountain ranges, World Heritage-listed national parks, forests, caves and bushwalks, it also has plenty of pristine natural beauty. One of a kind

We are known for our natural beauty, our mountains and waterways. We are right at the southern-most end of Tasmania and Australia.

Huon Valley Council is the food bowl of Tasmania and greater Australia with our agriculture and aquaculture. This in turn creates the most unique local eateries. We also have the most beautiful attractions in nature, like the Hastings Caves and Tahune Airwalk.

When visiting us, if you drive in over Vince’s Saddle, you’ll travel in and out the same way and you’re treated to an incredible view. As you look out into the Valley below, you’ll notice it is just like a bowl. Peaking (sometimes snow-capped) mountains surround the lovely low pastures that grow our small fruits, cherries, apples and other agriculture. Then there are the waterways flowing through, feeding the aquaculture. We just live in a beautiful place!

Getting the balance right

This is my second term on council. I have a

passion for progress, but also keeping the Huon Valley a great place to live, work and play.

My Mayoral role is now full time, since our family business sold after 37 years.

Outside of work hours, I enjoy all sportsespecially football. And of course, my family and my three grandchildren.

Key challenges

Community expectations are a key challenge councils face, as well as making considered tough decisions now that you know will have great outcomes in the future. One of our ongoing challenges is waste. All of council are working hard on waste reduction by engaging our community on this.

I spoke about rubbish from the first day I started at council, so I’m fully supportive of everything we’re doing here. I’d like to see a rubbish-free Huon Valley at the end of my term.

Leaving a legacy

I want to be able to say to my kids and grandkids, “Nan voted for that, and now you’re seeing the results”- I think that’s important. I’m lucky I have my family living here in the Valley too.

It’s important with climate change and other related matters that we do as much forward thinking as we can. We need to do

things carefully and we have to respect that the Valley has major industries. We must keep the people here for the future.

A true lifestyle location

Roads are often under the spotlight, but we are grateful to have had limited fatalities. We drive to the conditions we have - and the roads make us unique. People know to slow down and allow a bit more time because our roads are not major highways. This also creates and contributes to our hamlets, our small towns that are so unique in themselves. It doesn’t matter if it takes a few extra minutes when we get to town and see the amount of people in the street and shops.

We need to promote more the idea of coming to live and work here. Compared to the city or the mainland, getting to work here really is easy. And you don’t have to pay for parking! There’s a big health and wellbeing bonus, coming into the Valley... It’s a great place to be.

A strong community

Another great thing about the Huon Valley is the amount of volunteering. We are very lucky. The best part of being a councillor and Mayor is seeing the joy when you thank or recognise a volunteer and the effort they have put in to our community.

Huon Valley Mayor Sally Doyle.

West Tamar Council Mayor Christina Holmdahl.

Cabinet’s council relevance

THE GOOD OIL

ROD BROWN

Each passing month sees new agendas being added. At the moment it’s defence spending, pharmaceutical prescriptions, domestic gas supply, immigration reform, housing supply and affordability, infrastructure investment. And the May Budget lays out more fields for attention.

I hope I’m wrong but much of this reform agenda risks being glib and superficial. In this context, housing and infrastructure are two examples.

Housing

The National Cabinet meeting in Brisbane (28 April) stated that in the next six months Planning Ministers, working with the ALGA, will outline reforms to increase housing supply and affordability. And the communique mentioned initiatives ahead of the proposed reform work, specifically:

· Introducing reforms to strengthen renters’ rights across the country.

· Delivering the Housing Australia Future Fund and expanding the capacity of the Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator by expanding the liability cap by $2 billion.

· Increasing the depreciation rate from 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent per year for eligible new build-to-rent projects where construction commences after 9 May 2023.

· Reducing the withholding tax rate for eligible fund payments from managed investment trusts to foreign residents on income from newly constructed residential build-to-rent properties after 1 July 2024 from 30 to 15 per cent.

Well this is Treasury-inspired gibberish. It’s important that the ALGA and other players can formulate substantive Action Agendas that people can see and understand.

There are two Action Agendas in the housing area that could be woven into a federal-state policy framework.

1. Model projects of medium density housing

At the moment, increasing urban land supply is mainly reflected in thousands of quarter acre blocks on greenfield sites across outer metropolitan council areas. More urban sprawl, environmental blow-back, long wait times for infrastructure and retail outlets, long travel times.

When I ask town planners the rationale for this, it’s invariably ‘that’s what the market wants’. I have a hunch that the so-called market isn’t fully aware of other options.

My suggestion is that land agencies and local councils should be embracing model proj-

ects of medium density housing as part of a major push to offer a wider range of housing alternatives. Top of the list should be residential developments comprising a collection of classy 3-4 story apartment blocks, with nearby gyms, swimming pools, health centres, child minding centres, tennis courts, restaurants. The Homebush area in Sydney is an example, but there are scores of them in outer Paris and London, where local councils are partnering with land developers and commercial businesses to create best practice lifework habitats. If you’re heading to Paris, there is a marvellous example 15km out at Versailles. Google ‘Parly 2 estate’ – I lived there for four years.

2. Relocation incentives

State government incentives for the location of newly-arrived migrants to regional areas are offered from time to time with varying results.

If they’re really serious, an Action Agenda should involve a federal-state program offering regional relocation incentives for city dwellers. There should be a parallel program of incentives for companies to also relocate, thus providing the necessary jobs. There are valid precedents overseas. Local councils should be at the centre of such an arrangement given their knowledge of local business activity and labour markets.

These incentives don’t need to be costly – the aim should be to give city-based businesses a final reason to relocate and take a profit on a land sale. In certain circumstances it could provide a double whammy by increasing the supply of urban land for housing and recreational uses.

Infrastructure

The National Cabinet meeting also flagged that the Commonwealth is commencing an

independent review of its Infrastructure Investment Program and adopting a ‘refreshed approach’ to infrastructure investment. This will involve the States and territories working with the Commonwealth to support a more sustainable infrastructure pipeline in the short term, at around $120 billion over 10 years to provide certainty to the market and deliver the highest priority projects for growing communities.

The feds announced at the same meeting that it ‘will reinstate a vision to ensure growth in cities is sustainable in partnership with state and territory governments via the National Urban Policy.’

The above passages are the work of a spin doctor in full flight. In the scheme of things, a $12 billion annual infrastructure spend at a national level is very modest.

And a vision for sustainable growth in cities via the National Urban Policy is remarkable. I made calls to a couple of key federal ministers’ offices, and no one knew of any such policy. Moreover this is no federal minister with specific responsibility for urban matters. To be fair, the work proposed over the next six months will probably recommend that a federal housing minister be appointed.

In any event, it is interesting to speculate on what sorts of Action Agendas might surface from federal-state discussion of infrastructure and urban policies.

Action Agenda on feasibility studies

A timely AA in this field would be a program to fund feasibility studies for infrastructure projects that could then be considered by the three levels of government and the private sector, especially the super funds. Local councils are often approached to fund this work, but most don’t have the financial capacity.

Such an AA could conceivably involve a system of measuring the public interest of particular projects. This could then provide an objective basis for a government contribution, and then draw in funding from other parties. The recent offer by the feds of $240 million towards Hobart’s new AFL stadium was probably based on an educated guess of what’s reasonable. A public interest measurement system would stop program rorting in its tracks. It would also be valuable for many regional projects which are inherently less attractive to the private sector. By getting a decent fix on what federal and state governments should be contributing, it would provide a basis for institutional investors to then come to the party.

Concluding remarks

The Albanese Government is fortunate to have such a strong line-up of Premiers to work with. The nation is crying out for strong leadership on the big issues like housing, energy costs, immigration levels etc.

National Cabinet is a great new collaborative approach, but the PR people need to tone down the rhetoric, and focus more on real actions.

Rod Brown is a Canberra-based lobbyist specialising in industry/regional development. Email apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au

Agreement on more coordinated approach

National Cabinet has agreed to begin work on a more coordinated approach to Australia’s cities and regions.

The range of reforms agreed late last month will see governments work together to better plan for housing, services and infrastructure.

The reforms include:

· A shared vision to ensure growth in cities is sustainable via the National Urban Policy.

· Planning Ministers developing a proposal for National Cabinet outlining reforms to increase housing supply and affordability, working with the Australian Local Government Association.

· States and territories having a greater contribution to Australia’s migration settings so we can plan better to make sure migration

meets the needs of local communities.

· An independent review of the Commonwealth’s Infrastructure Investment Program supported by the states and territories.

· A more sustainable infrastructure pipeline at around $120 billion over 10 years that provides certainty to the market and aims to deliver projects of national significance.

The Federal Government has also released an outline of the government’s draft Migration Strategy for consultation.

The government will collaborate closely with the states and territories as we work to finalise the strategy later this year and better plan for

the housing, service and infrastructure needs of our population.

The government is also taking a number of actions in the budget which complement the reforms agreed by National Cabinet by helping to improve the supply of rental housing, including social and affordable rental housing.

These budget measures, and the reforms agreed by National Cabinet, will support the Federal Government’s ambitious housing agenda.

They will help ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home and ensure housing supply is located close to work, schools and transport.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Albanese Government is in action and reform mode at present. The federal officials I’m talking too are genuinely pumped that they’re engaged in meaningful work after years of neglect and marginalisation.

There are two action agendas in the housing area that could be woven into a federal-state policy framework, says Rod Brown.

Focus on republic

Real Republic Australia chair, David Muir, said the Real Republic Australia had taken the opportunity in its latest quarterly newsletter Constitutional Conversation not to criticise the event or King Charles, but to canvass issues and ideas that were far more relevant to the republic cause.

“We feel that is a far better use of our time and efforts than making shallow personal attacks or poking fun at the ancient rituals involved in the coronation,” he said in the days before the coronation.

“The fact is the coronation will come and go. But under our Australian Constitution, King Charles III will still be our Head of State the day after his coronation.

“He’ll remain our Head of State until we change our Constitution. That is the focus of the Real Republic Australia which never indulges in personal attacks or ridicule of members of the royal family.”

Mr Muir said King Charles and other senior royals were born into their roles and while some may choose to walk away from royal responsibilities, most had no choice but to serve in the manner demanded of them.

“The Real Republic Australia has never believed that unbridled criticism or ridicule of the royal family is justified. For us it has never been ‘the main game’,” he said.

“We and other Australians who support a republic must build a case and convince our fellow Australians to support changes to our Constitution.

“Specifically, we must encourage people to support a genuine directly elected Head of State which is the model we feel is best placed to pass at a future referendum.

“We must, through publications such as our newsletter and other forums, continue to inform and educate others and help gain their support.

“In doing so we must use and respect the constitutional and democratic processes available to us that will help deliver the changes we want.

“We won’t win people over with cheap insults and empty abuse of the royal family or the ceremonies, events, and duties that they must undertake,” he said.

Mr Muir said the Real Republic Australia did not support parliamentary appointment of a Head of State in a republic and did not support the idea of more than 800 federal and state politicians handing down to voters a shortlist of candidates.

“That is not direct election and echoes the ‘politicians’ republic’ model that failed at the 1999 referendum because voters did not want politicians picking their Head of State for them,” he said.

Mr Muir said in addition to its quarterly newsletters and other activities, the Real Republic Australia had released a comprehensive discussion paper – available at realrepublic.au – seeking feedback on its model for a republic with a genuine directly elected Head of State.

Bank sheds jobs

The

Housing crisis

“Our Head of State should not be chosen for us by a hereditary system and should not be picked for us by politicians. We should choose who is our Head of State through a genuine direct-election model,” he said.

“The discussion paper outlines our ideas but we want to hear the views of others and we especially don’t want regional voices to be drowned out by those in Sydney or Canberra.

“Our discussion paper puts forward ideas for eligibility criteria, how to limit campaigns and campaign spending, but most importantly it outlines the sort of powers we want to see codified in law or in the Constitution to ensure an elected Head of State is never a rival to the PM.

“The Republic of Ireland shows how a directly elected Head of State can work comfortably within a Westminster-style parliamentary system and never be a rival to a prime minister leading a cabinet government,” he said. Mr Muir said the Real Republic Australia also advocated other constitutional reforms including:

· Eliminating costly by-elections with a referendum question creating a Senate-style casual vacancy system for the House of Representatives.

· Four-year, fixed, and synchronised terms for both houses of Federal Parliament to stop prime ministers gaming the system by picking election dates, cutting the number of elections now costing close to $400 million, and ensuring government mandates were not hostage to Senators elected years earlier.

· Breaking the constitutional nexus that demanded the lower house was twice the size of the Senate – a reform that if not taken would one day see a lower house of 300 MPs and around 150 Senators.

· Cutting the number of Senators for each state while retaining two apiece for the NT and ACT; and

· Constitutional recognition of local government.

A protest was held in Brisbane’s King George Square in April demanding housing for people before profits.

Members of the South East Queensland Union of Renters (SEQUR) and other renters protested on 22 April.

Union members and supporters gathered in the square, before a march that blocked major roads and disrupted the city streets.

SEQUR was calling for urgent common-sense rental reforms to curb the housing crisis and give renters security in their own homes.

It demanded an end to long-term rentals being used for short-term Airbnb accommodation and the prioritisation of the tenant’s right to a home over the landlord’s right to profit.

This protest was also a broader call for renters to unite in a struggle against real estate agents, landlords, and the state that defends their profits at the cost of tenants’ right to housing.

“The crisis we’re in is caused by landlords and their supporters in parliament,” said Andrew, current Secretary of the South East Queensland Union of Renters.

“We are in the midst of the worst housing crisis seen in decades—not because of a shortage of houses, but because landlords across the state are deliberately leaving thousands of houses empty and raising rents drastically.

“Renters need solutions that actually solve the housing crisis. That can only be fought for and won by renters organised as a social and political force - which is exactly what our fighting tenants union is set up to do. Tenants are done with playing nice.”

Funding welcomed

Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative has welcomed the Federal Government’s $72.4 million investment in skills development and training for Australia’s early childhood education workforce.

FSU National Secretary Julia Angrisano said the CBA announced a $5.15 billion profit for the half year to December 2022 and should have maintained staff numbers in light of even greater profits expected from the major banks in the current half year.

“This is nothing but a naked grab for profits at the expense of bank workers who have kept the CBA functioning during the pandemic and the post-pandemic economic restart,” Ms Angrisano said.

“These are workers who are contributing to the record profits being made by the CBA and yet the bank responds by pushing them out the door.

“The CBA has seen net interest income rise by 19 per cent as mortgage interest rates have gone up but that’s not enough for this bank.

“The CBA consistently puts profits before people and in this case, we know these jobs are being axed to boost profits. It’s an obscene and immoral decision which staff at the CBA don’t deserve.”

The CBA has notified the FSU it will cut 158 jobs from Operations and Technology including 18 being outsourced; 38 jobs in the ‘x15 venture’ (Cheddar online app); 25 cuts in Financial Services and Risk Management and three jobs in Global Markets.

“The CBA has axed 13 bank branches so far this year and now those staff who remain at the bank will be called on to work even harder and even longer hours to cover the work that these retrenched workers currently perform,”

Ms Angrisano said.

“Australian consumers have faced record losses from scams over the past year with $3.1 billion stolen and yet the CBA is now sacking a substantial number of workers from its financial crimes area.

“We will be pressing the Commonwealth Bank to stop offshoring Australian jobs to India, to stop forced redundancies and stop closing branches.

“That’s because of an overwhelming response from our members at the CBA that job security is a key issue and the bank needs to do more to guarantee job security.”

Most jobs will be lost in NSW with 197 redundancies, along with nine in Victoria; 16 in WA; five in Qld and one job in SA.

According to Federal Government estimates, this investment will allow more than 80,000 early childhood educators to undertake professional development training and provide them with career advancement opportunities.

Thrive by Five director Jay Weatherill said the investment would help upskill Australia’s early educator workforce and assist them in their professional growth while having a positive impact on children who will benefit from a more robust early education.

“This investment from the Federal Government is a welcome move and will help build the skills of our nation’s early education educators,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Having the opportunity to undertake professional development and skills training will enable the workforce to build up their expertise and ensure that they have the support they need to advance in their careers.

“The evidence of the importance of quality in early learning for children is clear. This investment in skills development in the early learning sector will have a positive impact on children, who are likely to benefit from a more robust and well-rounded early education.

“Australia’s early childhood workforce is currently facing myriad challenges, with many educators leaving the profession due to a lack of support.

Thrive by Five director Jay Weatherill.

“This announcement will help address some of their key concerns and provide our early educators with vital support.

“However, more must also be done to address these challenges.

“We know that many educators feel undervalued and underpaid for the vital work they do. This must change. And it starts by funding an immediate wage increase for all early childhood educators.”

Thrive by Five is calling for the funding of an immediate pay increase for all early childhood educators in the upcoming Federal Budget.

The Real Republic Australia said supporters of an Australian republic should focus on informing more important issues than rather than launch personal attacks on the royal family and the coronation of King Charles III.

Real Republic Australia chair, David Muir.

Finance Sector Union (FSU) will seek job guarantees for Commonwealth Bank staff in upcoming Enterprise Agreement negotiations following the bank’s confirmation that it will cut 224 jobs.

The CBA announced a $5.15 billion profit for the half year to December 2022.

Heavy vehicle charges

Transport ministers from participating jurisdictions across the country have agreed to set heavy vehicle charges for a three-year period, to help provide certainty to industry. Commencing 1 July 2023, charges will rise by six per cent each year.

This level of increase is considered by ministers to strike the right balance between the need to move back towards cost-recovery of the heavy vehicle share of road expenditure and the need to minimise impacts on this vital industry.

Campaign heats up

Residents across Darebin and beyond are electrifying their homes and reaping the benefits of clean, cheap energy — and councils across Australia are helping them power up with the Electrify Everything campaign.

Northcote resident, Helen has taken charge and has been electrifying her home since 2008 when she first installed solar panels through Darebin’s Solar Saver program. Her home is now fully electric. She is saving on her energy bills, and enjoying a comfortable, efficient and healthy home.

Darebin Mayor, Cr Julie Williams said the Electrify Everything campaign will target different demographics in the Darebin community.

“With rising energy prices, electric homes are a more financially beneficial, environmentally friendly, and healthier option for your household and family,” Mayor Williams said.

“Our goal is to assist the community in tran-

sitioning to clean energy by simplifying the process. Whether you are a renter or homeowner, young or retired, taking any step towards clean energy can make a difference.”

To begin the transition towards clean energy, downloading our Go Electric plan can assist you in prioritising which appliances to replace and when.

We’re promoting several options, such as replacing gas heating and hot water services with energy efficient electric systems, utilising e-cargo bikes for transportation needs, and installing solar panels.

Mayor Williams said Darebin is helping residents in planning for the switch, whether it

takes six months or six years.

“Darebin was the first council to declare a climate emergency and has been a leader in addressing the issue. Darebin is proud to collaborate and partner with councils across Australia to support residents in transitioning towards electric homes, as part of their ongoing efforts towards combating the climate emergency,” Mayor Williams said.

“By working together, we can make a real impact.”

Visit the website www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ go-electric to find out more, make your plan and sign up for our in-person and online events in May and June.

· Participating Ministers: The Hon Catherine King MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Commonwealth); Senator the Hon Carol Brown Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Senator for Tasmania (Commonwealth); The Hon Robert Stokes MP Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Cities and Minister for Active Transport (New South Wales); The Hon Jacinta Allan MP Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport Infrastructure; Minister for Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery (Victoria); The Hon Mark Bailey MP Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Queensland); The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP Minister for Infrastructure and Transport; Minister for Energy and Mining (South Australia); The Hon Michael Ferguson MP Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Planning (Tasmania); Chris Steel MLA Minister for Transport and City Services; Minister for Skills Special Minister of State (Australian Capital Territory).

Seat for Vida in historic Portland precinct

One of Portland’s most iconic women and leaders, Vida Goldstein, has been further acknowledged thanks to a new partnership with Glenelg Shire Council and Her Place Museum, Melbourne.

Council is delighted to be part of Finding Her, a new initiative by Her Place Museum.

Launched this month, Finding Her is Australia’s first interactive state-wide map highlighting locations around Victoria which commemorate inspiring women and gender diverse people.

The Finding Her project is both a virtual and physical tour. Through QR codes placed at sites across the state, the project connects actual sites of recognition such as statues, murals and monuments to further information online that tells the stories behind the monuments.

Portland’s contribution; At Last, A Seat for Vida! by Portland artist Carmel Wallace, is one of the most remote regional Victorian monuments included in the interactive map.

“The seat is located in Portland’s historic precinct on Cliff Street,” said Lauren van Katwyk, Glenelg Shire Arts and Culture Manager.

“In 2008, Portland artist Carmel Wallace was commissioned to design a seat commemorating pioneering female leader and rights activist Vida Goldstein,” she explained.

“A plaque near Carmel’s work now directs visitors to use a QR code to learn more about Vida Goldstein and her achievements.”

Vida was born in Portland in 1869 and championed peace, social justice and equal rights, going on to become the first woman in the British Empire to stand for parliament. She

was a woman of words, not only campaigning for parliament five times in her life, but also editing a newspaper.

Local artist Carmel Wallace said the QR code was an apt addition to her work.

“It’s so fitting that Vida Goldstein is included on the map through my sculptural work which was made to celebrate her and what she stood for,” she said.

“It was a real honour to produce At Last, A Seat for Vida!

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful local team who made it possible, particularly the Historic Building Restoration Committee and Lesley Jackson and Rebecca Fleming for instigating the commission and enthusiastically writing submissions; James Sinnott and Tony Rowe of Bamstone for preparing

the bluestone, Roger Hampshire for laser-cutting my design and Ricky Holmes for his metal working skills and installation.

“I look forward to more people learning about Vida Goldstein and sharing her story as a result of the Finding Her project.”

At Last, A Seat for Vida was commissioned by the Historic Buildings Restoration Committee and designed by artist Carmel Wallace.

A seat for Vida.

Helen Maclean is all powered up to cook.

Mayor now the local MP

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis has been sworn into the NSW Parliament as the Member for Parramatta.

To focus on this role and having completed a short transition period with new CEO Gail Connolly, the Lord Mayor announced her resignation ahead of taking up her new role. Here resignation is effective Monday 22 May 2023.

Councillor Davis will continue in her role as a Councillor of the City of Parramatta until the next local government elections in September 2024.

The election of a new Lord Mayor will be determined at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council at 5.30pm on Monday 22 May 2023, prior to council’s ordinary meeting.

Cr Davis said, “I wish to thank all councillors and the council staff for their support during my term as Lord Mayor and I wish the next Lord Mayor all the very best for a successful term in office.”

The business and operations of council will continue as normal, as we deliver the services, projects, and initiatives our community needs. Mayor Donna

Council plans ahead

City of Palmerston has released its draft Municipal Plan 2023-24, a road map for the year ahead, which reflects the council’s commitment to building and supporting a thriving community. The draft plan aims to convey council’s vision and provide details about our priorities for projects, events, and services to represent a shared vision for the future of the city.

Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell, said: “As Palmerston continues to grow and evolve, it’s important we acknowledge and present a plan that reflects this. The community are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft Municipal Plan including its proposed rates and charges for the upcoming financial year. We are excited for the opening of our largest infrastructure project to date, SWELL. The $19.4M project will see the previous pool transformed into a swimming, wellness, events, leisure and lifestyle precinct for the entire community to enjoy,” she said.

Council will continue to prioritise the community and celebrate its culture through extensive free events and community programs.

“Our events season is about to kick off, which highlights, supports and engages with our diverse community. This includes our outdoor movie screening, live music, street parties and the return of our two largest events – the Palmerston Youth Festival and Palmerston Christmas Wonderland. We will continue to support our community by committing $250,000 towards grants and sponsorships through our Community Benefit Scheme.

“We’ll continue to deliver an extensive capital works program of $7.85M towards enhancing Palmerston’s roads, playground, pathways and lighting infrastructure. Stage 2 of Zuccoli and Surrounds Community Hub will see a skate park and pump track. An exciting new project is the redevelopment of the Driver Resource Centre as a new community facility. We will have initial design drawings completed this year to redevelop this into a modern facility the community can utilise,” Mayor Pascoe-Bell said.

Building a sustainable future for our city is a core objective and is reflected throughout our projects and initiatives.

“We look forward to completing the upgrade of the Archer Waste Management Facility to improve the user experience.

Regan stepping down

Mayor Michael Regan has advised Northern Beaches Council Interim CEO, Louise Kerr

his intention to step down from the role following his recent election to NSW Parliament.

An extraordinary council meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 May where Mayor Regan will formally tender his resignation and the council will elect a new Mayor.

Mayor Regan was the first popularly elected Mayor of Warringah Council in 2008 and was re-elected by the community in 2012. Following amalgamation, he was elected as the first Mayor of the newly formed Northern Beaches Council in 2017 and was reappointed for a second term in 2021.

“It has been a real privilege and honour to serve our community as Mayor of the Northern Beaches Council,” Mayor Regan said.

“I want to thank my fellow councillors and staff for all that we have collectively achieved over my time as Mayor.

“The recent years have of course been challenging, but we have worked together to serve our residents, guide them through the Covid-19 pandemic and responsibly manage council’s budget to deliver the right services and facilities for our community.”

Northern Beaches Council Interim CEO Louise Kerr said Mayor Regan had shown strong leadership and would leave an indelible legacy.

“As the first Mayor of the new Northern Beaches Council, Michael Regan has worked hard to increase community satisfaction with council and lift the delivery of services to the community,” Ms Kerr said.

“Under his leadership, council was twice awarded the AR Bluett Award – the highest accolade for local government in the state –first as Warringah Council in 2015 then again as Northern Beaches Council in 2022.”

Mayor Regan was instrumental in driving climate action at council, oversaw the switch to 100 per cent renewable energy across all our buildings and sites and lead the charge for more electric vehicles and charging stations on the Northern Beaches. During his terms as Mayor, council slashed its carbon footprint by 80 per cent and saved millions on council’s energy bills.

Mayor Regan was also successful in advocating for the new Forest High School, championed the B1 bus line to the city, worked with State and Federal Governments to deliver the Narrabeen Lagoon walkway and to fund its ongoing upgrades, delivered on promises to build new sporting precincts in Curl Curl, Cromer Park and Melwood Oval, identified the opportunity to fund and construct the PCYC at Dee Why and successfully advocated for the Wakehurst Parkway upgrades currently underway to reduce flooding.

“His most notable achievement in recent years was guiding council and the community through the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering $46 million in support for businesses and the community impacted by the lockdowns, including the innovative Library 2U and back2business programs,” Ms Kerr said.

“On behalf of all staff, thank you Mayor Regan for your service to our community.”

Bookworms rejoice

Glenelg Libraries members will once again be able to expand their reading habits and borrow items from other libraries across the state, as the much-loved inter-library loans program resumes from 1 May 2023.

Inter-library loans, more commonly known as library holds, were suspended last year as the peak body, Public Libraries Victoria, struggled to balance rising costs of costs of logistics, courier and other operational services.

As a result, the service has resumed with some slight modifications to ensure financial sustainability for libraries across the state.

City of Palmerston has released its draft Municipal Plan 2023-24.

Greening the city remains a focus with the continuation of our verge beautification assistance program and $608,000 committed to tree planting.

Community safety remains a high priority for Council, and we have several initiatives that work towards this, including security patrols in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, new Animal Management By-Laws and management of laneways,” she said.

Producing a budget amidst current economic pressures, whilst ensuring a high service delivery level is maintained, presented its share of challenges. Council has worked hard to deliver a rate increase well below the current CPI to minimise the cost burden to the community.

Library and Information Services Manager Tanya Flockhart welcomed the news, citing the popularity of the program with Glenelg Libraries members.

“We are delighted to announce that our members will once again have access to the widest possible range of materials from across the State from 1 May 2023,” Mrs Flockhart said.

“Many community members have been eagerly awaiting this announcement, so we anticipate there will be some keen readers ready to submit their hold requests which is fantastic,” she said.

“There will be some slight changes for members to be aware of. Deliveries will now occur weekly, which may mean it may take a few extra days for your preferred item to arrive at your local branch.

“New release items will also not be available from other libraries, but this also means that

any new releases to Glenelg Libraries branches will stay within our local collection for priority to our members.

“As always, if there is a resource not available at your local library, we encourage members to request items so our collection continues to be tailored to our community.

“A limit of 20 holds will also apply at any one time, and you also won’t be able to request picture books, magazines or CDs from other libraries.

“But above all, the most important reminder for our community is that this invaluable service will remain free.”

Book lovers can rejoice with the return of a popular state-wide borrowing service this month.

Tanya Flockhart and Denis McDonald.

of

Mayor Michael Regan.

Davis.

Reducing the risks for staff

Major milestone hit

A major milestone has been reached with 44,000sqm of turf laid on the fields at The Hills Shire’s newest sports complex, Samantha Riley Drive Reserve, North Kellyville.

Once complete, the Reserve will feature four multi-purpose fields that can be reconfigured into two ovals, an amenities building, change rooms, a kiosk, a referee room and a 200-space carpark.

“Samantha Riley Drive Reserve is the first sports complex to be constructed in North Kellyville, and the community are very excited for the upcoming completion of this project,”

Mayor Gangemi said.

“This will be an enormous asset for the community. It will provide a new place to be active, play sports and exercise outdoors.

“The construction of Samantha Riley Drive Reserve demonstrates council’s commitment to delivering more open space and sports facilities in our Shire’s growth areas,” he said.

The complex also includes cricket practice

nets, shared pathways, a playground, a picnic area and a basketball half-court.

“The laying of the turf brings us one step closer to project completion, expected in the second half of 2023, weather permitting,” Mayor Gangemi added.

For updates, visit The Hills Shire Council’s website, thehills.nsw.gov.au, and search for ‘Park Project - Samantha Riley Drive Reserve’.

Orange mushrooms attract

Orange Botanic Gardens will join in Mycology in May celebrations this month to highlight the important role of the fungus in our ecosystem.

Mycology in May is an annual community event hosted by Central Tablelands Local Land Services and Central Tablelands Regional Landcare to celebrate the study of fungi and increase the knowledge and understanding of fungi growing in our district.

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee chair, Cr David Mallard said a series of colourful signs had been installed in the gardens to provide more information about fungi, examples of fungi you may find in the gardens, the fungi lifecycle, and Wiradjuri people’s use of fungi for food and medicine.

“May is a great month to head to the gardens and see the diverse fungi that occur at the site. I encourage everyone to learn more about these fascinating fungi,” Cr Mallard said.

“Scientists are still discovering the relationships between fungi and other living organisms, and the role they play in our environment.”

An art installation entitled Underground Conversations: the trees are talking, by artist Deborah Faeyrglenn, will be displayed at the Orange Botanic Gardens from 10 May to 24 May.

The work represents the ‘mycelium’ of fungi, fine underground threads that connect plants, helping them access water and nutrients and are thought to assist plants to communicate.

Makeover for Memorial Gardens

Griffith City Council’s Memorial Gardens Embellishment Committee is proud to announce a new plan to refresh the gardens.

With $200,000 allocated for this project, the concept design includes new footpaths and new plantings that will enhance the beauty of the area and create a more enjoyable space for visitors to the park.

At the ordinary council meeting held on 11 April 2023, councillors endorsed the Memorial Gardens Draft Landscape Concept Plan, which will now progress to inviting quotation to undertake work. This is an exciting milestone for the committee, who have been working hard to come up with ideas to improve the space.

Chair of the Memorial Gardens Embellishment Committee, Councillor Laurie Testoni, is thrilled to see the project progress to this stage.

“We have been working on this plan for quite some time, and I am excited to see it come to fruition.

We consulted the local RSL and other stakeholders and their input has been extremely useful,” Councillor Testoni said.

“This is an important project for the community, and we believe it will bring a great deal of joy and beauty to Memorial Gardens.”

The new design for the Memorial Gardens was based on an informal meeting held at the Memorial Park Gardens on 23 November 2022, where the Committee discussed concepts with local landscaper Garry Moore. Mr Moore’s expertise and insights were invaluable to the Committee, and his input helped shape the final design.

The Memorial Gardens Embellishment Committee looks forward to sharing updates on the progress of the project and inviting the community to enjoy the new and improved gardens.

By Daryl Davidson

Are you aware that new grass varieties and improved weed management products could not only save you time and money but also reduce the time your staff need to work in high-risk areas such as roadsides and roundabouts?

The turf industry is always developing new grass species, products and technology to improve the quality of the natural turf surface as well as reducing time and effort on maintenance.

There are a few great options to consider for now and future projects, for any work in highrisk areas of traffic.

Choose a slow growing grass variety suitable for your region.

Zoysia and couch varieties are a great option as they are slower growing, and some varieties even reach a certain height then stop growing.

Good weed management is important. Preemergent herbicides can be your best friend saving thousands in labour, especially if your new grass variety only grow to a certain height.

This treatment will reduce weeds keeping the natural turf looking well maintained.

Glyphosate has been a favourite for years but in recent times it has been very controversial, but any chemical if not used the right way can cause health issues.

The alternatives work but not as long as glyphosate, so what next. There are now products that have added pre-emergent in them, so you cut your fence line/curb side spraying to twice a year instead of 6-12 times a year.

For more information, please contact International Greenkeepers then we can point you in the right direction to help reduce risk to your staff and create smarter and more efficient options for your natural turf spaces.

With the turf varieties and products, we will happily recommend a variety or chemical for free, then put you in contact with your local turf association for a list of turf growers that can help or the product manufacturers who have the right product for your situation and can find you your local supplier.

Huge thanks to Turf NSW for helping out with this article.

www.internationalgreenkeepers.com

Mushrooms take centre stage in Orange.

Aerial shot of the brand-new Samantha Riley Drive Reserve.

Mayor Gangemi pictured at Samantha Riley Drive Reserve during the laying of turf.

Ensuring the safety of your staff is not only about reducing risks at the time of work, but it includes consideration to workspaces that require less maintenance and therefore more efficiencies and less risk.

Assembly fast approaching

Held 13-16 June in Canberra, the event will also incorporate the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum.

This year’s NGA is expected to be the biggest yet and the program is being developed to feature a wide range of high profile and engaging speakers, leaders and presenters.

The 2023 Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) will also be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Friday 16 June, immediately following the 2023 NGA. Leading the dignitaries this year will be His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Governor General will give the opening address as part of the Opening Ceremony and welcome to country on Wednesday 14 June from 9am.

His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd) was sworn in as the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 July 2019.

David Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. In a long and distinguished 42-year military career, his service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force.

He commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. Following promotion to Colonel, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attending the U.S. Army War College in 1996 and 1997. He commanded the 1st Brigade from 1999-2000 in Darwin, supporting Australian-led operations

in East Timor. He was appointed the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group from 2003-07, Chief of Joint Operations Command in October 2007, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2008. Promoted to General, he succeeded Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2011 until his retirement on 30 June 2014. In 2010,

he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force.

Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 – May 2019.

The opening ceremony will be followed by the Minister’s address by Federal Member for Ballarat, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

The Hon Catherine King MP.

Catherine King was born in Melbourne. She holds a Degree in Social Work and a Masters in Public Policy from the Australian National University and has recently completed a law degree from Deakin University.

First elected to Federal Parliament in 2001 to represent the electorate of Ballarat, Catherine has been re-elected as member at each subsequent Federal Election.

Following the 2019 election, Catherine was appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development in the Shadow Cabinet led by the Hon. Anthony Albanese.

Prior to entering Parliament, Catherine worked in the social welfare sector in Ballarat and later in the public sector in Canberra, as a director for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and as a senior manager at KPMG’s Health Consulting Practice.

Other guest speakers include The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories; Hon Darren Chester MP, Member for Gippsland, Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories and Shadow Minister for Regional Education; Susi Tegen - CEO, National Rural Health Alliance; David Williams - Former CEO, Planning Institute of Australia; Liz RitchieCEO, Regional Australia Institute; Lord Mayor Sally Capp - City of Melbourne; Dr Jonathan Carr-West - CEO, Local Government Information Unit UK; Tahlia Azaria - Director, Young Mayors; Jennifer Michelmore - Chief Executive – Studio THI; Brendan Moon AM - CoordinatorGeneral, National Emergency Management Authority; Nathan Dal Bon - CEO, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation; Wendy Hayhurst - CEO, Community Housing Industry Association; and Stephanie CroweFirst Assistant Director General, Cyber Security Resilience, Australian Cyber Security Centre, Australian Signals Directorate.

Safe skies for all: Support for councils

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the Australian government body responsible for regulating aviation safety. Its role includes developing and enforcing safety standards, safety education and training, and issuing licenses and permits for pilots and operators.

One of CASA’s key responsibilities is regulating the use of drones, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).

This includes setting safety standards for drone use, licensing and accreditation of operators, aircraft registration, safety promotion and enforcement activity.

As well as being a fun recreational activity for individuals and families, drones offer several benefits to local government in Australia. They can be used for aerial inspections of infrastructure, mapping and surveying land, emergency response, search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and public safety.

In addition to its regulatory role of drones, CASA also provides support and guidance to local government authorities on matters related to aerodromes. This support can take the form of education and training, as well as technical advice and assistance. CASA’s technical experts can provide guidance on aerodrome regulations, planning and design and compliance issues to help local government authorities ensure that they are meeting their obligations under the law.

Overall, CASA plays a crucial role in regulating aerodromes and the use of drones in Australia to make sure they are operated safely and responsibly. Its support and guidance are essential for local government authorities who need advice or assistance in their area. By working together, CASA and local government authorities can help to en-

sure safer skies for all.

If you have questions about drones or aerodromes in your local government area, come and see us at Stand 48 at the 2023 National General Assembly from 13-16 June at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

Casa returns to the National Congress again this year.

Our Communities, Our Future is the theme of the 2023 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) now less than a month away in Canberra.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

David Williams.

13 – 16

JUNE 2023

National Convention Centre, Canberra

Provisional Program

TUESDAY 13 JUNE

9.00 am Registrations Open

9.30am - Regional Forum(Additional registration required)

5.00pm

5.00pm - Welcome Reception & Exhibition Opening 7.00pm

WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE

8.00am Registrations Open

9.00am Opening Ceremony Welcome to Country

Includes an address from His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

9.40am Minister Address

The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (invited)

10.00am ALGA President’s Address

Cr Linda Scott, ALGA President

10.30am MORNING TEA

11.00am Panel: Building a Stronger Workforce

Lord Mayor Sally Capp, City of Melbourne. Other panelists TBA

11.45am Keynote Address TBA

12.30am LUNCH

1.30pm Guest Speaker

His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine

1.45pm Panel: The Future of Local Government

Dr Jonathan Carr-West, CEO, Local Government Information Unit, UK

Tahlia Azaria, Director, Young Mayors Program, Foundation for Young Australians

2.15pm Keynote Address TBA

3.00pm AFTERNOON TEA

3.30pm PLENARY: Debate on Motions

BREAKOUT: Developing and Delivering Policy with Local Government (Panel)

| Hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

7.00pm - General Assembly Dinner

11.00pm QT Hotel, Canberra

2023

Stephanie Crowe

THURSDAY

9.00am Panel: A Conversation About the Voice

Mayor Ross Andrews, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, QLD

Mayor Matthew Ryan, West Arnhem Regional Council, NT

Cr Esma Livermore, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, NSW

Other panelists TBC

9.45am Keynote: Leading Communities Through Change

Change Jennifer Michelmore, Chief Executive, Studio THI

10.30am MORNING TEA

11.00am

Panel: Cyclones, Fires and Floods

Brendan Moon, Coordinator-General, National Emergency Management Agency

Other Panelists TBC

11.45am Minister Address

The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Leader of the Opposition (invited)

12.30pm LUNCH

1.30pm

2.15pm

Panel: Australia’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Nathan Dal Bon, CEO, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Wendy

Hayhurst, CEO, Community Housing Industry Association

Panel: Cyber Security and Local Government

Clive Reeves, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Telstra

Stephanie Crowe, First Assistant Director-General Cyber Security Resilience, Australian Cyber Security Centre

Other Panelists TBC

AFTERNOON TEA

3.00pm

3.30pm

PLENARY: Debate on Motions

BREAKOUT: Building More Resilient Infrastructure Workshop | Presented by National Transport Research Organisation (formerly ARRB)

FRIDAY 16 JUNE

7.30am Registrations Open

8.00am - Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG)

3.00pm

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

Tahlia

Nathan Dal Bon

CEO, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation

Susi Tegen

CEO, National Rural Health Alliance

15 JUNE

Brendan Moon AM Coordinator-General, National Emergency Management Authority

First Assistant Director General, Cyber Security Resilience, Australian Cyber Security Centre, Australian Signals Directorate

Azaria Director, Young Mayors

Speakers Include

Hon. Catherine King MP

Renewable gas potential

Renewable gas will play a significant role in helping Australia realise its climate ambitions and transition into a new low-carbon economy. That’s the belief of Linda Cardillo, General Manager, Renewable Gas, for leading electricity and gas distributor Jemena. The company is on the cusp of injecting biomethane into its New South Wales gas network, through a biomethane upgrading demonstration plant that is jointly funded by ARENA. The project will showcase how biogas produced at Sydney

Water’s Malabar water treatment facility in South-East Sydney

This Australian-first project is the next step towards developing a renewable gas sector; a crucial step for the thousands of businesses whose heating and firming operations will be reliant on gas for the foreseeable future.

This is in addition to the millions of households which rely on gas to heat their homes, cook their food, and warm their water.

Jemena will once again attend the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra, from 13-16 June, to highlight the merits and advances of renewable gas, and showcase the biomethane and hydrogen projects around the country that are changing the game.

Importantly, Jemena will be available to discuss how local governments could be the key to unlocking the potential for renewable gas through a circular economy, using their waste, resources and infrastructure to develop or assist projects that could benefit their communities and the environment.

Linda Cardillo said biomethane represented an important shift in the future of gas; it is a ‘here and now’ technology; it is completely compatible with existing gas infrastructure and appliances; and importantly is an option to help give certainty of choice for the five million households with gas appliances across the country.

To find out more about Jemena’s renewable gas projects visit: gorenewablegas.com.au or jemena.com.au

can be converted into biomethane.

Gas is not merely a transitional fuel; it is a fuel in the midst of a transition. By investing in Renewable Gas now, we can secure reliable and sustainable energy solutions for the future, offering more options for households, businesses, industries, and transportation. Renewable Gas, which includes green hydrogen generated from renewable electricity and biomethane made from organic waste, is an additional source of energy that is already being successfully utilised in other parts of the world. It has the potential to help Australia meet its emission targets more efficiently while creating new opportunities for regional employment and many circular economy benefits as the country moves toward a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Find out more about renewable gas projects and opportunities in NSW: gorenewablegas.com.au

Supporting a secure, stable and sustainable energy system for the future

Options for funding study

Investing in your education has long been touted as a smart path to career success.

By Stephanie Fay

But even if you’re ready to give yourself a competitive edge and start postgraduate study, funding it might be another matter. Especially amidst Australia’s increasing interest rate rises and costs of living, paying for a university degree upfront might not be an option for you. The good news is that if study is something you want to do, a number of options are available to help manage the cost of tuition.

DEFER YOUR TUITION FEES

Depending on your course, education provider and meeting eligibility criteria, you may be able to defer payment of part or all of your tuition fees via a FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP loan from the Australian Government. This means that instead of paying for your tuition fees upfront, you’ll pay down your loan balance annually at tax time at a rate based on your income. It’s worth noting that these loans are indexed, or adjusted, according to inflation rates – so you might end up paying more over the life of the loan. However if you don’t have the funds to pay upfront, this may be a good option for you.

TAKE

ADVANTAGE OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Most universities will have a variety of scholarships available for postgraduate students. CQUniversity, for example, has scholarships for people experiencing financial hardship and from disadvantaged backgrounds; First Nations’ peoples; students with a disability; as well as a variety of course and disciplinespecific scholarships. So if you’re considering studying a course at a particular institution, make sure you check out their scholarships to see if there are any that can benefit you.

APPLY FOR A SUBSIDISED COURSE

As a result of various Government initiatives, universities will often offer courses at reduced

cost in line with skills shortages or areas identified as in high demand. For instance, CQU currently offers a number of subsidised postgraduate courses with Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), meaning eligible students benefit from heavily subsidised course fees. The remaining student contribution for these courses can also be deferred via HECS-

HELP, leaving no upfront tuition costs.

REQUEST EMPLOYER SUPPORT

If studying a postgraduate degree would benefit your current role, you may be able to secure financial support from your employer to undertake university study as professional development. Some employers have formal processes and contribution limits, while others may be

open to negotiation. In any case, if studying is of interest to you and of benefit to your employer, it’s worth asking the question.

CQU is here to help you be what you want to be. If you’re interested in studying a postgraduate course with us and have questions on how it can work for your situation, get in touch – www.cqu.edu.au.

Help for phones

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council is bringing a free mobile phone help service to village halls around the shire in 2023.

Whether assistance is needed with apps, updates, using the camera, calls or texting, their staff is on-hand to guide residents to a new and more confident relationship with their phone.

Residents are urged to come to any of the free drop-in sessions between 9am and 1pm, including: May 23: Wallendbeen Hall, Ellwood’s Hall, Stockinbingal, July 18: Coolac Hall, August 29: Nangus Hall, September 26: Adjungbilly Hall, October 24: Tumblong Hall, November 21: Ellwood’s Hall, Stockinbingal and December 5: Wallendbeen Hall.

Program coordinator and CGRC librarian Rochelle Nicholls said it was an important

program for local communities.

“The demand for digital education in Australian communities was highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic and a new reliance on mobile technology for communication and information access,” Rochelle said.

“By making this training available right across the shire, we hope to close the technology gap and help all residents become informed and confident technology users.”

This initiative is funded by the Transgrid Community Partnerships Program. For more information, phone the Cootamundra Library on 6940 2200.

Local Government Training Institute

So you’ve decided to back yourself, and your career, and formalise your workplace experience. No matter what your reason is for being here, we are so glad you found us. We are proud to offer the Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma in Local Government, led by experienced trainers and assessors, using brand new resources that speak to the ‘here and now’ of practice. We also have a network of subject matter experts, (read, people actually in the job right now) who we collaborate with to ensure we are providing you with real life advice and current practice. Our team have loads of experience in assisting our students to realise their career dreams.

Visit our website lgti.com.au to leave your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Welcome to LGTI. Let’s work together to find the right course for you. (RTO Code: 90870)

Looking at your education options.

Crawford School of Public Policy Executive Education

Fundamentals of intergovernmental management

Officials play a vital role in supporting the federal system and its functions. But there’s no how-to manual for this important role; the rules, whether formal or informal, must be learned ‘on the job’.

This online short course suits public servants in the Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments, and officials in statutory authorities who are developing or implementing policies that involve their counterparts in central and line departments.

The course provides an overview of the intergovernmental management toolkit, including strategies and opportunities at the interpersonal, interorganisational and interjurisdictional levels. Participants will get an understanding of the perspectives that other jurisdictions bring to the table and think about why, when, and how public servants are policy entrepreneurs and change agents; and under what circumstances they can make a difference in the intergovernmental context. Gain the requisite knowledge of the relevant structures, processes, and practices of intergovernmental management, before moving on to look in detail at bargaining and negotiation, the management of informal relationships, trust building and ultimately knowledge of when and how to refer to the political arena.

Registrants will receive calendar invitations to five live sessions online with the presenter to accompany the comprehensive course workbook.

Just $1,095 when you quote the code ‘LGF’

Enrol now csee@anu.edu.au crawford.anu.edu.au/executive-education

— 2021 course participant

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider: #00120C

“I have been involved in inter-governmental matters without any formal training or mentoring. The course provided highly relevant knowledge to my professional endeavours. It expanded my understanding of intergovernmental management, particularly through exploring the federal context and naming different intergovernmental working strategies.”

Benefiting from upgrade

Council team completes a year’s worth of bridge maintenance work in just six months.

Clarence Valley Council has upped the ante on its management of the $2 billion of local roads, bridges and water infrastructure in its care by taking on components of TechnologyOne’s Enterprise Asset Management Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.

With large areas affected by bushfires in the summer of 2019/2020 and others experiencing significant flooding in February 2022, the council recognised a growing need to better manage its assets.

According to Clarence Valley’s Finance and Systems Manager, Kate Maginnity: “We had a lot of separate systems for asset management and many paper-based or manual processes. It was time and resource intensive and prone to delays and errors.”

“To better manage community assets, we wanted a single source of truth. We needed to know what condition they were in, what we needed to do to maintain them for the future and what was the most efficient way of doing that,” she said.

After taking on TechnologyOne’s Asset Operations & Maintenance and Field App modules, the council has replaced manual paperwork with tablets that crew members take into the field. That not only reduces travel time for the crew but also allows the council to update field staff on job data, anytime, anywhere. This ensures community assets are regularly maintained so community members can continue to use them safely.

“We now have better visibility of our operations, which helps us be more effective and efficient. Within the first six months of having the new works system in place, the council bridge crew had completed their year-long maintenance inspection program, utilising maintenance schedules, defects and work orders to increase efficiency.

“They were able to take on more projects as a result,” said Ms Maginnity.

Additionally, better project planning and the ability to bulk procure materials saw the bridge crew complete their allocation of bridge replacements in six months. This allowed the council to allocate more bridge replacements internally instead of using contractors, resulting in a reduction in costs.

Kate Maginnity says TechnologyOne’s broad local government experience was an asset too.

“For us, one of the key benefits of working with TechnologyOne was their experience in working with local governments. It gave us the confidence that, whatever the challenge was, it was likely that they had dealt with it before and could advise us,” she said.

TechnologyOne’s Chief Executive Officer, Ed Chung, said: “We understand technology and we understand the industry; we support hundreds of councils, knowing each one has priorities that are unique to their community. We’re constantly innovating, and over the last ten years have helped many councils digitally transform their operations to deliver for their community.”

TechnologyOne’s Enterprise Asset Management Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.

Technology leading the way

The thinking has been that more educated and well-trained workers, or fewer workers toiling harder, are the answer to productivity issues. The equation has been to produce more with less. The human as the engine of productivity growth, however, is faltering.

In Australia, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers made a speech in March which noted that Australia’s productivity had fallen to its lowest level in 60 years, averaging 1.1 per cent in the last five years.

Today, technology presents as the biggest opportunity for improved productivity. Skilled labour is short, the population is ageing, organisations want to cut down on costs, and automation in particular offers scale and efficiency. The cost of technology is coming down.

Automation though, does not exist by itself, it is enabled by the expanding world of the Internet of Things, where data is collected and can then be analysed and crunched to set the business rules around the automation. This is not necessarily bad news for humans. The upside is that automation frees people from the drudgery of mundane work and enables them to skill up and also become more productive at the pointier end of their professions.

All this also applies in our world of asset management, where professionals are working with an unprecedented quantity of data to make more informed decisions.

The sharing of data and its use in digital twin environments for example, presents as an effective response to future challenges and uncertainties in asset management, according to KPMG’s Paul Low.

Low, who is KPMG’s National Industry Leader for Infrastructure, Government and

Healthcare and a partner in Planning and Infrastructure Economics, advocates rigorous governance around data which can be brought into digital environments and shared to “align people around the shared outcomes” and goals of the organisation.

Paul’s colleague, Richard Threlfall, Global Head of Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare at KPMG, agrees, and will be developing the theme of governance in his upcoming keynote at the IPWEA International Asset Management Conference in June.

“We are moving from a world where project prioritization is based on mainly financial and commercial considerations, to a world where

the impact of projects, from the perspective of multiple stakeholders, must prevail,” says Threlfall.

Growcom CEO, and former North Burnett Regional Council mayor, Rachel Chambers continues on the theme of governance.

From a small business background, Chambers found herself the most senior elected official of an organisation with around $1.1 billion in assets, an annual budget of around $50 million and 10,000 ratepayers across six small population centres.

“Elected officials are in a unique position.

You have engineers who are experts and finance people who are experts and profession-

al risk people and then you’ve got an elected official who just has to be operating without a criminal record, and that is the person making the final decision.

“So there’s a huge knowledge gap in that and a potentially high level of risk, so upskilling has to be a big focus.”

Rachel Chambers, Paul Low, and Richard Threlfell will be keynote speakers at IPWEA’s International Asset Management Congress to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland from Wednesday 14 to Thursday 15 June, 2023. Find out more at www.amcongress.com. au

When organisations and societies have focused on boosting productivity, they have usually looked to labour to provide the gains.

Technology holds the key to the future of Asset Management.

Revitalising streetscape

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Paul Antonio said the streetscape project has revitalised the section of Russell Street between Victoria and Neil Streets.

“Council is extremely proud of what’s been achieved in Russell Street,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Reinvigorating Russell Street as a social, cultural and economic hub for the whole community is a major focus for council.

“The project will help boost future economic development in our CBD and provide a key connection to the emerging Railway Parklands precinct and Queens Park.

“It also links the Outer Circulating Road with the upgraded northern section of Ruthven Street.

“Council welcomes the community to come down and see the completed project and support Russell Street businesses.”

TRC Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Chair Cr Carol Taylor said construction of the project commenced in February 2021 and has been delivered in two stages.

“Russell Street from Victoria to Ruthven streets was upgraded in 2021 and Ruthven to

Neil streets was upgraded in 2022,” Cr Taylor said.

“Council has constructed new road pavement and footpaths, a tree-lined centre median between Victoria and Ruthven streets, pedestrian crossing points, entry and exit thresholds, lighting and CCTV, green spaces, street furniture and public art.

“In addition to streetscape works, the proj-

Central Coast tackles the housing crisis

A Housing Forum organised by Central Coast Council has challenged all stakeholders involved in housing on the Central Coast to work together in genuine collaboration and consultation to try to solve the housing crisis facing this region.

Community members, developers, not-for-profit housing providers, government agencies, MPs and council representatives all came together on 27 April 2023 to discuss the current housing situation on the Central Coast, including council’s draft Local Housing Strategy, which is open for consultation until 3 May 2023.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Central Coast is currently home to some 348,000 residents.

“It is projected that our population will increase to over 404,000 people by 2041 – that’s another 55,000 people, or 2,800 people every year.

“To house these people, the government’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2041 anticipates we will require an additional 32,550 dwellings.”

The Forum participants discussed a range of issues and potential solutions, but key themes and sticking points were:

· The Central Coast is vast and travel times are long, we need better infrastructure to support population growth.

· All three tiers of government – federal, state and local - need to work together.

· The type of housing that is currently being built is not reflecting the changing needs of the community, particularly for young and older people.

· We need to change our mindset from thinking

about property as a wealth building tool rather than an essential element for quality of life.

“A key message that came out of the forum is that there needs to be a simplified process to provide affordable accommodation of various types. To achieve this, more collaboration and discussion is required at all levels - government, council, developers, community groups and of course the local community itself.

“We have to remove barriers, but at the same time ensure that affordable housing is of good quality, fits in with its ‘neighbourhood’ and most importantly provides what is needed to the demographics seeking accommodation.

“It was agreed that there is no silver bullet, but it was acknowledged that we need to think outside the square on solutions, listen at a local community level for ideas and also concerns about types of development.”

Mr Hart thanked all participants for attending and acknowledged that the input from participants is invaluable, as it comes from those with ‘skin in the game’.

“It is evident that there is genuine concern from all stakeholders, and a willingness to find solutions to this real crisis on the Central Coast.”

The consultation period has closed and council will consider all submissions and make changes to the draft Local Housing Strategy, and a report will go to council in coming months.

ect has also upgraded essential stormwater, water main and communications infrastructure, including moving powerlines underground.”

Cr Taylor said council has worked closely with Russell Street traders and property owners to deliver this project.

“The streetscape design was developed in consultation with Russell Street traders, property owners and the broader community from 2017 to 2020,” Cr Taylor said.

“Council’s goal was to give the community an active role in the design process to deliver a design that reflected the current and future needs of the community and council.

“We felt that a co-design approach with the local community was the best way to ensure positive, long-term change for Russell Street.”

Cr Taylor said the project aimed to preserve the street’s heritage features including the reinstatement of bluestone kerb.

“When the crew began demolishing the existing concrete kerb between Victoria and Ruthven Streets in 2021, large sections of the original bluestone kerb and channel were unearthed.

“The new bluestone kerb between Victoria and Ruthven Streets was constructed by coun-

cil’s bricklayers with portions comprising some of the original bluestone from the street.

“Russell Street is renowned for its collection of Victorian Era buildings and upgrading the street has been a special project for Council. It is wonderful to see bluestone kerb back in place.”

Cr Carol Taylor said she would like to thank the whole community, especially Russell Street traders and property owners for their co-operation and patience during construction.

“Council appreciates the impacts that major projects can have on businesses and the wider community and we thank you for working with us.”

Planning and Development Committee

Chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said delivery of the project is a key outcome of the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan. “The master plan guides development and change of the city centre to 2031 and beyond.

“This project has helped transform Russell Street into a vibrant people-friendly destination.” For more information on the Russell Street Refresh Project, visit tr.qld.gov.au/russellstreetrefresh, call council on 131 872 or email russellstrefresh@tr.qld.gov.au

Townsville building better bridges

Townsville City Council’s trade team are extending the life of council assets around Townsville by working smarter with new, innovative and recycled materials.

Council has been replacing a number of aging footbridges in record time by taking the construction in-house, literally, with the team constructing modular footbridges in the warehouse at the Garbutt Operations Centre.

By utilising new and innovative products such as Replas recycled plastic and reinforced composite fibre, the bridges are built as modular units and craned into place, saving council time and ratepayers’ money.

Chair of Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Cr Kurt Rehbein said the new fibrous reinforced products were significantly lighter than using timber and steel and were uniquely suited to withstand the harshest environments.

“These products provide a low maintenance, long life asset to the community,” Cr Rehbein said.

“Another big advantage with this system is that it allows council to build the bridges in our warehouse, not having to fight with nature’s elements.”

Building a bridge onsite could take as long as 10 days, which means it is closed to pedestrians for at least that amount of time.

Montana Bridge works.

Now by building inhouse most of the time council’s teams can leave the existing bridge in place until it’s time to crane in the new structure, minimising closuretimes.

The team recently replaced a 10.2-metre pedestrian footbridge in Mount Louisa in a matter of days, craning the 3.4 tonne bridge into place, replacing the old timber asset which would have been significantly heavier.

Shire sets sights on boundary change

Following a call to help shape future Western Australian State electoral boundaries, Shire of Augusta Margaret River voted for the shire to submit a suggestion to the Western Australian Electoral Distribution Commission in support of including the entire shire local government area within the Warren-Blackwood (Electoral) District.

The shire is currently represented by two State Legislative Assembly Electorates –Vasse and Warren-Blackwood, and the proposed boundary change would allow for the communities of interest to be consolidated into a single electoral district.

Deputy Shire President Julia Meldrum, ex-

plained that the change would allow council to represent the community’s interests more strongly and efficiently to the State Government united as one.

“As councillors, it’s our role to facilitate communications between community, the council and the state, and we want to make

sure we’re representing the interests of all electors, rate payers and residents in the Shire and broader community,” Julia said.

“Given the short time frame determined by the commission to make initial suggestions, comprehensive community consultation was not practicably possible. However, there is

now a two week opportunity for any member of the public to make comment on the suggestions that have already been made.

“We are encouraging all interested community members to read the suggestions made, including the one submitted by the Shire, and make comments in support or opposition.

Celebrating the new look for Russell Street.

A more than two-year project to revitalise one of Toowoomba’s oldest and most iconic streets is now complete with the official opening of the newly upgraded Russell Street earlier this month.

centre.

Albany scoops pool

Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre (ALAC) has won the 2023 Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre Award at the 2023 Waterwise Recognition Event held in Perth earlier this month.

The award that was won jointly with Kwinana Requatic recognises ALAC as a leader in efficient and sustainable water use, taking into consideration the water saving initiatives within the centre.

Initiatives such as installing water saving drink fountains, regular leak inspections and the formation of an internal Water Management Team at the City of Albany has contributed to the success.

ALAC also hosted the Leisure Institute of Western Australia (Aquatics) Regional Conference in 2022 that provided an opportunity for industry networking and collaboration across regional centres.

Adding to ALAC’s waterwise repertoire is the installation of two 250-kilolitre capacity water tanks that capture rainwater runoff from the roof to use within the precinct as an alternative to town water supply.

This was a milestone step in the water saving direction for the centre with an estimated 520-kilolitres of rainwater harvested throughout the project.

Reflective of the City’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, this initiative has significantly reduced ALAC’s reliance on Albany town water supply.

Manager Recreation Services Mitchell Green said ALAC continue to deliver on impor-

No funds

tant water saving initiatives.

“The City of Albany is committed to striving to improve the sustainability and environmental impact of city managed buildings and facilities such as ALAC,” he said.

“ALAC being named one of two Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre for 2023 proves the city’s dedication to preserving and prioritising our local water resource.

“We are incredibly proud of this award and thank the Water Corporation for their acknowledgement of ALAC and the City of Albany’s efforts to preserve water wherever possible.”

Flood investigation extended

Gannawarra Shire residents wanting to assist the Victorian Parliamentary Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee investigate the state’s preparedness for and response to last year’s floods now have an extra four weeks to do so.

The deadline for submissions into the 2022 floods has been extended by four weeks, with feedback now accepted up to 5pm Monday, 5 June.

“The Inquiry in the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria seeks insight from residents impacted by the October-December 2022 floods on how they were impacted by this significant event,” Gannawarra Shire Council chief executive officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“More importantly the inquiry provides the community with the opportunity to identify what factors caused or contributed to the flood event, the adequacy and effectiveness of early warning systems, and resourcing of emergency services, government policy, flood mitigation strategies, and the Victorian planning framework’s implications for future planning decisions.”

“It is anticipated that, like the aftermath of the 2011 floods, recommendations developed by the committee will be provided to ensure communities are better prepared for future events.”

Written submissions can be made online at new.parliament.vic.gov.au/floodinquiry, emailing floodinquiry@parliament.vic.gov.au or writing to:

· Parliament of Victoria

· Legislative Council Standing Committee on Environment and Planning

· Parliament House, Spring Street

· East Melbourne VIC 3002

Public hearings will also be held, with confirmed sessions occurring in Rochester (23 August), Echuca (24 August), Shepparton (13 September), Seymour (14 September)

Collins Road, Kerang underwater.

and Melbourne (11-12 October).

“Council has also written to the committee, inviting members to the Gannawarra to hear from our residents about how the flooding of the Avoca, Loddon and Murray rivers, along with the Pyramid Creek, impacted resi-

dents,” Mr Rollinson said. Any questions regarding the Inquiry in the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria can be directed to the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Environment and Planning on 8682 2869.

Council has been seeking $15 million in Federal Government funding for several years, to match funding from council ($15 million) and the State Government ($10 million) for the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Taverner St, Bacchus Marsh.

“The indoor pool project is shovelready and has the financial support from council and from the State Government. All that’s missing to turn it into reality is Federal funding,” Mayor Cr Rod Ward said.

“It’s disappointing it’s missing from yet another federal budget – and even more disappointing that recently-released guidelines show that projects for the GRF have to be outside of the greater Melbourne area, with Bacchus Marsh just inside the ineligible area. This is on contrast to the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund under which Bacchus Marsh was eligible.

“The pool project is so important for our community –the precinct (indoor stadium, bowls and community hub and the aquatic centre) will generate $100 million in economic activity and help create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs,” Cr Ward said.

Talking floodplain

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, along with consultants from WMAwater, who were commissioned by council to undertake the Draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for Cootamundra, were able to explain and clarify aspects within the study.

WMAwater presented the main aspects of the study via an onscreen display during the meeting. The meeting attended by approximately 30 people, was held in the Alby Schultz Meeting Centre. Attendees were able to ask questions of council officers and WMAwater representatives and go through the study. The study is on display for public exhibition and submissions are invited.

To allow those and other interested residents time to submit submissions has been extended from 1 May to 16 May 2023. Submissions/feedback should be forwarded to the General Manager CGRC by post to Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, PO Box 420, Cootamundra NSW 2590, delivered to Council’s offices at Cootamundra or Gundagai or by email to mail@cgrc.nsw.gov.au

Submissions/feedback can also be submitted through the online survey at surveymonkey. com/r/CootaFRMS

The online survey allows for both general feedback and specific feedback on each of the draft recommendations to be provided.

A public meeting held on Tuesday evening (9 May 2023), saw a good turnout of Cootamundra locals.

Award-winning

Victoria’s Moorabool Council has expressed disappointed that funding for an indoor pool has yet again been left off the list of funded projects in the Federal Budget, handed down last week – and in a further blow, it looks as if the project is inelligible to receive funding under the Federal Government’s new Growing Regions Fund (GRF).

ON ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT AND CUSTOMERS

Platform welcome

With the financial crisis now over through implementing a very solid financial recovery strategy, council’s resolve to re-building trust in the community is a priority, in particular in the customer service experience.

Listening and hearing customers is paramount.

A major impediment for the Customer Service team was they didn’t have the best platform or technology to provide customers with a quality experience.

A key issue was ‘call quality’. Customers and staff were continually frustrated by the call quality and customers were often cut off, resulting in a poor staff and customer experience and many complaints.

After researching possible alternatives, council reached out to the NSW Department of Customer Service (DCS) Government Technology Platform (GTP) group, who use the Genesys Virtual Contact Centre (VCC) across many services within state government, to see if council could utilise the VCC technology.

After receiving a positive answer, the project moved quickly and council in partnership with the DCS GTP team, co-designed a solution which was implemented in October 2022. Central Coast Council was the first to implement the VCC as a NSW Local Government Authority.

The result has been a significant improvement in call quality, customer and staff experience and cost savings for the community.

The project has also had a positive outcome internally at council, and not only for the Customer Service team. From concept design to implementation our internal teams of IT, Customer Experience and Water and Sewer en-

hanced their working relationship.

The codesign team met for 3 months during design phase and used best practice to ensure all call queues, customer experience opportunities, training, and workforce management planning options were available.

The relationship built with the GTP group and council also ensured that the solution met all council’s business requirements.

The development of the VCC with GTP group provided council staff the opportunity to build and configure the solution with new features like Workforce Planning Management, a call back feature, improved reporting, visibility of interactions and improved call recordings. Council also listened to the community feedback and implemented a new local number, rather than the 1300.

The new number is much simpler to remember and is more cost effective for council and the community. Council Customer Service went live with the new system on 13 October 2022, including with council’s water operations team, it was a seamless and posi-

Customer request system launched

Hilltops Council have recently launched their Customer Request Management (CRM) system via TechnologyOne.

This project has been critical in reshaping Hilltops’ response to customers; it provides a unified platform that allows customers to access and submit requests to council from any connected device, any time anywhere but retains the ability for staff to continue providing personalised service to customers who prefer this method.

The success of the project can be traced to the appointment of “CRM Champions”. Each directorate within Hilltops Council appointed specific CRM Champion staff members to advocate, mentor and support team members within their department as they transitioned to the new system.

The champions role specifically involved: the organisation of information and demonstration sessions for key staff in their directorate, setting up training sessions for end users, helping deliver the broader CRM training programme, becoming experts on CRM and assisting in the refinement of questions and templates for each specific directorate CRM category.

Not only did the CRM Champions assist in the preparation and implementation of the CRM system, but they also continue to play a large role in the ongoing maintenance of the customer service system.

These champions maintain the CRM resource pools within their directorate, ensuring that the appropriate staff are tasked with customer requests.

Champions also continue to follow up on directorate outstanding and overdue requests.

This has created further accountability in the workplace and also has been of benefit to teams who can now work in a more col-

Cyber support

tive experience for implementation.

The intended objectives for the project were:

1. Reduce Customer Service operating costs.

2. Provide a seamless agent and customer experience.

3. Minimise contact centre infrastructure and CCC IT service support –self serve product owner with DCS support service model.

4. Provide workplace flexibility and business continuity.

5. Reduce average handle time and increase first call resolution for customers.

6. Support and integrate with Oracle CX as the management system for CCC customer records.

While the majority of objectives have been achieved, including a significant drop in call ‘abandon’ rate, some are yet to be realised, including a reduction in the average handle time (AHT) due to staff turnover, training new staff, and the need to improve our knowledge base. Council is continuing to work on meeting these objectives.

Council will continue to scale up services including introducing script transcript of customer conversations, proof of concept of using the IVR, connecting Genesys and Qualtrics for our Voice of the Customer program, as well as bringing council’s Credit Management team onboard next financial year.

The success of this project has demonstrated council’s focus on thinking outside the square to deliver on what both the council and the community wants – an excellent customer service experience which delivers outcomes.

To be properly prepared for cyber-attacks and defend against data breaches, Australian councils urgently need government support.

Recent local government surveys in New South Wales and Western Australia found councils could significantly improve their management of cyber risks and response to potential cyber threats.

ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said these findings demonstrated the need for federal, state and territory governments to support local government by assessing the sector’s cyber maturity and readiness to defend attacks. “Cyber-security is increasingly becoming an issue for all levels of government. Australia’s 537 local governments are particularly exposed as we collect and hold a significant amount of sensitive information,” Cr Scott said.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to support us to assess the risks and opportunities across all councils in Australia and develop a consistent approach for improving our sector’s cybersecurity capacity. “Cyber-attacks are mostly from overseas and from national actors or government-sanctioned criminals, making cyber security a national security and federal government issue.

Tech targets weeds

A trial to arrest an escaped native plant killer hiding out in a tricky coastal area is underway using some innovative technology.

Broad-leaf pepper is a weed tree growing in the bushland foreshore areas along the coastal strip between Point Cartwright and Wurtulla.

Originating from South America and introduced as a garden ornamental, the tree, which can grow 10m high, has escaped gardens and invaded our coastal areas. Its berries are spread by birds and animals and the plant contains toxic resins that can affect human and animal health.

The biggest concern, however, is that it smothers and replaces native plants, throwing out the biodiversity of our precious dunes.

Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Councillor Peter Cox said the trial combined three innovative techniques to detect the invasive weed tree.

“The first stage, which is complete, was to capture images using a drone,” Cr Cox said.

“For stage two we will partner with Queensland University of Technology who will train artificial intelligence to recognise the weed tree.

“And lastly, multispectral mapping will use sensors to map the trial area.

“This will give us more information to help manage the area so we can continue to protect and enhance the region’s biodiversity.

and constraints to see if it could be applied to a larger scale or to identify other weeds.

QUT researcher Dr Fernando Vanegas Alvarez said artificial Intelligence, drone technology, and advances in imaging sensors could greatly benefit environmental management and ecological assessments.

Launching the new system.

laborative online space.

The ‘champion’ implementation method of Hilltops Council’s new CRM system has ensured the success of the project.

These champions ultimately assisted the entire organisation to have a consistent, well informed, team-based approach to customer service. Hilltops Council’s staff and customers have both been positively impacted their CRM champions.

“This particular location, between Point Cartwright and Wurtulla, is rather tricky, as the soil can’t be disturbed in some areas due to the potential for unexploded ordnance to still be in the area.

“This area was fired upon as part of artillery training during World War II but the shells didn’t explode on impact as designed.

“We will see if it’s possible to use the information gathered to create a detailed, high-resolution map of where the broadleaf pepper is in the reserve, and then trial solutions to remove the weed tree in addition to the weed management already occurring along this coastal strip.”

Cr Cox said the techniques were being trialled on a small scale to test the opportunities

“At QUT, we are transferring the knowledge and expertise we obtained from research in remote sensing, machine learning, and deep learning to enable the detection, assessment, and mapping of vegetation in large areas,” he said.

“In particular, we are developing models to detect invasive species such as broad leaf pepper and assess the health of native ones such as pandanus trees, along the Sunshine Coast.”

Funded by the Environment Levy, this trial is part of council’s Invasive Weeds Project, which is exploring alternative weed management practices that could be used to manage invasive plants across the region.

The Broadleaf Pepper tree.

Cyber-attacks are one of the greatest threats to both Australia’s national security and our democracy, including at the local government level.

Central Coast Council has faced some significant challenges over the past few years, not the least a financial crisis which resulted in staff layoffs, having to take out emergency loans, as well as a reduction in services being delivered to the community.

Customer Service team members, Elizabeth Gleeson and Lely Lyons.

Plan to guide Hobart’s future

The City of Hobart has concluded its extensive Central Hobart Plan consultation period after a month-long engagement process.

The City of Hobart and Tasmanian Government have been working in partnership with the community to develop a comprehensive plan to guide the future development of Central Hobart over the next 20 years.

The Central Hobart Plan received nearly 5000 visits to the project page, and more than 1500 downloads of the project document in April.

The City also undertook an advertising campaign through traditional and social media and community pop up sessions in the Elizabeth Street Mall and the Farm Gate Market, held in-person and online Q&A sessions, and held meetings with the Urban Design Advisory Panel and with other various committees such as Hobart Retailers Safety and Security and Access Advisory Committee.

Community feedback was recorded at these meetings and the Your Say project page also received 205 written submissions.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the community consultation had shown strong support for the plan.

“The report reflected in the submissions, with many being complementary and supportive of the plan,” Cr Reynolds said.

“There were some submissions that provided critical feedback around issues such as transport to the city, which we are now reviewing.

“We have heard that community members want to be able to live more affordably by being closer to the jobs and recreation opportunities

Mystery, excitement of African continent

Liverpool City Council will see the city centre come alive with the history and culture of Africa with the Motherland African Festival being held later this month.

The festival is allowing locals to experience the mystery and excitement of the African continent where music, dance, food, and timeless customs come together in a joyous display of community and heritage.

The Motherland African Festival blends the unique history and story-telling of Africa’s compelling cultures played out before a backdrop of stunning music from a dozen or more countries.

The entertainment program and food choices are as diverse and spectacular as Africa itself.

It offers the region a chance to be dazzled by the dance and drumming spectacle of global performer Lucky Lartey and a showcase of African clothing textiles by Fabrics of Multicultural Australia (FOMA) featuring Kis-Simba Brand’s newest designs in the fascinating African Runway segment.

The music, costumes, and performances reflect the entertainment and creativity of Africa, its performers and history.

There is also the chance to taste food from more than a dozen different countries

Liverpool City Council.

including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Mauritius, Egypt, and Zimbabwe offering chicken, lamb and beef in any number of recipes from curries to finger food.

The event will be held in Macquarie Mall from Friday 19 May to Sunday 21 May.

that Central Hobart offers.

“We have heard that the community values the character and amenity of Hobart and ap-

preciate the plan’s focus on having built form controls that seek to strengthen these values and provide certainty for the community and developers.

“We have heard that many community members want more and better open streets, an increased recognition of the importance of the Hobart Rivulet and improved and safer pedestrian and cycle environment.”

Future Hobart Portfolio chair Helen Burnet said now was the time to move into the next phase of the Central Hobart Plan implementation.

“All of the stakeholder and community feedback will be carefully considered to further enhance the draft plan to even better reflect the diversity of voices, ahead of its presentation to the Hobart City Council for adoption later in the year,” Cr Burnet said.

“After the adoption of the plan, the City of Hobart will start to deliver, partner and advocate for the implementation of its actions.

“Some of the more immediate actions will include; commencing planning scheme amendments to introduce the built form controls, start the masterplans and guidelines to improve Central Hobart’s streets and open spaces, refining and developing the key precinct actions and key sites, among many other actions and initiatives.”

Driving down the wildlife toll in Logan

Council initiative.

Portable Wildlife Advisory Signs are being installed around Logan in a bid to reduce the number of vehicle collisions with wildlife.

The portable advisory signs will appear at select wildlife movement hot spots throughout Logan, targeting driver awareness of koalas, kangaroos and wallabies in the area.

Wildlife move throughout Logan on a daily, seasonal, and lifetime basis to undertake a range of activities essential to their survival. This movement increases their risk of vehicle collisions.

The initiative is co-funded by Council’s Environment Levy and the Local Infrastructure Program for Divisions 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Environment Chair, Councillor Jon Raven said the portable signs would be a helpful reminder for motorists to keep an eye out for wildlife on the road.

“We know that our community expects council to do everything we can to protect native wildlife and motorists when they are on the road,” Cr Raven said.

“These signs will raise awareness and help keep our roads and wildlife safe, but they only work if drivers slow down when they see the signs.”

The Portable Wildlife Advisory Signs are being installed across Logan in an effort to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife.

This initiative complements the range of existing wildlife movement solutions already implemented by council, including the koala awareness campaigns, wildlife safety fencing and underpasses, and existing road safety signs.

There will be 14 signs installed, with the first four already in action on Springwood Road, Springwood and Crest Road, Park Ridge and Greenbank.

Community comes together for the kids

City of Greater Dandenong Aboriginal community members have come together to address the issue of the high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children going into foster care.

Eyes on our Boorais (children) has come up with a series of recommendations to challenge the system which sees Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 17 times more likely to be taken into care.

The group invited local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, families, authorities and politicians to take part in a community forum late last year to discuss the issue. Supported by Greater Dandenong City Council, the open forum included the voices of Aboriginal community and families

with lived experience.

A second forum was held on Friday 12 May in Dandenong to share the recommendations and continue the conversation.

Aunty Elaine Taylor, Kylie Bell and Sharon Blow are members of the group who want to see major change happen.

Kylie Bell said in the southern region, which includes Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, bayside suburbs and Gippsland townships, around 750 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island

children are in care.

“We’ve got more tools and resources at our disposal now than we ever had, so what’s going on? Why are our families being torn apart?” Ms Bell said.

Ms Blow said a national plan aims to reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children in care by 45 per cent by the year 2031.

“Why wait 10 years, let’s do it today,” Ms Bell said.

Plans launch.

Motorists in the City of Logan will be reminded to watch out for wildlife on the roads when they get behind the wheel, thanks to a Logan City

Mayor cheers on local hero

As Penrith Panthers rugby league legend Royce Simmons took the final steps of his 313km trek in Bathurst at the end of April, Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen was there cheering him on.

Penrith City Council was blown away by the former Panthers skipper’s fundraising efforts last year through the inaugural Royce’s Big Walk, which saw him raise almost $1 million for dementia research following his own Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2021.

This year, councillors are throwing their support behind the local hero and his charity, donating $3000 to Royce’s Big Walk after his awe-inspiring journey for 2023.

Cr Hitchen said council and the wider Penrith community was incredibly proud of Royce for travelling from Dubbo to Bathurst on foot over 12 days to fundraise and raise awareness.

“Royce Simmons is a remarkable man who was Penrith’s playmaker on the footy field during the 1991 NRL Grand Final and I was taken back to that moment as I watched him make it over the line once more on Saturday,” Cr Hitchen said.

“Royce has turned his own tragedy into fundraising for dementia research, which is vital as there are more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia and it is the leading cause of death for women in this country,” she said.

“Throughout his journey, this local hero has been holding community events during stops along the way as well as fundraisers for local

junior Rugby League clubs, proving his everlasting love for the sport at a grassroots level.

“We are all so proud of Royce and thank him for his selfless and courageous efforts – he is an inspiration and an incredible role model for our community.”

Day one of Royce’s Big Walk saw Royce and his team travel 30km from Dubbo to Wambangalang. Stops along the way included Baldry, Parkes, Forbes and Orange.

He triumphantly arrived at Carrington Park in Bathurst ahead of the Panthers vs Wests Tigers Royce Simmons Cup match where he was met with roaring fans from near and far.

Royce said he was grateful for council’s support and that this donation would help make a difference.

“Every dollar we raise through Royce’s Big Walk is another small step towards finding a cure for dementia,” he said.

“Last year we funded three research projects and we look forward to continuing that work moving forward.

“I’m sincerely grateful for the support of Penrith City Council, the people of Penrith and everyone who has got behind Royce’s Big Walk this year.”

Royce Simmons is supported by Brad Fittler and Andrew Farrar during Royce’s Big Walk.

Picture: PANTHERSRoyce Simmons with Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen after his 12-day journey ends in Bathurst.