LG Focus - March 2024

Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper

Mayors back to school

The mayors from shires in South Western New South Wales went back to school for a day last month.

The visit was part of a longstanding initiative of the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) according to group Chairman and Temora Mayor Rick Firman.

“All mayors were asked to deliver what we call ‘Kindy Kits’ to all Kindergarten students across the REROC footprint,” he said.

“It has pencils, colouring books, etc, etc.

“I went to where I was at school – Temora Public School.

“It was great fun and is a terrific, longstanding initiative of REROCs.”

The group includes mayors and general managers from Bland, Coolamon, Junee, Greater Hume, CootamundraGundagai, Lockhart and Temora Shires as well as Goldenfields Water County Council.

Time running out

The countdown is on for the Federal Government to deliver on its pre-election promise of “fair increases” to Financial Assistance Grants to Australia’s 537 local governments, according to the industry’s peak body.

ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said before the May 2022 election, Federal Labor committed to the ‘long-term financial sustainability of local government’ through increases to grant allocations, including ‘fair increases’ to Financial Assistance Grants.

“For 50 years these grants have provided a base level of funding for councils to deliver the services our communities need, without delivery tied to the Government’s agenda,” she said.

“Many of Australia’s councils are under significant financial pressure, which is being compounded by increasingly frequent natural di-

sasters, jobs and skills shortages and inflation.

“We simply can’t afford to wait any longer to see these ‘fair increases’ in federal funding that were promised to our communities.

“With the next Federal election looming, this is the Government’s last chance to follow through on its commitment to increase Financial Assistance Grants.”

FA Grants have declined from one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue in 1996 to just 0.5 per cent today.

ALGA’s research showed local govern-

ments’ share of Gross Domestic Product is amongst the lowest of comparable nations, and expenditure per capita by councils has flatlined over the past decade, while state, territory and commonwealth spending has continued to rise.

“Councils are innovative, effective and efficient – whether it’s stepping up to provide affordable housing solutions, or running more free and low-cost community programs, we are committed to addressing Australia’s cost of living crisis but we can’t keep doing more with less,” Cr Scott said.

“Restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue must be an urgent priority for this Government and would deliver tangible benefits for every Australian community.”

Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) President Jane Cowell said Australia’s public libraries have always provided essential community services and support, and this has been especially true in the current cost-of-living crisis.

Continued page 2

Temora Mayor Rick Firman returns to his old school to welcome the newest intake.

Elections across the eastern states

Queensland are set to go to the polls this month in what is a particularly busy year of elections with both NSW and Victoria also having local government elections before the end of the year. It will be interesting to see how people vote given all of the disasters and dramas a lot of the councils across eastern Australia have been through over the past few years. Will they go with who they know, or will we be seeing a lot of new faces in the ranks? I’m always interested to see why people decide to stand for local government, for some it’s a springboard to State or Federal levels while for others it’s just about an issue they feel strongly about or wanting to serve the community. What ever your reason for standing, good luck and fingers crossed.

Tania Phillips, Editorial Coordinator LG Focus

It’s election time

More than 1400 candidates have put their hands up to champion their communities, nominating to stand for mayor or councillor at the 16 March council elections.

Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith said council was the level of government closest to the community and local representatives were critical to community liveability.

Rolls closed on Tuesday, 14 February, with 231 mayoral candidates nominating for 77 positions, and another 1191 candidates contesting 501 vacancies for councillor.

“There are no greater community champions than local councils,” Ms Smith said.

“Councils play a critical role in their communities – from providing services to advocating to the other levels of government for fairer funding and better services.”

With the closure of nominations, 13 current Mayors will be returned to office unopposed, and 45 councillors.

A further two new mayors are to be elected unopposed, both of whom were councillors in the 2020 - 2024 term - Diamantina Shire Council’s Francis Murray and Isaac Regional Council’s Kelly Vea Vea.

A total of 18 mayors will step down or retire at the 2024 local government elections, choosing not to re-contest their position.

Key facts and figures ahead of this election are as follows.

Mayors returning unopposed

· Samantha O’Toole, Balonne Shire Council

· Nev Ferrier, Banana Shire Council

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· Rick Britton, Boulia Shire Council

Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson is not seeking re-election as mayor. 371852

· Ernie Camp, Burke Shire Council

· Barry Hughes, Etheridge Shire Council

· Matt Burnett, Gladstone Regional Council

· Lawrence Springborg, Goondiwindi Regional Council

· Raymon Jayo, Hinchinbrook Shire Council

· Anthony (Tony) Rayner, Longreach Regional Council

· Angela Toppin, Mareeba Shire Council

· Peter Flannery, Moreton Bay City Council

· Shaun (Zoro) Radnedge, Murweh Shire Council

· John Wharton, Richmond Shire Council

Time running out

New mayors elected unopposed

· Francis Murray, Diamantina Shire Council

· Kelly Vea Vea, Isaac Regional Council (Both are currently councillors) Mayors not seeking re-election as mayor

· Sean Dillon, Barcaldine Regional Council

· Peter Scott, Cook Shire Council

· Michael Kerr, Douglas Shire Council

· Anne Baker, Isaac Regional Council

· Darren Power, Logan City Council

· Aileen Addo, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council

· Philip Curr, McKinlay Shire Council

· Clare Stewart, Noosa Shire Council

· Mislam Sam, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

· Richard Tarpencha, Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council

· Stuart Mackenzie, Quilpie Shire Council

· Karen Williams, Redland City Council

· Graeme Lehmann, Somerset Regional Council

· Brett Otto, South Burnett Shire Council

· Mark Jamieson, Sunshine Coast Regional Council

· Paul McVeigh, Western Downs Regional Council

· Julie Hall, Whitsunday Regional Council

· Joshua Weazel, Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

DIARY DATES

Queensland’s local government elections

16 March

The 2024 local government elections include elections for mayors and councillors in each of Queensland’s 77 councils. Election day is on Saturday, 16 March 2024. The 2024 Local Government Elections Service Plan outlines the electoral services that will be provided at the elections.

2024 National General Assembly

2-4 July

National Convention Centre, Canberra Registrations are now open for the 2024 National General Assembly (NGA) from 2-4 July in Canberra. ALGA are also reminding councils to submit motions for the 30th anniversary NGA, with a theme of Building Community Trust.

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From page 1

“Beyond providing access to diverse collections, libraries offer services including free internet access and use of computers, assistance with job seeking and resumes, guidance on accessing government services, the ability to stream movies, borrow audio books and board games, and use multimedia recording studios, maker spaces and innovation labs – all for free,” Ms Cowell said.

“Libraries are also increasingly being called on to provide more support to communities, such as lending collections of physical items needed by the community. For example, in regional South Australia, Mt Gambier Library launched their Library of Things in mid-2023, aimed at easing cost of living pressures and reducing waste. The program offers a variety of items for loan ranging from kitchen equipment to home energy toolkits, helping people desperate to reduce their power costs.

“Similar initiatives have been rolled out in public libraries around the country as the cost-of-living crunch continues to hit: toy libraries in Townsville (QLD), free music classes in Alexandria (NSW) and seed libraries in Geelong (Vic). All of these programs are run by library staff and are offered in addition to regular services.

“In order for public libraries to respond

to this increase in demand, secure and sustainable funding is needed at the local level. As the peak body for libraries, ALIA joins ALGA in calling on the Federal Government to increase funding for local government.”

ALGA is also calling on the Government to provide an additional once-off payment of $3 billion to address the historical practice of paying FA Grants to councils in advance.

Since 2009-10, the Government has consistently pre-paid either part or all of the annual Financial Assistance Grants to councils in the previous financial year.

“For the past 15 years councils have received advance payments framed as economic stimulus to address the impacts of COVID, natural disasters, and the Global Financial Crisis,” Cr Scott said.

“Many of our councils took the government of the day at its word and spent these advance funds stimulating their local economies.

“We are now playing a constant game of catch-up on the $3 billion worth of funds and need to reset the payment cycle.

“Providing an additional once-off allocation of Financial Assistance Grants equal to one year’s payments will address the bringforward and meet the Government’s commitment to fair increases.”

Australian Council of Local Government

5 July

National Convention Centre, Canberra ALGA is delighted to once again partner with the Federal Government to host the 2024 Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) in Canberra.

The ACLG event will be held at the National Convention Centre on Friday 5 July, after the 2024 National General Assembly (NGA).

The 2024 ACLG is expected to attract around 600 local government representatives, including mayors and Shire Presidents, councillors, CEOs as well as a range of peak body representatives.

2024 NSW Local Government elections

14 September

There are 128 local government councils in NSW. Each council represents a local government area. The NSW Electoral Commission will be conducting the elections for 126 councils on Saturday, 14 September 2024 for the election of Councillors. Some councils will also be holding mayoral elections, constitutional referendums and/or polls.

Mount Gambier Library.

WA set to simplify meeting procedures

The Cook Government has released a consultation paper aimed to create simplified meeting procedures for all Western Australian local governments.

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said the proposal will set a new standard for dealing with disruption and disorder at meetings.

“The public expect council meetings to be a forum for respectful discussion and constructive debate, focused on how local governments can best serve their communities,” the minister said.

“Unfortunately, we have seen occasions where meetings have become disorderly, and times when a vocal minority have unfairly dominated debates, while others are drowned out.

“Having Statewide consistency in meeting rules will make it easier and fairer for anyone to engage in council meetings, ensuring everyone has a say in informing decisions.”

She said having a consistent approach to local government council and committee meetings will: make it easier for people to understand, participate and observe council meetings, wherever they are in WA; provide consistent rules on how meetings are held; reduce costs by removing the need for each local government to develop and review local laws; allow Mayors and Presidents to silence, but not remove, council members who are disorderlywhile members of the public who are disorderly can be removed; and ensure meetings do not run too late, with meetings to be adjourned at 11pm.

The proposed regulations will replace coun-

cil procedures, standing orders and local laws.

The consultation paper and associated survey questions can be viewed or downloaded at wa.gov.au/standardised-meeting-procedures

Submissions close on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

The minister said the paper continues extensive public consultation to inform the Cook Government’s local government reforms, which are the most significant changes to local government in Western Australia in more than 25 years.

Still rebuilding two years on

NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig made his first visit to the Northern Rivers Region in late February just a week before the second anniversary of the devastating floods.

He was hosted by NSW Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, and met with mayors from across the region in Ballina.

“Local councils are at the forefront of disasters, especially in terms of infrastructure repair and rebuild,” Ms Saffin said before the visit.

“Mayors and general managers, together with individual councillors, will have an opportunity to discuss a range of current issues related to the local government portfolio.”

Minister Hoenig and Ms Saffin also held discussions with the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation, the peak body representing seven councils in the region.

Minister Hoenig, who is the Member for Heffron, said “Councils are the closest tier of government to the people and play an invaluable role in supporting their communities, especially during and following times of disaster.

In the shadow of the second anniversary of the 2022 floods, NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig (centre) and NSW Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin met with mayors from across the Northern Rivers.

“I look forward to meeting with mayors and councillors to discuss the local government issues impacting local communities.”

During the visit Minister Hoenig also re-

ceived further briefings on how Lismore was rebuilding its civic infrastructure and Central Business District from the devastating floods of February and March 2022.

Show off your talent

Entries are now open for the 2024 National Awards for Local Government, which recognise outstanding innovation implemented by councils that has enhanced local communities.

Federal Member for Local Government Kristy McBain said now in its 38th year, previous award winners have been celebrated for incredible initiatives.

This includes the Glen Eira Mums Program from Glen Eira City Council in Victoria, designed to provide early intervention to family violence, and the Ghost Walks Program by the City of Gosnells in Western Australia, which provides a “Spooktacular” experience during the full moon.

“As a former Mayor and Regional Councillor, I know how hard local councils and their staff work to improve the lives of their communities – which is why it’s important we take the time to recognise and celebrate this,” the minister said.

“Councils are at the forefront of the day-to-day services that we all rely on, and in the face of devastating events such as floods, bushfires and the pandemic, they have continued to innovate and meet their regions’ needs.

“By shining a spotlight on these resourceful and creative solutions, we not only celebrate the dedication and innovation of councils, but also support these ideas being adapted and replicated elsewhere.”

There are 11 award categories: Women in Local Government, Waste Management, Road Safety, Regional Growth, Productivity through Infrastructure, Indigenous Recognition, Disaster Readiness and Recovery, Creativity and Culture, Cohesive Communities, Career Starter, and Addressing Violence against Women and their Children.

All elected local government organisations, local government associations and other recognised organisations that provide direct services to Australian communities are eligible to enter.

Entries will close on 18 March and can be submitted online at: nalg.awardsplatform.com

Voting will then be open to councils and the broader public from 19 March to 26 April, with winning initiatives in each category to be announced mid this year.

Further information on the National Awards for Local Government, including previous winning entries, is available at infrastructure.gov.au/NALG

Penrith to host 2025 LG conference

The City of Penrith has been announced as the host city for the 2025 Local Government NSW annual conference.

The annual conference is the local government sector’s flagship event that brings hundreds of councillors, general managers and council staff from across NSW together to set the advocacy agenda for the coming year.

LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley congratulated City of Penrith on its high-quality bid to host the 2025 Conference which will run from Sunday 23 November until Tuesday 25 November.

“I am delighted that next year’s conference will be held in the City of Penrith at the Panthers Penrith Event Centre. They proposed an outstanding bid that couldn’t be overlooked,”

Cr Turley said.

“It is an ideal location for the annual conference, and I am certain that Panthers Penrith will not disappoint as a venue, especially with an impressive ability to host up to 1,500 delegates.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said he was delighted the City of Penrith would be hosting the 2025 event and was excited to have the chance to highlight the wonderful things the area has to offer.

“We are honoured to host the 2025 LGNSW annual conference in Penrith, the best community in the West,” Cr Carney said.

“Penrith is growing at an exponential rate, with the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport rail line and a huge array of projects that focus on creating a greener, more liveable city.

“It’s an exciting time for our community.

“We are proud of our excellent sporting and recreation facilities which see champion individuals and teams call Penrith home, our green open spaces, vibrant local events, and the many local opportunities for families to learn, work, grow and exercise within our city.

“We welcome the opportunity to show off

our wonderful city to conference delegates in 2025.”

Cr Turley said the 2025 conference will be more important than ever with local government facing another extremely challenging period.

“The Conference is always an excellent opportunity to share ideas, seek inspiration and debate and resolve council-submitted motions that shape the sector’s policy direction for the following year,” Cr Turley said.

“The tradeshow and educational workshops also help support delegates in their efforts to effectively represent their communities.”

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley. Picture: AAP IMAGE/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT

Governor in town

The City of Logan’s super-sized storm response has been given a morale boost from the Governor of Queensland.

Her Excellency, the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, visited Logan City Council’s Marsden Depot to thank a contingent of almost 200 people who have supported the community since the Christmas Day storm ravaged Jimboomba, Cedar Grove and surrounding areas.

The hard-working heroes – including Council employees, contractors, staff from other support agencies and volunteers – have spent weeks cleaning up fallen trees from more than 500 streets, cooking meals, providing advice on relief payments and even doorknocking.

And the clean-up is still ongoing.

Addressing those gathered, the Governor praised the united spirit of support for the people of Logan and commended all involved in the clean-up effort.

“This is a brilliant example of community and Council working together, which I know is what underpins the Logan region’s enormous

strength and resilience,” Her Excellency said.

Mayor Darren Power expressed his gratitude towards those who have given a helping hand in recent weeks, particularly Council staff who cut short their Christmas holidays to coordinate the disaster management response and recovery.

“We know this clean-up isn’t anywhere near completed and we’ve had arduous conditions the whole way through,” Cr Power said.

“On top of the physical clean-up of tonnes of trees and other vegetation, the loss of power, the stifling humidity and financial stress has meant some tough days for many people.

“But our city has always been resilient and I’ve seen people power shine through on even the darkest days.”

Information about the City of Logan’s storm recovery is available at: logan.qld.gov.au/ storm-recovery-updates

Jobs support

A new $707 million program is set to close the gap in employment outcomes in remote Australia and create 3000 jobs across the region.

The Federal Government’s Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (RJED), announced in mid-February, has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

The employment program will partner with First Nations communities, with the goal of closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

ALGA President Cr Linda Scott said she believed local governments – many of which are facing widespread skills shortages – will be interested to partner with the Government on the RJED.

“In regional and remote communities, local government is often the biggest employer, and our 2022 Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey shows councils are the largest employer of First Nations people in the Northern Territory, with around half of the workforce being Indigenous Australians,” Cr Scott said.

“As a major employer of First Nations people, we believe councils should be an eligible employer through this program, and we look forward to working with the Government to ensure it delivers on its promise.”

Cr Scott said as the closest government to our communities, councils have a key role to play in reducing Indigenous disadvantage.

“Councils are committed to co-designing programs with all levels of government – and all partners – to increase education and employment opportunities and reduce the barriers experienced by many First Nations people,” Cr Scott said.

“We are dedicated to building a more prosperous and inclusive future for First Nations people based on genuine and respectful partnerships.”

Council finance investigation welcomed

The peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), has welcomed the latest Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) investigation into NSW local council finances — but is urging IPART to undertake a rigorous review of how Federal and State level policy impacts the financial sustainability of Councils.

On 30 January, NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig announced the government had asked IPART to examine the financial model for councils and key factors impacting councils’ financial sustainability.

“Our concern is the government’s draft terms of reference for the investigation omit critical external factors such as Federal and State Government policies that impact the financial model underpinning local government funding,” said WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert.

“WSROC supports the NSW Government undertaking a rigorous review into the financial resilience of Councils but urges it to focus not just on what can be done better by councils but also on how Federal and State level policy impacts the financial resilience and sustainability of Councils.

“This is especially important at a time when local councils are under pressure from government to provide more housing, infrastructure and services for rapidly growing populations.

“For example, ‘cost shifting’ by the NSW Government and the Australian Government onto local councils in NSW in the financial year 2015/16 was estimated to have been $820 mil-

lion — up from an estimated $380 million in 2005/06.

“The NSW Government is responsible for most of the cost shifting, however, with just two per cent attributed to the Australian Government.

“The increase is mainly driven by the NSW Government’s $800 million annual waste levy.

“So, while the NSW Government shifts responsibility to local government for funding vital services and functions, it ensures the means to funding those services lie with itself.

“We are seeing growing community expectations regarding services and infrastructure delivery, and in a growing region such as Western Sydney, expectations far exceed what current funding mechanisms – in the form of rates, grants and developer contributions – can provide.

“Greater Western Sydney’s population is growing at such a rate that we will need to house more than one million additional people by 2036.

“To address long-term financial pressures and to deliver on community priorities, we

especially need the Government to closely examine how Councils can achieve financial sustainability where community expectations are rising and the cost of providing services is increasing at a greater rate than revenue.

“Councils are especially sensitive to a growing liability for unfunded infrastructure - particularly in growth areas such as Western Sydney which is being impacted by growing costs as the climate changes, populations age, technology advances and work patterns change.

“The demand for ever more housing also compounds other significant challenges Western Sydney councils are dealing with, including finding ways to ensure our communities have access to reliable, and affordable energy and rebuilding local infrastructure after recent disasters such as floods and bushfires.

“In October 2019, the NSW Government’s independent, expert panel released a discussion paper, NSW Review of Federal Financial Relations, examining how the NSW and Commonwealth Governments can work to build a stronger economy, encourage state-led reform, and ultimately, deliver better value for taxpayers.

“WSROC is urging the NSW Government

to examine how all three levels of government can work together to build a stronger economy and, ultimately, deliver reform that offers better value for taxpayers and ratepayers.

“Particular focus should be given to finding a fairer, more efficient, and more reliable system of Commonwealth and State funding for local government,” said Councillor Calvert.

“A critical shortcoming of the current approach is the lack of focus on how councils’ financial relations with the state and federal governments impact the delivery of both infrastructure and services.

“Ad hoc grants programs must be replaced by longer-term funding streams that are fair and equitable. This will ultimately deliver better community outcomes because councils can plan better.

“As councils in Greater Western Sydney look to the future, the demands of population growth and other internal and external factors are putting ever greater financial pressure on them. Not the least of which is the constant cost-shifting from state to local government,” said Councillor Calvert.

Her Excellency and Mayor Darren Power speak with council staff Lance Blake, Rick Baker and Jason Farmer.

Her Excellency Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM and Mayor Darren Power with the people who stood behind the City of Logan after the December storms.

From refugee to mayor

The City of Maribyrnong is home to a diverse, growing, and ever-changing population located in the inner west of Melbourne. Our city has one of the most culturally diverse populations in Victoria, with 40 per cent of residents born outside Australia, coming from over 135 different countries. Maribyrnong features an incredible community of international cultures offering tasty food, a lively arts and festivals presence, quaint villages, rolling parks and gardens and exciting bars and cafes. And in my opinion, some of the best Vietnamese food in Melbourne.

By Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam

I have been a councillor for the City of Maribyrnong for 11 years, serving two terms as mayor in 2017/18 and currently for the 2023/24 term.

As a former refugee from Vietnam, my interest in local government started when I resettled in Australia and wanted to learn more about how governments worked. I felt the community needed a representative who they could relate to and understood the personal challenges migrants faced.

I’m passionate about advocating for multicultural communities, particularly vulnerable community members who face cultural and language barriers, to find a sense of belonging in Australia.

I was a public servant for over 30 years and recently retired. Along with being a full-time mayor, I currently sit on the board of the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, Australia Local Government Women’s Association, and the Western Health Foundation.

It is a privilege to represent the people of Maribyrnong and to ensure all community members have a voice.

I love to keep active by going on long walks, swimming, and watching comedy. Challenges, goals, and projects

Our municipality endured the devastating impacts of a major flood event in 2022. More than 500 homes, several kilometres of road and footpaths, and a number of our open spaces were impacted – council is continuing to support affected residents through the flood recovery.

Our municipality is a small and densely

populated area, and that alone comes with its own unique set of challenges. Areas that need to be addressed include improved air quality due to being home to several truck routes, and better public and active transport networks to improving cycling and walking connections.

Council has a strong commitment toward inclusion and equality and takes pride in this city’s diverse community, including LGBTIQA+ people, families, and communities.

The LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan reinforces the council’s commitment to LGBTIQA+ people, families, and communities, and identified actions for strengthening social and economic inclusion and reducing barriers to their participation in the city. A LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group was also established. I am extremely proud to share that Maribyrnong is the third council in Australia to recently sign the Darlington Statement.

Council is undertaking a major redevelopment that will see historic Footscray Town Hall renovated and restored and a new community park and civic administration building constructed, which is scheduled for completion by December 2024.

The site has a rich history – an 80-year heritage we plan to respect, restore, and celebrate. Recognising heritage constraints, restoration works were designed to unlock the Town Hall’s full potential, returning it to public life and restoring the connection between the community and the civic centre of the municipality. This will include a new flexible community foyer and forum space providing a direct access to community spaces and interface between the Town Hall,

new civic building, and new community park.

As part of the project, council is aiming for a modern six-star Green Star accreditation for the new building which is the highest level of certification reaching world leadership in sustainable practices. This includes using responsible materials in the build, reducing upfront carbon emissions and life cycle impact through carbon neutral certified materials, installing a 60,000-rainwater tank, and installing a solar system. Other elements include bike and EV parking infrastructure, dedicated wellness space, and installing indigenous plants and new trees. In line with council’s, Climate Emergency Strategy 2020-2025, the project will further our commitment in delivering a lowimpact, environmentally responsible centre. Achievements as mayor

I was instrumental in driving the council’s first Intercultural Strategy, further cementing our commitment to embracing diverse voices.

Nearly half of our residents were born overseas, and more than 80 languages are spoken in our city. The strategy, which builds on the community’s strengths and experiences as a multicultural city, embraces interculturalism to help grow a socially cohesive city, as well as promoting inclusivity and diversity. It seeks to foster learning, dialogue, and relationships between cultures.

The best part of being mayor is representing the whole city. I often refer to myself as the ‘harmony councillor’ as I’m able to work with all councillors and lead council to create better outcomes for our neighbourhoods and continue driving a prosperous city economy. Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam.

Challenges and wins at Liverpool Plains

This month Local Government Focus caught up with Liverpool Plains Shire Mayor, Councillor Doug Hawkins OAM.

LG: Thank you for chatting with us Mayor Hawkins, tell us about your council and your area, what makes your council special or different?

Mayor Hawkins: “The Liverpool Plains Shire is unique because of its abundance of artesian water and fertile soil. Our Shire has the ability to produce food for the state and the nation and that is what will take us into the future, if we can build a strong economy based on agriculture.”

LG: Do you have a favourite part / aspect / attraction in the council area?

Mayor Hawkins: “I enjoy all aspects of the council area including meeting people from across the shire and promoting their interests further afield.”

LG: How long have you been on Council and why did you become involved in Local Government?

Mayor Hawkins: “I’m approaching eight years on Council, two years as Deputy Mayor, two years as Councillor and four years as Mayor. I ran for council to give back to a community that has been extremely good to me and my family since moving here 27 years ago.”

LG: Do you have another job? Tell us about that and how it contributes to your role/views as a councillor?

Mayor Hawkins: “I am a full-time Mayor.”

LG: What activities do enjoy outside of work hours?

Mayor Hawkins: “Outside of my role as Mayor, when time permits, I enjoy cycling and kayaking on the great dams and rivers in our region.”

LG: What are they key challenges facing you and your Council?

Mayor Hawkins: “The key challenges for the Liverpool Plains Shire are many and varied. We have a small population of approximately 8,000 with a large area of five and half thou-

sand square kilometres. Within that area are seven villages and two townships and a network of 1300 kilometres of roads to maintain.

“Infrastructure in each village has an enormous effect on a limited budget and we are barely able to keep ahead of inflation. Going forward, State and Federal Governments will need to look carefully at how local government is funded.”

LG: What innovative projects or policies is Council working on?

Mayor Hawkins: “We have several major projects that I will be happy to see completed or underway coming to the end of this term of local government: the completion of the Quipolly Dam water treatment plant, the construction of the new Quirindi Aquatic Centre,

the installation of new bridges and road rehabilitation, construction of a new tennis club in Quirindi and boosts to economic development and agricultural production through the Werris Creek freight terminal.”

LG: Tell us about a specific success you have had in Local Government.

Mayor Hawkins: “I helped establish the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo and am working on promoting trade between Suseong-gu Republic of Korea and the Liverpool Plains, “I have always enjoyed promoting and strengthening our ties with our sister city Blacktown City Council and have established great working relationships with our local members both State and Federal.

“During my term in Local Government, we

have successfully lobbied government for funds to complete several large-scale projects of benefit to residents in our region, including: the new water treatment plant, located at Quipolly Dam, which will enhance the capacity, quality and resilience of water supply for our region into the future. Construction of a brand new aquatic centre in Quirindi. Supporting economic development and agricultural production within the region through the Crawfords freight terminal at Werris Creek.”

LG: What is the best part about being a Councillor?

Mayor Hawkins: “Giving back to the community.”

LG : And the worst part?

Mayor Hawkins: “To do your best for the community as a whole. You do tend to lose friends through various decisions but I’m comfortable with the decisions I’ve made.”

LG: And finally what do you hope to accomplish in the future?

Mayor Hawkins: “I have a tremendous belief in the work we have done across two Council terms and I will take great pleasure in seeing all of that work paying off whether I’m on Council or retired.”

Mayor Hawkins OAM visits the Quirindi Silo Art.

Mayor Hawkins OAM outside Liverpool Plains Council Chamber.

Town awaiting a trigger

Narrandera is a very interesting town on several fronts.

THE GOOD OIL

It’s at the junction of the Newell and Sturt highways, and midway between Wagga and Griffith, both important cities in the context of regional value-adding. Leeton, the booming agricultural hub, is 25km away.

Narrandera has a fascinating history - the heartland of Wiradjuri country, the focal point for exploration by Sturt and others, a paddle steamer hub in the 1800s, and home to a bevy of notable Australians - Dame Marie Bashir (ex-NSW Governor), Stan Grant Snr (Indigenous leader), Cliffy Lyons (NRL) and various bush poets.

One of Narrandera’s points of difference is its wide streets – indeed some of the side streets are 35m wide. There are numerous historical buildings. The housing stock appears very reasonable, and there’s a housing sub-division underway. The motels mostly date back to the boom years of Victorian travellers chasing the Queensland sun. The pubs are currently in a state of flux, for reasons I won’t go into here.

But the puzzling thing is Narrandera’s modest population of 3,800 - it’s about the same as 50 years ago. Falling farm populations due to increasing mechanisation and farm aggregation has put pressure on Council’s rate base at a time of growing infrastructure requirements.

By all accounts, Narrandera Council and the community in general are proactive in attracting large-scale investments. An example is the recently-opened Avonlei solar farm (550,000 panels). Interestingly, it has significant Indigenous community support and employment.

Another investment ($70 million) was by Ferrero Rocher in a hazelnut farm outside town. Unfortunately in this case the company has recently announced its withdrawal due to the unsuitable climate. This is quite sad given Ferrero Rocher’s international standing and the potential the project had to trigger more downstream processing in the Riverina. Confectionery manufacturing might have been a subsequent step.

But I figure Narrandera’s Mayor, Neville Kschenka, won’t be put off by the Fererro Rocher exit because it has competitive advantages to attract other investments year-round: water supply, clean energy, the Riverina Food Bowl, a JBS feedlot, the highway network, Narrandera Airport (Rex services to Sydney), and a stable workforce.

In this context some locals there last month mentioned the possibility of a freight hub - or at least a freight consolidation facility - for

fresh/processed food.

A second idea was to somehow enshrine its new Industrial Estate as a recognised precinct under the NSW Government’s regional precincts program. A third idea is a modular housing manufacturing plant in the Industrial Estate. This has been mentioned in the press and it would really be a game-changer. It certainly makes sense to locate such businesses in places like Narrandera where land costs are much cheaper than in Sydney.

The point here is that taking ideas to the market can be a slow and tortuous process. It manifests itself in the difficulty in getting potential stakeholders interested and knowledgeable about a small town, and then getting them organised and collaborating. ‘Coordination failure’ is the fancy economic term for the problem. Narrandera seems to be kicking goals in this regard.

Should your council be having difficulties in this space, two strategies are suggested.

· Convene a workshop where potential stakeholders can discuss the worth of say two to three development ideas or projects. Participants would reflect the projects for discussion, and they should probably include the RDA Committee, Department of Primary Industries, Investment NSW, one to two super funds, the tourism development authority, Local Land Services (in NSW at least) and the

relevant local companies. The aim is not to necessarily get a project sign-off, but to begin a stakeholder engagement process.

· Commission the preparation of project snapshots that can be disseminated around national and international investors. The rationale is that investment attraction in regional Australia would benefit from a more proactive approach. The feds have exited this function all together – our overseas posts simply refer enquiries from prospective international investors to our state investment agencies. There is minimal effort by our posts to put proposals in front of prospective international investors. Some of our state investment agencies do this, but it’s light years away from the practice adopted by those in North America and Europe.

The above strategies would, I believe, benefit probably 80-100 other small towns across Australia. For example, Narrogin in the WA Wheatbelt has significant agricultural output and good transport links, and ripe for a development trigger.

Likewise the regional Queensland towns with natural resources and now solar energy supplies - Barcaldine, Emerald, Lakeland, Chinchilla, Oakey etc. The councils in these areas are to be commended. Indeed Barcaldine has eminent economist Ross Garnaut playing a leadership

and investment attraction role and I wouldn’t be surprised if workshops and project snap-shots were the modus operandi there.

In brief - AIS

As predicted in this column six months ago, the Albanese Government has decided to upgrade the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, rather than incur more expenditure by moving it or spreading the sports around Australia. This brought a stinging response from new Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, as follows ‘Canberra is an awful place. Who would want to go to Canberra…Queensland is the sporting hub of the nation.’

Sure, Miles is facing an election in October and a bit of Canberra-bashing might get pats on the back from some Queensland voters. But he’s raising eyebrows, and not just in Canberra. And regular travellers to Canberra appreciate that it’s a melting pot of sorts – government as well as private sector employees come from all over Australia, with open and collaborative mindsets. This arguably explains why the ACT was the only jurisdiction that voted yes in the recent Voice referendum.

Rod Brown is a Canberra-based lobbyist specialising in industry/regional development.

Email apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au

Councils praise short-term rental review

Councils have welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to review the short-term rental accommodation industry.

President of Local Government NSW Cr Darriea Turley AM said councils had been seeking changes to the regulations governing the industry for a number of years and today’s announcement was a step in the right direction.

“LGNSW welcomes the review and looks forward to direct engagement on behalf of our members on this critically important issue,” Cr Turley said.

“Councils want to have the ability to respond flexibly in this area to balance housing needs as well as the local visitor economy.

The review will also consider policy options to incentivise the use of vacant property and holiday homes for long-term residency.

Cr Turley said an outcome of the review needed to be returning more of the existing housing stock to the long-term rental market.

“We think this will be the fastest way to provide immediate relief to housing pressures,” she said.

Councils have long called for better tools to

manage the impacts of short-term rental accommodation platforms on the availability of long-term rental housing.

Most recently, councils resolved at the 2023 LGNSW Annual Conference in November to call for local government to have the ability to respond flexibly in this area.

In September the State Government took a decision to allow Byron Shire to impose a 60-day cap on short term rentals, down from 180 days.

Cr Turley said the move was made to address the acute housing crisis in the shire.

“Other local government areas in NSW have the same issues as Byron and it’s our hope that this review will facilitate a range of solutions being implemented,” Cr Turley said.

Cr Turley is encouraging people in the local government sector to go to the discussion paper and online survey at the NSW Planning Portal to have their say.

The consultation period was set to go for four weeks, ending on 14 March.

The Lake Talbot swimming complex at Narrandera.Narrandera Shire Council.

Naming deadly heatwaves

With parts of Australia reeling from record-breaking heat, the Climate Council is calling for heatwaves to be named, similar to how we name tropical cyclones, as a way of helping avoid more deaths. This move, already trialled in Europe, could increase awareness of the serious health and safety risks posed by heatwaves.

Climate Councillor and public health physician Dr Kate Charlesworth said Seville in Spain was the first city in the world to start naming heatwaves.

In 2023 a heatwave in southern Europe was unofficially named ‘Cerberus’, after the ferocious three-headed dog from Greek mythology, vividly symbolising its severity. This occurred after a 2022 heatwave in Europe killed more than 61,000 people.

“Aussies think that because we live in a hotter country that we are somehow immune to heat,” she said.

“But heatwaves, like those underway in Western Australia, are lethal - having claimed

more Australian lives since 1890 than bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and severe storms combined.

“That’s often because people underestimate how deadly they can be, or overestimate their own ability to cope in extreme heat.

“Heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change. Naming heatwaves can raise more public awareness about the dangers, and drive home the urgency of our situation.

“If it has a name, a hashtag and media coverage, then people pay closer attention to the danger and how they can protect themselves. Any step that helps protect our communities, our health, and our planet is a step in the right direction.”

Western Australia experienced an excep-

tionally sweltering February, continuing a streak of relentless heat. Since September 2023 shattered monthly temperature records, each subsequent month has consistently registered temperatures well above average.

Climate Council Research Director Dr Simon Bradshaw said pollution from burning coal, oil and gas is overheating the planet and worsening extreme weather events like heatwaves, intense downpours and droughts.

“If we continue to recklessly burn more coal, oil, and gas, then heatwaves will become so extreme that some parts of the country will become effectively uninhabitable. We can’t keep stoking the fire if we want the room to cool down,” he said.

Dr Bradshaw said a ranking and naming system for heatwaves could be modelled off the Bureau of Meteorology’s heatwave defini-

Major works follow disasters

Warrumbungle Shire is set to carry out more than $15 million in work to its infrastructure after being disaster-declared on numerous occasions throughout 2021 and 2022.

Restoration work is already underway across the shire on roads that were directly impacted by the multiple natural disaster events with some of the work now expected to take up to two years due to the amount of work needed.

The Australian Government and the NSW Government through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) recognised that in 2021 and 2022 the Warrumbungle Local Government Area (LGA) was hit by multiple flooding events, declaring them as natural disasters and providing funding to repair the affected road network.

“Locals will recall the intense rainfall and damage it has caused to properties, infrastructure and the road network throughout the Shire,” Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan said.

“It has taken some time for roads to be assessed and defects to be determined then the funding applications to be approved before restoration works could commence.”

“However, Council has now obtained $10.57m in funding for the 2021 Natural Disaster event and repair works are in full swing with a lot of noticeable improvements. Road crews have been focusing their time on

the Flood Damage repair program to make a dent in these defects and get our road network repaired in a timely manner.

“Council has submitted further funding applications for the 2022 Natural Disaster events bringing the total claim for these Natural Disaster events to almost $7.4m, and once that funding is obtained further works will be scheduled.”

The council would like to thank the Australian and NSW Governments for providing funding through the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“The funded restoration works will take some time to be completed, in some cases works may take up to two years,” Cr Doolan explained.

“With the sheer amount of works needing to be completed. Council has taken on additional staff plus engaged more contractors to help with the restoration works along with using staff from outside of their normal areas including Urban Services teams to assist the road crews,” Cr Doolan explained.

“In addition to this council has also called for three separate tenders for repair works in specific areas across the Shire, two contracts have now been issued.”

The Council is also very pleased to report that in addition the Pothole Repair Program was completed on time. Council was provided with an additional $864,000 for pothole repairs across the LGA with the project completed by 31 December 2023.

“Road users are reminded to take extra care when travelling the roads across the Warrumbungle Local Government Area and to drive to the conditions of the road and be mindful of Council plant and crews working on the roads,” said Cr Doolan.

Investigation into healthcare

Gaps in culturally informed healthcare put Aboriginal people at risk in Victorian prisons according to a report from Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass.

In her report Investigation into healthcare provision for Aboriginal people in Victorian prisons tabled earlier this month, Ms Glass found the lack of input by Victoria’s First Nations people into healthcare policy in prisons is having devastating effects on the health outcomes for them.

“Despite commitments at every level of government to Aboriginal peoples’ self-determination and Aboriginal-led solutions, the experiences of Aboriginal people in prison are often missing from discussions about policies that affect them,” Ms Glass said.

In the past ten years, the Ombudsman has tabled ten reports looking into prisons, but this investigation concerns a specific group of people and a specific issue about which there is much more to be done.

“Healthcare is the issue raised most often with the Ombudsman by people in prison and their advocates. And while healthcare is an issue for all people in prison, the available evidence shows that Aboriginal people suffer worse and more complex health outcomes than non-Aboriginal people in prison and in the community. I launched this investigation on that basis,” Ms Glass said.

For more than three decades, various authorities have looked into the reasons for the poor health outcomes of First Nations people and deaths in custody.

“These reviews made multiple recommendations to improve healthcare in prisons, some repeated over the years, and various Governments made multiple commitments to implement them. Yet little has changed, or at best, not enough,” Ms Glass said.

Recognising the need to hear Aboriginal peoples’ experiences we visited three major Victorian prisons: the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, the Melbourne Assessment Prison, Ravenhall Correctional Centre.

“We also engaged with representatives of the Department of Justice and Community Safety, healthcare providers, as well as organisations and community representatives working with First Nations peoples in the prison system.

“We heard stories of people being unable to access programs to address their drug use, having their ongoing medications abruptly stopped and resorting to doing their own ‘surgery’.

“Some of the things we heard were deeply

confronting and distressing. What we heard also reflected that for Aboriginal people, health is holistic and includes not only physical but mental, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual wellbeing.

“We heard about a yearning for cultural connection. About the devastating impact a lack of cultural and family connection in prison can have, and what a huge difference it makes when they do receive cultural support with their healthcare needs.”

She said the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework, the Aboriginal Justice Agreement and other policies commit the Government to enabling Aboriginal people’s self-determination. This report addresses gaps between Government’s commitments and the reality inside Victorian prisons. It provides recommendations to ensure self-determination is at the heart of decision making, policy and the delivery of healthcare in prisons.

“I am pleased the recommendations in this report have been accepted, at least in principle. For the sake of our over-incarcerated First Peoples, I can only hope this report finally provides the spur for change,” Ms Glass said.

tions, and that there is already a longstanding practice of naming tropical cyclones.

“More pollution puts all of us at greater risk,” Dr Charlesworth said.

“When it comes to heatwaves everyone should be looking after themselves and others - particularly the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing illnesses. Stay indoors, stay hydrated, stay cool.

Australians should always heed the advice of their local health authorities, and look after each other.”

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation providing authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

Set for revamp

The Australian Government has begun the search for a Chief Commissioner and two commissioners to lead Infrastructure Australia (IA), the Commonwealth’s expert and independent infrastructure adviser.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the recruitment was part of the Government’s commitment to re-establishing IA as the pre-eminent adviser on nationally significant infrastructure planning and investment, following an independent review of IA commissioned by the Australian Government in 2022.

The independent review, conducted by Ms Nicole Lockwood and Mr Mike Mrdak AO, recommended reforms to ensure IA is able to fully deliver on its responsibilities.

“There will be a merit-based process to select the Commissioners, including the Chief Commissioner, to ensure they have the appropriate skills, qualifications, knowledge and experience to lead and deliver on Infrastructure Australia’s mandate,” the minister said.

“The refreshed IA will better support government infrastructure investment objectives, including through improved evaluation of infrastructure proposals and providing a more targeted infrastructure priority list aligned to the Government’s infrastructure policy objectives.”

Applicants will be assessed by an Australian Government selection panel against specific criteria, and the meritbased process will identify suitable candidates for my consideration.

“The decision to introduce three commissioners for IA, who will be supported by an advisory council with experts from infrastructure and related sectors and senior public service officials, will strengthen the foundations for better decisions on significant infrastructure investment, improving outcomes for Australians,” according to the minister.

“With these strengthened foundations, we can build the infrastructure Australia needs to connect people and opportunity, to connect people with each other, and to leave a lasting legacy.”

Road repairs on Tothills Road, Coonabarabran.

Public works to the fore

The 2024 International Public Works Conference will be held from 29 April - 3 May in the bustling city of Melbourne.

IPWEA Australasia, together with IPWEA Victoria are set to host a stimulating conference with a program that will feature keynote speakers, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and highly respected public works professionals from Australasia and around the globe.

Held every two years, this conference will continue its tradition of being the largest public works and infrastructure asset management event held in Australasia and will cover current best practice, case studies and leadingedge initiatives across four key streams: public works in action, technology, asset management and sustainability.

The central conference theme Adaptation: Thriving in a New World reflects the global need to adapt and grow within an evolving landscape. Adaptation is essential for progress and sustainability in the rapidly evolving fields of public works and engineering.

One of the highlights of the 2024 Conference is the keynote address by one of Australia’s leading social commentators and demographer Bernard Salt, who understands that many Australians are challenged by major trends such as automation, artificial intelligence and the lack of skilled immigration post-pandemic.

Salt’s address will highlight how rapid growth creates demand for infrastructure, which creates a demand for engineering skills, which will then require immigration to fulfil.

Of great interest in the emerging technology space will be the return of the Smart Lighting and Street Controls Forum to be held on Wednesday 1 May. This one-day forum has attracted high-calibre international speakers and will feature presentations on the growing role of multi-functional poles, Australia’s most innovative public lighting deployments and international case studies.

In keeping with emerging technologies, we

can expect to learn more about how robotics will change the landscape in which we operate, in the keynote address by Nicci Rossouw, the CEO of Robotics Australia Group.

The venue for the 2024 Conference is the Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre. Presented over four days, in Melbourne’s

newly developed South Wharf precinct, the magnificent Convention and Exhibition Centre is just a footbridge over the Yarra River from Melbourne’s CBD. This is the perfect city to host an international affair like IPWC.

With a full program, significant networking and social functions held at iconic venues, a

comprehensive exhibition of products and services and technical tours showcasing the very best of the best, this is a Conference with a long history offering something for everybody involved with public works.

For more information and to register, visit ipwc.com.au

Melbourne is set to host the 2024 International Public Works Conference.

Group seeks to educate

Community education, advocacy and collaboration with community and government organisations is the way to improve road safety outcomes according to the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) group.

The group has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Launceston ahead of Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week in May.

The document commits the two organisations to promoting road safety in numerous ways within the Launceston municipality.

The SARAH group was founded by Peter Frazer OAM, whose 23-year-old daughter Sarah was killed by a distracted truck driver in 2012 on the Hume Freeway in regional NSW.

Mr Frazer established National Road Safety Week the following year, which is now recognised annually by Federal, State and local governments across Australia.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said he was pleased the city was the first Tasmanian council to officially partner with the program.

“The City of Launceston is jumping at this opportunity to improve road safety outcomes in Northern Tasmania; it’s a specific goal set out in our Launceston Transport Strategy,” Mayor Garwood said.

“We hope through the involvement of Peter and the SARAH program in Launceston we can help promote safe road practices — not only during Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week, but every single day.”

Mr Frazer said the group was excited to be working with the city to promote positive road safety culture in Northern Tasmania.

“In the lead up to National Road Safety Week you will see all sorts of vehicles displaying Australia’s road safety symbol, the Yellow Ribbon as a reminder that we each have a responsibility to ‘Drive So Others Survive’,” Mr Frazer said.

Understanding all gender toilets

Going to the toilet is a right, not a privilege.

For many years people with disabilities have struggled to gain access to suitable public toilet facilities and now the same issue is being highlighted in relation to the provision of toilets for other marginalised groups in the community.

Access Institute’s courses relating to access and universal design in the built environment, explore the issues related to the provision of all gender toilets.

These issues include - who do all gender toilets target; common myths about all gender toilets; why it is not appropriate in many cases to just change the sign on an accessible toilet to identify it as an all gender toilet; why the name of the toilet is important and how to maximise the money spent to develop all gender toilets so that as many people as possible are comfortable to use these.

The National Construction Code (NCC) changed in 2019 to incorporate requirements for accessible adult change facilities in some

buildings and the next step may well be the provision of all gender toilets.

Access Institute courses explore the issues, supply the facts, and assist organisations to understand the issues.

For further details please contact them at info@accessinstitute.com.au

“When you see a car, truck or bus flying a yellow ribbon from its aerials, or you see a yellow ribbon sticker on the rear of a vehicle, it has become a moving billboard for road safety.

“It’s the same with buildings, bridges and city icons which will also be illuminated yellow

across Australia as part of Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week, between 5-12 May.

“So let those yellow ribbons and lights be a reminder that our shared task on our roads and highways is to actively protect the lives and health of every Tasmanian.”

New short courses offer deep insight

In a time of environmental disasters and ongoing threats of disease outbreaks, a new suite of micro-credential courses Sydney’s Charles Darwin University will give students the knowledge to better prepare for disasters.

The CDU Menzies School of Medicine has launched two new micro-credentials, Communicable Disease Outbreak Management and Natural Disasters, the first of four in the new Disaster Health course suite.

The first course will explore strategies of how to prepare and respond to a communicable disease outbreak, with topics including epidemiology in practice, clinical and public health planning, response and messaging in outbreaks, immunity and vaccinations.

The second course delves into natural disasters, the injuries or illnesses resulting from these types of emergencies and how that influences health preparedness and response.

Both courses are open for enrolments in semester one, 2024 and will close midsemester.

CDU Menzies School of Medicine Senior Lecturer Angela Sheedy said the courses were developed in partnership with the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

“These courses have been developed with experts who have lived experience in the areas of emergency and disaster health responses,” Ms Sheedy said.

“This year in Australia we have witnessed floods, wildfires, and the ongoing threat of communicable disease outbreaks. The CDU School of Medicine is invested in ensuring those who want to work in these areas have access to the best education and resources possible.

“Those interested in working in disaster and emergency response need to be ready for anything, and this selection of short courses allows participants to choose which area of Disaster Health they want to complete to enhance their skills and knowledge.”

The Disaster Health suite will be complete later this year with units Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response, and Human-made Disasters, to be added in semester two.

Ms Sheedy said delivering the courses in a micro-credential format allowed students access to affordable and achievable qualifications.

“The Disaster Health short courses allow learners to gain education and skills in a self-paced mode and feel confident they are accessing information and resources relevant to this area,” she said.

“The course content is designed to direct learners to the knowledge and resources required, it recognises we are all busy and want the option to complete quality courses quickly.”

Peter Frazer and Mayor Matthew Garwood.

Large trees uprooted on Emerald-Monbulk Road, Emerald, in February. 389299

A digital transformation

The way customers interact with their council will be transformed with the rollout of an extensive, multi-year digital initiative by Redland City Council.

The overhaul will ensure residents have easier access to Council’s suite of digital services and the flexibility to choose when and where they engage with these platforms.

Redland’s Digital Transformation Program will be phased in over the next four to seven years at an estimated cost of about $45 million. It is set to bolster Council’s cyber security, enhance productivity and improve service offerings.

Everyone from community members to elected representatives and Council employees will benefit from the upgrades.

Council allocated $4.8 million in its 2023-24 Budget to deliver the first phase of the project, which includes procurement and contracting activities.

A Council spokesperson said improving data security would be a key part of the initiative.

“Cyber criminals are coming up with increasingly complex ways to compromise computer systems and steal private data,” the spokesperson said.

“It is crucial that organisations like ours take all the necessary steps to safeguard this important information.

“We are undertaking this digital transformation in response to feedback from our community, who have told us they want more modern ways to interact with Council.

“Our own employees are also looking for improved automation and system enhancements that will help create efficiencies in their day-today operations.

“We recognise that technology is constantly changing and we must adapt to ensure we are catering to the evolving needs of

our community.”

Collaborating with specialist organisations will be key to ensuring a smooth transition to the new digital platforms and service offerings.

“Council has recently signed contracts with TechnologyOne and Leander Business Consulting as part of the program rollout,” the

spokesperson said.

“This extends a 25-year relationship with TechnologyOne and gives us access to their latest, fully integrated OneCouncil software solutions and services.

“The Leander team will work with Council officers to implement the contemporary OneCouncil software over the four-to-seven-year

life of the program.

“Concurrently, our Information Management team will continue supporting service teams to deliver targeted service improvements through innovation and automation.”

More information about the Digital Transformation Program is available on the Redland City Council website.

Goodbye 3G. Hello to a better network experience.

Tohelpprovideyouwithanimprovedexperience,we’reevolvingourmobilenetwork.Thismeans thaton30June2024we’reswitchingoffour3Gnetwork.Our4Gand5Gnetworkswillbe available insteadandofferanimprovedexperience,representingthenextleapforwardinmobile networktechnology.

Someofyourdevices-includinghandsets,medicaldevices,andEFTPOSmachines-mayneedto beupdatedorreplacedaheadoftheclosuretoensure ongoingservice.We’reheretohelpyouwith the change and answer anyquestions you mayhave.

Redland City Council’s Digital Transformation Program is delivering improved services for customers.

More costs but less use

Greater Hume Council is set to withdraw from the Riverina Regional Library Mobile Library Service from 1 July.

The decision comes after the withdrawal of the Wagga Wagga City Council from the Riverina Regional Library in July 2022.

The impact of that decision meant the mobile service was no longer viable due to the increased contribution payable by Greater Hume Council along services decline in use.

The February council meeting decided the

priority was to work with the mobile library users to determine alternative arrangements for accessing library services with consultation and communication with the users beginning this month.

This program will be rolled out via the council’s social media and website, the mobile library social platforms and community

newsletters.

This transition program includes a 12-month replacement service for the 2024/25 year.

The Greater Hume Council will provide a monthly service to the impacted towns with the aim of transitioning services to online borrowing and reading and/or using their four library’s based in Jindera, Holbrook,

Henty and Culcairn.

The council continues to support the static libraries through the provision of a variety of services and through the continual refurbishment of the Libraries, most recently including the Holbrook and Henty Libraries, to ensure that the service provided meets the needs of the Greater Hume Community.

Technology help on offer for seniors

As critical services increasingly move to online-only platforms, access becomes an issue for regional and remote Australians.

Connectivity continues to be a real problem in many communities and for those who have been without strong telecommunications networks for an extended period, a digital literacy gap becomes yet another barrier to be overcome.

Mansfield Shire Council responded to this community need through its Tech Help program. With $12,912 from the Victorian Government’s Digital Literacy for Seniors Program, one-on-one assistance was made available to seniors in the community to help them access government services, such as Centrelink, MyGov, Working with Children, how to submit online applications and access email and online banking services.

Library Coordinator Justine Shelton said the community’s need for the service was evident from the time bookings opened.

“Libraries are often the first point of contact for anyone who needs help accessing online services, especially in regional areas where it’s not easy to meet with someone over the counter,” she said.

“The funding meant that we had the resources to provide direct support to resolve their issue, while empowering them with the skills they needed to access basic services from their device.

“The demand for the program was high, with more than 100 people using the service over a period of about four months. Every single session offered was fully booked, so the program was a great success.”

Graeme Pabst provided the IT specialist service.

He said he became known as the ‘seniors

whisperer’ during his time on the program.

“The best part about the tech help program was that the one-on-one bookings with people on their own devices meant you weren’t just helping to resolve their immediate problem, but also allowing them the space they needed to learn how to independently access their email, fill in online forms or access critical government services and information,” he said.

“We know that seniors are particularly vulnerable as we move into the digital age. In a regional town like Mansfield, with continued telecommunications issues, it’s particularly challenging when services move to onlineonly access. I was grateful to be part of a program that provided real help to improve digital literacy to those who need it most.”

Christine Badham was a patron of the program and said the one-on-one time with Graeme was a great help to her.

“Too often, I don’t even understand the language commonly used in technology,” Christine said.

“Graeme was approachable and encouraged me to use my own device, checking I could actually do the things I needed to do myself, on my own device.

“I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to be shown in this way. It’s very hard to understand technology when you’re older.”

The tech help program ran from August to December 2023 and provided 117 oneon-one sessions to seniors. The funding also went to the purchase of IT equipment for community use.

Bookworms rejoice, a new library is coming

Work has begun on the new Gosford Regional Library in Donnison Street, Gosford. Council Administrator Rik Hart was joined by Dr Gordon Reid MP Member for Robertson and North Construction and Building (North) Managing Director Matthew Cook, to ceremonially ‘turn the first sod’ and celebrate this next stage in the construction of this significant project for the Central Coast in mid-January.

Mr Hart said that with construction now commencing, we should see quite a bit of activity at the site – with the new Gosford Regional Library still on track to be formally opened in early 2025.

“The new Library will be the first of its kind for the Central Coast and will offer an iconic building in the heart of the Gosford central business district, where the community can connect, create and collaborate,” he said.

“This next step is another visible sign of the continuing growth and development of Gosford, which is evident by the number of cranes and activity going on in the CBE.

“This project will enormously contribute to Gosford, and ultimately the Central Coast, to be a first-class region for employment, educa-

tion, health and tourism,” Mr Hart said.

The project is jointly funded with $7 million from the Australian Government’s Community Development Grant Program and Council’s collection of developer contributions, special levies (collected by former Gosford City Council) and Council funds restricted to this project.

The Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid MP said the Australian Government was proud to help support the construction of the new Gosford Regional Library.

“The Australian Government understands that libraries provide a range of services and that they are important places for learning, collaboration, and for community support.

“The Federal Government is investing $7 million towards the new Gosford Regional Library, and I look forward to watching this significant development take shape over the coming months,” Dr Reid said. Gosford Library.

Important library reopens

In October 2023 the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Ti Tree library was reopened to the public after being renovated. A celebration was held, with kangaroo tails, a sausage sizzle and activities by Early Childhood Australia. The renovations have improved the library, meaning it can be accessed by everyone and there is room for more books.

Ti Tree is 200 kilometres north of Alice Springs, in Anmatjere Country, and services the communities of Pmara Jutunta, Nturiya and Wilora. As the library is one of the only sources for books in the community (there are no book shops there), it is an important part of the community.

Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Work Health and Safety (WHS) got in on the action as well, as part of National Safe Work Month. They had the Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA) and Indigenous Eye Health Unit resources available, and ran workshops on safety and mental health.

Early Childhood Australia ran fun children’s activities, helping to engage young children in libraries.

CDRC staff cooked the kangaroo tails on an outside fire, a local favourite food, as well as the usual barbecue. The event was well attended, as the library is highly valued by the community.

CDRC now has a dedicated Libraries department that is improving libraries across the Central Desert region, an area bigger than Victoria. They also have a library in Lajamanu, over 800 kilometres drive from Ti Tree.

CDRC libraries are safe places for the community to study, meet, connect, and have fun. There are spaces to study, research support and books written in language. At CDRC libraries, membership is free and everyone is welcome. Not only can residents borrow and return books, but they can also watch movies with headphones on and have access to a computer room.

Central Desert Regional Council staff cooking kangaroo tails at the opening.Residents enjoying the new and improved library.

Community safety is key

Town of Claremont’s Community Safety Officers play a valuable role in the community and help to provide a safe environment for all residents and visitors according to Mayor Jock Barker.

The mayor said the Town’s Community Safety team operated seven days a week, aiding the reduction of crime through a wide range of initiatives including community and hotspot patrols.

Mayor Barker said community safety was important and local government had a strong role to play in it.

“Community safety is something we take very seriously at the Town of Claremont. Having a dedicated community safety team is a key part of our overall efforts, and our CCTV network helps to keep eyes on the streets,” he said.

“As a local government we have a responsibility to provide public spaces with which people can engage safely and where people can feel comfortable to go about their day. Investing resources into this area is vital if we want to maintain the vibrant community that we have in Claremont.”

A network of CCTV cameras helps to keep public order and deter any illegal activity.

As part of actions identified within their Community Safety Plan, the Town of Claremont recently upgraded and installed over 90 CCTV cameras in key areas around the town, including a focus on the Claremont Town Centre where a large number of businesses operate.

Footage is not available to the public; however, the town works closely with WA Police, who may request footage to assist with investigations.

A boon for tourism

Lachlan Shire Council has a new and improved Freight Logistics and Visitors Information Centre, located in the “Utes in the Paddock” precinct Condobolin.

Opened in November it is hoped the centre will drive visitation to the region and build on Lachlan Shire’s strengths, including their reputation as a destination for an authentic bush experience in the heart of NSW.

The Centre was designed to pay tribute to the traditional buildings of rural NSW.

The shire believes they have created a stunning light filled space to view the interpretive displays of local attractions and culture. A feature of the interior is “The Lachlan,” a Holden ute painted by John Murray and local artist Bev Coe, which was especially commissioned for the centre.

The centre is equipped with state-ofthe-art audio-visual displays to highlight the beauty of the region and encourage visitors to explore the Shire and its attractions.

There is a cafe on site where visitors can relax on the shady veranda with coffee and take in the fabulous view of the “Utes in the Paddock”.

Within the precinct visitors will also find the jockeys memorial garden which pays

tribute to Jockeys who lost their lives in race falls.

The garden was inspired by John Payne’s book, Their Last Ride, and is a beautiful place to sit and reflect.

There is an off-leash dog exercise area for traveller’s pets, a shady walkway to the town centre, huge redgum carvings and plenty of parking for cars and caravans.

The overall project included a heavy vehicle rest area and new traveller rest facilities.

It involved the reconstruction and betterment of 9km of road, including augmentation of the Lachlan Valley Way to improve flood immunity and provide a transport route for heavy vehicles when the Newell Highway is closed.

The Project was made possible through funding from the NSW State and Federal Governments.

Lachlan Shire Council is proud to have been able to deliver this project to provide visitors with improved facilities and encourage them to linger in the Lachlan.

Breaking down menopause taboos

Greater Shepparton City Council is recognising the significance of all stages of menopause in a recently introduced operational policy that promotes awareness to all employees and sets out guidelines on how council will support employees going through menopause.

The policy aims to create an environment in which staff feel comfortable and supported discussing peri-menopause, menopause, post menopause and the associated symptoms along with providing practical support and adjustments to the work environment.

Manager People and Development, Karen Liversidge, said the policy highlights that menopause can have a significant impact on staff experiencing symptoms.

“We want to educate and inform all staff about the potential symptoms and how they can support individuals at work. This is not just an issue for women, all staff can be affected indirectly,” said Ms Liversidge.

“By creating awareness of symptoms within the workplace we want to ensure that staff are treated with respect and dignity and are supported by their colleagues and management. Whilst there is generally a good understanding of menstruation, menopause seems to be more of a taboo subject, perhaps because it was rarely spoken about openly in families.”

Ms Liversidge said the Managing Menopause in the Workplace Operational Policy was developed in response to information sessions on gender equity where staff highlighted that more consideration needs to be given to the impact menopause has on a person’s ability to perform their job.

“Whilst symptoms can vary from person to person they can range from severe to uncomfortable which may result in time off work. The policy provides for workplace adjustments such as desk fans, flexible work arrangements including work from home, uniform adaptations, additional breaks where needed, and six days of menopause leave.”

“The introduction of the Policy is an im-

Shepparton People and Development manager, Karen Liversidge.

portant move in recognising the value of all employees no matter their age, gender or health circumstances,” said Ms Liversidge.

“We know that providing recognition and support for a stage of life that affects more than 50 per cent of our workforce is a step in the right direction for employee satisfaction and retention.”

The new and improved Freight Logistics and Visitor Information Centre.

Claremont’s Community Safety Officers play an important role in the community.

Mosquito warning

Fraser Coast Regional Council is dealing with an outbreak of Ross River virus.

The virus has been detected in mosquitoes across the Wide Bay region and Fraser Coast residents are being urged to clean up around their homes and be careful when out and about to avoid being bitten.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Executive Manager Regulatory Services Steven Gatt said Council was working with Queensland Health to help identify mosquito-borne viruses, with Ross River virus recently detected in samples taken from local mosquito traps.

“The hot, humid weather and steady rainfall on the Fraser Coast has provided perfect conditions for mosquitoes to boom,” he said.

“That’s why it’s more important than ever for everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from contracting Ross River virus.”

Ross River virus is a virus spread by the bite of an infected mosquito that causes inflammation and pain in multiple joints. The symptoms may include fever with joint pain and swelling which may then be followed by a raised red rash. Joint pain can be severe and last up to six weeks.

Mr Gatt said residents could take simple but effective steps to minimise the risk of mosquito bites.

“Applying insect repellent, wearing loose clothes to cover arms and legs and wearing closed-in shoes can significantly increase protection against mosquito bites,” he said.

“Check out your yards and get rid of possible breeding places such as drip trays under pot plants, old tyres and containers. Empty bird baths and clean thoroughly with a cloth to remove mosquito eggs.

“Keep roof guttering in good condition and regularly remove leaves to stop pools of water from forming. If it can hold water, then it can

Beware of mosquitoes.

breed mosquitoes, and with the warmer temperatures, this is a much faster process.”

Mr Gatt said Council staff were monitoring and treating known breeding sites to reduce mosquito numbers and to kill the mosquito larvae before they take flight.

“Council staff also check light traps weekly to monitor mosquito species in residential ar-

Weed caught early

A new sighting of the highly invasive State Priority Weed orange hawkweed was received, confirmed and treated in the same day by Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s biosecurity team in February, while the team was leading a training session for inter-governmental partners on the Council co-developed AI weed detection drone program.

Council’s biosecurity team received a report of a possible orange hawkweed sighting on the morning of Friday 2 February, while preparing to head out to deliver an on-site education and training session for members of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

As luck would have it, that day’s training session was being held in the same area as the reported sighting. Better still, the session was focusing on using our AI-powered weed detection drone to search for and detect orange hawkweed. Their drone and its cloud-based detection and identification system, powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, was developed by Snowy Monaro Regional Council and 2pi Software.

As a major partner in the NSW Orange Hawkweed Eradication Program, Council had an obligation to respond promptly to local suspected orange hawkweed detections. In developing this innovative cloud and AI based drone program, we are leading the way in using emerging technology to tackle one of the state’s biggest biosecurity threats.

The detection report that morning came in response to the Eradication Program’s ongoing efforts in Kosciuszko National Park, and the adjoining Snowy Plain area, to identify and eradicate outlier infestations of orange hawkweed.

Neil Murdoch was leading the training session on the day of the detection. A Council biosecurity officer and drone pilot with many years of experience, Neil led the development of the drone detection program for Council. As an innovator and expert in the field, he regularly leads training and education initiatives for landholders and government organisations working

in biosecurity

“Receiving notification of the suspected hawkweed site on the morning of the training session was really quite convenient,” Brett Jones, Council’s Biosecurity Coordinator said.

“This chance timing meant that we could give the NSW and ACT Parks staff a firsthand look at what’s involved in drone surveillance, ground-truthing and treatment with a live hawkweed site.

“It was a great learning outcome, and an even better outcome for the biosecurity of our region. We had the site confirmed, treated and reported to the NSW Biosecurity Information System by that same afternoon.

“Thanks to Neil and our Council biosecurity team, the visiting Parks staff have gained really valuable and specialised hawkweed identification and drone operation skills. What they learned with us, and got to experience firsthand, will help them further develop their own remote surveillance programs.

“This helps all of us, as members of the NSW Orange Hawkweed Eradication Program, to protect farmers and keep our native environments safe from the threat of hawkweed.”

A collaboration between NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and other stakeholders, the Eradication Program had detected numerous new sites this season. Program partners deploy a wide array of methods to tackle the growing threat posed by orange hawkweed, with drones, detector dogs, and on-ground surveillance all playing an important role.

Water focus

The Murray Darling Association is set to host its 80th National Conference in Tamworth NSW, on 10–11 July featuring an incredible line up of speakers and panelists.

The 80th National Conference will bring together heads of industry, irrigation, Local Government, State Government, and education to discuss the future of water security, and will explore many themes such as natural disaster recovery, water security, preparing for drought and water scarcity, and climate change.

eas and treat when needed,” he said.

More information about Ross River virus is available at qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/viral-infections/ross-rivervirus

More information about preventing mosquito bites is available at qld.gov.au/health/conditions/all/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites

The event on 10-11 July will provide an unrivalled platform to unite all corners of the Murray-Darling Basin’s communities at a national level, guiding advocacy, representation, and engagement priorities and initiatives through the Murray Darling Association, the peak body organisation representing and advocating for the needs and interests of over 164 Local Government Areas across the Basin.

Supporting the National Conference, the Murray Darling Association is hosting a number of social events as well.

To find out more, and to register, go to www.mda.asn.au/events/2024natcon

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Frontline cane toad fight

Councils in Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales are leading the way in controlling populations of cane toads by partnering with not for profit, Watergum Community to educate and engage the local communities to undertake effective humane cane toad control.

By Nikki Tomsett, Invasive Species Project Officer

Cane toads are a toxic, invasive pest that have unfortunately become a common sight around much of Australia. The impacts of the biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by cane toads is well recognised and identified as a key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Cane toads are damaging for the environment, contributing to declines in native wildlife and with the potential to poison resident’s domestic pets. Additionally, cane toads can impact local agriculture, eating beneficial insects like dung beetles and bees. These impacts have a ripple effect, disturbing the balance of other fauna and flora within ecosystems.

Studies show that toad busting – the manual collection of adult cane toads – can remove between 28-47 per cent of a resident population in a single night. Long term, proactive control can additionally be achieved through the implementation of a new, game changing technology. The Cane Toad Tadpole Traps and Lures break the breeding cycle of cane toads, targeting the vulnerable tadpole phase. This allows effective removal of thousands of individual tadpoles at once, before they mature to cause damage to the environment.

In combination, the offtake from these activities can massively reduce toad abundance and potentially even remove isolated populations. Where community action is focused on cane toad management this can protect and maintain priority biodiversity assets, such as priority habitat for species impacted by cane toads.

Watergum’s Cane Toad Challenge incorporates education, community engagement and citizen science initiatives to empower communities to take effective, humane action against cane toad control. Every year, Watergum facilitates thousands of volunteers to dedicate their time towards humanely removing and euthanising adult cane toads and trapping cane toad tadpoles.

This has a positive impact on the local environments, with participants recording a significant drop in cane toad numbers in their area and reporting increased sightings of species of native wildlife that are typically vulnerable to cane toad impacts, such as frogs, goannas

and snakes.

The social benefits of Watergum’s Cane Toad Challenge are clear. Residents feel supported in tackling the cane toad issue and enjoy the sense of community and connection to like-minded people that comes with participating in the program.

Watergum’s Cane Toad Challenge is facilitating a cultural shift in attitudes towards cane toad control, offering hope and a coordinated, humane approach with real environmental impact. Local councils have the exciting opportunity to join the Cane Toad Challenge and take proactive action on one of Australia’s most notorious pest animals.

Toad busting.

Picture: HABITAT ENOGGERA CREEK

Trapping tadpoles.

Picture: A RYDER, TAKURA, QLD

Remembering Paul

The City of Parramatta recognises the contribution and lasting legacy of former Lord Mayor Councillor Paul Barber.

Mr Barber was raised in East Parramatta, educated at Parramatta East Public School and Macquarie Boys High School. After a career as a shift controller at the Shell Oil Refinery, a concern for Parramatta’s heritage and urban design standards prompted his first interest in local government in the 1990s.

He went on to be a long-time member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee to the City of Parramatta, served on the upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and on the Western Sydney Regional Organ-

isation of Councils where he lobbied both State and Federal Governments for a better deal for local governments.

Mr Barber went on to have a long and impactful career as an elected Councillor with the City of Parramatta Council from 2001, including as Lord Mayor of Parramatta in 2007 and 2008.

Current City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber was full of praise for Mr Barber.

“Paul Barber was the epitome of hard work and dedication to the people of Parramatta,”

the mayor said.

“In his time involved with the City of Parramatta, he was involved in the creation of the Parramatta Artists Studio, the restoration of the old Parramatta War Memorial Pool, the introduction of the free shuttle bus in 2008, delivery of the first Sustainability Expo in 2007 and the successful delivery of Social Enterprise grants for the unemployed, plus many more achievements.

“Our sincere condolences go to his family at this time.”

Tributes flow for Swan Hill icon

Swan Hill Rural City Council and Swan Hill Town Hall PACC have been deeply saddened by the passing of their esteemed former colleague, John Fowler.

Council Community and Cultural Services director, Bruce Myers said John was a visionary figure whose contributions to the performing arts landscape in our region were invaluable.

“In the early 1990s, John spearheaded the establishment of our performing arts program in Robinvale, laying the foundation for a thriving cultural community. Additionally, he was instrumental in creating the Fairfax Youth Theatre program, providing countless young talents with opportunities to flourish in the arts,” Mr Myer said. Mr Myers said John recognised the importance of collaboration and he championed partnerships with organisations such as Regional Arts Victoria.

“A credit to his collaboration efforts was Council becoming the first Local Government Authority (LGA) to share a Regional Arts Devel-

opment Officer, a partnership that has endured since 2004 and serves as a model for similar initiatives across the state.

“John brought with him a wealth of experience, having enjoyed a distinguished career at GTV9 and played a pivotal role in the inception of the iconic Sunbury music events in the early 1970s.

“Upon his retirement around 2007, John dedicated himself to nurturing scientific curiosity by establishing the Lake Boga observatory before settling into retirement by the shores of the lake,” he said.

“While we mourn his passing, John’s legacy will continue to inspire and uplift our community and his wife, Maryanne, who remains an integral part of the Pioneer Settlement, carries forward his spirit of dedication and passion.”

Interim chief in

Hugh Phemister has been appointed the interim CEO of Willoughby City Council in an internal promotion after being appointed Planning and Infrastructure Director at the council two years ago.

In this role, Hugh has overseen Council’s town planning, engineering design, traffic and transport, waste collection, project delivery, property portfolio and public area maintenance teams.

Hugh has also led the Securing Willoughby’s Future project, which involved extensive consultation with community members about Council’s financial sustainability and service levels.

Prior to joining Council, Hugh has held senior executive roles in the private, notfor-profit and government sectors, with a strong focus on the delivery of social and affordable housing.

Hugh has previously worked as an Executive Director for the NSW Government’s Land and Housing Corporation, where he managed the design and construction of new social housing across NSW.

Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor congratulated Mr Phemister on his appointment.

Swan Hill stalwart John Fowler.

Major funding boost

Almost 24,000 new regional homes are set to be delivered across 16 mainly country NSW council areas thanks to a NSW Government scheme.

The second round of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund will deliver nearly $3million in funding with grants of up to $250,000 to councils from the North Coast to the Central West and the Riverina.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the councils would use the funds to accelerate delivery of new homes in the regions through new housing strategies, preparation of infrastructure and servicing plans, and amendments to local environmental plans to bring forward the construction of more diverse and affordable housing.

“This is about supporting regional councils to undertake vital efforts to speed up housing delivery for regional communities,” he said.

“Regional NSW plays an important role in the housing supply story for the state, and in making sure that NSW meets its targets under the National Housing Accord.

“These 16 grants will help deliver the important planning work needed to boost housing supply, affordability, and diversity and support growing regional communities.

“We are focused on better coordinating housing and infrastructure delivery across the state while making sure regional homes are ready for the hazards of the future.”

The minister said more people were choosing to live in regional NSW, but homes for purchase and rent have become more expensive and harder to find, so delivering more regional housing supply is vital.

These grants are part of a suite of initiatives aimed at driving regional housing supply – including expansion of the Government’s Urban Development Program, the Regional Housing Flying Squad, the Regional Housing Fund and the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund.

These initiatives are helping to speed up the delivery of homes through the planning system, support infrastructure to enable new housing, and support the work of regional councils.

Funding for Round One of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund allocated $3.85 million to 20 projects from 19 councils.

Port Stephens Council has delivered a collaboration with Homes NSW for the Raymond Terrace Sub-Precincts Master Plan to bring forward affordable housing supply in the area.

Another Port Stephens project was focused

on barriers to development including drainage and local flooding, helping 500 homes in the Shoal Bay Precinct be more resilient to flood hazards.

Armidale Regional Council also received funding under Round 1 and has completed the development and implementation of its Local Housing Strategy.

The 16 projects that were funded in Round Two: Bega Valley Shire Council, Bega Urban Land Release Planning Proposal, $250,000; Bogan Shire Council, Bogan Shire Council Local Housing Strategy $163,636; Brewarrina Shire Council, Brewarrina Local Housing Strategy and Local Environmental Plan review $75,000; Byron Shire Council, Byron Town Centre Urban Design Based Housing Density Study $239,239; Clarence Valley Council, Clarenza Structure Plan and Development Control Plan $147,000; Cowra Shire Council, Cowra Council Local Housing Strategy $92,900; Dungog Shire Council, Clarence Town Structure Plan, $170,000; Federation Council, Federation Stormwater Servicing Plan, $230,000; Forbes Shire Council, North Forbes Servicing Strategy $250,000; Greater Hume Shire Council West-Jindera Residential Land Precinct $165,000; Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Development Control Plan, Contributions Plan and Development Services Plan $202,500; Leeton Shire Council, Leeton Integrated Land-use, Infrastructure and Transport Strategy $220,000; Maitland City Council, East Maitland Catalyst Area Structure Plan and Infrastructure Needs Analysis $243,000; Mid-Western Regional Council, Mid-Western Regional Council Local Housing Strategy $195,000; Muswellbrook Shire Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council Local Housing Strategy $135,909 and Parkes Shire Council, East Parkes flood study and housing strategy review $150,000.

Clarence a future growth area

Clarence Town has been recognised by the NSW State government as a regional town primed for growth with Dungog Shire Council successfully lobbying for a Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund grant.

The $170,000 grant will see Council expedite the strategies, plans and studies needed to support the delivery of housing that meets community needs into the future.

In addition to the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund grant, Dungog Shire Council also received just over $76,000 to conduct a Floodplain Management Program – Clarence Town Flood Study to ensure flooding risk of any future development zone is reduced.

Dungog Shire Council Mayor Cr John Connors said he was pleased council was now able to deliver one of its objectives out-

lined in Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032.

“Clarence Town is a thriving village that we have long ear marked as a community ready to grow, but to be able to achieve this, we need to have the right foundations in place to ensure increased housing doesn’t negatively impact the amenity the Clarence Town community already enjoys,” he said.

“We have been advocating all levels of government heavily over the past 18 months, seeking to have the Dungog shire recognised as a region ready to grow, but we can’t achieve this without better roads, infrastructure and

strategically placed development. This funding is another successful outcome, but we know there is still more work to be done.”

The Council plans to use the grant to develop the Clarence Town Structure Plan, which will provide a comprehensive framework for development in the area. The plan aims to facilitate future growth by identifying appropriate development areas for residential, retail, and employment land, as well as improving public spaces, transport networks, and environmental considerations. The plan also seeks to enhance the town centre’s accessibility, identity, and overall appeal through improved streetscapes and public domain.

Former TAFE eyed for housing

The Liverpool plains region is working on a plan to use the site of the former TAFE at Quirindi to help ease housing shortages in the region

As part of this commitment, Mayor Doug Hawkins OAM and General Manager Gary Murphy met with NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan in Sydney on 21 February 2024 to discuss the former TAFE site in Quirindi, which has sat empty since it closed in 2017, and its potential use for housing development.

They were able to ascertain from that meeting that the site is surplus to TAFE’s requirements and is suitable for housing development and that TAFE is able to sell the land to other government departments.

A follow up meeting with the Minister for Housing is planned to progress this matter and explore how this site can be used to help alleviate the housing crisis and potentially provide short-term rental accommodation.

“Liverpool Plains Shire Council recognises that housing affordability is a major issue for many of our residents, particularly young families and seniors, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe and secure housing,” Mayor Hawkins said.

“We recognise that growth management planning in rural communities is a connected web of employment, provision of services, private sector investment, and multi-layered government support.

“Our Council is committed to working with various government agencies to upgrade infrastructure necessary to support further housing and industrial development in our LGA, as well as, working with both developers, housing providers and government agencies to create new housing developments that are both affordable

Grant success

Leeton Shire Council is delighted to announce its successful bid for a $220,000 grant from the NSW Government, earmarked for the development of an Integrated Land-use, Infrastructure and Transport Strategy which will lead the way for a more dynamic and sustainable future for Leeton Shire.

Deputy Mayor and Housing Porfolio Lead Cr Michael Kidd said the funding injection represents a pivotal moment for Leeton.

“The new strategy enables us to chart a course towards coordinated growth, efficient infrastructure development, and enhanced connectivity; facilitating the creation of up to 550 new homes while ensuring the seamless integration of essential services and amenities,” he said.

Mayor Cr Tony Reneker echoed Cr Kidd’s sentiments.

“This grant underscores Leeton’s long-term vision for growth and prosperity,” he said.

“By leveraging these funds, we are not only shaping the physical landscape of our town but also nurturing an environment where residents and businesses can thrive.”

The Integrated Land-use, Infrastructure and Transport Strategy will serve as a blueprint for future development, aligning with the objectives set out in the Leeton Community Strategic Plan, the Local Strategic Planning Statement, and the draft Housing Strategy 2023.

and environmentally sustainable.”

The mayor said the Council was addressing housing growth and affordability in the region through their Draft Growth Management and Housing Strategy, which was on exhibition for public comment until 1 March.

He said Liverpool Plains Shire Council had provided all towns and villages in the LGA with opportunities to comment on the plan and collaborate with them to discuss how they can best address growth and housing in the region both now and into the future. The response from the local community through a series of public meetings, information sessions and an online survey had been encouraging and shows that housing is an issue that people in the region are keen to address.

This grant, awarded through the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund, reflects a broader commitment to fostering diverse and affordable housing options across regional New South Wales.

Leeton is one of 16 councils across the North Coast, Central West, and the Riverina to receive funding under this initiative, which will collectively support the potential creation of up to 23,769 new homes.

Councils participating in this program will utilise the funds to expedite the implementation of new housing strategies, develop infrastructure and servicing plans, and enact amendments to local environmental plans, thereby accelerating the delivery of much-needed housing supply.

Expansion plan granted for Leeton.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.

Still a lot to do on tyres

Local councils and communities can be proud of the close to 90 per cent of passenger, bus and truck tyres the nation recovers according to Tyre Stewardship Australia but the remaining 10 per cent gap is critical to achieving national waste reduction goals, reducing carbon emissions and deterring tyre eco-hazards in the future.

TSA CEO Lina Goodman said data shows that the impact of only 10 per cent of unrecovered tyres is still an unacceptable eco-hazard and, until we eliminate illegal dumping, stockpiling and rogue waste operators, we run the risk of going backwards.

“There’s a misguided and, arguably, dangerous belief being perpetuated that we have done enough in the recovery of passenger, bus and truck tyres. That the job is done. That there is nothing to see here,” Ms Goodman said.

“This couldn’t be further from the truth. Data provided by Snap Send Solve shows that, on any given day, there are at least eight reports of tyres dumped on the side of the road, in a creek, or the bush around Australia, with local government and communities bearing the brunt of costs and risks.

“We’re not talking about bottles and aluminium cans that are easy to put in a wheelie bin, transport, and process.

“Tyres, like mattresses, are another logistics ball game altogether.”

She said the reality for local councils and communities was that 10 per cent of passenger, bus and truck tyres unrecovered equates to 5.7 million passenger tyres not being collected each year.

“This is greater than the population of Queensland,” Ms Goodman explains.

“Sadly, the cost is shouldered by rate payers, as local councils are left with precarious and costly clean ups of illegally dumped tyres and the ongoing risk of dangerous fires.”

Ms Goodman said dumped tyres are taking up more time and more money for councils to deal with. Time and money used to clean up tyres is taken away from other rate payer services – like road and facility maintenance - to deal with tyres dumped by cowboy operators who are profiting at the cost of our environment and future progress, she said.

“Whilst we are being notified by councils and landowners across the nation of an increase in dumped tyres, it is councils in regional, rural and remote Australia that are disproportionately exposed to the excessive strain of managing dumped tyres,” she said.

“These are the same communities that bear the brunt of environmental forces – such as drought and fire - and can ill-afford council resources being diverted from local services. It really isn’t a fair go.”

So, how does Australia tackle the

10 per cent?

What’s left to do?

Well according to Snap Send and Solve managing director Danny Gorog, Australians need to face reality – to listen to and look at what the data is telling us.

He said Snap Send Solve is a useful tool for communities to let their councils know the reality of the problem at a local level.

“Dumped tyres have a tendency to ‘multiply’ if left unattended for too long; and a quick ‘snap’ can be the easiest first step to preventing this environmental issue getting bigger,” Mr Gorog said.

“We have over 530 councils connected to the application to receive reports on local issues, and we’re working hard to connect over 400,000 ‘snappers’ to provide real time alerts of illegally dumped tyres.”

He said we need to learn from those that have dealt with the problem.

This is a problem not isolated to Australia, the cost of dumped tyres is well documented. Progressive countries that have dealt with this problem have one thing in common – a regulated scheme and supportive policies.

An ‘all-in’ structure, rather than the existing ‘opt-in’ structure, for the national tyre scheme would prevent industry from discharging its responsibilities to manage used tyres on to local councils and communities.

Globally ‘all-in’ tyre schemes with regulatory support increase the capability and sustainable value across the industry for all stakeholders.

“We’ve learnt that ‘all-in’ schemes around the world succeed in driving a circular economy for tyres,” Goodman said.

“The opt-in and opt-out approach of Australia’s current tyre scheme has only been able to go so far, and it’s not far enough.

“An ‘all-in’ scheme means a fair go for everyone, which is good news for local government

and regional, rural, and remote Australians, who currently bear the brunt of illegal dumping and stockpiling.

“And the story gets even better for those communities where there is around 130,000 tonnes of mining, agriculture and other off-theroad tyres being buried in pit each year. An ‘allin’ scheme would see these mining and agriculture used tyres create the opportunity for local economic growth, increased manufacturing, and ultimately regional jobs.”

A regulated scheme is on the federal, state and territory governments’ radar, with endof-life tyres included on the Federal Minister’s Product Stewardship Priority List in October 2022, telling the industry that if it doesn’t act, the government will.

The government doubled down at the June Environment Ministers Meeting, agreeing to fast track a review of the Australia’s tyre stewardship framework.

New rubber trial for Sunshine Coast roads

Off-the-road (OTR) tyres are tough and built for demanding conditions, and Sunshine Coast Council is harnessing their performance qualities by using crumb rubber from OTR tyres in new asphalt roads.

Sunshine Coast road users travelling along Railway Parade (Glass House Mountains), Spalls Road (Diddillibah) and Perlan Street (Nambour) are helping to use a new mix of asphalt made from end-of-life OTR tyres used by Queensland mining and agriculture industries.

Recycled rubber from end-of-life tyres has been used in Australia’s roads and worldwide for many decades, but what is exciting is the potential for OTR crumb rubber to help Australia build more resilient and more sustainable ‘roads of the future’ – which is exactly what Sunshine Coast Council is aiming to deliver for residents and businesses as part of its program of testing emerging technologies for local application.

Sunshine Coast Council’s Community and Transport Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said it was an important project for the region.

“The trial is an important part of our approach to becoming Australia’s most sustainable region,” he said.

“I am pleased to see Sunshine Coast roads in an innovative partnership trialling a reseal solution with a higher bar on sustainable outcomes. “We look forward to seeing the results of the trial which aims to ensure safety, environmental and cost saving benefits

Work has begun on Sunshine Coast roads.

for our community.”

The project is a joint endeavour by Sunshine Coast Council and regional businesses, Boral and its subsidiary Allens Asphalt, Carroll Engineering and Puma Energy Bitumen.

It is being led by the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AFPA) with support from RMIT University and Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA).

TSA CEO Lina Goodman said the trial would assess the right mix of rubber binder and asphalt for optimum performance in low to high traffic conditions, for example the Perlan

Road test site contains 1.7 per cent of rubber content by total mass of mix.

It will also provide a real-world example of how a ‘circular tyre economy model’ can enable rubber products used by regional industry – in this case OTR tyres from Boral’s quarry operations – to be used locally to build more resilient roads and pavements.

The potential benefits for local communities and industries are far reaching, such as the reduction of used tyres remaining in unrecovered or low value outcomes, to economic advantages such as the creation of local jobs, business opportunities and regional development.

“The use of locally sourced tyre-derived materials in regional, rural, and remote infrastructure, has the potential to put a big dent in the 245,000 tonnes of OTR rubber products generated each year, most of which is buried on-site or dumped, creating potential for environmental harm, health risks and missed economic opportunities,” Ms Goodman said.

“The Sunshine Coast is in a critical catchment area with a high concentration of OTR rubber product usage.

“If successful, this project has the potential to have a positive impact, by creating reliable

economic opportunities for local industry and businesses and enabling local OTR rubber product users to find a local homegrown market for their products.

“Working collaboratively is how we solve our environmental and economic challenges – with councils and industry pulling together to provide a better option for local operators, such as mining and agriculture, who currently have limited options available to contribute to the circular economy.

“TSA is proud to invest in this initiative which showcases Australian designed, developed and built solutions that accelerate the sustainable management, recycling and productive use of OTR tyres that have reached the end of their first life.”

The results of the trial will provide other councils in regions where off-the-road tyres are used, with valuable technical information to leverage this model for the benefit of industry and communities in their local government area.

Councils and OTR rubber product users can contact AFPA for a report, based on accelerated aging tests undertaken by RMIT, and Life Cycle Assessments which are currently being developed.

Recovering the 10 per cent is important.

Job recovery is underway

The City of Logan has turned around one of the most enduring impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic with the latest unemployment figures showing a promising boost for local residents.

Unemployment in Logan dropped significantly from 5.7 per cent to 4.9 per cent in the June to September 2023 quarter, bringing it much closer to the national average (3.6 per cent) and the state average (3.8 per cent) in the period.

Local unemployment was as high as 6.8 per cent in September 2022.

“Covid hit our local workforce hard because many of our residents are employed in jobs that require hands-on, face-to-face contact,” City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said.

“We have a robust, very willing workforce in Logan, but many of those who lost their jobs, or had their hours reduced, during the pandemic found it very challenging over the past two years to get back to pre-Covid levels.

“We certainly didn’t bounce back as fast as some of our neighbours in Southeast Queensland, but the latest figures are a very encouraging sign that more Logan residents are finding work and doing their bit to help boost our local economy.”

The latest unemployment numbers from Australian Bureau of Statistics show Logan stood out in a quarter which saw unemployment increase in six neighbouring local government areas.

Logan Council-driven initiatives to support job seekers include:

· The creation of the Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce, launched in November 2021.

· The annual free Logan Jobs Expo which last year attracted around 750 attendees and 60 exhibitors.

· Creation of the loganjobs.com.au website, which since July last year has assisted the recruitment needs of 43 new and 61 repeat local businesses.

· An ongoing trainee and apprentice program,

which last year provided employment for 35 local young people.

· The Catapult Connects program and Bridge to Business expo which connects school students with prospective employer and local businesses.

· Targeted Launch into Health and Multicultural Employment expos.

The mayor’s taskforce has been a strong

Mayor in the kitchen for a cause

Penrith Community Kitchens has been chosen by Mayor Todd Carney as the charity that the Mayoral Charity Fundraiser will support.

Penrith Community Kitchen provides a warm, comfortable, friendly, relaxed environment where those in need can enjoy a free nourishing meal while also providing businesses with a means of supporting people in the local community.

The existence of the Penrith Community Kitchen depends entirely on donations and fundraising, relying on the generosity of individuals and local businesses to support people experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, or isolation.

More people than ever before are feeling the emotional and financial impact from the rise in cost-of-living making it difficult for them to receive the support they require. Providing those in need with a lunchtime meal during difficult times adds value to our local Penrith community where every donation counts!

Mayor Carney said that one of the wonderful things about the kitchen is the sense of community it provides for those who come in for meals and a chat as well as the sense of community that exists among the volunteers themselves.

“It will be a formal event with proceeds from ticket sales, a silent auction, and donations in the lead up and on the night, going to the Kitchen. It will be a spectacular event that I’m sure will attract support from our businesses and wider community,” said Mayor Carney.

Penrith CBD Corporation CEO and secretary of Penrith Community Kitchen Gai Hawthorn OAM said she was very appreciative and grateful for the support and aware-

ness that this event will create for the group.

“Thank you to the mayor, for choosing the kitchen as the charity for the Mayoral Charity Fundraiser. As we move into the winter months, the winter appeal is going to be a great opportunity to gain the donations we need to support those who are doing it tough,” said Gai.

“We are also providing fridges and pantries to support local schools for those students who require breakfast, snacks and lunches as well as emergency meals which are extremely beneficial for those students and their wellbeing.”

The Mayoral Charity Fundraiser will be held at St Marys Leagues Club on Friday 21 June 2024. Local businesses, community groups and residents are invited to attend and raise money for the Penrith Community Kitchen. Tickets go on sale in March.

driver in decreasing unemployment in the city, with a particular focus on finding long-term solutions for youth unemployment.

In the 2022-23 financial year, the taskforce directly assisted 192 Logan residents to find employment, with 105 of them being young job seekers.

And the strong support is continuing with 158 residents, 31 of them youth, gaining work thanks to the taskforce in the eight months

since the start of the current financial year.

“We launched our taskforce with the aim of empowering local job seekers to unleash their potential and take control of their employment journey,” Cr Power said.

“These numbers, and the drop in local employment, are proof that we are heading in the right direction and the future is brighter for those in our community looking for work.”

Counting to ‘tree’

Moonee Valley City Council is leading the charge to plant more trees in the west, with the launch of its One, Two, Tree campaign.

In consultation with Greening the West – a consortium of western councils, facilitated by Greater Western Water – Moonee Valley City Council has launched One, Two, Tree to encourage the community to plant trees on private properties, to help the west of Melbourne aspire to a canopy cover of 30 per cent.

The council has spearheaded the online education campaign, developing 10 short informative and engaging videos that cover the many benefits of planting trees, the best trees for different sized yards, practical tips and care.

The first videos were released in February and new ones will be released throughout, March, April and early May 2024.

Moonee Valley City Council Mayor, Councillor Pierce Tyson, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative.

“Trees play a vital role in enhancing the live-

ability and environmental health of our city,” he said. “Through the One, Two, Tree campaign, we want to encourage residents to plant a tree in their home, business or school. This will help to achieve Council’s 30 per cent canopy cover target by 2040.

“By collectively embracing tree-planting initiatives, we can create a cooler, greener, healthier, and more vibrant community for generations to come.”

The Victorian Government’s Metropolitan Partnerships Development Fund (MPDF) supports the Metropolitan Partnerships to act on local priorities, informs the Metropolitan Partnerships’ advice to government and supports Melbourne’s social and economic recovery. This project was funded under the MPDF to address and support the priorities of the Western Metropolitan Partnership.

The council is encouraging the community to plant trees on private properties.

Picture: JONATHAN KEMPER ON UNSPLASH

Mayor Todd Carney with representatives of the Penrith Community Kitchens.

Mayor Darren Power with Aquaknect’s Michael Glover and Lily Radmanovic. The Meadowbrook-based company gained five new employees through the Mayor’s Jobs Taskforce.