Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Editorial
Challenges for Australian Local Government to be more competitive are certainly increasing from across the Tasman. A company run by a New Zealand Council operating under the business name 'Manukau Works' has won a $7.5 million contract to manage Bayside City Council's parks and gardens for the next three years.

New Mayors look at economic development
New Mayors and Deputy Mayors from five inner Melbourne Councils recently spoke to business representatives and other invited guests about the role they believe Local Government should play in the region's economic development.

Devonport's asset investment strategy
To improve the return from its investment of $270 million in infrastructure assets, Devonport City Council has implemented a comprehensive asset management system. The objective was to extend the life of infrastructure assets to reduce the present rate of asset consumption to a level that the community was able and willing to pay.

Financial squeeze widens
According to the Municipal Association of Victoria, the partial loss of sales tax exemption could cost Victorian Councils between $8.5 and $30 million. Councils do not want to have to pass on the results of funding cuts and the partial loss of sales tax exemptions to their communities, when the State Government has the capacity to absorb the impact of the deal struck at the recent Premiers Conference

Capital evaluation project moves ahead
The Standing Committee on Local Government Financial Management is working with a number of Victorian Councils to develop capital evaluation guidelines for assessing capital projects. The guidelines and software will give Councils the techniques, procedures and skills to vigorously analyse and prioritise proposed projects.

Holistic approach to asset management
Rather than merely complying with requirements under the Local Government Act 1993, Warringah Council uses a holistic approach to asset management. It has also formed an information exchange group with asset managers from neighbouring Councils to network on best practice and discuss key issues.

Message from the Minister
New Federal Minister, Warwick Smith believes a partnership with Local Government is essential to the maximisation of the welfare of local communities and Australia's overall economic and social performance.

Helping Local Government help business
With regulation at all levels impacting significantly on the ability of business to do business, it has been estimated reforming Local Government regulations could save in excess of $400 milion.

Streetwatch, streetwise
In a first for the Northern Territory, Tennant Creek Town Council has won a National Innovation Award. Winning the National Rural Award and the Community Services category, its unique program called Streetwatch has achieved 'unprecedented levels of community participation'.

Progressive 'CARS'
A software package which monitors, records and responds to customer requests, has taken out the overall National Innovation Award for Baw Baw Shire Council in Victoria. Also the winning category of Management Best Practice, Baw Baw's Customer Action Request System (CARS) monitors and responds to customer requests and allows this information to be fed into Council's planning processes.

Model code for residential development
Developed over the past seven years in conjunction with all levels of government, the community and the residential development industry, the Australian Model Code for Residential Development (AMCORD) gives practical advice to Council planners, elected members, industry practitioners and professionals on better methods and practices to achieve good urban design.