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Strategies for excellence
Using the theme 'Strategies for Excellence', the South Australian Institute of Municipal Management's Annual Conference was held recently in Adelaide. In a climate of major change, including Council amalgamations and a review of the Local Government Act, the Conference program was well received by delegates.

WA and SA to polls
On Saturday 3 May, voters in Western Australia will elect candidates to fill 873 vacancies across the State's 142 Councils. New provisions under the Local Government Act now enable Councils to conduct their polls by postal voting. Elections are also scheduled for 60 of South Australia's Councils during May. Forty five of these Councils will be using postal voting. Similar to WA, voting is also not compulsory for Council elections in this State

Editorial
In a recent address, John Kleem, project consultant for a national benchmarking project, said that benchmarking will always mean different things to different people. He is concerned that, to date, no attempt has been made to account for democratic choice. John Kleem believes it is essential that some sort of weighting addressing this issue is built into all forms of best practice through benchmarking.

Competing Councils
Following extensive consultation, the Western Australian Municipal Association (WAMA), has developed a strategy for implementing the National Competition Policy in Councils across the State. The Guidelines provide background and an overview of NCP as it applies to WA and practical methodologies and tools for the implementation of its principles by Councils.

Revamped structure for Mitcham
Mitcham Council is reforming its Committee structure as part of the implementation of this South Australian City's Strategic Plan. The need to further streamline decision processing by Council Committees and maintain community participation in decisions affecting the City is paramount to this restructure.

Picturesque visitor's centre
Visitors to Northam, 100 kilometres north east of Perth, will soon have a new Information and Activity Centre to greet them. Construction of the new Regional Visitor and Heritage Centre on the banks of the Avon River is well under way and expected to be completed by July.

Incentive agreement for constructtion project
Toowoomba City Council workers certainly have an incentive to complete Stage two of a major inner city redevelopment project ahead of schedule. All construction staff involved in the project and Council have agreed to an Incentive Bonus Scheme if the project is completed ahead of schedule.

Rockdale wins Prime Minister's Award
Rockdale City Council has been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for the development of its Action Plan in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act. The awards recognise the achievements of public sector organisations in responding to new demands and changing the way they do business.

Democracy returns to Victoria
Elections in Victoria in March saw the return of elected Councillors to 77 of this State's 78 Councils. Residents in the 54 Municipalities, electing their first Council on 15 March following Local Government restructure, have been without elected representation since December 1994. However, recent statements made by Rob McLellan, Minister for Local Government, have cast doubts as to whether democracy has in fact returned to Victorian Local Government.

Native title: implications for planners and valuers
Planners and valuers in Australia have most often dealt with title to land under post colonial legislation, mainly freehold and leasehold title, whether in Aboriginal or non Aboriginal ownership. The concept of native title under common law in Australia was first recognised in the High Court decision in the case of Mabo vs. the State of Queensland. The judgement overturned the principle of terra nullius (a land belonging to no one).

Stormwater as community resource
Post war development in Australia saw large scale urbanisation. Land being cleared for housing and industry necessitated widespread concrete drainage and sewerage systems. Infrastructure for a rapidly growing population came at a cost to the landscape and environment. As far back as 1984, the City of Salisbury in South Australia set about addressing both this problem and the need to develop a less polluting method of stormwater management and flood control.

Planning for major events
The Australian Institute for Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM) will hold its 1997 National Conference at the Hotel Sofitel in Melbourne on 5 and 6 June. Titled 'Major Events - Traffic & Transport Planning', the Conference is expected to attract delegates from across Australia. It will examine the countless demands placed on organising committees in staging such events.

New way of 'kerbing' costs
The City of Canning in Western Australia has developed a kerb overlay method for upgrading precast concrete kerbing which is cracked, out of alignment or of varying height. Compared to full replacement, this results in a 70 percent cost saving.

Noarlunga cleans up
Dog faeces left on selected beaches and reserves in South Australia's City of Noarlunga have been cut by 90 percent during a trial of special dog litter bins. Analysis of the 90 percent reduction revealed supplying plastic bags was crucial to the success of the trial.