Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

WA reform under the microscope
In what is likely to be the first amalgamation under the current Western Australian boundary review process, at the instigation of both the Town and Shire of Albany, all Councillors have resigned, making way for the appointment of Commissioners to oversee the merger process.

Cities for Climate Protection Campaign underway
The Prime Minister's statement on Greenhouse gas reduction, prior to the international conference in Kyoto, saw the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign receive a welcome $13 million boost over the next five years.

Editorial
With the recent Constitutional Convention turning a strong public focus on aspects of our system of government no longer relevant and other anomalies, Councillor Tom Pyne rightly argues (see President's Comment) that, if the Australian Constitution was written from scratch today, it is impossible to imagine Local Government not being included. At the same time, instances of State Governments having scant regard for Local Government and the communities they serve continue to mount.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a State Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Tom Pyne, President of Local Government Association of Queensland.

Tasmanian Devil arrives on mainland
The gap between Tasmania and mainland Australia is narrowing further with the introduction of a new fast ferry catamaran service between George Town and Melbourne. The return of an alternative ferry service across Bass Strait is the result of years of intensive lobbying by the George Town Council, local media, the community and politicians.

National award for access program
An innovative program ensuring all citizens have access to Council facilities has won Western Australia's Shire of Swan, a national award for Asset Management Excellence in the category of Local Government. The Disability Access Management System is a computer program which identifies and prioritises remedial works needed to ensure improved levels of access to facilities for all users, including people with disabilities.

Competition inspires ideas for town plan
When Maroochy Shire Council in Queensland, decided to revamp the town of Buderim, it staged a competition to encourage a number of design teams to submit plans. This created an opportunity to consider a range of innovative visions for the future.

The complete answer to contract services
SurfLink is Surf Coast Shire's innovative answer to the requirements of Compulsory Competitive Tendering and National Competition Policy. SurfLink is a highly professional organisation operating autonomously and generating local economic growth.

Partnership pays off
With the aim of creating new business opportunities in growth industries, SurfLink has formed a strategic alliance with major international company Fuji Xerox. Net Press, SurfLink's digital printing and document management business, specialises in variable data document production. Ultimately, it expects to establish a national digital printing network.

Integrated business makes good sense
A major part of SurfLink's business strategy is the development of integrated enterprises. Having identified information services as an area of potential growth, SurfLink set about building a corporate base in interlinked, technologically advanced industries.

Bunbury wins first WA quality award
The City of Bunbury is the first Western Australian Council to be acknowledged in the Australian Quality Awards. The Award, for Commitment to Business Excellence, recognises Bunbury for having taken the first step towards an Australian Quality Award and its commitment to achieving excellence and creating a framework for change.

New broom in health and safety
Last year when Mick Scarvelis took over the reins as CEO at Alice Springs Town Council, he decided this was an ideal time to undertake a comprehensive review of the organisation's occupational health and safety program. He saw it as an opportunity to look at an issue and involve everyone in a planning process.

Qld Safety Conference continues to grow
Caloundra has been chosen as the venue for the 4th Annual Queensland Local Government Workplace Health and Safety State Conference. The Conference will be held at the impressive Caloundra Cultural Centre on 23 and 24 March 1998.

Promoting small farm safety
At times a Council's interest in occupational health and safety may extend beyond the activities of its own workforce and into high risk occupations of residents in their Municipality. Three Councils on Melbourne's northern fringe have joined forces to appoint a Small Farm Safety Project Officer as part of a pilot program promoting safety on small farms.

Workplace safety winners
A record number of South Australian Councils have received 'Outstanding Achievement' Awards for work accident prevention under the Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme. Seven Councils were recognised by the Scheme for achieving the top Level 3 rating from the State's WorkCover Safety Audits.

Learning safety on the Internet
By the time people grow up and enter the workforce many poor attitudes and practices in regard to health and safety have already been established. An innovative program from WorkSafe Western Australia, and launched through the Town of Claremont Library and Information Service aims to change that.

Working with hazardous substances
With the wide variety of materials used in many work places, the potential for an accumulation of fumes through poor work practice or storage facilities pose a real concern. Enware Australia Pty Limited has a wide range of both internal and external Dangerous Goods Stores from 50 litre capacity to 16 pallets for external storage, which comply to relevant Australian Standards.