Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Native title: a new guide for LG
With assistance and support from the National Native Title Tribunal and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has prepared a detailed guide to working with native title for Councils.

Editorial
For some time Local Government, through its peak body the Australian Local Government Association, has been arguing that it is best placed to bring hands on experience from the coal face to national forums on a range of social, economic, environmental and cultural issues. This is particularly the case where rapid changes brought about by global pressures are hurting certain individuals and communities.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Peter Woods OAM President of the Local Government Association of NSW.

Better returns as Councils exercise their collective might
The financial arm of the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW, Local Government Financial Services Pty Ltd (LGFS), has launched a funds management service designed to get Councils a better deal.

Coffs Harbour plays host third year in a row
Coffs Harbour is once more the focus of the Information Technology (IT) industry, with the City Council joining forces with the local campus of Southern Cross University, to host the third annual IT conference in as many years.

Helping Councils achieve more with less*
Although customer service has vastly improved, amalgamation, rationalisation and tendering all combine to put the squeeze on resources. But the latest radio communications technology now offers a new dimension in functionality, helping to sustain and improve services while reducing communications costs.

Clarence in Australasian first
Tasmania's Clarence City Council is the first in Australasia to implement an innovative set of software solutions in partnership with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, using the 'best of breed' philosophy.

Single operator recycling collection
Collection of recyclables is set to become much simpler with the introduction of new collection trucks designed by Victoria's Brimbank City Council's Fleet Manager, Barrie Perris, and Team Leader Waste Services, Terry Williams.

Councils show leadership on GE food
At least two Councils, Waverley in NSW and Moreland in Victoria, have taken steps to address concerns about genetically engineered (GE) food. Their efforts follow many Councils in the United Kingdom and Europe opposed to the introduction of genetically modified foodstuffs following what they believe to be inadequate testing and public information.

Lord Mayors agree on drug strategies
A recent meeting of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) resulted in agreement on a range of drug strategies.

Tas LG history captured on video
At Tasmania's recent Local Government Annual Conference delegates previewed a special Local Government History video.

AFMA Fleet Manager of the year
City of Wodonga's Asset Management Officer, Jim Maher, has won the 1999 AFMA Fleet Manager of the Year Award. This prestigious award was presented last month at the Australasian Fleet Managers Awards (AFMA) Dinner held at the Sydney Hilton. The Australasian Fleet Managers Association (AFMA) members are responsible for an estimated 800,000 vehicles.

Councils endorse move to Computron Software*
Computron has increased its presence in Local Government in Victoria with the licensing of its ninth Council. Maroondah City Council joins the list of Councils in Victoria to take advantage of the benefits that Computron Software has to offer.

Business number will streamline the transactions with government
The Australian Business Number (ABN) is part of the tax reform process which will make business dealings with all levels of government more straightforward and efficient. The Australian Business Register (ABR) will contain basic public information about a business which will be able to be accessed electronically via the internet using the ABN as the identifier.

Mosman's new approach to an old problem
Building on the resident ownership of MOSPLAN and Council's tradition of involving and consulting the community, the recent NSW legislative changes requiring Social/Community Plans presented a new challenge for Mosman. The answer was Community Conversations.

Memorial avenue resurrected
The removal of dying trees can be an emotional issue despite the danger they represent to the community. Councils, responsible for public safety, walk a fine line to balance risk minimisation and local sentiment. This was the case in the East Gippsland Shire town of Lakes Entrance where lateral thinking prevailed to provide the ideal solution.

Community projects for town facelift
A simple plan to refurbish the Town Hall has led to a complete facelift for Whitemark, 'capital' of Flinders Island in Bass Strait.

Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games
Local Government is increasingly embracing the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games as an opportunity to promote community spirit and pride in the achievements of the Australian Paralympic team, one of the best in the world. The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, to be staged from 18-29 October 2000, will be the second largest sporting event in the year 2000, hosting 4,000 athletes from 125 countries.

Setting new standards in sports risk management
Victoria's Glen Eira City Council won the Collex Safety Initiatives Award at the prestigious Sport and Recreation Industry Awards announced in May. It was the only government sector organisation to win an award in the industry wide competition.

Access Expo 99*
To be staged on 21-23 October 1999 at the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, Access Expo 99 will provide a unique forum for the disability and aged care industry.

Unique leading edge Council web site promoting local business*
As a Council, how would it feel to be appreciated by your constituents instead of criticised; recognised by local business for promoting economic development, instead of seen as a cost? Would you like your Council web site to be updated inhouse, saving time and money? This is some of what the MY COMMUNITY 2000 package can do.

Coastal Art Trail takes shape
Melbourne's City of Bayside has 17 kilometres of picturesque coastline on Port Phillip Bay. In spite of urbanisation, the area has remained much as it did when some of Australia's most famous paintings, notably form the Heidelberg School of artists, were created.

Young riders bike around Australia
Children learning to ride bikes will soon be able to learn more about their country through a new bike track being built in Victoria's City of Casey. Centenary of Federation funding to the tune of $20,000 will enable the construction of the new track which will be fashioned in the shape of Australia.

New approach to community services management*
Melbourne based software developer, Xpedite Professional Services, recently released its latest Local Government Application, City Manager Community Services Suite.

Total library and Local Government solution for Mount Gambier*
Mount Gambier City Council has become the first local Council to implement an integrated system from the Sanderson Group that handles both Local Government and library functions.

Easy to spot a clean dog bins
Since the introduction of the NSW Companion Animal Act 1998, Councils must provide suitable receptacles in which owners can place dog litter wherever dogs are regularly exercised. The choice of the right receptacle may make the difference as to how well the Act is met and parkland amenity improved.

A national participation framework
Active Australia is all about getting Australians up and active whether that means going for a walk, cycling with the family, joining a health club or being involved in the many sport and recreation opportunities on offer. Its basis is a national participation framework &endash; a shared approach by a range of different organisations aimed at getting Australians involved in quality physical activity.

Active Australia providers - making better places for Active Australians
One of the key aspects of Active Australia is the process of improving the places where people can become more active. It is a recognition process aimed at those organisations or providers involved with the direct provision of physical activity opportunities for the community.

Junior sport &endash; under the parent's fist!
How ugly are you as a parent? Not physically, but in respect of sports participation for children. The 'ugly parent' syndrome has been trounced through the sporting fields of recent times but what does it really mean.

Codes provide fair play for young people
In an effort to promote fair play in children's sport the ASC has developed the AUSSIE SPORT Codes of Behaviour for clubs, schools and local Councils. These Codes provide a basis for fair play for young people.

Creating a safer environment: harassment free sport strategy
Local Government Authorities have a responsibility to ensure they provide safe environments for their community. A new initiative sees this responsibility moving into the sporting arena.

Towards an actively ageing population
Australia's population is ageing. This trend presents a challenge for many. For those marketing products and providing services to our population, there is a need to understand and meet the needs of this changing population.

SportNet
Life is a struggle for a lot of community based sports clubs. Local Government knows the importance of voluntary community and sporting groups. Without them our communities would be all the poorer with fewer affordable recreational opportunities and inevitable increases in social problems.

Sharing your success stories
Organisations and individuals in the business of providing programs based on physical activity do Australians a huge service. They are the groups leading the campaign to forge a healthier and more physically active Australia.

Inaugural National Active Australia Day in October
A major new event known as Active Australia Day is set to target the great majority of the population and encourage them to get active.

Stretched for facilities!
Access to good facilities has been identified with the Active Australia framework as a critical factor in motivating the community to participate in sport and recreation. Increasing pressure on Councils to fund new or redevelop existing sporting facilities has forced many Councils to look at alternative ways to raise funds.