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Managing towards 2005
The change of format for the 18th Institute of Municipal Management National Congress, held recently in Canberra, was certainly endorsed by delegates.

Editorial
The release of the Howard Government's first Budget in this, its second term, could well be described as 'the Budget you are having when you are not having a Budget'. Most commentators agree the real Budget will be brought down when, and in spite of recent deals with the Democrats, if the Tax Package is passed.

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

Moonee Valley wins Management Challenge
Moonee Valley City Council, representing Victoria, has won the 1999 Australasian Active Learning Management Challenge. This year 82 teams and almost 500 Local Government managers participated in this highly regarded professional development exercise.

QLD Local Government Week
Councils across Queensland celebrated Local Government Awareness Week during May. Many Councils used this opportunity to better inform their residents and ratepayers about the work they undertake in the community.

Benchmarking for greater efficiency best protection for positive reform
The reform message is being taken to remote communities throughout the Northern Territory. Chief Executive Office of Coomalie Community Government Council, Jeff Colver is currently visiting remote communities to promote benchmarking and other measures to improve efficiency.

Rewarding innovation in Local Government: Minister launches national Awards
Over 700 Local Government representatives gathered at the 18th IMM National Congress in Canberra to hear the Hon Senator Ian Macdonald, Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, launch the 1999 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government. Speaking at the Launch of this year's Awards, Senator Macdonald expressed his admiration for the work done by those working in Local Government and their key role in building sustainable Australian communities.

SA Councils take up Jobs Challenge
Councils in South Australia are at the forefront of moves to create new jobs. Jobs Challenge 98 is a partnership between the State Government and the SA Local Government Association, formulated last year. It aims to create 1000 new jobs in local communities.

Reducing diesel emissions
A pilot program to test the viability of using gas powered diesel trucks at Western Australia's City of Gosnells is proving highly successful.

Greenhouse Action? These Australian Councils say YES!
Local Governments around the world are responding to the threat of climate change by joining the Cities for Climate Protection TM campaign: an innovative program which assists Local Governments and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 300 local Councils around the world involved in this campaign. But of all the countries that have taken part, Australia has seen the fastest rate of growth and now has 60 CCP Councils.

Students care for the bush
Queensland's Toowoomba City Council has enlisted the help of an enthusiastic group with a vested interest in protecting and improving local bushland. School groups throughout the City are being encouraged to undertake a number of different educational projects which focus on the local environment.

Regional development served by smoother access to cadastre
Local Government bodies are developing a more attractive business environment and enhanced community structure by increasing access to cadastral information through the Business Entry Point (BEP) initiative.

Redland celebrates 50 years of achievements
Wednesday 9 June marked the 50th Anniversary of the first meeting of Redland Shire Council. It was also the official launch of six months of activities to celebrate this milestone.

Vision 2005
Early in 1995 Redland Shire Council began one of the most extensive community consultation processes ever undertaken by a Queensland Council. The project was designed to determine how the community wanted the Shire to develop in the next 10 years, taking into account the possibility of the Shire accommodating an extra 40,000 people during the 1995-2005 period.

Planning an attractive and prosperous future
Rapid growth in recent years has made it imperative that Redland Shire Council undertakes careful planning so the Shire retains the features which attract people to the area in the first place. As the growth eases, new economic opportunities need to be encouraged to provide ongoing employment.

Organisational structure to deliver what the community wants
Once the community had clearly indicated the outcomes it expected Council to deliver, it was vital to have the right organisational structure in place to achieve this. Similar to the development of the Vision 2005, a high level of consultation with staff was a hallmark of this reform process.

Raising LG awareness among the young
An innovative Young Citizens Program has been established in Redland Shire to raise the awareness of primary and high school students about Local Government. The program also aims to show the students how they can make a difference in their local community.

Pioneering Native Title work continues
In 1997 Redland Shire Council and Quandamooka Land Council (QLC) created history when they signed a Native Title Process Agreement. The Agreement marks a unique but logical approach to negotiating a native title claim and is the first agreement of its type in Australia between native title claimants and a Local Government authority.

Sailing into history
Redland residents and visitors will be able to witness the spectacle of a full sized replica of Matthew Flinders' sloop 'Norfolk' sailing into Moreton Bay come July. The event is part of the nationwide Matthew Flinders Bicentenary celebrations.

Green and Grow in Redland
A premier event of Redland Shire's 50th Anniversary celebrations will be the region's first major horticultural expo. Redland Green and Grow Expo, will showcase products and services of nurseries, and associated horticultural and environmental industries.

Award winning customer service
Complementing its recent organisational restructure, Redland Shire Council has identified the need for a customer call centre. This is currently being set up to accommodate 10 staff.

Encouraging local plants for a sustainable future
The 14 hectare Redlands Indigiscapes Centre (RIC), first proposed in 1996, is well underway. The Centre, the first of its kind in Australia, is a key educational and botanical facility for displaying and interpreting the habitats and plant communities of the local region.

Safe solution to mozzie attack
At their best mosquitoes can ruin an outdoor evening. At their worst they spread debilitating diseases, such as malaria and Ross River fever. Unfortunately, use of chemicals to stop them breeding can be damaging to the environment and have the potential to create even further health problems in the long run.

Wormpower
Redland's Cleveland Sewerage Treatment plant is at the forefront of moves towards ecological sustainability. The Cleveland plant is home to the biggest Local Government worm farm in Australia.

Protecting an island paradise
As well as the popular North Stradbroke Island, Redland Shire also has Russell, Lamb, Macleay, Perulpa, Peel, Coochiemudlo and Karragarra Islands within its boundaries. These all lie within one of Queensland's most important ecological, recreational, cultural and economic resources, Moreton Bay. This area has national and international significance, formally recognised in 1993 as the Moreton Bay Marine Park.