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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 now if, the Tax Package is passed. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has labelled the 1999-2000 Budget as 'uninspiring for local Communities' and 'starting the process of isolating the Federal Government from local Communities'.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor John Jago, President, Victorian Local Governance Association.

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.

Outstanding entries in engineering awards
Judges of the IMEA - NSW Division 1999 Engineering Excellence, Awards, said the calibre of the projects submitted were once again outstanding.

24 hour library service
A petition presented to Victoria's Manningham City Council requesting additional library services in the eastern section of the City has resulted in a 24 hour a day 'virtual library'.

Tasmanian safe haven for refugees
Tasmania's Brighton Council has spent just over a month preparing for 370 Kosovan refugees. Council's main role was to address the impact the refugees' arrival would have on the local community and any infrastructure requirements.

NSW engineers conference and field days
The 8th Annual Conference and Engineers Field Days '99 was staged by the Institute of Municipal Engineers Australia (IMEA) - NSW Division from 2-8 May. Using the theme 'Twenty Twenty Vision', the Conference sessions, over the first three days, were followed by the Field Days with over 400 indoor and outdoor exhibitors.

New Water Directorate
Following the corporatisation of many water utilities, the NSW Division of the Institute of Municipal Engineering Australia (IMEA) has recently encouraged and assisted the establishment of a Water Directorate.

Community partnership saves lives
Smoke detectors will be supplied and fitted to the homes of older people under the Victorian City of Greater Bendigo's Community Save a Life Project'.

Provider handbook for supported residential services
A Service Provider Handbook for Supported Residential Services (SRS), has been developed by Victoria's Hepburn Shire Council and the Department of Human Services. The handbook aims to clarify the respective roles of both organisations and in doing so, provide a better service to those in supported residential care.

IMEA/RTA Local Government Road Safety Project
Now in its sixth year the IMEA/RTA Local Government Road Safety Project continues to raise the priority of road safety in local government primarily through support for the development of road safety strategic plans with links to Council management processes. This project forms one key element of the Local Government Road Safety Program. Joining the project in 1994, the Motor Accidents Authority provides funding for Council road safety activities and planning projects and sponsors the annual Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Awards Scheme.

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.

One stop shop for environmental concerns
Warringah Council, on Sydney's northern beaches, is seeing the benefits of combining all its environmental services - from bushland works to waste education to catchment works to dogs and cats - under the one umbrella.

Australia's first drumMUSTER at Gunnedah
Australia's first drumMUSTER collection was held last month at Gunnedah Shire Council in NSW. drumMUSTER is the national program for the collection and recycling of empty, cleaned, non returnable crop protection and animal health chemical containers.

Park and ride
The trick for public authorities, which want to convince commuters to opt for public transport, is to find a way of making it more attractive than using a private car. With this in mind, member Councils of the Shore Regional Organisation of Councils (SHOROC), in Sydney's inner north, have launched 'Park and Ride'.

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.

Oops, no excuses
While many Councils provide facilities for dog owners to clean up the indelicate messages their pets leave behind its not easy to ensure everyone uses them. However, Victoria's City of Yarra has preempted many of the excuses proffered by issuing a free 'Oops! Pet Mess Pick-Up Kit' to all dog owners in the City.

Environmental Insight from CivicView*
CivicView, the fully integrated Local Government management package, that has been developed by Insight Informatics and Kempsey Shire Council, can incorporate a Geographical Information System (GIS), such as MapInfo, in a way that has huge potential for environmental applications.

Ecologically sustainable development in practice
Redevelopment of the Balmain Power Station site has provided Sydney's Leichhardt Municipal Council with the opportunity to put Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) principles into practice.

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.

Parramatta - the Centre of Sydney
Parramatta is a primary centre in the Greater Sydney Region, second only to central Sydney in the size of its workforce and range of functions. With rapid growth in the Greater West, Parramatta is now both the geographic and demographic centre of metropolitan Sydney. Over the next 30 years, the population of the region is expected to exceed two million and Parramatta's workforce will more than double.

Prosperity and livability
Parramatta has a brilliant future. Inward investment is creating many new jobs, bringing greater prosperity to the whole region.

A tidy reputation to uphold
Parramatta is not resting on its laurels after winning the 1998 Metro Pride Award. The award, which is presented to the tidiest metropolitan Council from Sydney, Wollongong or Newcastle, establishes a reputation which must be upheld.

A blueprint for Parramatta's future
Developed in close consultation with the State Government and a number of other stakeholders, not the least being the community, the Draft Parramatta Regional Environmental Plan (REP) is a blueprint for the City's future development as Sydney's second primary centre.

Sharing the Olympic spirit
From almost any highrise building in Parramatta's CBD you can see the hive of activity at Homebush Bay &endash; home of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. As the closest major centre to the Olympic site, Parramatta is also gearing up in preparation for this once in a lifetime event.

Cutting edge service delivery
Council's mission is 'to be recognised as the best local Council in New South Wales'. In line with National Competition Policy, Council aims to deliver more effective, value for money services.

Working with the community
Parramatta's intention is to work with the community and encourage people to participate in making the City a better and safer place in which to live, work or visit.

The events centre of Sydney
Recognised as the cultural and heritage centre of the west, Parramatta boasts a range of entertainment facilities. With an increasing number of quality restaurants and outdoor cafes adding to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the City, Council plans to make the most of the opportunities major events can bring to the community.

City of Trees
Parramatta Council is keen to substantially increase the number of trees in the City and by the end of this financial year 16,000 new plantings will have been established.

Restoring the River to its rightful place
When the first European settlers travelled up the Parramatta River looking for more suitable land to grow their crops, they did not anticipate the stress that would ultimately be placed on the River and its environs. Community surveys have pinpointed rehabilitation of the River as a high priority. With an anticipated increase in development, Council is determined to offset any additional stresses to this environment.

Partnerships and networking pays off
Parramatta City Council has established two Boards to promote growth and development &endash; the Parramatta Economic Development Board (PEDB) and the Parramatta Tourism Marketing Board (PTMB).

Al fresco heritage
The opening of the Parramatta Heritage Centre in November 1998 has provided a focal point for local residents and visitors to experience Parramatta's rich history.

Technology upgrade for improved service
With 28% of residents having internet access, it is not surprising that community surveys have shown that Parramatta residents would prefer to do as much business with Council as possible using this facility.