 Local Government
Professionals 'setting the pace'
The third Annual Conference of
Victoria's Local Government Professionals Inc (LG Pro) was staged on
18 and 19 February in Melbourne. Some 450 delegates, across the
gambit of Local Government professional groupings, attended. Using
the theme, 'Professionals Setting The Pace', the Conference
organisers chose a program that aimed to ensure those present would
return to their workplaces better equipped to 'share, innovate and
grow'.
Editorial
Like death and taxes, a
further thing we have come to accept as inevitable is change. Change
needs to be carefully planned and managed. Everyone involved must
feel that they are part of the process and have ownership of it.
Change imposed from the top down is likely to strike problems.
President's comment
Each edition we
feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The
following is from Councillor Brad Matheson, President of the
Municipal Association of Victoria. .
Relaxed and comfortable with business
A
positive but relaxed approach to working with local business has
brought widespread benefits to Victoria's Surf Coast Shire.
Surf Coast is famous for what its name indicates, some of the best
surf beaches in the world. Each year it hosts major international
surfing events and plays host to thousands of holidaymakers. Surfing
is the cornerstone of the local economy.
Hobart Skills Centre
Faced with the
need to find a new home when the site of Council's existing nursery
was sold, the idea for establishing a larger regional nursery was
developed. This also provided the opportunity to set up a regional
work based training facility in keeping with the Federal Government's
Training Reform Agenda.
Celebrating ageing in Shoalhaven
Shoalhaven Council in NSW is celebrating the International year of
Older Persons with a special Conference to discuss the issues
associated with ageing and ways of making this a happy and positive
time of life.
Speed gun slows motorists to safe
speed
'In a 12 month trial, Council is using the laser gun to
display vehicle speeds and a slow down message. So far the trial has
found drivers drop their speed by 4-12 kph when confronted with the
graphic reminder. .
Marion wins KESAB Award
n the face of
some strong competition, the City of Marion took out the 1998 Keep
South Australia Beautiful (KESAB) Metropolitan Council of the Year
Award.
Warriparinga Interpretive Centre - a
community reconciliation project
The vision and efforts of local
Kaurna people, Marion Council and the Marion community has led to the
development of the Warriparinga Interpretive Centre. The aim is
for the new Centre to be opened in 2001, as part of the celebrations
marking the Centenary of Australia's Federation. The result will be
an Aboriginal and European Heritage and Environmental Interpretive
Centre of national significance.
Wetland an environmental asset
Construction of a 1.8 hectare, $1.7 million wetland project in the
City of Marion will provide far reaching benefits for the entire
south western region of Adelaide. The Project has a number of
important aims including conservation, passive recreation,
environmental education, and improved water quality.
Getting active in the International Year
of Older Persons 1999
Looking for a tangible way of highlighting
the International Year of Older Persons in your area? Linking in with
the Active Australia International Year of Older Persons project may
be an option.
Single access point for business
Local
Government organisations are an integral part of an initiative to
reduce the compliance burden on small business by introducing a
single entry point to all levels of government. Through its
involvement, Local Government is paving the way for greater uptake of
its own online services, a more streamlined relationship with other
Local Government bodies and, importantly, less paperwork.
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