Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

A new agenda for Victoria
In opening the Local Government Professionals Annual Conference, Victorian Minister for Local Government, Bob Cameron, said the Conference theme, 'A New Agenda' is what is happening across the State.

Tailored Executive Development Program for Flinders Island
The Local Government Association of Tasmania took its Executive Development Program off shore recently, with tailor made workshops for elected representatives and staff at Flinders Island.

Editorial
With some 300 delegates attending the inaugural National Rural Roads Congress held recently in Moree, the message was loud and clear, action is required now. Put simply, the bulk of our rural roads, built post 1945 to serve expanding rural industries, are reaching the end of their economic life and desperately need reinvestment.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Tony Bisdee, President Local Government Association of Tasmania.

Advocacy &endash; the real agenda of democratic government
Local Government is under increasing pressure to undertake advocacy on behalf of its residents according to Managing Director of The Strategy Shop, Michael Henry. Introducing the topic at LGPro's Annual Conference, he said advocacy is the real agenda of democratic government and communities are increasingly wanting Local Government to act on their behalf over many issues.

'Bush telegraph' beats city in communication awards
Two regional Councils have taken out the 1999 TMP Worldwide/NSW Local Government Excellence in Communication Awards. The Awards, presented at the Local Government Public Relations Association (LGPRA) Annual Conference, held in March, were won by Dubbo and Shellharbour City Councils.

Performance through people
In delivering the keynote address at the LG Pro Annual Conference, Paul Bourke, from Brienburke Business Advisors, said that the single, biggest competitive advantage an organisation can have is 'results orientated people'.

Refugees gain a permanent link to Australia
Kosovar refugees, given shelter in the Tasmanian Haven Centre at Brighton, will have a permanent bond with the Brighton community in the form of a sister city relationship with Kosovo's third largest city, Ferizaj.

Bubblemaker - scuba access for children with disabilities
Warringah City Council's Aquatic Centre has opened up a new world to children with disabilities, with a pilot Bubblemaker session held in March. The Bubblemaker project, based on a highly successful program operating in the United States, gives children with disabilities a safe and fun scuba diving adventure free of charge.

Hume City Council welcomes major newspaper group
Leadership in economic development by Hume City Council has brought The Age's new $220 million press plant to Tullamarine on Melbourne's northern fringe.

A National Training Package for LG
The National Local Government Training Package was endorsed by the National Training Framework Committee on 6 March 2000 and agreed by State, Territory and Commonwealth, Vocational, Education and Training Ministers on 21 March 2000.

The good oil - economic capacity in regional Australia
The Commonwealth Government is due to announce a major package to respond to deep seated disenchantment in regional Australia. The dollar figures will be significant, and the Opposition is sure to make accusations about pork barrelling.

Setting the pace in water management
Wide Bay Water, the business unit of Queensland's Hervey Bay City Council, is recognised both nationally and internationally for its expertise in water management. By providing innovative solutions to age old water problems, in 1998 it won the National Award for Innovation in Local Government. Placing a high priority on its investment in skills development, Wide Bay Water is set to further enhance its reputation.

Making waves in Mildura
Sufficient cement to fill Mildura Rural City Council's existing Olympic swimming pool twice over has been used to complete Stage 2 of the City's landmark Alfred Deakin Centre. Just in time for one of the hottest summers on record, the opening of the Aquatic Centre on 21 February brings to fruition Mildura's vision for a centrally located multi purpose complex.

Planning better cities
The Centre for Developing Cities, based at the University of Canberra, draws on Australia's significant achievements in urban management, and on international skills and experience to provide a program of education, research and consultancy. This program is aimed at ensuring that sustainable, quality urban development can be achieved even in circumstances of very rapid growth, increased reliance on private investment and a much reduced direc role for governments.

Road Safety Grants for New South Wales Councils
In February Motor Accidents Authority General Manager David Bowen met with the Board of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA-NSW Division) to announce funding over three years for Council road safety activity, including the IPWEA/RTA Local Government Road Safety Project Grants Scheme. This grant scheme aims to foster road safety strategic planning and effective road safety activity with a behavioural or education focus in Councils across NSW.

Managing the environment on a shoestring
Mention environmental management to Local Government managers, who are struggling to find the money to maintain their roads and provide other basic services, and they can age visibly. 'It may be important, but we just don't have the resources', is a common reaction. However, what many Councils are now realising is that there are various innovative ways to improve the environment on a small budget and these improvements can save money.

Bayside's clean, safe beaches
Beaches are a wonderful amenity but if not properly cared for they can be a health hazard both in and out of the water. Problems of water contamination from storm water outlets are now superseded by fear of needle stick injuries from syringes buried in sand.

Smarter, greener, cleaner
Queanbeyan residents are enjoying a new waste management system introduced in March. Under the new system, residents now have a three bin service.

Bigger than the Olympics
In October 2001 Newcastle will become the first city outside a capital city to host the Australian Masters Games. This will be the eighth time this popular biennial event has been staged.

Turning challenges into opportunities
In 1997, when BHP announced it would be stopping all steel production at its Newcastle plant the natural initial reaction was 'gloom and doom'. However, according to Lord Mayor John Tate, the contrary has happened with a host of new opportunities presenting themselves, not the least being tourism and environmental advancements.

Emphasising the 'new' in Newcastle
According to General Manager, Janet Dore, Newcastle is definitely experiencing a renaissance. The emphasis is very much on the 'new' in Newcastle - new opportunities, new ideas, new confidence and, most of all, a new era of cooperation.

Top value organisation
The high level of professional excellence among Council staff is reflected in a number of innovative projects.

Cooperation the key to growth and prosperity
Speaking at the 'Newcastle Goes National Day' in Canberra last October, the Lord Mayor was one of several Hunter region ambassadors talking to Federal Government representatives about the challenges and opportunities facing this area. He pointed out that with over half a million people, in population terms, the Hunter is Australia's largest region.

A change of course for Steel River
A 100 hectare redevelopment of surplus industrial land, known as Steel River, is a prime example of the new direction Newcastle is taking in the wake of industrial restructuring.

McGreen and clean in Newcastle
The local environment is benefiting from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between McDonald's Australia and Newcastle City Council, a first for Australia.

Reclaiming early history
Emerging from its historical identity as a centre of Australian heavy industry, Newcastle is aiming to preserve that history. It has also looked further back to its period as a convict settlement.

Harbourside development set to take off
Fifty hectares of surplus State Government land, adjacent to the city centre and running along Newcastle's picturesque Harbour, is ripe for development. Angus Dawson, General Manager of the State Government's Honeysuckle Development Corporation, believes that in the next five to ten years this project has the potential to generate 5,000 jobs and inject $900 million into the local economy.

Celluloid substitutes for steel
Attune to the changing structure of industry in Australia, Newcastle has seized on the growing demand for Australian film and television production.

Council's green techniques save money and the environment
In August 1999, Newcastle launched the first Australian Municipal Energy Improvement Facility(AMEIF), green energy learning centre run by Local Government. The centre is the culmination of Newcastle's Green Energy Project, which commenced in 1995.

Promoting the environment message to residents
While Council is ensuring green initiatives are a cornerstone of its own activities and a requirement for new developments, it is also seeking to bring the community on board.

Newcastle Foodsafe
With the City looking to enhance its tourism potential, having top quality eateries is a priority. Newcastle FoodSafeTM provides a hygiene training course to ensure food handlers are aware of ways to minimise the chances of food contamination.