Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

NOLG offers greater access to a variety of Federal services

Senator Macdonald, Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, is committed to facilitating Local Government access to a variety of Federal Government services. The National Office of Local Government (NOLG), part of the Department of Transport and Regional Services, advises the Federal Minister on Local Government issues.

The National Office of Local Government provides advice to Local Government entities, taking a whole-of-government approach through various Commonwealth Departments. An example would be to link Newcastle City Council with AusIndustry services. AusIndustry is the Federal Government's agency for business support and information services. It provides advice and assistance to Local Government bodies wishing to develop commercially viable products and services.

One of AusIndustry's newer programmes is the Renewable Energy Equity Fund (REEF). Key objective of this programme is to encourage the development of enterprises commercialising renewable energy technologies by addressing capital and management constraints. A package of $19.52 million will be made available through the REEF programme.

NOLG is at present facilitating communication between the Australian Municipal Energy Improvement Facility and AusIndustry to determine the feasibility of funding under the REEF programme.

AusIndustry Services Summary

R&D Start Programme supports businesses to undertake research and development and related activities. There are five separate elements of the programme, with funding of approximately $1 billion to cover the period up to June 2006. R&D Tax Concession encourages Australian industry to undertake more research and development by allowing a 125% tax deduction on R&D expenditure.

Innovation Investment Fund aims to develop a venture capital market for early stage companies to develop technology based firms that are commercialising research and development. The total funding under this programme is $332 million.

Renewable Energy Equity Fund is a specific renewable energy venture capital programme managed in conjunction with the Australian Greenhouse Office. The total funding for this programme is in the vicinity of $30 million.

Cooperative Research Centres are long-term collaborative ventures between universities, Commonwealth and State Government agencies and industry. The programme endeavours to strengthen links between researchers and the use of research. Pooled Development Funds is designed to increase the supply of equity capital for small to medium business enterprises.

Business Entry Point is a Commonwealth Government initiative which provides businesses with access to comprehensive information on a wide range of business assistance programmes. Business Information Services provide information on over 800 programmes and services offered by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, industry associations and Chambers of Commerce.

To find out more about any of the above services, or other AusIndustry services please contact the AusIndustry Business Hotline on 132 846 or view the AusIndustry website on www.ausindustry.gov.au

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