Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Strategies for a new era
The Institute of Municipal Management's 19th National Congress and Expo was staged in Melbourne on 28-31 May. Using the theme, 'Interactive 2000: Strategies for a New Era', newly elected Federal President, Rob Noble, told delegates that, in tune with a new era, the Institute will change its title to Local Government Managers Australia from 1 January 2001.

Newcastle wins Management Challenge
Newcastle City Council has won the 2000 Australasian Active Learning Management Challenge. Representing New South Wales, the Newcastle team defeated seven other regional finalists from the other States, Northern Territory and New Zealand.

In house training raises standard
Queensland's Toowoomba City Council has gained funding for a further year of the Commonwealth's Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program. Normally the program runs for three years but Toowoomba was granted a further year because of its leading role in training initiatives.

Helping local business reap benefits from major project
Western Australia's South West Group of Councils is actively assisting local businesses to share in the economic activity generated by the multi million dollar Jervoise Bay project at Henderson.

Editorial
While the Australian Local Government Association has welcomed some of the initiatives announced recently in the 2000-2001 Federal Budget, namely improved services to rural and regional Australia, it is disappointed once again that there is no new money for Local Government.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Peter Taylor, Acting President, Local Governance Association of Queensland.

National development - is it too hard?
The Commonwealth Budget handed down in May was a mixed bag - it showed signs of coming to grips with some regional service delivery problems, but failed to deal with the big national development issues.

Taking the initiative
In recognition of the increasing importance of the Local Government sector in the area of developing sustainable communities, Australia's premier educational institution, the Australian National University has committed to producing a high quality, academically rigorous, and practical course in Public Policy for Local Government professionals.

Water conservation - getting down to business
South Australia's City of Mitcham is setting up demonstration sites to show local businesses how they can save water. While home use is the major source of water consumption, businesses, including schools and hospitals, use 25 percent of Adelaide's water supply. Water conservation is a critical issue in South Australia, where much of the state's water supply is augmented by the challenged Murray Darling River system.

Rate rebate saves heritage area
The fragile ecosystem of far north Queensland's rainforests is receiving vital help in the form of Voluntary Conservation Agreements developed by the Johnstone Shire Council. The Shire has some 90,000 hectares of World Heritage Listed wet tropics, which, while primarily the responsibility of State and Federal Government, increasingly need local help to survive.

Western Australian Councils fight wildflower killer
Local Governments in Perth and the south west are taking an active role in managing the deadly plant disease 'Phytophthora dieback'. Known as dieback or cinnamon fungus disease, the soil borne, fungal like, plant disease is a significant threat to the biodiversity of forests and heathland in south west Western Australia.

Chemical free centre
In May, Alice Springs Town Council, in conjunction with the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment and the Department of Business and Industry &endash; Work Health Authority, conducted a free hazardous chemical disposal day. The aim was to combat the potential problems of dangerous products being stored in domestic settings.

What the world needs now - green accountants LG leads the way
A recent report prepared for the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that Local Government far outstrips its State and Federal cousins in incorporating environmental issues into accounting practices.

eco-global
One of the greatest challenges facing both Local Government and utility owners is how to rehabilitate their existing asset base in a manner that provides both cost effective and customer friendly solutions. One such company to take up the challenge is eco-global pty ltd.

Back in the black
After running a budget deficit which peaked at just under $9 million in 1997, Whitehorse is now on track to achieve a balanced budget in 2000/2001.

It's the small details that really count
Few Melbourne residents would be unfamiliar with the area encompassed by the City of Whitehorse. Its name derives from one of Melbourne's most well known thoroughfares, Whitehorse Road.

Listening to the community
A history of working with a number of organisations to improve the lives of Whitehorse residents, and a commitment to seeing positive change, brought Whitehorse Mayor, Councillor Jessie McCallum, to Council.

Undergrounding powerlines
One of metropolitan Melbourne's main thoroughfares is being dramatically revamped with the removal of the characteristic blight of the Australian landscape &endash; overhead power lines.

Webbing Whitehorse
With a population where over 47 percent of people have internet access, and nearly 25 percent of the workforce are employed in the Information Technology industry, the City of Whitehorse is determined to increase internet access even further.

Award winning customer service
Whitehorse customer service staff can congratulate themselves after achieving a High Commendation in the State section of the Australian Customer Service Association's Annual Awards.

Equity and access for all
Whitehorse is at the forefront of moves to remove barriers for people with a disability in their dealings with Council and, as far as possible, in the wider community.

Facilities for those who count
With one of the fastest growing ageing populations in Australia, Whitehorse is leading the way in providing an excellent quality of life for its older residents.

Saved from falls
As part of its program to ensure older people in Whitehorse lead an active and full life, Council's Community Care Department has undertaken an extensive Falls Prevention Project in conjunction with Monash University's Accident Research Centre.

You'll never walk alone
Whitehorse's leafy streets of well kept gardens, peppered with parks and reserves, provide an ideal environment in which to take a healthy stroll. While walking is an enjoyable, easy, low cost avenue for healthy exercise, unfortunately, many people do not walk either for safety reasons or lack of companionship.

Managing fire risks
In spite of being a metropolitan area, Whitehorse has over 200 hectares of bushland reserves, many backing on to private property. These provide a wonderful amenity for residents but also represent a bushfire risk.

Art in the public domain
Whitehorse has one of the best art collections of any metropolitan Melbourne Council. This is in spite of not having a purpose built gallery, as some regional collections enjoy.

Planting for posterity
One of the most exciting developments for the long term benefit of Whitehorse, and the eastern region of metropolitan Melbourne, is the creation of new Botanic Gardens.

Planning to suit everybody
Situated at the end of the eastern freeway amid tree lined streets and very large backyards, Whitehorse is ripe for medium density development &endash; or so many developers would have it. Of course, others disagree and like many other Council areas, the City of Whitehorse, as the responsible authority, is caught between pressure for development and a determination to maintain and improve the current pleasant streetscapes.