Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Australia's number one drug - local action to reduce alcohol related harm
Alcohol is an accepted part of Australian culture and the most widely used drug in the 14 years and over age group. About 75% of Australians in this group are current drinkers. Although there is growing recognition of alcohol use as a serious social issue, research indicates that few people regard it as a personal problem. It is seen as more of a problem for others. It was against this background that the Commonwealth Government, with advice from the National Expert Advisory Committee on Alcohol, decided on a national campaign to reduce the level of alcohol related harm.

Local Government supports QUILTS 2000
For the past 12 months, 2,000 quiltmakers and textile artists from across Australia have been busy fundraising, designing and creating the largest quilt collection to be used as a fundraiser anywhere in the world.

Editorial
The recent plight of textile workers in the Hunter Valley, and extensive publicity resulting from the Prime Minister's embroilment in the matter, raise many more issues than have so far captured most media attention. To date, coverage has focused on the immediate needs of the Hunter Valley workers in terms of their redundancy pay outs and other entitlements; the fact that the PM ended up in what has been described as 'a no win situation'; and why these workers are to be assisted while others continue to be denied. Little has been said about the longer term problem, that is, these workers are now unemployed and may have no other option but to move out of the area to find another job.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Brad Matheson, President Municipal Association of Victoria.

Young people and crime - Local Government seeks answers
Recently, the role of Government in youth crime prevention has been highlighted by debate over the morality and effectiveness of mandatory sentencing following a tragic death in the Northern Territory. Tasmania's Glenorchy City Council was already ahead of the discussion, having in early February co hosted a major seminar with the State Government, examining the issue of young people and crime.

Shire promotes life long education
Victoria's Shire of Melton has collaborated with local education providers to ensure Melton residents have access to educational opportunities throughout their lives.

Fire and rain - Macedon Expo shows how to manage the threat
When summer brings hot winds and dry conditions everyone is on fire alert. Unfortunately the same conditions also mean depleted water storage, and hence restrictions on water use, the main means for fighting fires.

Warringah residents have their say
Residents of Sydney's Warringah Council are to have their say in shaping the City's Environmental Strategy. Acting Mayor Phil Colman said this would ensure the strategy 'truly reflects community aspirations on a diverse range of environmental issues'.

Whittlesea shades better
A policy to ensure everyone in the City has adequate protection from the sun's harmful rays has won a Victorian Public Health Award for Victoria's City of Whittlesea. The Shade Policy which deals with the provision of shade at Council owned parks, playgrounds, sporting and recreational facilities and preschools, has also won the endorsement of the Anti Cancer Council of Victoria and the Playgrounds and Recreation Association of Victoria.

Unique study strengthens heritage protection in North Sydney
The adoption of a Cultural Assets & Resources Study and Development Control Plan (DCP) by North Sydney Council highlights the importance of the area's heritage and culture.

Murgon Shire fights to save local jobs
The failure of Federal and State Governments to provide short term funding to keep open the meatworks in Queensland's Murgon Shire, has once again left Local Government to bear the burden of economic development. The closure of the local meatworks early this month has placed nearly 600 workers in the dole queue with possibly more to follow as the flow on effect comes into play.

Greater Geelong weaves untangled web
The largest regional Municipality in Australia has markedly improved its internal communications in response to employee demand. Council has installed a sophisticated Intranet system named CityWeb.

Tas Councils maximise IT benefits
The Local Government Fund, under the Networking the Nation Program, offers Councils across the country a significant opportunity to propel their communities well into the 21st century through the provision of new ways of doing business with Councils. Tasmanian Councils are accepting the challenge of moving to the online environment.

Digital Dashboard a winner
The evolution of the roles of Information Technology within Local Authorities has been accompanied by an increase in senior management's expectation of enhanced and faster return on investment. Yet we still hear a common cry of 'all the information's there I just can't get it out and if I do, it's too late'.

Food safety auditing made easy
Following changes to the Victorian Food Act, in 1998, Local Government Environmental Health Officers found themselves with a potential administrative headache. Relief has come in the form of AUDIT-Easy.

Electronic payments convenient and secure
With over 30% of its ratepayers living or working elsewhere, Port Stephens Council on the northern NSW coast was quick to adopt electronic payment forms.

Excellence in record management
Victoria's Swan Hill Rural City Council has won the Sir Rupert Hamer Records Management Certificate of Merit for innovation and excellence in records management. The Awards recognise innovation and excellence in records management within the public sector.

GST compliance reporting solution
Computron Software, a global provider of software for business process automation, financial management and business intelligence, has announced an agreement with PKF, a leading specialist chartered accounting and business advisory firm, to provide a GST/Compliance Reporting solution to Australian organisations.

NetWorking Dog La Trobe's best friend
An information technology training program developed in partnership by Victoria's La Trobe Shire and Monash University's Centre for Electronic Commerce ensures the benefits of new technology are shared by a much greater number of people, recreating the Gippsland region as an IT aware community.

Museums and mice - http://amol.org.au
What do museums and mice have in common? Through Australian Museums On Line (AMOL), the common mouse can open a path into Australia's museums and galleries. This innovative website is a gateway to Australia's vast heritage collections held in heritage and art museums.

CivicView's versatility continues to grow
Australia's leading Local Government software solution, CivicView, has certainly established itself in the Local Government IT marketplace.

The right time
Dumaresq Mayor, Peter Monley firmly believes now is the right time for a merger.

Our first new Council of the millennium
Officially proclaimed on 21 February by New South Wales Governor, Gordon Samuels AC, Armidale Dumaresq Council has become Australia's first new Council of the millennium. Created through the merger of the former Armidale City Council and Dumaresq Shire Council, this is the first voluntary amalgamation in New South Wales following legislation introduced last year by the Minister for Local Government, Harry Woods.

Reconciliation is more than flag raising
Joining Armidale City Council in 1983, Deputy Mayor Pat Dixon was the first Aboriginal woman elected to Local Government in Australia. She believes reconciliation is not simply about flag raising and recognition but a commitment to actions that will lead to a better quality of life.

Volunteers gain benefits too
As most Councils are aware, much valuable work carried out in the community relies on volunteers. To coordinate and recruit volunteers, Council runs the Armidale Regional Volunteer Centre which matches volunteers to the type of work they are interested in according to their skills, interest and experience.

Building bridges
With the twin aims of bringing the community together and restoring the amenity of a picnic area, in 1998 Armidale celebrated Local Government Week by launching a project titled 'Building Bridges across the Community'.

Access the key to community life
With the aim of offering people with a disability the same access to recreation opportunities and to participate fully in community life, Armidale has introduced a Recreational Access Project.

Towards a better future
In response to the rural crisis facing most regional areas, in 1997 Mayors Richard Torbay and Peter Monley formed a Community Taskforce. Issues that needed to be addressed included the population drift, closure of services and an over reliance on one or two industries.

Regional airport a showpiece
Armidale Dumaresq Council is very much the gateway to the New England Tablelands. Many people choose to fly into the area via the recently upgraded Armidale Regional Airport.

Gold honours for the environment
Well before the two Councils decided to amalgamate, Armidale and Dumaresq had been cooperating in a number of areas including the highly prized natural environment of the region. A number of initiatives undertaken by both Councils and their communities clearly indicate the importance they place on protecting and conserving the natural environment.

Feeling safe wherever you are
One outcome of Armidale's 'Building the Future' Forum, in 1997, was that community safety is a major concern for many people. As a result, an extensive campaign to improve public safety commenced.

Getting young people home safely
An initiative of the Armidale Aboriginal community to assist young people to get home safely at night has been picked up by Council.

Third City of the Arts
In July last year, Armidale was selected by the State Government as the Third City of the Arts. It joins Katoomba and Broken Hill. With funding of $300,000, the Third City of the Arts Managerial Committee has targeted youth and multiculturalism as key areas of the program.

Trolley ride through a rich heritage
Armidale is justly proud of its built environment. The 'capital of New England' is a gracious leafy city with a wealth of heritage buildings, gardens, educational facilities and cultural experiences. Each year these, together with a moderate climate, attract thousands of visitors to Armidale. To help visitors appreciate all Armidale has to offer, the city runs a free electric powered Heritage Trolley Tour.

Centre built to minimise impact on natural environment
The recently opened Yaraandoo Environmental Interpretive Centre, located on the popular Waterfall Way between Armidale and the NSW coast, represents a complete commitment to the local world heritage listed environment. The Centre provides tourist information, adventure activities, accommodation, a restaurant and convention facilities.