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 Adelaide hosts national sisters cities
conference
The City of Adelaide was host to the national conference
of the Australian Sister Cities Association (ASCA) from 2 to 5 October. With
the title, New Millennium Š New Ways, the ASCA 2000 conference attracted over
300 delegates and partners including delegations from three of Adelaide's
sister cities.
National roads campaign
Councils
throughout Australia are rallying to support a $2 million national campaign
aimed at boosting federal funding for roads in the lead up to the Federal
Election expected next year.
Editorial
The failure of the
Republic proposal put to referenda late last year, seems to have stymied the
constitutional reform agenda. This is in spite of the fact that, as we enter
the 21st century and begin to celebrate the Centenary of our Federation, as a
nation our needs are vastly different to those of a century ago. Not the least
of these is the growing importance of local democracy and Local
Government.
President's comment
In each
edition, we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The
following is from Mayor Brian Hurn, President Local Government Association of
South Australia.
Win win with SA businesses conserving water
In October, as part of National Water Week, South Australian Minister
for Water Resources, Mark Brindal, launched a video highlighting five
demonstration sites where businesses are conserving water. An initiative of
Marion and Mitcham Councils in Adelaide, and funded through the National
Heritage Trust Agreement, the aim is to encourage businesses and industry to
reduce their use of mains water, through various conservation measures.
Into the information age
Located 550
kilometres west of Cairns, and 170 kilometres from the Gulf of Carpentaria
port of Karumba, the residents of Croydon Shire face problems of geographic
isolation. With a population of around 500 people, almost half live in
Croydon, the Shire's only town. In addition to the remote location, until
recently the Shire's telecommunications system suffered from various
technical, bureacratic and climatic impediments.
We need more Quiksilvers
With a brain still
spinning with concerns of where Australia sits in the global world, I
nevertheless strolled up the Champs Elysees to see what my pathetic Aussie
dollar might buy me. And there it was - Quiksilver - on the right as you head
up the best known street in the world. Either side is Virgin Records, Charles
Jordan, Club Med, Planet Hollywood.
Capitalising on community power
Have you
ever contemplated how powerful the relationship would be if your Council and
community trusted and respected each other at all times, and supported each
other's contribution in the local decision making process? Just think of the
benefits, spending time and resources on positive issues rather than political
point scoring, improved community morale, a genuine commitment to a team
approach and greater levels of voluntary community participation.
Interactive and user friendly websites
Though many Councils have websites, many are not being used effectively
due to limited understanding of what the options and opportunities are.
Councils can get a great deal of good from a website designed to maximise
communications and business pathways.
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