Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Gearing up for the 'e-age'
Speaking at the annual conference of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Peter Switzer, Small Business Editor for the Australian, said that it is vital for all organisations to be planning effectively for the 'e-age'. "People are time poor, they want to do business via the Net," he said. "Your residents want to pay rates, register their dog and make applications using this technology."

Wodonga wins Premier's Award
The City of Wodonga has taken out the Inaugural Premier's Award for Continuous Improvement in Local Government. The award, announced by the Victorian Minister for Local Government, Bob Cameron, recognises a Council's demonstrable commitment to improving internal processes which, in turn, result in improved service quality, cost, delivery and customer satisfaction.

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
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Mayor Lynn Mason, President Local Government Association of Tasmania.

Federation in Tenterfield: a rejuvenation cornerstone
Tenterfield has always been proud of its role in the achievement of Federation and enjoys the rare distinction of being one of only three rural centres to be afforded 'Federation Town' status by the New South Wales Centenary of Federation Committee.

Unfurl the environment banner
Banners expressing the hopes and visions of young people for the area's local environment were used to help set the agenda at the Youth Environment Forum staged by Warringah Council in partnership with its Youth Advisory Group on 27 October.

Reducing the risk of falls
PosiGrip Australia has launched its new PosiGrip™ products, and treatment process, that significantly reduces the slipperiness of floors. Increased focus on occupational health and safety, and the sudden increase in third party litigation, makes this new treatment for slippery floors most timely.

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.

A networked future for Northern Adelaide
Since the beginning of the year, work has begun in earnest on the Northern Adelaide Employment and Re-investment and Food Cluster projects. The Northern Adelaide Employment project is a joint initiative of the Cities of Playford and Salisbury. To date some 50 jobs have been created and another 100 jobs will be generated over the next several months.

National Sports Tourism Strategy to boost regions
The Sydney 2000 Games was a great boost for the tourism industry, especially with the enormous surge in media exposure, including the promotion of Australia as a tourist destination. One of the spin offs of staging sporting events is their potential to raise the profile of the host city, town or region, mainly through coverage of the event.

Investing in the long term
Kempsey Shire Council in New South Wales decided to invest in a long term strategy to foster economic growth and prosperity. It has established and funded a company, which operates independently of Council, and is answerable to an elected board.

Country towns building a future
Seven Victorian towns have taken their futures into their own hands. The towns are Dunolly, Maldon, Wedderburn, Newstead, Talbot, Bridgewater/Inglewood and Carisbrook. Through the Federal Government's Regional Assistance Program, the town communities formed a regional management team.

Planting the seeds of growth
Local rural landowners are being invited to participate in a project that aims to boost the agricultural and horticultural industry in Victoria's Wyndham and Melton areas.

Sisters cities conference in Adelaide
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.

Water to boost farm projects
An initiative to boost the availability of water for farm irrigation in southern Tasmania has the potential to create thousands of jobs and put the state on the map as a leader in innovative intensive agricultural practices.

Migration and economic development -  an important link
Australia is a nation of immigrants. Migrants from all parts of the world have been, and continue to be at the heart of building Australia as a strong and robust economy. Migrants contribute to the economic development of Australia in many ways including through: job creation; filling skill shortages; creation of business opportunities and business expansion; direct investment in the Australian economy; and they often bring new ideas, technologies and skills with them, which all help Australia to develop a competitive edge in the economic sector. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has a range of programs designed to help Australian businesses and employers to bring in skilled personnel from overseas and to encourage overseas people to establish a business in Australia or undertake business activities here. Australia's Migration Program plays a pivotal role in the economic development of Australia.

Preparing for the future
Maroochy Council takes seriously its responsibility of managing future growth in an environment that is known for its diversity. The Shire is one of the fastest growing Councils in Australia and the population is expected to double over the next 10 years. Such rapid population growth brings with it obligations and responsibility - to manage the region's natural resources and preserve the environment, while at the same time providing for the social and economic infrastructure needs of the present and future population.

Doing Council business better
While the National Competition Policy reforms have encouraged Local Government Authorities to take a look at how they can do business better, Maroochy Shire Council is doing it better than most and in some cases leading the way.

Maroochy picks up Presidents award for review process
Maroochy Shire Council has received Queensland wide recognition for its "Value for Money for Services Review" process after winning the Presidents Award for Excellence and the Management Excellence Award categories at the Local Government Association's annual conference, in August.

New green, clean industry to get a boost with Incubator
Maroochy Shire Council has demonstrated a serious commitment to boosting the Shire's economic and employment growth with the allocation of $500,000 to fund the development of a new Technology Incubator at Queensland's University of the Sunshine Coast.

Mooloolaba Streetsafe project hailed a winner
Working in partnership with the community to increase public safety has paid off for Maroochy Shire Council. Its Mooloolaba Streetsafe Project has seen not only public recognition given to a project aimed at reducing alcohol and drug related problems in the area but it also won the prestigious Queensland Benjamin Drug Prevention Award earlier this year.