Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

NSW managers meet in Coffs Harbour
In a break with tradition, this year the New South Wales Division of the Institute of Municipal Management held its Annual Conference outside of Sydney. Running from 3-5 August, the selection of Coffs Harbour as the venue proved a very successful and popular move.

9th Management Excellence Awards
With 50 nominations across five categories, the 9th Management Excellence Awards, hosted by the Institute of Municipal Management (NSW Division) and Sydney Morning Herald, once again illustrates the high quality of management in Local Government.

Editorial
As we enter the 'Olympic month', world attention is undoubtedly focusing on Sydney. While some Sydneysiders are anticipating total disruption to normality of life, others are looking forward to welcoming the world to Sydney, whether people come in person to the Olympics or view events via the extensive telecasting rights.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Jamie Edwards, President, Western Australian Municipal Association

Frankstonšs Federation project provides an artistic vision
The incorporation of an imaging and projection component in Frankston City Council's new Community Arts Centre aims to give passersby in the street an immediate view of those audio visual works created within the centre.

City Pride - innovation the key
With City Pride judging under way, Victoria's current title holder, the City of Whittlesea says innovation and recognition of the judges' knowledge of Local Government are the keys to success

Water chip an award winning innovation for Sorell Council
A device which provides Sorell residents with simple and reliable access to water for their domestic needs has earned Sorell Council's Manager Engineering Services, Max Melton, an Excellence Award in Technical Practice and Innovation.

The importance of propeller heads
The Good Oil by Rod Brown* One of my US colleagues is David Dodd, an economic development practitioner based in Louisianna, (DADCONSULT@aol.com), has visited Australia a few times. In his recent book, he talks about the changing role of economic development practitioners (let's call them EDPs) at the local level. His views are very relevant to Australian circumstances.

Twister puts Humešs emergency response plan to the test
A freak of nature put Hume City Council and the Sunbury community in a spin in August, providing some valuable lessons in responding to the most unlikely of emergencies.

Bass Coast community rescues childcare facility
The local community of Bass Coast in Victoria has inspired a special partnership between the Commonwealth Government and its local Council to save the long day childcare centre in Wonthaggi.

Brighton Community Newspaper celebrates its first year
Brighton community, business and government representatives recently celebrated the first anniversary of the publication of the Brighton Community Newspaper at Brighton Council Offices. Brighton General Manager Geoff Dodge told the gathering that the eight page newspaper, distributed monthly to every household and business in the municipality, has contributed positively to the development of community spirit.

Councils choose Computronšs e-Cellerator solutions
Following swiftly on the heels of the City of Yarra, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the City of Greater Dandenong have selected Computron's e-Cellerator suite of financial management and information management systems as a part of the total replacement of their Local Government Corporate Computer System.

Planning Scheme generates massive community response
Nillumbik Shire Council received a record 744 community submissions to its new Planning Scheme, which formally came into operation in June. Four years in the making, the New Format Nillumbik Planning Scheme reflects Council's desire to protect and preserve the Shire's natural environment and heritage.

Disability access requirements for new buildings
Future public buildings in Warringah - including nursing homes, daycare centres, retirement villages, shops and offices - will feature dramatically improved access for people with disabilities. Planning requirements for builders are now clearly set out in a Council brochure.

Online service delivery
As is happening around Australia, Local Government authorities in Western Australia are looking at how they can capitalise on the race into online services. While most Councils have a web presence, or some form of Internet usage within their organisation, there are many who are still unsure of how to go about gaining maximum benefit from the online environment.

On safari in Sydney
The role of every member of staff at Sydney City Council will include the task of city ambassador as visitors flood in for the Olympics this month. Anticipating this, Sydney City Council introduced a staff induction program last December.

Manningham Council investing in its people
Manningham Council recently achieved certification to the Investors in People (IiP) standard. Investors in People is a human resource framework which ties staff training and development activities directly to business objectives, ensuring that Council's resources are put to the most effective use.

In house training - a cost effective solution
LGSA Learning's 'in house' training service, has been established to assist Councils with their training needs. One of LGSA Learning's in house programs is 'Verbal Judo', which teaches staff to handle difficult clients so that they voluntarily comply with Council's wishes.

Your sustainable future starts here
Governments at all levels have been struggling with the concepts of sustainability, sustainable development or Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) since their introduction to Australia in the late 1980s. This challenge is particularly apparent for multi functional organisations such as local Councils, which not only face the difficulties of providing 80 or more core services to the community, but can suffer from a poor public image and a poor understanding of their role.

WWW training feathers Sutherland's cap
Sutherland Shire's community has embraced the World Wide Web using a training module which could easily be used by other Local Governments. The Technology Access Training program, and the resulting Technology Access Centre in the Council's Central Library, began from a relatively modest budget.

Bass Coast Care finalists in State award
Bass Coast Council's home care team is a finalist in 2000 Victorian Training Awards under the category 'Employer of the Year - Public Enterprise Award'. To be eligible, the organisation or enterprise must have demonstrated excellence in the provision of training programs for its employees.

Beyond roads rates and rubbish
Protecting our biodiversity was the focus of a two day seminar in August staged by the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) in conjunction with Environment Australia at Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tasmania.

Message from the Minister
Welcome to this edition of National Perspective. This publication is a useful forum for providing updates on Federal Government programmes, especially initiatives for Local Government.

Local Government Financial Assistance Grants Review
The Commonwealth Grants Commission review into the operation of the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 is now well underway. The Commission has released a discussion paper on the review and has receiveda large number of written submissions.

Northern Australia consultations set agenda
Consultation meetings have been held across northern Australia in preparation for the Northern Australia Forum in Katherine on 17-20 October 2000. The Northern Australia Forum which will identify the future directions for northern Australia, including economic development, emerging industry opportunities and planning for a sustainable future.

2000 IMM launches Local Government innovation
The Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, opened the Institute of Municipal Management's 19th National Congress and Expo in Melbourne's Convention Centre on 29th May. The theme for this year's congress Interactive 2000 - Strategies for a New Era, reflected the challenges of the information age and the need for Local Government to communicate and build networks.

Regional young achievers
Young Australians aged between 14 and 27 who are improving the community in which they live, will be recognised in a Regional Initiative category of the National Australia Day Council's Young Australian of the Year Awards for 2001.

Carnamah woos new business
The Carnamah and surrounding communities in Western Australia will receive a boost from new business in October 2000. Using funds provided by the Federal Government, the Shire of Carnamah has constructed three factory units to attract small business.

Crows Nest celebrates opening of its Rural Transaction Centre
The Queensland community of Crows Nest and surrounding districts will enjoy easier access to a range of much-needed basic services, following the opening of a Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) in the town.

Cutting edge mapping system for Riverina
Local Government in the Riverina has developed a space age innovation to bring local mapping into the 21st century. Launching the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) centralised mapping service in Wagga on 23 June, Federal Local Government Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, said that councils in the region had banded together with financial assistance from the Federal Government, to develop a cutting edge technology solution to local planning and development issues.

Regional solutions to fund community initiatives
Recently the Federal Government announced the Regional Solutions Programme to assist regional, rural and remote communities to build their capacity to identify and implement development opportunities.

'Place of the People' in the heart of our national capital
The heart of our National Capital will have a new look following the result of a nationwide competition. A 'Place of the People' will be constructed by the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, in what is generally known as the Parliamentary Triangle.

Local Government Ministers' Conference
The cost of maintaining and improving Local Government infrastructure and the review of the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to Local Government were among matters discussed at a Local Government Ministers Conference held in Perth on 11 July.