 Are national policies impeding
just and vibrant communities?
Meeting for the first time outside of a capital city, the 9th National Local Government Community Development Conference was staged in Townsville from 27–30 July. A biennial event, the theme selected for this conference was ‘Just and Vibrant Communities’. In her address, President of the Local Government Community Services Association of Australia (LGCSAA), Jenny Merkus, referred delegates to the 2001 conference theme, ‘Riding the Rapids of Change’. She said that the last two years have certainly been exactly that, with Tampa and, the so called ‘Pacific Solution’, September 11, Bali bombings and war in Iraq.
Editorial
The importance of public confidence in our institutions – public and private – goes without saying. However, with the recent spate of corporate collapses, people have become sceptical of business practices and the credibility of their so called ‘watchdogs’. Similarly, in the public arena, people have every right to be questioning who is actually calling the tune. Did George W Bush and Tony Blair (with John Howard in cohorts) mislead us about Iraq’s nuclear capacity or was it their spin doctors and advisers, misleading them to achieve a desired outcome?
President’s comment
In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Phyllis Miller, President of the New South Wales Shires Association.
Centenary Medals function recognises Local Government
Victorian Local Government recipients of the Centenary Medal were acknowledged at a special function at Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel on 4 June. Local Government Minister, Candy Broad, congratulated more than 30 medal recipients, including Municipal Association of Victoria President, Brad Matheson, and CEO, Rob Spence.
www.lgfocus.com.au - Over half a million page requests per month
In addition to the 11,800 copies of Local Government Focus distributed every month, each edition is also posted on our web site. With the site launched in May 1996, all subsequent editions have been archived at www.lgfocus.com.au. Earlier this year, the Focus web site passed half a million page requests per month. With over 4,250 articles, our web site is a handy online archive covering key events and best practice examples of Australian Local Government over the past seven years.
Redcliffe wins another Qld regional Tidy Towns award
The thriving coastal City of Redcliffe has been named South East Queensland’s Tidiest Town for the second year running. Redcliffe, situated on the shores of Moreton Bay, 35 km from Brisbane, out performed 49 other Councils in the region.
Public-private investments, wind energy, and wintry Canberra
The Good Oil by Rod Brown *
The public sector must continue to explore smarter ways of engaging private sector investment – and this specially applies at the Local Government level where finances are limited. This is
the message of a recently released OECD study that also identifies the critical success factors for public-private investments.
Connecting and building sustainable regions
An outstanding array of speakers will address the seventh national Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia Conference (SEGRA) being held in Gold Coast City from 15–17 September 2003. ‘Building Resilient Regions: Actions for a Sustainable Future’ is the theme for this year’s Conference.
From Chinchilla to Cheetah
Working with cheetahs in Africa is a far cry from South West Queensland, where Jenny Campbell is the Economic Development Officer for the Town of Dalby and Shire of Chinchilla. She recently returned from Otjiwarongo, in central north Namibia, where she spent two weeks as an Earthwatch volunteer for the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
Volvo launches new grader
Volvo Construction Equipment has set new standards in motor grader design, engineering and performance capabilities with the introduction of its new B-series graders, a comprehensive line of seven production class models. The new grader line comprises five new tandem drive models ranging in operating weight from 14,099 kg to 19,783 kg and in engine output from 105 kW to 181 kW, and two all wheel drive models with operating weights ranging from 16,046 kg to 16,639 kg and from 148 kW to 181 kW.
Councillor profile
A regular feature this month profiling two Councillors from Western Australia
Geelong adopts new safety standards for garbos
New guidelines to reduce workplace injuries in Victoria’s waste collection industry have been launched in Geelong. The City of Greater Geelong is one of the first Victorian Councils to implement the guidelines, which put an end to the manual handling of rubbish and recyclable materials. WorkSafe Executive Director, John Merritt, said the guidelines were the result of two years of talks between the industry, Local Government and the Municipal Association of Victoria.
Esperance moves to commercial recycling
Commercial recycling has started in Esperance Shire, south of Perth, following the enormous success of its residential recycling program. Since it started recycling 19 months ago, Council has collected 849 tonnes of material from residents. More than 30 schools, businesses and other organisations are now participating in the program, with 18 more getting involved in August.
Recognising Council high achievers
At the 2003 Local Government Managers Australia National Congress in Adelaide, FOCUS invited delegates to
nominate an individual and team from their Council who are excelling in their field and promoting the organisation’s corporate goals. In this edition we showcase two more of our competition winners.
IPWEAQ Conference 2003 to be staged in Mackay
The IPWEAQ’s 2003 State Conference will be staged in Mackay from Sunday 5 to Wednesday 8 October, with the Works Supervisors Sessions on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 October. ‘Working Together – Regions, Partnership, Communities, Alliances’ is the theme for this year’s Conference.
Working towards consistency in asset management practices in Qld
After much time and effort, the Roads Alliance Road and Bridge Asset Management Kit has been distributed to all Local Governments in Queensland.
Backyard burning ban for Glenorchy
Following the successful banning of incinerators in other states, Tasmania’s Glenorchy City Council is banning backyard burning in Hobart’s western suburbs. Council has introduced a by-law in response to increasing environmental awareness and complaints about pollution and health problems caused by incinerators.
IT2003 – mark your diaries
2003 sees the 6th Information Technology Conference for Local Government – IT2003, scheduled for 19–21 November in beautiful Coffs Harbour. Hosted by Coffs Harbour City Council, this conference has a well established reputation as the top forum for Local Government IT Managers and support staff to network, learn and exchange ideas.
WALGA challenges State Government commitment
President of the WA Local Government Association, Councillor Clive Robartson, has challenged Premier Geoff Gallop to fully embrace the ideals set down in the State/Local Government Partnership Agreement.
Building social capital
Social commentator and former Mayor of St Kilda, the Reverend Tim Costello, was a keynote speaker at the WA Local Government Association’s Annual Conference. Speaking on the topic ‘Social Capital’, he said the greatest issue facing most communities is the problem of commitment.
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