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 Roads and access issues
AusLink a key concern for 2003
Newly elected President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Councillor Mike Montgomery, from Moree Plains Shire in New South Wales, believes that a major focal point for Local Government in 2003 is the issue of roads and access, in particular AusLink. He said with responses to the AusLink Green Paper required by the Federal Government in early February, the subsequent release of the White Paper leading through to legislation will be of vital importance to Local Government.
Sydney to host IULA – Asia Pacific inaugural Congress
‘Local Government Leading Sustainable Communities’ is the theme of the first ever International Union of Local Authorities – Asia Pacific Congress, which will be held in Sydney from 9 to 11 April 2003.
Editorial
Australian Councils are receiving growing international recognition for their efforts to address climate change. But to continue their endeavours in this field, Councils are now urging that a major successful initiative – the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign – continues. Current Federal Government funding for CCP is set to end in June this year and, to date, funding has not been renewed.
LGPro 2003 Annual Conference – leadership through innovation
Sandy Hollway AO will give the keynote address, Leadership Through Innovation, at LGPro’s 2003 Annual Conference. To be held at Melbourne Park Function Centre on
20 and 21 February, the conference is set to attract hundreds of Local Government professionals from throughout Victoria and interstate.
2003 Asia Pacific Cities Summit
Brisbane 13 – 16 April
Brisbane City Council is hosting one of the founders of modern peace studies, Professor Johan Galtung, at the 2003 Asia Pacific Cities Summit.Professor Galtung, from Norway, will speak on his ideas for peace in the current international political climate. He is among nine local and international speakers to confirm their attendance at the Summit, ensuring a global perspective on the future of our cities.
Warrnambool attraction ‘hooking’ visitors for overnight stays
One of Warrnambool’s many great attractions has just completed a major redevelopment. Launched on 31 December 2002, it aims to encourage visitors to look beyond day trips, enticing them with an overnight stay. Located in the heart of the Shipwreck Coast region and some 260 kilometres south west of Melbourne, Warrnambool is rich in maritime history.
Nambucca’s plan for economic growth pays off
In an area that is relatively small in population and with limited
economic diversity, the Nambucca Economic Revival Plan aims to provide a clear path for economic growth and prosperity. Nambucca Shire is located on the mid north coast of New South Wales, some 490 kilometres from Sydney. It has a population of 17,700 and covers an area of 1,443 square kilometres.
Seeing the forest and the trees - The Good Oil by Rod Brown *
Professor Peter Senge (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Arie De Gues (Chief Planner, Royal Dutch Shell) are pioneers of learning organisations and the application of systems thinking. They argue that an organisation’s only sustainable competitive advantage in a global economy is the superior performance of its people. They, and their supporters, have taken ‘scenario planning’ and ‘systems thinking’ to new levels to assist management
in anticipating change in their environment.
Bathurst Island community focusing on healthy living
With the new childcare facility on Bathurst Island, the development of a nutrition and family health program is helping the community to focus on healthy living.
Councillor profile
A regular feature this month profiling two Councillors from Western Australia.
National Local Government Biodiversity Toolbox
Imagine the ease with which we could protect our natural heritage if we were all using the same approach. Imagine if we developed a strategic framework to do it so that we knew we were making real gains. Imagine if we focused on outcomes rather than outputs. Thanks to a partnership forged between Environs Australia (the Local Government environment network) and Environment Australia (Commonwealth Government Department), an interactive web based tool called the Biodiversity Toolbox may well realise the above vision, that has been lacking for so long.
Australia’s first Biosphere Reserve
On 8 November 2002, UNESCO approved the Mornington Peninsula Biosphere Reserve, making what is believed to be Australia’s first designated Biosphere Reserve in more than 20 years, and the world’s first urban biosphere.
Congested Britain - The UK Experience by Malcolm Morley *
The Confederation of British Industry has calculated that traffic congestion in Britain costs £20 billion per year. This figure represents the time wasted in traffic jams that would otherwise be productive. It does not, however, include the costs of the pollution it causes in terms
of damage to the environment and preventable ill health.
Stirling makes recycling and waste management simpler
The City of Stirling in Western Australia has embarked on a innovative and comprehensive waste management program, to promote and assist the recycling and management of wastes by residents and ratepayers.Being Western Australia’s largest Local Government, the City of Stirling has 176,000 residents who live in 66,000 households and 10,000 home units.
Inground wine storage reduces environmental impact
Wine storage is set to move back inground, reducing the visual and environmental impact of the above ground stainless steel ‘tank farms’ now common in wine areas. A new storage system, developed by a group of professional engineers in the Yarra Valley, involves the use of materials technology to store wine in multiple ‘bladders’ suspended in an inground, water filled concrete reservoir.
Thuringowa buys back its waste management services
The Thuringowa City Council is undergoing the process of buying back its waste management services to deliver quality services to ratepayers, by establishing a commercial waste business unit. Public dissatisfaction with Council’s contracted waste collection service, led to Council establishing its commercial waste business unit, Thuringowa Waste, which is undergoing a process of buying back Council’s contracted waste services. It is believed that Council had a commercial contract for five years prior to it taking over the business unit.
Richmond Valley Council Depot wins five star rating for stormwater pollution prevention
Richmond Valley Council Depot has come up trumps in a recent assessment of its daily business activities. The assessment was conducted as part of the Stormwater Education and Assessment (SEA) Project. The work carried out at the Depot was first class and the staff are to be congratulated. The $962,000 Stormwater Trust funded project is an initiative of six New South Wales far north coast Councils all working together. They comprise Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed Shire Councils.
Intelligent Cities The smart future for your Council
The City of Whittlesea will present its Third Annual Technology Innovation Conference on Friday 14 February 2003. The Conference will help equip Local Government and its partners to build strategies to provide new ways of communicating, providing services and doing business, for a new generation of connected communities.
Shellharbour’s IT strategy delivers leading edge technology
New South Wales’ youngest city, Shellharbour, has facilitated business efficiency and leading edge technology with the development of a comprehensive management information and back office administration system.
Kentish broadband project
A model for isolated rural communities
A joint project between Kentish Council and Unitas Company Ltd aims to develop an innovative broadband model that can be used by other isolated rural communities throughout Australia. Currently, Kentish residents only have access to relatively low speed telecommunications services using a dial-up modem.
Whittlesea Conference launch pad for AXS OneView *
AXS OneView – the Alternative Data Warehouse Solution
AXS-One, Local Government solutions provider for over a decade, is using the 3rd annual Whittlesea Innovation Conference to launch its new business intelligence solution for Local Governments.AXS OneView incorporates a dynamic analytical engine with an industrial strength data repository and web technology to provide Councils with all the functionality associated with a data warehouse without the huge costs normally involved.
What next for Yass Shire’s historic Hume Bridges?
Yass Shire Council in New South Wales has established a Landscape Committee to oversee the conservation of the historical landmarks that were the Hume Bridges, which spanned the Yass River for over a century.The Committee is seeking suggestions from the local community on how the arches may be conserved and used, and will encourage community participation with its conservation.
Bridge bashing set to save lives and Council funds
A University of Technology Sydney, structural engineering expert has devised a bridge testing system which will help save lives and millions of dollars in road maintenance costs for local Councils. UTS Engineering Faculty Professor Bijan Samali bashes bridges with a special hammer to see if they are likely to collapse.
Victor Harbor Ring Road
The City of Victor Harbor has recently completed the Victor Harbor Ring Road. The project is the largest ever undertaken by Council and is believed to be the first for any Council in South Australia. Approximately seven kilometres in length, the Ring Road comprises four bridge connections. It provides a safe alternative route for traffic to bypass the key commercial area of Victor Harbor, and allows for the future development of areas that previously had poor accessibility.
Unique consultancy for Australia’s saleyards *
Councils are the owners and operators of the majority of Australia’s 130 plus Livestock Saleyards. Pressed for time, Councils are turning to a new specialist saleyard consultancy to complete operational reviews, business plans, and examine other key areas to improve their holding. Livestock Exchange Consultancy (LEC) was formed in 1999. Its principal aim is to provide a range of consultancy based services to the livestock exchange/saleyard industry.
Holistic approach to health and aged care needs
Traditionally an area with minimal aged care services, the District Council of Yankalilla in South Australia, and its community, embarked on a project resulting in innovative health care and an aged care complex.
VLGA farewells Mike Hill
After eight years at the helm of the Victorian Local Governance Association, Mike Hill is bidding farewell to an organisation that he has been instrumental in establishing. He will hand over to the new CEO, Andrew Rowe, in February.
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