Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Australia leads the world in liveable communities

Australian Local Governments have once again proved to be world leaders in developing sustainable communities as witnessed by the recent United Nations International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom). Formerly known as the Nations in Bloom awards, this year eight Australian councils were amongst 48 finalists from 20 nations invited to make presentations to a panel of international judges.

Editorial

Recent moves by both the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, and in September changes by the Western Australian Government to its Planning and Development Bill, indicate that State Governments are starting to work more closely with Local Government on the vexed issue of planning controls. Local Government Associations across the nation have argued long and hard on behalf of their council members to protect local responsibility for planning matters.

Presidents Comment

In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Bill Mitchell, President of the Western Australian Local Government Association.

Indigenous youth try out the council chamber

A group of young Indigenous Territorians recently experienced life in a council chamber. Newly elected Alderman Brendan Cabry from Palmerston City Council gave an information session on the role of government and how Local Government is very much part of Northern Territory life.

A carnival celebrating cultures

In an area where 51 per cent of the population comes from a non English speaking background and dozens of nationalities are represented, it is hardly a surprise to find that Ashfield hosts one of the biggest multicultural festivals in Sydney’s Inner West.

Brisbane rewards water sense

Schools and families across Brisbane helped save more than one million litres of water during a Watersense competition organised by Brisbane City Council last month. Brisbane rewarded their most water conscious family and school with fully installed rainwater tanks as part of the event.

Tackling anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is a growing problem in many parts of England. If effective action isn’t taken it can lead to the decline of neighbourhoods and communities. While the quality of life of all can be affected it particularly affects the quality of life of vulnerable people through the fear of anti-social behaviour and the long term effects of suffering from it. People can feel trapped in their own homes.

Complete solutions for any organisation *

Technology and the digital age have changed our lives both at work and at home – from the integrated audio and visual experience of home theatre to the traditional business applications of the Internet, notebook computers, mobile phones and surveillance cameras.

Support for councils and communities *

Since first opening its doors in 1912, the Commonwealth Bank has used its extensive branch network to proudly support community development through donations, sponsorship and community programs. The Commonwealth Bank supports communities through accessible banking, maintaining its current number of branches, as well as Australia’s largest bank operated ATM and EFTPOS network.

MAV conference deals with a range of key issues

The broad range of work of Local Government was on show at the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) annual conference held in Melbourne last month. The conference highlighted work in the field of youth, forests, planning our aging community and many other areas.

Working with Local Government

Over the last few years, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) has engaged with Local Governments to learn from and publicise their initiatives that respond to cultural diversity. Since 2003, DIMIA has, for example, sponsored a Strength in Diversity category in the National Awards for Local Government. Strength in Diversity entries illustrate a wide range of innovative responses by councils to cultural diversity.

Armidale hosts LGA conference

Meeting this year in Armidale, the New South Wales Local Government Associations Annual Conference had the theme, The Challenge of Change. Then President, Councillor Sara Murray, said with the reform process taking place across the State, the last 12 months had been ‘busy and demanding but ultimately rewarding’.

The Flying Pelicans cycle around Port Phillip Bay

Onlookers saw a flock of bright yellow Flying Pelicans circle Port Phillip Bay in October and no one raised an eyebrow. The Flying Pelicans are staff members at Hobsons Bay City Council who entered a team in this year’s Around the Bay in a Day challenge. The Flying Pelicans team of 20, including 14 staff members, met every Sunday since June to prepare for the epic 12 hour ride.

LG supports planning reforms

Planning reforms announced in October by both the Victorian and New South Wales Governments have been welcomed by their respective Local Government Associations.

Recognising Council high achievers

At the 2004 Local Government Managers Australia National Congress in Melbourne FOCUS invited delegates to nominate an individual or team from their Council who has excelled in meeting their Council’s and community’s needs. In this edition we showcase two more of our winners for 2004.

Onkaparinga opens $3M wastewater treatment plant

Under an innovative public private partnering agreement, Onkaparinga Council in South Australia now has access to three million litres of recycled water each day for golf courses and vineyards. Mayor Ray Gilbert said the deal between United Utilities Australia (UUA) and Onkaparinga will deliver both economic and environmental benefits for the community.

Rangers best in the West

It’s official – the City of Fremantle ranger team is the best in the State, after winning the WA Rangers Association top award for the second time. Named the 2004 Ranger Team of the Year and presented with a perpetual shield, winner’s shield and inscribed clock, the City of Fremantle ranger team previously took out the inaugural award in 2002.

Attracting international tourists

International tourism is a particularly important segment of the tourism industry, not just because there are almost five million overseas visitors arriving here each year, spending $11.5 billion (excluding airfares). We tend to forget that most foreign tourists return home as quiet ambassadors for Australia, with a heightened appreciation of our society, culture and general way of life. It softens the stereotypes put about in the international press about us as beer swilling racists, dodging crocodiles and sharks.

Quiet success at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

One of the quiet success stories in Tasmanian tourism has been the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. Administered by Launceston Council, it is the largest museum and gallery in Australia located outside a capital city. It has a surprising range of exhibits on display.

Which way to inspire your visitors

Self guided walking or touring trails and orientation maps are a great way to experience any destination – whether it be a small town or community, large city, historical or contemporary precinct or tourism region. When following these guides, it’s generally not the places of interest that let you down, but the amateurish, boring or downright confusing way in which the information is presented.

A healthy community is the key to a healthy economy

Speaking at the first TransTasman Mainstreet Conference, staged recently in Melbourne, keynote speaker and Director of Bank of IDEAS, Peter Kenyon, told delegates that in times of change it is the learners who will inherit the future.

Ever wondered what makes the retail industry tick

The Australian Centre for Retail Studies (ACRS) provides non retailers who interact with the retail industry the opportunity to come up to speed quickly on key issues and trends in the retail industry.

Regional Outreach Officers - Supporting skilled migration to regional Australia

People in regional Australia wanting information and advice on regional migration programs now have even more help at their fingertips, with the creation of a network of Regional Outreach Officers (ROOs). The ROO network is just one of the new initiatives recently introduced by the Australian Government, in partnership with State and Territory Governments, to encourage skilled migration.

Narembeen promotes its mini wave rock

The home of the lesser known mini wave rock, Narembeen Shire Council is setting out to make sure that more people know about the site.

Taxi training program for Commonwealth Games

To prepare for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne’s taxi drivers will be trained as tourism ambassadors and be linked to a high tech online tourism information update service.

Get your facts straight for tourism in your region

Tourism is one of the growth industries for regions across Australia. New businesses are looking to set up tourism ventures in regional destinations and at the same time Local Governments are being asked to supply information on tourism potential, licensing and regulations, visitor numbers and much more.

People, place and prosperity in SA

Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann, told delegates at the Local Government Association of South Australia’s Annual Conference, staged in Adelaide on 7 and 8 October, that doing nothing about population is not an option for the State. The Premier told delegates that his Government has set a goal of increasing South Australia’s population to two million by 2050.

Redland offers More

Redland Shire Council in Queensland has embarked on a major marketing program to boost business development, employment and visitor expenditure. The benefits of combining a bayside lifestyle and business is a key thrust of the marketing campaign. It promotes Redland’s position on Moreton Bay and builds on the themes of More to life, More to explore and More for business.

Exploring Local Government’s tourism engagement in SA

The South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) are forging a stronger partnership to help build sustainable tourism. Discussions are underway on how this could be formalised in an agreement intended to include a number of priority projects for the forthcoming year.

Recreation trail for old rail line

Moyne Shire Council in South Western Victoria is looking to revamp the former railway line between the Victorian coastal town of Port Fairy and Dennington into a recreation trail. Port Fairy is a major tourist destination and home to the acclaimed Folk Festival.

Doing business with China

Rockhampton Mayor, Councillor Margaret Strelow, has applauded local businesses rising to the challenge in actively seeking opportunities across the world, particularly in China. To show Local Government support, Rockhampton Council hosted a light lunch in October for representatives participating in a trade mission to China.