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Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online | |
| Editions > 2007 > November | Saturday October 11, 2008 - Melbourne Time: 23:36:37 |
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2007 Federal Election has so far lived up to most predictions. FOCUS approached the Minister for Local Government, Jim Lloyd, and Shadow Minister Kate Lundy to gauge what the two major parties are offering Local Government.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) through its election document ‘A 10 Point Plan to Reinvigorate Local Communities’ has called on major political Parties to commit to the Constitutional recognition of Local Government, provide one per cent of direct taxation revenue to Councils and establish a Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund. 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 (WALGA).
Earlier this year, Newcastle City Council erected a huge electronic billboard in the City Square telling residents exactly how much greenhouse gas they have produced in the past hour.
With Gen Y guru – Peter Sheahan
The Federal Government’s plan to abolish 8,000 Community Development Employment Project (CEPD) jobs across the Northern Territory has been received with mixed reactions across the State.
In September, the Federal Parliament passed legislation overriding Queensland laws on Council referendums. On 17 October, Prime Minister John Howard announced that the Federal Government will also offer similar plebiscites for communities in the Northern Territory.
Willoughby City Council is set to begin redeveloping its 12,500 square metre Civic Place precinct, situated in its commercial centre of Chatswood.
Mount Isa City Council officers recently surveyed all houses in Mount Isa and Camooweal to ensure all animals are registered. Council used the survey strategy in an attempt to decrease the amount of stray dogs and dog attacks. It recorded the number of registered animals in Mount Isa and Camooweal, pet owners with permits and pet owners with appropriate fencing for their animals. Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we feature two Councillors from South Australia.
Melton Shire Council has taken out the inaugural Australian Sustainable Cities Awards, announced in Canberra in October.
Hobsons Bay City Council is helping local businesses to reduce cigarette litter by distributing free windproof ashtrays.
At the 2007 Local Government Managers Australia National Congress in Hobart, Local Government FOCUS invited delegates to nominate individuals or teams from their Council who are improving Council’s operations or enhancing service delivery within their community.
Climate change, planning, Local Government reform and dealing with the impacts of the drought will be the focus for New South Wales Councils and their communities over the coming year, according to President of the Local Government Association of New South Wales (LGSA), Councillor Genia McCaffery. The A. R. Bluett Memorial Awards for 2007 were announced at the Local Government Association of New South Wales annual conference in October.
Victorian Minister for Local Government, Richard Wynne, said that instances of narrow self interest can have the potential to drive communities into decline. Winners of the 2007 McArthur Management Services Local Government Fellowship and Vision Super Human Resources Study Scholarship were announced at the MAV Annual Dinner on 1 November 2007.
When the producers of the FOX8 reality television series ‘The Singing Office’ decided to showcase the work of Local Government in Australia, they looked for a Council that nobody thought was fun and funky enough to sing and dance on national television. Enter Bayside City Council. ITCRA (Information Technology Contract & Recruitment Association) is now nine years old and welcomes new members who share its commitment to the recruitment industry.
Randwick City Council is pioneering the way new and prospective Councillors gain skills in the functions and processes of Local Government with the development of a new online training program.
After almost two centuries of neglect, the Brisbane River is now in recovery mode as a result of a suite of water protection strategies implemented by Brisbane City Council. The UK Experience by Malcolm Morley*
Local Councils that have excelled in supporting MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, will be honoured at this month’s National General Assembly in Darwin. |
| Feature - FOCUS on Tourism & Economic Development |
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Located in South Australia’s largest mountain range, Flinders Ranges Council includes approximately 4,200 square kilometres of the magical Flinders Ranges. Its townships of Quorn, Hawker and Cradock have a range of tourism operators who target various markets, including intrastate, interstate and international visitors.
The Coburg Initiative covers an area of some 35 hectares of which 12 hectares is in Council ownership and a further three hectares is owned by the State Government. One of its primary aims is to rejuvenate the residential opportunities within the central activity precinct and increase modern housing options, as well as integrating new community facilities into the hub of village life.
Queensland’s Redland Shire Council is calling on residents to share their views and experiences with koalas via an online survey.
An interview with Paul Martin, Economic Development Manager, Shire of Busselton, Western Australia
‘Our Town Our Future’ is an innovative and multi-award winning revitalisation strategy for Ingham in North Queensland.
Located in southwest New South Wales, Balranald Shire Council recently released its 2008 calendar, featuring the Southern Bell Frog.
Wagga Wagga City Council in New South Wales has adopted a unique economic development model. Rather than using traditional inhouse or development corporation models, Council has engaged a private company to provide the City with economic development services.
The Info-Pole is the best way to display visitor information to passers by and get your visitor information out on the street.
The Good Oil * by Rod Brown
A $47 million plan to build 260 student apartments in the Adelaide CBD has been approved by Adelaide City Council’s Development Assessment Panel.
In October, Hobart City Council took out a national award at the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) Awards held in Sydney.
Decaying and ageing trees can cause a number of problems for Councils – not least being the threat of death or serious injury, as well as extensive damage to buildings and property.
The Shire of Exmouth is working with the Gascoyne Development Commission (GDC) to establish a world class research facility for the Ningaloo Reef.
No one is sure what to expect from the rapid growth in the mining industry, which is becoming more evident in South Australia’s north. Regional cities such as Port Augusta are experiencing significant growth, which is being attributed to the growth in the mining and resources sector. While this is certainly welcomed by Council, it wants to adequately prepare the City for the future.
Some 230 economic development practitioners from Local, State and Federal Governments, Area Consultative Committees and regional economic development organisations met in Sydney on Wednesday 31 October and Thursday 1 November 2007.
A joint signboard initiative by Launceston City Council and Cityprom is helping to reduce signage clutter in the City.
Covering more than 7,000 square kilometres, some 85 per cent of Manjimup Shire Council is National Park or State Forest.
Do you work for a local Council or community organisation that manages cultural exhibitions or events? If so, you may be eligible for Australian Government arts funding. |
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© Eryl Morgan Publications Pty Ltd - Last update: Tuesday November 13, 2007
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Election 2007 in full swing - In the rough and tumble of it all how will Councils and communities fare?