Australian Local Government Association

The Association's policies are determined at its Annual General Meeting and by the National Executive comprising two representatives of each of the eight member associations. Each year the Association convenes a National General Assembly of Local Government. All councils from throughout Australia can participate and vote on national issues. The National General Assembly has a wide brief to consider policy directions and convey the views of councils to the Annual General Meeting and National Executive.

Australian Council of Local Government Background Fact Sheets

The Prime Minister and Minister Albanese have invited all Australian Mayors to attend the first meeting of the new Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) in Canberra on 18 November 2008. This pivotal meeting and the establishment of the Council marks the beginning of the Federal Government building a stronger relationship with local government and local communities across Australia.

Cultural diversity

From settlement through to citizenship, local government supports, welcomes and embraces the diverse experiences of all Australians. As the level of government closest to communities, local government plays a fundamental role in facilitating the inclusion and participation of our residents.

Emergency management

Avian influenza: Information for local government - 17 November 2005
The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has advised ALGA that it is working closely with health experts and state and territory government senior health officials to develop national policy and to coordinate preparedness and response planning for pandemic influenza.

Environment Protection

ALGA's national environmental policies and programs, resources and case studies include: natural resource management, greenhouse and climate change, water and coastal initiatives, waste reduction startegies and planning for sustainability.

Financing local government

Local government plays an important and expanding role in the Australian federation, delivering a broad range of important services at the local level. An overview of the financial situation and details of the solutions offered by local government is provided, together with information on the Australian taxation system and the growing body of work that supports the case for reform.

Health and ageing

Australia, like most OECD countries, has an ageing population. This change in demographics will require a proactive and innovative approach to population ageing and health that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of all Australians.

Indigenous issues

Local Government recognises the need for a partnership with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. This includes direct participation of Indigenous Australians and their organisations in local and regional, economic and strategic planning and development, as well as native title decisions.

Information technology

ALGA represents local government on numerous cross-jurisdictional working groups and committees. In addition, it has developed strategies for improving local government's ICT capacity and access to infrastructure.

Infrastructure

ALGA commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake a study into the financial sustainability of local government. One of the key recommendations from this report was a proposal for the establishment of a new federal government 'community infrastructure initiative'.

International liaison

Australian local government seeks closer relations with local governments in other countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Wherever possible, it offers assistance to emerging systems of local government in the region and elsewhere. To achieve these objectives, ALGA supports, promotes and undertakes a number of activities in the international realm.

Planning and housing

Although the statutory frameworks that govern planning and development are established by state and territory government, ALGA advocates for local governments' role in planning and development through relevant national bodies and inquiries. In particular ALGA represents local government on the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council (LGPMC), the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and the Development Assessment Forum (DAF).

Regional development

Regional development encompasses a number of different policy areas including infrastructure, finance, environmental and social policy. It is perhaps best viewed as a holistic process whereby the environmental, economic, social and cultural resources of a region are harnessed for sustainable progress in ways that reflect the comparative advantages offered by a particular geographic area.

Transport

Policies and initiatives in this area include the Federal Government's plan for transport, AusLink, as well as the Safer Roads program and successful Roads to Recovery campaign.

Local Roads Data

The National Local Roads Data System has been developed to aggregate existing sources of local road information, to provide a simple, consolidated, national local roads data system. The development of this data base has been jointly funded by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, the National Transport Commission and ALGA.

Further information is available at: http://www.jr.net.au/nlrds/