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Hydrogen energy test facilities under construction in Canberra and regional Victoria that will examine whether natural gas networks can transition to hydrogen may have positive implications for regional councils as they seek to lower their emissions. These facilities, plus two hydrogen vehicles refueling stations, show local communities’ efforts. Last year, the Council of Australian Governments+
Posted 21 February, 2020 -
The Royal Commission into the bushfires of summer 2019-20 will examine areas including the responsibilities and coordination between Australia’s three levels of government, and how they share resources. Formally known as the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, its Terms of Reference include land management, land-use planning, zoning and development approval including building standards,+
Posted 21 February, 2020 -
It’s my pleasure to announce the first round of guest speakers who will present at the 2020 National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra from 14-17 June. The largest gathering of local government in the country this year takes the theme Working Together for Our Communities. As this past summer has been tough for+
Posted 21 February, 2020 -
On 13 February, the Federal Government announced an additional $17m for the 60 Local Governments in bushfire-affected areas. The grants range from $200,000 to $416,667 and are in addition to the funds the Federal Government announced on 9 January for these 60 councils in NSW, VIC, SA and QLD. The Federal Government said all councils+
Posted 14 February, 2020 -
An assessment of how some of Australia’s largest local governments are cutting their emissions has found 58 percent have a target or aspiration to reach net zero by 2050 for their “operations emissions” – those activities or emissions sources owned or controlled by the local government. Thirty seven percent of those local governments have a+
Posted 14 February, 2020 -
Restore our funding to 1%, fix the infrastructure backlog, invest in recycling, improve community resilience and tackle climate change risks. These are a precise of the top five issues raised at this week’s ALGA strategic planning session in Canberra. It was also an opportunity for noting our successes over the past three years. These include+
Posted 14 February, 2020 -
The Australian Local Government Association’s submission for the 2020-21 Federal Budget outlines how funding at the local level can support the Commonwealth’s priorities of keeping the economy strong, and Australians safe and together. Local Government has repeatedly demonstrated it is a reliable, professional and cost-effective partner in delivering Commonwealth programs, for example the more than+
Posted 7 February, 2020 -
Arts and cultural activities offer creative outlets for local communities to come together and help with recovery following a natural disaster or other types of calamity. For example, this may be a community memorial, a collaborative mural, story book, or an event like a concert.. Sometimes councils lead these projects or may lend support through+
Posted 7 February, 2020 -
Prime Minister Morrison’s bushfire condolence motion this Tuesday said that the response to the tragic summer bushfires which have affected such a large area across five jurisdictions included “unceasing efforts and close cooperation between state and local governments”. He later noted “the actions of every level of government have been exemplary” and he paid tribute+
Posted 7 February, 2020 -
Austroads has released a new, free guide which attempts to address a dearth of relevant information about road safety guidance for local government. “The purpose of the guidance is to rectify this, by compiling contemporary information on the reasons for establishing, and processes for developing and implementing a road safety management framework for local government+
Posted 31 January, 2020 -
Outstanding people from across the local government sector have been recognised in the annual Australia Day honours list for service to their communities. In particular, ALGA President David O’Loughlin congratulated two former ALGA Board members for their achievements. Rae Kingsbury (Perry) AM, who in 2004 became the first woman to serve as President of the+
Posted 31 January, 2020 -
I want to begin by congratulating two former ALGA Board members for their recognition in the 2020 Australia Day honours. Rae Kingsbury (Perry) AM, who in 2004 became the first woman to serve as President of the Australian Local Government Association, was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the+
Posted 31 January, 2020 -
The Commonwealth will expand mental health services for young people living in 10 places affected by bush fires in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The Commonwealth is also providing additional funding to Primary Health Networks to support Headspace services in bushfire affected regions. “Supporting the long term mental health of young people living+
Posted 24 January, 2020 -
Three councils in Adelaide have commenced an initiative to explore new techniques and technologies to build and resurface local roads. Roads are the largest asset among Australia’s councils and local governments are responsible for 75 percent of the country’s road network. Led by the City of Mitcham, in partnership with the cities of Unley and+
Posted 24 January, 2020 -
The Australia Day celebrations this long weekend gives us chance to stop and celebrate with our community. Councils will proudly bring their communities together with events like citizenship ceremonies, barbecues, and concerts. We’ll demonstrate community cohesion and resilience, so important as this summer we’ve witnessed terrible bushfires across large swathes of the country, in addition+
Posted 24 January, 2020 -
Time’s running out for councils to draft motions and submit them for the 2020 National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra. The deadline is 11:59pm AEST Friday 27 March, meaning many councils may have only two monthly meetings in which to discuss and debate any motion. Held each June, the National General Assembly of+
Posted 17 January, 2020 -
Support including money, people with skills and resources, information and equipment continues to be expanded into bushfire affected communities across the country. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 15 January announced funding for additional mental health support and for “community recovery hubs” which provide much needed well being recovery services and programs including mobile hubs to+
Posted 17 January, 2020 -
The worst of the bush fires across the country may be over, at least in the short term, but the recovery and reconstruction is just getting started. Ordinary people from Australia and around the world have donated tens of millions of dollars, there’s an initial $2 billion from the Australian Government, and defence force personnel+
Posted 17 January, 2020 -
The Commonwealth’s initial $60m for immediate assistance to 42 Local Government Areas hit by bushfires is welcome money that lets local councils continue working with their communities to get back on their feet, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) said on 9 January. The funding package is based on one in place after the 2019 Queensland+
Posted 10 January, 2020 -
From running evacuation centres to firefighting, to driving machinery, fundraising, or distributing goods, local councils and local government associations from across the country are leading efforts to help bushfire-hit communities. Here’s an overview of what’s been happening around Australia in recent weeks: In New South Wales, general managers of six fire-affected councils on 3 January+
Posted 10 January, 2020 -
Welcome to 2020. I want to express my condolences to people who have lost their loved ones, homes, businesses and animals in the terrible bush fires affecting large parts of Australia in recent weeks and months. The sheer scale of the fires and their destruction has been shocking, and many blazes continue to burn. But+
Posted 10 January, 2020 -
It’s almost the end of the year, and with it the chance for most of us to gather with family and friends to celebrate. Those of us fortunate to be having a break over Christmas and the New Year are thinking of farmers and communities struggling amid the ongoing drought, and also of firefighters across+
Posted 19 December, 2019 -
Local Government is not required to report on supply chains as part of the Modern Slavery Act, but large local councils are welcome to consider voluntarily complying, the Australian Government has said. The Modern Slavery Act 2018, which aims to tackle slavery in global supply chains, applies to all entities – Australian and foreign entities+
Posted 19 December, 2019 -
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg released the Commonwealth’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) on Monday, an update of Australia’s economic and fiscal outlook from the previous budget. The MYEFO also takes account of all decisions made since the release of the budget which can affect expenses and revenue and hence require revision of the budget position.+
Posted 19 December, 2019 -
The City of Sydney is urging all three levels of government and businesses to join its effort to reduce the environmental consequences of travelling by preferencing accommodation providers that have a third-party performance rating. NABERS ratings are currently voluntary for hotels, meaning that government and corporate procurement will be essential to increase the number of+
Posted 13 December, 2019 -
Road safety is a hot button issue at this time of year, and on Tuesday I participated in the Deputy Prime Minister’s roundtable on Local Government and road safety, convened in Brisbane and also attended by the Assistant Minister for Road Safety, Scott Buchholz. There were around 30 participants invited including the LGAQ, elected representatives+
Posted 13 December, 2019 -
Fifty five Victorian local councils are working on an Electric Vehicle charging stations network to get the necessary public infrastructure in place so local communities can benefit from an expected increase in zero-emissions vehicles as the models become cheaper and more available. Charging the Regions, led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, has examined optimal+
Posted 13 December, 2019 -
Tiny houses are one way to help address Australia’s affordable housing shortage and alleviate homelessness, but their potential has been hindered by a lack of a coherent regulatory and policy framework and variable community support, a new paper says. The paper by Liz de Chastel, a Senior Policy Officer with the Australian Local Government Association,+
Posted 6 December, 2019 -
The Morrison Government says merging the Department of Communications and the Arts into the current Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development will result in improved communications and regional services for people outside metropolitan areas. The public service restructure will trim the number of departments to 14 from 18, while 10 departments will be+
Posted 6 December, 2019 -
This week I’d like to update you on my meetings with Ministers in Parliament House, a day that proved how the last sitting week of the year is an intense and busy time. I had a fruitful discussion with Paul Fletcher, the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, about a range of matters,+
Posted 6 December, 2019 -
Around 230 people – some from as far away as northern Western Australia, Arnhem Land and Hobart – gathered at Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills to hear the latest from Australia’s best in automation, electric trucks, road construction, road funding, safety and transportation technologies. It was terrific to hear insights from our guest speakers, great+
Posted 22 November, 2019 -
A new discussion paper from the Australian Local Government Association welcomes motions for the next National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government, which will be held in Canberra from 14-17 June 2020. Motions can be submitted between 18 November 2019 and 27 March 2020, and must address the NGA’s theme of “working together for our+
Posted 15 November, 2019 -
Councils in drought-affected areas are encouraged to apply for the $200m fourth round of the Commonwealth’s Building Better Regions Fund (BRRF), which opened on 14 November and closes on 19 December. There is money for both infrastructure projects and also grants for community investments, and all drought-hit councils can apply, not just the 128 eligible+
Posted 15 November, 2019 -
This week has been National Recycling Week, a chance for councils across Australia to highlight the major role local government plays in dealing with the country’s waste challenges and opportunities. Some held tours of waste transfer and recycling facilities, or promoted the range of recycling services they offer, or will be introducing, or explained the+
Posted 15 November, 2019 -
The Australian Local Government Association’s recent advocacy on local councils’ behalf has included submissions to Infrastructure Australia and a parliamentary inquiry into 5G technology. Infrastructure Australia, a Commonwealth agency, is working on its 2021 Australian Infrastructure plan and has sought public comment about its 2019 Infrastructure Audit. ALGA backs the notion of a more robust+
Posted 8 November, 2019 -
There are just 10 days left until we welcome delegates to the 2019 National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Hahndorf in my home state of South Australia. Around 250 people from around Australia will join us for three days of discussions about the latest developments and trends involving local roads and bridges, traffic management+
Posted 8 November, 2019 -
Better tracking of vehicle fleets and applying the latest developments in road research can help local councils to both improve their governance and also prepare for impending changes in mobility, such as by autonomous vehicles. That’s the message two experts will share at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Hahndorf 18-20 November. Lou+
Posted 1 November, 2019 -
The Australian Local Government Association’s advocacy for a fairer share of Financial Assistance Grants has inspired a council in rural South Australia to publicly thank their local federal Member of Parliament for $500,000 worth of funding in 2019/20. Kingston District Council wrote to Tony Pasin MP after reading President David O’Loughlin’s September 6 column urging+
Posted 1 November, 2019 -
Local Government will have a role to play in the development of an Indigenous voice to the Government, following moves this week by the federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Ken Wyatt. Since the Uluru Statement from the Heart was released in 2017, Indigenous Australians have called for a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.+
Posted 1 November, 2019 -
This week, on your behalf, I was in Canberra for more meetings with Commonwealth Ministers about drought relief, grants, population and settlement, recycling and disaster mitigation. I thanked Mark Coulton, the Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, for the Commonwealth’s earlier round of drought relief, which local councils welcomed, and stressed the need+
Posted 25 October, 2019 -
How does a council respond when its roads funding budget is halved because of austerity measured imposed by a national government? Matthew Lugg OBE will explain what happened next when the United Kingdom-based expert speaks at the 2019 National Local Roads and Transport Congress which runs 18-20 November. “It is a great honour to be+
Posted 18 October, 2019 -
Advocacy by the Australian Local Government Association and others has resulted in Labor and the Coalition agreeing to lift the Commonwealth’s proposed Emergency Response Fund to $200 million a year from $150m, with the extra funding dedicated to mitigation. ALGA’s consistent advocacy over several years on the need for targeted mitigation funding included a submission+
Posted 18 October, 2019 -
This week I want to discuss poverty and drought, and the vital role Local Government plays in trying to reduce both. Local Government could say that scourges like poverty and drought are caused by external factors, for others to deal with, but should we? Anti-Poverty Week, which concludes tomorrow, is an annual assessment of the+
Posted 18 October, 2019 -
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate states sea level is rising at an increasing rate, alongside ocean warming and acidification, which will increase risks for low-lying coastal communities and biodiversity. Extreme ocean levels which historically would occur on average once in a+
Posted 11 October, 2019 -
The rise of drones is changing the way assets are managed and goods moved over short distances. The implications of drones for councils will be examined at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress on 19 November in a session involving experts from various sides of this emerging transport sector. “Drones can collect better data+
Posted 11 October, 2019 -
The annual Stay Smart Online Week draws to a close tomorrow, and this is an opportunity for councils to take stock of their online security measures, and also consider the menace of cyber bullying of councillors and staff. The Commonwealth Government says almost one in three Australian adults fell victim to a cybercrime in 2018,+
Posted 11 October, 2019 -
The water industry has called for a revised National Water Initiative which focuses on urban water and recognises the challenges of climate change, the ongoing drought, and meeting the water security needs of Australia’s growing population. The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) Urban Water Update 2019: Drought, Growth and Liveability said as the constraints+
Posted 4 October, 2019 -
The Australian Local Government Association has told a Senate inquiry that new legislation to create a natural disasters emergency response fund ought to focus on mitigation measures before a calamity occurs, rather than only on recovery efforts. The Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee is examining the Emergency Response Fund Bill 2019 and Emergency Response Fund+
Posted 4 October, 2019 -
This edition I want to highlight how local councils around Australia proudly invest in their local communities’ art and cultural sectors. You only need to look at a council’s homepage or its social media presence to see how much we celebrate our artists, festivals and other cultural activities that help define our communities. These activities+
Posted 4 October, 2019 -
The fifth generation of mobile technology, which works alongside 4G infrastructure, will take a decade to deploy and its challenges for carriers will mean a bigger digital divide between city and rural communities, technology consultants have said. Given previous experiences, it’s unlikely Australia’s telecommunications companies will agree to share fixtures as they roll out 5G+
Posted 27 September, 2019 -
Some councils want to better engage with Australia’s circular economy to save them money and ease pressures on their material collection services. This is particularly the case with old rubber tyres, some 56 million of which are discarded in Australia every year. Steering some of those tyres away from landfill and into road resurfacing will+
Posted 27 September, 2019 -
There have been many issues affecting regional and rural Australia on which ALGA has been advocating in recent months – jobs, visas and drought assistance. Some three quarters of Australia’s local governments are in rural, remote or regional areas of Australia, with many local governments actively trying to attract and retain workers and residents in+
Posted 27 September, 2019
