LGiU has teamed up with ALGA to bring you a fortnightly edition of the Policy Roundup containing the local news, policy reports and LGiU briefings from the last week plus the latest updates from ALGA.
For more information on this collaboration click here
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The Federal and Queensland Governments have agreed to invest $20 million each in the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF). With Queensland industry set to match that $40 million amount, there will be combined $80 million available through the RMF to fund new plastic, glass and tyre recycling infrastructure upgrades across the state. Deputy Premier and Minister+
Posted 16 July, 2021 -
National shortages of civil and transport engineers, urban and regional planners, landscape gardeners, and construction project managers are forecast to last well into the future. The 2021 Skills Priority List compiled by the National Skills Commission and released last week also reveals a national shortage of surveyors, arborists, childcare workers, aged or disabled carers, and+
Posted 16 July, 2021 -
Local government’s willingness and capacity to step up on behalf of local businesses and local communities has again been to the fore this week. Responding to current COVID lockdowns, councils in Brisbane and Sydney put additional support measures in place to protect local jobs and to support local businesses. Councils in all states and territories+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
The City of Newcastle Council will consider a state government-backed plan to mine sand offshore from Stockton Beach to repair erosion damage. It follows a six-week exploration program by the NSW Government to locate three offshore sand deposits to replenish the beach north of Newcastle. The exploration data will now go to Newcastle Council for+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
The Foreign Arrangements Taskforce is thanking all councils for their engagement with the Foreign Arrangements Scheme over the past six months. Efforts to ensure local governments meet their obligations under the Scheme are much appreciated, and the arrangements notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) demonstrate the breadth of Australia’s international engagement+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
ICLEI Oceania is inviting local government councillors and city practitioners to a webinar exploring the use of nature-based solutions in urban planning. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are broadly defined urban planning interventions based on nature and ecological functions to address societal challenges, such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, population health, food security, and natural disasters.+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
Regional Drought Resilience Planning and Farm Business Resilience Planning programs have been rolled out in Western Australia. Federal Agriculture Minister David Littlepround said on Sunday that $1.3 million has been set aside to support partnerships of WA councils, regional organisations, communities, industries and farmers to develop regional drought resilience plans. A further $2.2 million will+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
The City of Hobart Council has begun enforcing a by-law prohibiting takeaway food businesses from using single-use plastics. The city council enacted the by-law in March 2020 but allowed a year’s grace for traders to transition their supplies and for community education and awareness-raising. Businesses that provide or sell food in single-use plastic packaging in+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
The World Economic Forum is urging cities to “close the loop on water use” to insulate communities from future climate-related shocks. In the first in a series of papers to highlight new ways of thinking about global water resources, the WEF says increasing water stress due to population increases, global warming, and climate change poses+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
Feedback from local governments is being sought to build a common understanding of shared responsibilities for developing and delivering drought support. This work by the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) is intended to drive an integrated approach to drought and to inform future policies that ensure all communities are well prepared+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019-23 establishes a framework for all levels of government to work together to effectively deal with the harmful legacy of asbestos in homes, workplaces, and the environment. The plan aims to eliminate asbestos-related diseases in Australia by preventing exposure to asbestos fibres. This article by the+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
Local government road managers will be able to assess up to 1000 bridges, roads and culverts after a $12.1 million funding announcement this week. The new Commonwealth money will go to support a second phase of the Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project (SLGAAP). Established by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) in 2019 with+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
Communities in areas badly impacted by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires can apply for a share of a new $280 million federal grants program. The Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program is prioritising recovery and resilience projects, and has been enabled by a lower-than-expected take-up of programs under the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
The Federal Government has confirmed funding of $85 million over 10 years to establish the Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA) centre. The centre will deliver “evidence-based research to better inform natural disaster preparation and to develop technological solutions to mitigate risks”. A series of workshops and meetings with potential end-users and research partners are planned+
Posted 9 July, 2021 -
We learned this week, via the latest Intergenerational Report, that there are now more people in work than before COVID-19, with a significantly higher participation rate. Our sector can rightly hold its head high for helping engineer this remarkable jobs turnaround. Local governments supported communities through the worst of the pandemic before quickly pivoting to+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
The federal government is rolling out new Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) features as part of its commitment to providing safe and secure online services. RAM emails will now issue from noreply@authorisationmanager.gov.au Local government staff are being advised to add this email address to their “safe” or “preferred sender” so they receive future communications. Councils can+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Former Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Vice President Keith Rhoades will not be a candidate in September’s NSW council elections. His departure marks the end of a 30-year career in local government. Cr Rhoads was first elected to the Coffs Harbour City Council in 1991. He was elected deputy mayor in 2000 and mayor in+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Tasmania councils will be able to develop regional drought resilience plans with rural organisations, communities and farmers under new programs announced last Sunday. The initiatives – the $9.85 million Regional Drought Resilience Planning program and the $16 million Farm Business Resilience program – are aimed at identifying how to manage through droughts and build resilience+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
The City of Marion Council has partnered with an Adelaide software developer to provide real-time data on its urban forest to interested residents. The council is planting nearly 4000 trees each year and 2800 reserve trees over the next seven years and believes that providing real-time data in an interactive map will allow it to+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Councils are being invited to help prepare a snapshot of how policymakers and developers are improving the sustainability of urban infill and greenfield developments. To that end, a survey is being disseminated to all professions involved in planning, design and construction of residential developments, with feedback being collated to help improve urban design and housing+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
A new grant program to allow regional multi-purpose residential aged care providers to carry out minor capital works has opened. The federal government program will disburse $40 million over two years to reinforce multi-purpose services (MPS) and follows recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Australia has 179 MPS in outer+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Disaster assistance has been made available to help communities in the Shire of Exmouth recover from damage caused by severe flooding in early June. Assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to address significant flood damage to roads and infrastructure across the Exmouth area caused by 24 hours of+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Continuing bushfire recovery efforts in NSW have been boosted with $283 million in federal and state funding for 195 projects. The money is being provided through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, with $103 million earmarked for tourism support and economic development and almost $100 million for community and social recovery. Another+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
More Australians are choosing to live in regional areas, and the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, new data shows. The inaugural Regional Australia Institute-CBA Regional Movers Index shows population movements from Australian capital cities to regional areas rose by seven percent from March 2020 to March 2021 – helping to drive net regional migration+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Making voting compulsory in council elections will help bring about gender parity in local government, a new report says. The recommendation is one of 33 contained in a report prepared by Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Victoria branch) national vice president Coral Ross. Ms Ross, a former City of Boroondara councillor (and Australian Local Government+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Local government needs to be involved in decision-making about services, infrastructure, and population growth management, the Federal Treasury says. The 2021 Intergenerational Report released by Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this week points to a decline in Australia’s population growth triggered by Covid-19 border closures, but projects the population will continue growing faster than most other+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Industry players say insufficient capacity to deal with extra recyclable plastics generated by a halt in exports may lead to more plastics being landfilled. As of 1 July, mixed plastic can no longer be sent overseas for processing. Plastic waste sorted into single resin or polymer types can continue being exported, but it too will+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
Victoria’s state government has earmarked $127 million in funding to help councils to move to a four-bin household waste and recycling system. The new system will add a purple bin for glass recycling, as well as green for food organics and garden waste, yellow for mixed recycling, and red for rubbish. The Victorian government wants+
Posted 2 July, 2021 -
It was wonderful to be able to connect with so many local government delegates at this week’s National General Assembly. The strength and value of our NGA has always been its diversity of views and opinions – not to mention the unrivalled opportunity to share stories and experiences that ultimately advance our communities’ best interests.+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
The Australian Taxation Office wants feedback on a draft decision that the supply of a burial right in a public cemetery is not subject to GST. Feedback on this draft determination (GSTD 2021/D2: Goods and services tax: is the supply of a burial right in respect of a public cemetery is subject to GST?) can+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
The role of local councils in migrant settlement and community cohesion will be examined in a Zoom conference meeting in August. Melbourne’s Eastern Region Communities’ Council on Ethnic Issues (CCOEI) is convening the Migrant Settlement Committee (MSC) Zoom meeting on Friday 6 August. The keynote speaker will be the chief executive of Welcoming Cities, Aleem+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Public consultations on the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) have begun as part of reforms to make English tuition more accessible. Recent changes to the Immigration (Education) Act 1971 have provided greater access to government-funded English language tuition: reforms are now being considered to enhance the AMEP business model. For those migrants who don’t speak+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Queensland will assume control of the provision of state services to Norfolk Island after signing a deal with the Commonwealth last week. The Heads of Agreement will see Queensland work with the NSW government (the current provider of services to the Island) to develop arrangements for essential school education delivery and health services support. The+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
The East Arnhem Regional Council was named one of the top seven local government mobile phone recyclers at this week’s National General Assembly. Other state and territory winners of MobileMuster’s recycling awards included Hornsby Shire Council, Cairns Regional Council, City of Charles Sturt Council (SA), City of Launceston Council, City of Monash Council (Vic), and+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Many fines example of rotundas, or circular band-stands, are to be found in urban or regional local government areas of Australia. Much used in days gone by, these rotundas are a fond reminder of a gentler era when local communities would be treated to a band or orchestra recital on a Sunday afternoon. Amateur historian+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Research showing emissions reduction plans by 60 local governments will achieve 96 percent of the current national target was highlighted this week. A delegation of leading mayors, including Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, travelled to Canberra to publicise the report. They said the collective commitments of councils planning and implementing large emission reductions in their+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Local governments are being invited to apply to take part in NBN Co’s $300 million Regional Co-investment Fund. The fund is intended to further enhance broadband services for rural and regional households, businesses, and communities to help meet the growing and diverse needs of Australians living in regional areas. A particular focus is delivering improved+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
The Local Government Association of Tasmania and member councils have raised concerns about land banking’s impacts on statewide housing supply. LGAT President Christina Holmdahl told local media this week that solutions to the issue were needed. She said councils could work with the government to release land that can be made available for affordable housing,+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Australians continue to be avid consumers of news, underscoring the important role newspapers play in the democratic life of local communities. The finding is contained in the 2021 Digital News Report, a survey coordinated by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism based at the University of Oxford. The report found 81 percent of+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has given the solar industry until June 2022 to finalise a nationwide product stewardship scheme. In a speech to the National Press Club last week, Ms Ley said the lack of an industry-wide approach to collecting and recycling solar panels across the country was concerning given the massive popularity of+
Posted 25 June, 2021 -
The golden thread running through our 27th National General Assembly of Local Government starting on Sunday is job creation. It’s a capacity that local government has demonstrated in spades since the last NGA in 2019. In the two years since then, our sector has contended with disasters ranging from drought to bushfires, floods, a pandemic,+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Local governments will need to ensure their payroll and accounting systems are updated to incorporate the increased super rate, the Australian Tax Office has said. The superannuation guarantee rate will increase from 9.5 percent to 10 percent on 1 July 2021, and will progressively increase to 12 percent by July 2025. For salary and wage+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute is offering a 10 percent discount for ALGA News subscribers who register for its upcoming hybrid cities conference. The conference will cover a range of issues relevant to local government, including changing population dynamics as a result of the Covid-19 crisis; how to improve the delivery of critical+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
For the 4.4 million Australians living with disability, searching for information and services can sometimes be difficult and complex. To counter this, the federal government created the Disability Gateway to help people living with disability, their family, friends and carers find information more easily and connect them to services in their area. The Disability Gateway+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Newcastle Museum has become the first local government-funded museum to be declared the overall winner at the Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNA). The museum won the award for Temporary or Travelling Exhibition Level 1 (for projects with a budget below $20,000) before going on to win the overall national award out of 42 finalists+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Buloke Shire Council in Victoria has become Australia’s first local council to become Peppol e-invoicing enabled via Xero. The council will now start onboarding its suppliers to this new channel to enjoy the benefits of e-invoicing. The Australian Tax Office says it is good news for the local government sector because e-invoicing adoption by government+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Eight local governments have helped develop a strategy to improve flood resilience in Queensland’s Burdekin and Haughton catchments. The strategy was developed in conjunction with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and funded through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) $242 million Category C and D package for the 2019 North and Far North Queensland+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
A new federal parliamentary inquiry will examine procurement practices for infrastructure funded by governments at all levels. The inquiry, to be conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, will also examine the potential to enhance the sovereign capability of Australian industry. The Commonwealth has committed $110 billion to a+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
The Australian Cyber Security Centre has begun promoting ransomware advice to local governments as part of its “Act now, stay secure” campaign. The centre’s online resources and material are designed to help organisations prevent a ransomware attack and to respond appropriately if held to ransom. Two guides have been published to assist organisations and businesses:+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Categories A and B of the joint federal and state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) have been activated for flood-hit areas of Victoria. Thirty-seven local government areas in central and eastern Victoria impacted by floods and storms are eligible for assistance measures, including personal hardship and distress, personal and financial counselling, counter-disaster operations, removal of+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Former Australian Local Government Association Board member and City of Booroondara Mayor Coral Ross has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Also recognised in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours announced on Monday was Felicity-Ann Lewis, who was President and Vice-President of ALGA from 2010-14. Ms Lewis was also state president of+
Posted 18 June, 2021 -
Elected member conduct and CEO remuneration in South Australia will be overhauled after state parliament passed a new Amendment Bill last week. Under the Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Bill 2020, a new conduct management system will be set up to help councils deal quickly with low-level matters, while an independent Behaviour Standards Panel will+
Posted 18 June, 2021