ALGA News

South Australia’s Planning and Design Code will begin in the state’s rural areas on 31 July, the SA Planning Commission confirmed this week. The code is already operating in outback areas (phase one of the reforms), and the commission says that when phase two begins, the code will be accessible via a modern ePlanning platform+

The Western Australian Planning Commission is inviting councils to apply to use developer cash contributions to fast-track new community infrastructure projects. Under WA’s planning framework, developers progressing a subdivision can be granted permission to provide cash payments to local governments for reinvestment in public open spaces, in lieu of setting aside land in a subdivision.+

John (“Tractor”) Ferguson, who began his career as a grader driver for the Bulloo Shire and later became its mayor, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Mr Ferguson was one of 12 serving or retired councillors who were recognised in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for their services to local+

Public consultations on four proposed changes to the way governments set heavy vehicle charges – and invest the proceeds – are planned in coming months. The proposals agreed to by the Transport and Infrastructure Council (TIC) have four broad elements: service level standards, expenditure planning, the independent setting of heavy vehicle charges, and the hypothecation+

One hundred and sixty-three new local infrastructure and community projects in drought-affected areas have received funding under Round 4 of the Building Better Regions Fund. The local infrastructure projects slated to receive $207 million include: Tenterfield Water Treatment Plant replacement, NSW ($2,645,000); Disability Respite Care Facility in Goondiwindi, Qld ($589,523); Construction of Ravensthorpe Cultural precinct+

Wine and spirits bottles should be added to South Australia’s container deposit scheme to cut down on dumping costs and improve recycling rates, East Waste says. A subsidiary of seven Adelaide metropolitan councils, East Waste is concerned that the bottles often break in bins, contaminating other recyclables such as paper and cardboard. The call comes+

The Productivity Commission is to inquire into how governments are progressing in achieving the objectives and timelines of the National Water Initiative. In its 2018 report on national water reform, the PC found that Australia is managing its water resources well given a dry and highly variable climate and the importance of water to the+

A discussion paper on how to better incorporate Aboriginal cultural elements into future planning decisions in NSW was released this week. Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Secretary Jim Betts said the Designing with Country Discussion Paper provides an opportunity to share ideas on how to better incorporate Aboriginal cultural elements into future planning decisions.+

Road and maintenance works across NSW are being brought forward as part of the state government’s $2.3 billion Covid-19 package announced in March. The more than 70 regional road projects that are underway, or about to be started, are worth around $100 million according to Regional Roads and Transport Minister Paul Toole.   Projects already+

Commonwealth-State/Territory Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are to be reviewed to ensure that assistance under the program is fair and equitable. The review will examine how each state applies the DRFA and whether the program should be adjusted to deliver more equitable, needs-based, assistance for all Australians, regardless of where they live. Emergency management ministers agreed+

The Water Services Association of Australia says wastewater and stormwater infrastructure investment could provide flow-on benefits for Covid-19 recovery. In recent months, several regional urban water utilities have supplied more water to support local businesses increase production to replace imports, the WSAA said in a recent submission to the National Covid-19 Coordination Commission. “During the+

A failure to win and maintain a social licence in the infrastructure sector can lead to extreme community backlash and costly delays, a new paper has warned. Where governments and businesses have adequately developed and maintained their social licence to operate, and earned the trust of the community, however, they are able to deliver assets+

Councils need more funding to provide parks and open space for apartment residents, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute says. Developer contributions and voluntary agreements are too uncertain to ensure good results, according to a new AHURI report. “We need to get baseline infrastructure in place no matter what,” said Laura Crommelin, a research+

IoT Alliance Australia wants to understand what skills developments are needed to advance the adoption of Internet of Things technologies.  The peak industry body is working with education providers to develop an IoT “skills barometer” and to use this to identify where to focus development of the IoT skills needed in Australia. The IOT skills+

Scott Phillips, a two-decade veteran of local government, has been appointed Local Government NSW’s new chief executive. Mr Phillips is currently filling a locum position at Uralla Shire Council. He was chief executive of Sutherland Shire Council from 2015-18, heading up 1800 employees and managing an annual operating budget of some $250 million. Before that,+

The Australian Motor Association wants to work with local government to help develop Motocross, Enduro, Supermoto and other facilities for its members. The AMA says its goal is to increase participation of women, children, indigenous Australians, and people with disabilities in its activities and that it has “hundreds of clubs and thousands of members across+

Councils that work to empower young people and foster their engagement in community and civic affairs are being invited to send two individuals to a virtual workshop series in June. The series is aimed at providing young Australians with practical tools to help build their communities, and is being organised by Ripple, a new platform+

The Energy Efficiency Council has called for upgrades of community and government buildings to stimulate jobs and rebuild a strong economy post the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement this week, the council and other peak bodies said: “If done well, these investments would durably lower energy bills; ease strains on a rapidly changing energy system;+

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Older Persons Advocacy Network are hosting free webinars to publicise support services for veterans and their families. The fourth webinar in the series (scheduled for 16 June) will canvass aids, equipment and home modification to support clients to live independently at home. Participants need to register for this+

The Heart Foundation is calling on local government to ensure all Australians have safe streets for walking and cycling during the Covid-19 crisis. In a new position snapshot entitled “Active Streets –the new normal for public space”  the foundation says councils should allocate more space on roads and footpaths for people to walk and ride+

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has launched a Bushfire History Project to document the 2019-20 bushfires for the historical record. The commission is inviting people to submit videos or photographs taken during the bushfires or the ongoing recovery, or to submit a short video account explaining what they experienced during the bushfires.+

Twenty-four dangerous crash sites across South Australia will be fixed under the Black Spot Program’s 2020-21 funding round. Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced this week that SA would receive $8.7 million under the program’s latest funding round. A list of the funded projects can be found in his media+

A new research project to better understand household behaviours around food waste and lessen the amount of food sent to landfill has begun in South Australia. The project is a collaboration between the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, East Waste (a regional subsidiary of seven Adelaide councils), the University of Adelaide, Green Industries SA,+

Local community sustainability initiatives needing hard facts and evidence to progress their goals are being offered a potential new solution: pro-bono scientific advice. Future Earth Australia is accepting applications from community leaders to develop a community science partnership where a selected pro-bono scientist designs, develops, and produces research to enable progress on a community’s priority.+

The NSW Office of Local Government has begun making advance payments of Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to NSW councils. The payments follow last week’s announcement that the Federal Government will again bring forward the first two instalments of the estimated 2020-21 FAGs. The advance payments will represent about 50 per cent of the amount to+

Major changes to Western Australia’s planning system, including a new development application process for significant projects for the next 18 months, have been introduced into State Parliament. Under the proposed changes, the WA Planning Commission will the final arbiter for such projects, defined as: development proposals with an estimated cost of $30 million or more;+

Victorian councils should get state government support to increase food organics and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside collection services, a new report has recommended. Infrastructure Victoria (IV) says the state government should also “establish a minimum service standard for local government waste services to promote greater consistency in collections” and “require and support all local governments+

The NSW State Government has foreshadowed moves to have councils pool infrastructure funds drawn from developer contributions to invest in community infrastructure. NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes says the proposed legislative changes will “permit councils to pool funds across contribution plans, allowing them to bring forward planned projects where all the funds+

Nationally agreed principles for good practice in land use planning to build disaster-resilient communities have been laid out in a new handbook for local government planners. Compiled by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR), the handbook establishes community wellbeing and disaster resilience as the overarching aim of land use planning, and presents a procedural+

The Federal Government has conceded that a national vision for our cities and regions is important, but says it has no plans to develop a national plan of settlement. Instead, it is working with state, territory, and local governments on other initiatives to support city and regional growth – including City Deals, NBN roll-out, and+

Victorian council elections will proceed as planned on 24 October after the State Government decided safety and security concerns warranted postal voting. It will be the first time that all Victorian councillors will be elected via postal ballots, though many municipalities have held postal votes for previous elections. The Municipal Association of Victoria had urged+

The National Transport Commission is updating its Guidelines for trials of automated vehicles in Australia, developed with Austroads and first published in 2017. The guidelines support nationally consistent conditions for automated vehicle trials, and help road transport agencies manage trials in their own state and territory, among other things. Potential changes being canvassed including improving+

A guide to support approvals of tiny houses in local government areas has been published by the Australian Tiny House Association. The Local Planning Policy Template is intended for use by planning and building officers and is proposed to: identify the circumstances where a tiny house or tiny house community may be permitted; provide a+

West Australian local governments facing coronavirus-related cash flow pressures will be able to access a new lending facility offering short-term loans. Announced by the State Government on 7 May, the facility will be available through the Western Australian Treasury Corporation (WATC). To be eligible, local governments will need to demonstrate the impact Covid-19 has had,+

South Australia’s expanded Planning and Development Fund has approved funding for 37 local community projects across 27 different local government areas. The State Government announced in March that it would the double the size of the annual fund to $50 million (which includes contributions from councils), to support local jobs. Some of the 37 projects+

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has published a new guide to reduce confusion over compostable plastic packaging. “Considerations for Compostable Plastic Packaging” is aimed at helping brand owners, packaging technologists and designers, and food service providers decide when and where to use certified compostable plastic packaging, and associated items like cutlery. The guideline identifies+

The Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum wants councils to support its calls for welfare measures to be extended to people and families impacted by Covid-19. Many asylum-seekers have lost work and are facing destitution because they are ineligible for any kind of government income or health support. This has dramatically increased the+

The Office of Road Safety is urging Driver Reviver site owners across the country to apply for a share of $3 million in grant funding to buy variable messaging signs. The signs (one per site) are to be used during peak holiday periods when Driver Reviver sites are operating. The grant opportunity closes on 29+

A University of Queensland research survey aimed at getting a clearer picture of the extent of local government action on cats has been extended. A better understanding of cat management strategies in place nationally – and issues and challenges arising – will provide valuable context for a more holistic approach to managing pet cats and+