News

Action plan released for local government centre for excellence

The programs that the new Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government will focus on in 2010 have been released at the centre’s official opening by Federal Local Government Minister, Anthony Albanese.

The first of its kind in Australia, the centre has received $8 million in funding from the Federal Government and is based at the University of Technology Sydney.

The centre’s activities are contained in its first annual project plan. They include:
- The first Excellence in Local Government Leadership program for senior managers and elected leaders;
- A new Graduate Certificate in Local Government Leadership as part of a national Emerging Leaders Program for middle managers;
- Guidelines on asset management for small communities;
- A national strategy to address the special capacity-building needs of small rural-remote and Indigenous local governments;
- A national Local Government Innovation and Knowledge Exchange to showcase outstanding examples of best practice;
- The national Local Government Skills Forum;
- A special LGMA Management Challenge to increase women’s participation in more than 100 councils across Australia; and
- Research papers and seminars on critical issues facing local government.

The centre’s Director, Professor Graham Sansom, has already travelled to all states and the Northern Territory to meet with local government associations and other stakeholder bodies prior to more in-depth consultations in 2010.

Mr Albanese said the Centre of Excellence would help increase the take-up of new skills and policies, and provide an opportunity for local governments to improve their practices. The centre's website is www.acelg.org.au.

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Victorian councillors set to have access to WorkCover

Victorian councillors will, for the first time, have access to WorkCover for injuries suffered while on official duties under the provisions of legislation before the state’s Parliament.

The Victorian Local Governance Association has been advocating the coverage for councillors because until now they have been excluded from the terms of the Accident Compensation Act 1985. The exclusion meant they had not qualified for WorkCover protection.

Cr Rose Iser, VLGA President, says the legislation before Parliament - the Accident Compenstaion Amendment Bill 2009 - removes the exemption and provides cover for councillors if they are hurt while carrying out official duties.

Cr Iser says relevant sections of the Bill are scheduled to come into operation on July 1, 2010, providing time for appropriate regulations and guidelines to be developed. She says they would define a councillor’s workplace, clarify responsibilities and manage second positions of employment.

Cr Iser says the association congratulates the State Government for pursuing the amendment on behalf of the state’s 650 councillors. She says it will improve councillors’ working conditions and provide them with cover for the few occasions when they may suffer accidents in the workplace.

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Setback for local government at Copenhagen

Local government's pursuit of climate change reform hit a wall at the recent 'COP 15' gathering in Copenhagen, according to ICLEI - the international association of local government organisations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.

ICLEI said in a statement issued after the event that no reference was made to local government or sub-national government in the Copenhagen Accord which was noted, but not adopted, by 142 national delegations.

The statement said, however, that the failure to include local government in the accord did not undermine the work of ICLEI and member councils on initiatives to deal with climate change.

ICLEI said documents that will eventually be produced as a report to the United Nations on the COP15 proceedings will no doubt contain significant references to the role of local government and will provide a basis for the sector’s advocacy at subsequent COPs.

The statement said the failure of nations to adopt an accord has made the role and responsibility of local government and sub-national government on climate change even more critical.

It said the building of political will and commitment among local government leaders was a priority. The sector needed to engage the Federal Government in meaningful talks on climate change.

The statement said without local government involvement in fighting climate change, political and community support for action would diminish “against the increasing tide of scepticism and denial”.

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Councils poised to receive millions to foster healthier communities

More than 40 councils throughout Australia have been invited to apply for Federal Government funding under the pilot phase of an initiative to foster healthier lifestyles in communities.

The Federal Government has allocated $72 million under the Healthy Communities program to support local government areas in delivering effective community-based physical activity and dietary education programs. The initiative will target individuals at high risk of developing chronic disease.

A spokesperson for Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, says 42 councils have been asked to apply for funding and 12 of them will be chosen for the pilot. The spokesperson says the focus will be on councils in areas with higher than average rates of obesity and social disadvantage.

Pilot sites will operate in each state and territory between early 2010 and mid-2011.

Ms Roxon’s spokesperson says further funding rounds will be available in January and July 2011.

Although the initiative will start with the 12 councils involved in the pilot program, it will ultimately involve 92 sites across the country over the four years of the program.

President of the Australian Local Government Association, Geoff Lake, says local government is well placed to play a leading role in the struggle to combat the rise in chronic disease.

Cr Lake says the Healthy Communities program is an excellent starting point in the struggle. He says local government is keen to expand the initiative and see further investment in the Healthy Spaces and Places program, which encourages the design of more active, health promoting communities. Further information can be found here. 

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Councils soon to be required to support Commonwealth's optical fibre laws

The Federal Government is aiming to introduce legislation to Parliament early this year that would mandate the inclusion of optical fibre networks in new property developments - a reform that would require councils across Australia to adjust their local planning and development assessment regulations to support the new laws.

The government recently released an exposure draft of the legislation, which gave councils and other stakeholders the deadline of January 22 to submit feedback.

A spokesperson for the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, says the government’s aim is to have the legislation in effect by mid 2010.

The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Fibre Deployment) Bill would mandate the use of fibre connectivity in any new housing estate. It would amend the Telecommunications Act to mandate fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connectivity in any estate that receives planning approval from July 1, 2010.

The exposure draft of the Bill states that the legislation should be complemented by changes to local and state government planning arrangements. Such changes would support the roll-out of optical fibre-to-the-premises by requiring new developments to be ready for the installation of optical fibre cabling, such as by providing appropriate ducting for the cables to be laid in.

Senator Conroy says it would be counter productive to have new homes and businesses connected with old communications technology, particularly when it would cost more to retrofit them at a later date.

The Senator’s spokesperson says Whittlesea Shire in Victoria is one council that has already mandated the use of fibre optic connections instead of copper wiring in new developments.

The spokesperson says property developers will meet the costs of implementing fibre optic connectivity as part of greenfields developments. Developers are already forming partnerships with service providers to install fibre optic networks in new estates.

The spokesperson says the exposure draft of the legislation was circulated to state and territory Planning Ministers and the Federal Government’s Greenfields Stakeholder Reference Group last year. The new Bill also stands as a rare foray by Federal Government into the area of urban development regulation, which is typically carried out through state-based legislation.

A copy of the exposure draft of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Fibre Deployment) Bill can be found here. 

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High Court to hear Lehman appeal

Lehman Brothers has been granted leave by the High Court of Australia to appeal against a Federal Court ruling made earlier this year that cleared the way for councils to pursue legal action against the company over losses suffered on Lehman's investment products.

Lehman Brothers Asia Holdings Ltd and Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. sought leave to appeal at a hearing in the High Court on December 11. The court ruled it would hear the appeal in the first two weeks of February 2010 and hand down a decision at a later date.

The Full Court of the Federal Court found against the validity of a deed of company arrangement that had the effect of preventing councils and other parties from pursuing claims against various Lehman entities in Australia and elsewhere, and from pursuing payment under various insurance policies.

Under the deed of company arrangement approved by creditors in May 2009, councils and charities who were investors were deemed to be contingent creditors and offered only between two cents and 13 cents in the dollar.

Susanna Khouri of IMF Australia - which is preparing to fund the legal action of a group of Australian councils - says if the High Court ultimately rejects the appeal the deed of company arrangement will remain invalid. However, Ms Khouri says if the court finds in favour of Lehman Brothers Asia Holdings Ltd and Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. the case would be returned to the trial judge in the Federal Court.

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Queensland lobbyists’ register applies to local government

Local government in Queensland is now required to adhere to the provisions of the state's lobbyists’ register.

The register makes publicly available all details about professional lobbyists who represent a client's views to government representatives.

Lobbyists who wish to make representations to Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Ministerial staff, senior staff working in public sector agencies and local government officials had to be listed on the register from January 1, 2010.

The lobbyists’ register can be found here. The register is under the control of Australia’s first full-time Integrity Commissioner.
The Commissioner, Dr David Solomon, also has responsibility for advising MPs about potential conflicts of interest arising from pecuniary interests, reporting on Chief Executives’ compliance with their obligation to provide annual statements of interest, and raising awareness of ethics and integrity issues.

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3rd Victorian Sustainable Development Conference

The 3rd Victorian Sustainable Development Conference is to be held on May 25-26, 2010, at Zinc, Federation Square, Melbourne.

The Conference will be solution-oriented, bringing together key decision-makers from the private and public sectors, industry leaders, local government, scientists, conservationists and others to discuss ways in which to achieve real and lasting change in areas such as:

• Water
• Waste and resource recovery
• Energy efficiency
• Climate change response
• Planning and urban design
• Land remediation
• Air quality
• Human health
• Sustainable workplaces

Speakers include:

• Dr Kate Auty, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
• Anita Roper, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainability Victoria (Invited)
• Richard Bolt, Secretary, Department of Primary Industries
• Kevin Love, Deputy Secretary, Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Clare McArdle, Executive Director, Melbourne @ 5 Million Integration Unit, Department of Planning and Community Development
• Fiona Calvert, Director, Sustainable and Active Transport Policy, Department of Transport
• Rob Freeman, Chief Executive, Murray-Darling Basin Authority
• Professor Chris Davis, Commissioner, National Water Commission
• Professor John Thwaites, Chairman, Monash Sustainability Institute
• Stuart McConnell, Director, Future Focus, EPA Victoria
• Brendan Sydes, Principal Solicitor, Environmental Defenders' Office
• Peter Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Digital 
• Carl McCamish, Executive General Manager, Origin Energy
• John Hunt, Technical Manager, Thiess Services
• Louise Hicks, Partner, DLA Phillips Fox
• Dave Appels, Economist, Frontier Economics
• Erin Simpson, Sustainability Services Manager, Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Professor John Wilson, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Swinburne University/Spokesperson, Engineers Australia
• Professor John Fien, Innovation in Leadership Programme, RMIT
• Professor Ralph Horne, Director, Centre for Design, RMIT
• Dan Atkins, Managing Director, Shaper Group
• Chris Newman, Manager, Councils Reforming Business, Local Government, Department of Planning and Community Development
• Phil Hughes, Principal Consultant: Sustainability and Water Management, Halcrow
• Jennifer Williams, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Corporate Express 
• Mike Lloyd, IP Management Consultant, Griffith Hack Patent and Trademark Attorneys
• Donavan Marley, Research Scientist, CSIRO Land and Water

The Conference will also feature best practice case studies in the above areas, as well as addressing challenges of sustainability, and provide advice on how state and local government and business can truly achieve social, environmental and economic sustainability.

The price for registering to attend the two-day Conference is just $695.

To view the Agenda or to register, go to www.halledit.com.au/vsd2010 or contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

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LGSA waiting for findings of council election inquiry

The NSW Local Government and Shires Associations say they are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a State Parliamentary inquiry into the conduct and costs of the 2008 council elections.

Former NSW Premier, Nathan Rees, referred the conduct of the elections to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in March 2009 and the committee is expected to report in coming months on the outcome of its investigation.

President of the Local Government Association, Genia McCaffery, says the NSW Government took over the running of council elections on the grounds that it wanted to ensure they were conducted with the same level of professionalism and transparency as state and federal polls.

Cr McCaffery says, however, the management of the elections was appalling and the costs were a huge increase on those associated with the elections in 2004. She says councils are already at financial breaking point because of State Government rate pegging and they can’t afford to let funds slip away.

Cr McCaffery says because of financial constraints many councils have had to put essential community services on hold. She says the difference in funds used to pay the election costs would have been better spent on fixing crumbling infrastructure and servicing community needs rather than being handed to the State Government.

Cr McCaffery says the inquiry represents an opportunity to get to the bottom of the poorly conducted elections.

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Call for local government response to conflict of interest rules

Victorian councillors, council officers and peak bodies have been asked by the Brumby Government to provide comment on conflict of interest rules for councils in the state.

In 2008, the government introduced new legislation to provide clarity to councillors and the public on the standards of behaviour expected of local government councillors. The legislation was developed through the Government’s Better Local Governance Consultation Paper and also took into account the Ombudsman’s Conflict of Interest in Local Government Report of March 2008.

The Conflict of Interest Consultation Paper is divided into five chapters that provide background to the legislation and cover topics such as conflict of interest exemptions, interest definitions and procedures for meetings and staff delegations.

Victoria’s Local Government Minister, Richard Wynne, says the paper also includes details about training provided to the sector when the new legislation comes into effect, and ongoing support offered to help councillors function according to the Local Government Act.

Mr Wynne says the conflict of interest consultation will be supported by a number of round-table discussion sessions in metropolitan and regional Victoria in February 2010.

Electronic copies of the Conflict of Interest Consultation Paper have been emailed to all Victorian councils. The paper and submission template can be downloaded here. The deadline for submissions is February 26, 2010.

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LGAQ wants answers on amalgamation funding

The Local Government Association of Queensland has renewed its call for the Queensland Government to provide additional funding to support amalgamated councils.

The LGAQ says councils amalgamated by the government in March 2008 are still waiting for badly needed government financial support.

President of the association, Paul Bell, says the deadline for submissions for assistance was March 2009, and the LGAQ and councils want to know when the government is going to provide answers. Cr Bell says there has been enough time to assess applications for assistance lodged by 24 councils.

He says it has been estimated the costs of council amalgamation across Queensland could exceed $200 million, much more than the $27 million provided by the government to implement the changes.

Cr Bell says new information technology and communications systems, and salary and wages equalisation are just some of the factors created solely by the amalgamations. He says they are unavoidable and place permanent ongoing constraints on council budgets.

Cr Bell says the savings from amalgamations are minimal and it will take at least a decade before they are realised.

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Local Government Risk Management Summit - AGENDA NOW AVAILABLE

 

* AGENDA NOW AVAILABLE *

 

• Wednesday 28th - Thursday 29th April
• Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney (close to airport)
  
• Agenda now available on summit website www.halledit.com.au/rm2010/agenda

A wide range of case studies will be delivered by Australia’s leading local government risk management practitioners at the inaugural national Local Government Risk Management Summit in April.

At a time when Australian councils face an increasingly complex risk environment with limited resources, this important event will provide attendees with the latest advice about leading local government risk management practices – information attendees can then apply within their own organisations to minimise risk and reduce exposure to liabilities.

Case study presentations will cover topics including: successfully implementing an Enterprise Risk Management framework in a local government organisation; incorporating risk management into organisational governance and culture; optimising internal auditing and audit committee procedures; ensuring council contractors meet compliance requirements; and how councils need to address the risks posed by climate change.

Speakers will include:

• Peter Napier, Integrated Risk Management Coordinator at Ipswich City Council and Vice President of the Risk Management Institution of Australasia.
• Donna Graham, Corporate Counsel, Glen Eira City Council
• Ken Muir, Risk Management Coordinator, Penrith City Council
• Geraldine Wood, Executive Manager Corporate Governance, Townsville City Council
• Simon Iliffe, Manager Risk Management Services, Shellharbour City Council
• Jeff Webb, Director Risk Services, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
• Glen Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Grampians Shire
• Ian Waters, Redland City Council’s Risk & Liability Services Manager
• Greg Hunt, Executive Officer, South East Councils Climate Change Alliance
• David Simon, Data Manager, National Exposure Information System (NEXIS), Geoscience Australia
• Grant Whitehorn, a former Director Enterprise Risk Management at the Department of Defence, and currently a Consultant for RiskWare
• Tony Harb, Director, InConsult
• And Wollongong City Council’s former General Manager, Rod Oxley, who will provide insight into the Wollongong Council corruption scandal and detail the difficulties faced by councils to install a risk management framework that prevents corrupt activity.

Summit attendance enquiries should be directed to: Denise McQueen, Hallmark Conferences + Events, Ph: (03) 8534 5021; Email: denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au.

Summit sponsorship and exhibition enquiries should be directed to: Ben Hutchison, Summit Director, Ph: (03) 8534 5025; Email: benh@halledit.com.au.

Further information is available on the conference website www.halledit.com.au/rm2010.

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New planning system in operation in Queensland

Queensland is now operating under what the Bligh Government calls a “faster and smarter” planning system.

The Sustainable Planning Act came into effect on December 18, 2009, replacing the Integrated Planning Act. The new Act emphasises coordination and integration of planning at all three levels of government in Queensland - local, regional and state planning.

Changes introduced under the Sustainable Planning Act include:
- Shorter time-frames in some areas of the approval process;
- The ability to reinstate lapsed applications;
- The ability to submit electronic applications;
- Measures to improve the quality of applications; and
- More options for dispute resolution.

State Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe, says the changes also include new public notification signs for impact assessable developments.

Mr Hinchliffe says the old public notification signs were often difficult to read and understand, and they are being replaced with a combination of visual and written explanations of a development. He says the signs will highlight when the public comment period starts and finishes, what type of development is proposed and the local council’s details for lodgement of submissions about the development by the community.

Mr Hinchliffe says the Act will improve long-term decisions on land use through superior coordination of local, regional and state planning interests. He says the new system retains the decision-making local communities want for their homes and streets, while making it easier for the State Government to manage broader, long-term planning.

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Minister’s update on national local government reforms in latest Councillor

A detailed explanation by Federal Local Government Minister, Anthony Albanese, of the current swathe of asset management and planning reforms being implemented nationally is included in the latest edition of Councillor magazine.

The December/January edition of the national magazine for Australia’s councillors and mayors also features leading-edge case studies of local government community consultation methods, including Wollondilly Shire’s extensive and successful efforts to engage with local residents over important transport-related issues.

Other articles in this edition include: an examination of how Cardinia Shire is working with other agencies and the private sector to ensure employment opportunities are created in its growing community; and analysis of how Whitsunday Regional Council is addressing the many pressures of rapid growth, including residential development and public infrastructure provision.

For information about how to subscribe to Councillor magazine, please phone Naomi Braham at Hallmark Editions on (03) 8534 5000, email naomi.braham@halledit.com.au or visit here.

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WALGA staging forum to discuss council reform confusion

There is growing confusion and anger among Western Australian councils over the State Government’s local government reform process, according to the WA Local Government Association.

The association says councils are demanding clarification of the process following recent changes to the State Government’s approach.

WALGA President, Bill Mitchell, says councils made their reform submission to the government last September, only to be advised by Local Government Minister, John Castrilli, of a new transition process which seems to have little or no regard for their submissions.

Cr Mitchell says that, under the process, nine councils will amalgamate into three new entities and about 65 councils have been directed to form Regional Transition Groups with the aim of amalgamating by 2013. He says other councils have been assigned Regional Collaborative Groups to share resources, but not amalgamate.

Cr Mitchell says councils framed their reform submissions in consultation with their communities and expected Mr Castrilli would have placed greater credence on their preferred options. He says it is important for the minister to appreciate the frustration and confusion in the sector.

Cr Mitchell says WALGA will run a state-wide Reform Forum on February 9 at which Mr Castrilli will speak on the latest stage of the reform process. He says more than 300 representatives are expected to attend the forum to hear the minister outline the government’s position.

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Fresh round of Federal funding for stormwater projects

Councils around Australia have until February 10, 2010, to submit stormwater capture projects for Federal funding under the second round of funding for Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Projects.

The second round of funding was due to close on December 11 last year, but it was extended until February 10 to allow applicants as much time as possible to prepare quality proposals. Program guidelines are available here. 

Eight councils – five from South Australia and three from Victoria – attracted Federal funding of more than $51 million for implementing projects under the first round of funding. The councils were among 13 organisations that shared in $86 million.

The projects were designed to help reduce the demand on drinking water supplies by harvesting stormwater, reducing stormwater pollution in local waterways, and helping to maintain parks, gardens and the water demands of industry. The full list of funding allocations and projects can be found here. 

The projects will source all of their energy needs from renewable sources or fully offset their carbon impact on the projects’ operations.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, says Australia needs to invest in alternative water supplies and make better use of the water it has available for cities and towns in a time of extended drought and the emerging effects of climate change.

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Tweed Shire secures first loan from NSW infrastructure fund

Tweed Shire Council in northern New South Wales is the first local government in the state to be provided with an interest-free loan through the NSW Government Local Infrastructure Fund.

The $200 million fund has been established to allow councils to bring forward infrastructure projects delayed because of a lack of funding.

Tweed Shire Council has been given an interest-free loan of nearly $17 million to help fund the $35 million upgrade of a wastewater treatment works. The loan means the council can now advance the project to this financial year.

It will call for tenders for the Banora Point Waste Water Treatment Works early in 2010. The project is expected to start in mid-2010 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

Tweed Shire Mayor, Warren Polglase, says the upgrade of the treatment plant will improve the quality of the effluent coming from the plant to bring it to a higher standard for re-use.

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Chair of Regional Cities Victoria elected for second term

The City of Ballarat's Mayor, Judy Verlin, has been re-elected Chair of Regional Cities Victoria - a network of 10 municipalities that delivers advice to state and federal governments on issues that affect regional Victoria.

Regional Cities Victoria consists of the Mayors of Ballarat, Greater Bendigo, Greater Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe City, Mildura, Greater Shepparton, Wangarratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

Cr Verlin says RCV is committed in 2010 to the development and implementation of plans for six key areas: broadband and IT; transport, lifestyle infrastructure; workplace planning and skills development; land use and planning; and a whole-of-government approach to regional policy development.

She says her election as chair of RCV for a second term recognises Ballarat City Council’s commitment to working collectively with other regional cities and its success as a leader in developing productive dialogue with the Victorian Government.

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Vic Gov proposes greater role for developers in planning process

Proposed reforms to Victoria’s Planning Act would give developers an increased role in re-zoning activities.

The reforms would allow what the State Government describes as “authorised persons” to prepare, exhibit and present re-zoning proposals to a panel for consideration.

Planning Minister, Justin Madden, has denied the proposed changes mean councils are being cut out of the planning process. Councils would retain the vote on proposed re-zonings, but the Planning Minister would have the power to overrule decisions.

Mr Madden says the reforms are about “taking the log jam out of the system” and allowing it to operate more efficiently. He says it is about balancing the system to reduce the regulatory burden on councils and allow them to apply their resources to issues of major importance.

The minister says the government has consulted closely with councils, the industry and the community in undertaking the reform process and the consultation will continue until February 12, 2010.

Further information on the legislation and how to comment on its provisions can be found here.

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Leadership development strategies analysed in Council Manager

The methods that local governments can employ to enhance the leadership qualities of senior staff are analysed in the latest edition of Council Manager magazine.

The November/December edition of Australia’s national magazine for senior managers in local government features commentary from leading local government CEOs and General Managers on the tactics and strategies they have used to encourage leadership within their organisations.

This edition of Council Manager also features an article that examines the City of Frankston’s development of a best practice Corporate Planning and Reporting Framework through the streamlining of systems and processes.

Other articles include an analysis of Central Highlands Regional Council’s successful program to develop a strong organisational culture and efficient work practices, and a case study of Gannawarra Shire’s implementation of a new system for handling public enquiries.

Published by Hallmark Editions, which also produces LG News and Councillor Magazine, Council Manager is a quarterly magazine that provides senior management of local governments across Australia with a rich stream of case studies about leading-edge council management practices that managers can use to benchmark their own council’s performance.

For information about how to subscribe to Council Manager, please phone Naomi Braham at Hallmark Editions on (03) 8534 5000, email naomi.braham@halledit.com.au or visit here.

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Urban growth boundary legislation further delayed

The progress of legislation providing for an extension to Melbourne’s urban growth boundary has been delayed until the Victorian Parliament resumes sitting in February 2010.

Debate on the bill to establish a Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution has been adjourned in the Legislative Council where the Opposition and minor parties have the numbers to defeat the legislation.

The government wanted to refer the legislation to the Dispute Resolution Committee, but it cannot take that step until the bill has been defeated in the Upper House or has been blocked for two months.

State Planning Minister, Justin Madden, says the government will not proceed with plans to extend the urban growth boundary unless the infrastructure levy is approved. The levy involves a $95,000 a hectare charge against developers to help finance infrastructure.

The Opposition’s spokesperson on Planning, Matthew Guy, says the GAIC is nothing more than a $2 billion tax on the development industry which will cost Victoria jobs, stall development and repel investment.

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Conferences and Events

Australian Road Engineering & Maintenance Conference

• March 16-17, 2010
  
• The Sebel & Citigate Albert Park, Melbourne

The 5th Australian Road Engineering & Maintenance Conference has been designed to alert road engineers from local government, councillors, managers, as well as consultants, contractors and suppliers, about the most important new developments and issues in roads and their environs.

This two-day event will bring together councils, state government road managers, and the private sector. Speakers have been drawn from South Africa, The Netherlands, New Zealand and from throughout Australia and include speakers from Local Government, State Road Authorities, Consultants and Contractors. Over two hundred delegates are expected.

Ian van Wijk, Technical Executive, Aurecon, South Africa, will present on Road Maintenance Management in South Africa - Experiences from Provincial and Local Road Authorities. For a full list of the speakers and their presentations please see www.halledit.com.au/roads10.

Sustainable Practices and the Environment will feature strongly on the program and in many presentations. It includes major roads, local roads, traffic areas, residential streets, rural roads, footpaths and road reserves. All speakers are asked to present very practical presentations.

Key conference topics include achieving Sustainability on Road Infrastructure Projects, Road Delivery Models & Contracts, Road Maintenance Practices & Management, Good Paving & Sealing Practices, Landscape Design and Cracks: Treatment & Prevention.

Case Studies are a feature of this conference including Local Government Case Studies.

A series of Workshops will be conducted parallel to the speaking stream and there will be an exhibition for opportunities to update on services, equipment and road materials.

For more information, including registration, please see the website www.halledit.com.au/roads10 or contact Denise McQueen, Ph: (03) 8534 5021 (direct) or (03) 8534 5000 (switch), Fax: (03) 8534 5121, denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

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