General News

1.  Court ruling a 'wake-up call' for councils

A decision by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court in a case involving Byron Shire Council is a wake-up call for all Australian coastal councils, according to the National Sea Change Taskforce.

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2.  Decision expected soon on Local Government Reform Fund projects

More than 30 projects submitted by all states and territories for funding under the Federal Government’s $25 million Local Government Reform Fund are presently being assessed by the government.

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3.  Government finalising national optical fibre planning legislation

The Federal Government has commenced considering the feedback it has received to its exposure draft of legislation designed to mandate the inclusion of optical fibre networks in new property developments - which would require councils across Australia to ensure local planning regulations supported the new laws.

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4.  Top Jobs - Ashfield Council searching for new GM

Ashfield Council in Sydney is searching for a new General Manager to succeed Ken Gainger.

Mr Gainger left Ashfield late in 2009 to fill the GM’s role at neighbouring Marrickville Council.

Applicants for the Ashfield General Manager’s position have until February 15 to submit their applications – further details can be found here.

In Western Australia, the Town of Claremont is searching for a new CEO. The successful applicant will be appointed for up to five years on a salary of between $165,000 and $185,000. Further details are available here.

Other senior positions currently on offer among Australian local governments include: General Manager Infrastructure Services for Cairns Regional Council in Queensland; General Manager for Corporate and Community Services for Benalla Rural Council in Victoria; Director of Engineering Services for Murray Shire Council in New South Wales; and Civil Construction Engineer for Glenorchy City Council in Tasmania.

More information about these positions is available on the website of LG Jobs, the specialist email and web-based service that assists councils to locate administrative, executive and engineering personnel, available at www.lgjobs.com.au.

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5.  Federal funding for water-saving initiatives to be announced soon

The Federal Government is in the final stages of assessing proposals from councils and water service providers in the Murray-Darling Basin for water-saving initiatives that would help their communities prepare for a future with less water.

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6.  New online lodgement system developed in-house by Melville Council

An online system for lodging planning and building applications is to be launched in March by Western Australia's City of Melville after the council took about a year to develop the system in-house.

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7.  Another step in developing a National Waste Policy

Work is underway on developing a National Product Stewardship legislative framework as part of the introduction of a National Waste Policy for Australia.

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8.  Local Government Risk Management Summit 2010

• Wednesday April 28 – Thursday, April 29, 2010
• Venue: Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney

This national summit will bring together local government risk management professionals from across Australia to discuss key risks facing the nation’s councils and showcase case studies of leading local government risk management practices.

At a time when Australian councils face an increasingly complex risk environment with limited resources, this event will provide detailed information and advice about best practice systems being implemented by leading local governments to effectively manage legal, financial and other risks confronting their organisations.

This summit will feature analysis and case studies involving topics such as: enterprise risk management for local government; incorporating risk management into organisational governance and culture; internal auditing and audit committees; risk management systems; new standards for risk management practices; emergency management; and environmental risk management - including how councils need to address the risks posed by climate change.

The inaugural Local Government Risk Management Summit will also provide unprecedented networking opportunities for local government directors and risk management and auditing professionals, enabling them to share information and benchmark their own organisation’s practices against the leaders in the field.

If you are interested in presenting at the conference: please email a 300-word abstract and any other relevant documentation to the Summit Director, Ben Hutchison, via benh@halledit.com.au.

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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GOLD SPONSOR:

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9.  Coalition climate change policy would fund landfill, recycling projects

The Federal Opposition has released a climate change policy under which funds would be streamed toward projects including landfill management and recycling initiatives.

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10.  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

Invited speakers include:

• Dr Kate Auty, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
• Richard Bolt, Secretary, Department of Primary Industries
• Kevin Love, Deputy Secretary, Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Prue Digby, Deputy Secretary, Planning and Local Government, Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Rob Freeman, Chief Executive, Murray-Darling Basin Authority
• Professor Chris Davis, Commissioner, National Water Commission
• Dr Kathy Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, City of Melbourne
• Carl McCamish, Executive General Manager, Origin Energy
• Brendan Sydes, Principal Solicitor, Environmental Defender's Office
• 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 Fien, Innovation in Leadership Programme, RMIT
• Les Mathieson, Managing Director, East Gippsland Water
• Dan Atkins, Managing Director, Shaper Group
• Phil Hughes, Principal Consultant: Sustainability and Water Management, Halcrow
• Mike Lloyd, IP Management Consultant, Griffith Hack Patent and Trademark Attorneys

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.

Registration information is available at www.halledit.com.au/vsd2010 or contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

Platinum Sponsor    

Gold Sponsor

 

Supporting Partner

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11.  Community plans of New Zealand coucils set to influence Qld reforms

A trip to New Zealand by leaders of the Local Government Association of Queensland has given them valuable insights into how councils across the Tasman implement community planning, according to Greg Hoffman, the LGAQ’s Executive Director.

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12.  Vic councils and business respond to inquiry into impact of council regulations

About 30 local government and business entities have lodged submissions with the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission as part of its inquiry into the impact of council regulations on business.

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13.  Study to reveal costs faced by councils to improve efficiency of public lighting

An analysis of the costs involved in improving the energy-efficiency of public lighting - which has been specifically designed to provide useful data for Victorian local governments - is now in its final stages.

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14.  Work ramps up on innovative promotion of inland cities

A project manager has been appointed to oversee an innovative campaign by seven inland councils in New South Wales to promote the advantages of living, working and investing in inland cities.

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15.  Deadline draws near for responses to draft Queensland planning policy

Queensland councils have only three weeks to submit their views on a draft policy that will require them to keep future industrial development at “safe distances” from homes.

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16.  New planning and reporting guidelines for NSW councils

Integrated planning and reporting guidelines for councils in New South Wales have been released by the state’s Department of Local Government.

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17.  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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18.  Group of NSW councils requests early broadband roll-out

Fourteen councils and businesses stretching from the Tweed in northern New South Wales to the Great Lakes, south of Port Macquarie, are involved in a submission calling for the National Broadband Network to be rolled-out early on the state’s north coast.

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19.  Council role in major development of NSW central coast

Gosford and Wyong councils are involved in a partnership that will implement a strategy for the development of the New South Wales central coast over the next 20 years.

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20.  City of Melbourne approves redesign of city's spine

Melbourne City Council will start the legislative process required to close Swanston Street – dubbed the city’s spine – to private vehicles 24 hours a day after endorsing plans for a major redevelopment of the thoroughfare.

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21.  LG Jobs now the leading local government employment website in Australia

 

- LG Jobs is the #1 Google search for “Local Government Jobs” & “Local Council Jobs”

LGJobs is now the largest online employment site for local government, with over 180 positions listed each week.

It is published by Hallmark Editions, who also produces Councillor Magazine, LG News and Council Manager magazine.

LGJobs is an excellent way to maximise the exposure of your positions vacant whilst minimising your advertising outlay. For a cost of only $220 plus GST (discounts available for advertising packages) your position will be listed on the LGJobs website www.lgjobs.com.au, which receives an average of 22,000 hits per day, and the weekly LG Jobs e-newsletter (18,000 subscribers) until the specified closing date, or for a six week period.

All relevant positions are also listed on our associated boards and mail outs - EnviroJobs, EngineeringJobs, PlanJobs, WaterJobs and RoadJobs FREE of additional charge.

To advertise with LGJobs simply email your ad copy to blake.duggin@halledit.com.au or telephone (03) 8534 5012. Your ad will be loaded and live on the website with a confirmation email and link sent to you before the close of business on the day received.

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Conferences & Events

22.  The 5th Annual Water Symposium

Create. Invest. Distribute. Recycle. Save.

The 5th Annual Water Symposium to be held in Sydney on Friday, 26 February, 2010 will bring together Australia’s most prominent water industry leaders and government policy shapers.

Learn about recent policy, regulatory and legislative changes in the water industry to assist with managing your investment and playing your part in working toward a sustainable future for water in Australia.

Hear from an eminent panel of water industry experts, to assist you in reducing your risks and optimising your opportunity to grow with the industry. Their extensive experience will be evident throughout this interactive program. Speakers include:

• James Horne, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
• Professor Mike Young, Member, Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists
• Michael Bullen, Chief Executive, Sydney Catchment Authority
• Chris Davis, Sustainability Business Development Manager, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney

This is a unique opportunity for you to gain essential insight into the issues affecting our most precious natural resource. View the full program as a PDF and to register click here or register online

Other seminars this coming February 2010

The New FOI Regime
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 - Canberra

Government Contracts
Thursday, 25 February 2010 - Canberra

Administrative Law: Improving the Decision-Making Process
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 – Canberra

Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Contracts
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 – Adelaide

Administrative and Statutory Law
Thursday, 25 February 2010 – Adelaide

To view seminars in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney click here

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23.  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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Training Opportunities

24.  Water Industry Training for Local Government

The ICE WaRM Short Courses Programme successfully provides education and training in water resources management. The short courses are designed to provide understanding and knowledge to help you perform your job better, give you better job opportunities and develop you as a professional in the water industry.

ICE WaRM offers training for staff, raising both personal and organisational capacity and is aimed at long-term development.

The 2010 ICE WaRM Short Courses Programme is now available. For calendar dates, locations and course descriptions please click here.

Short courses on offer this year include:

• Australian Water Industry Essentials
• Hydraulics and Hydrology for Non-Engineers
• Policy and Governance
• River and Floodplain Modelling

Feedback from 2009 Short Courses:
"The discussion on who manages/legislates water in each of the states- I had no idea it was so complex and varied!" (Australian Water Industry Essentials).

"A good general overview of hydraulics and hydrology supported by an interesting review of the water cycle. Overall, a great re-cap of barely remembered principles". (Hydraulics and Hydrology for Non-Engineers).

"It was useful to work through examples and questions".

"The broad scope of the information was useful as well as learning about the equations".

"The presenter has excellent knowledge on the subject matter".

To register, please contact ICE WaRM at training@icewarm.com.au or 08 8236 5213.

For more information, please visit our website www.icewarm.com.au.

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