News

1.  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.

The exposure draft of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Fibre Deployment) Bill was circulated last December to state and territory Planning Ministers and the Federal Government’s Greenfields Stakeholder Reference Group.

A spokesperson for the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, says the government will finalise the legislation once the submissions have been taken into account, and that the government aims to introduce the Bill to Parliament early this year.

The 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.

Senator Conroy says it is counter-productive to have the nation’s newest homes and businesses connected with old technology, particularly when it will cost more to retrofit them at a later date. He says the government wants to ensure that people enjoy the benefits of super-fast broadband services from the day they move into a new home or premises.

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

[ top ]

2.  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.

The court recently ruled against the council and allowed a resident to build barriers to protect his home after it was threatened by erosion of the coastline. The court also found the council must maintain, monitor and repair beach stabilisation works at four other vulnerable sites.

The National Sea Change Taskforce says the decision highlights the issue of legal risk facing coastal councils when making planning decisions involving climate change factors including rising sea levels.

Taskforce Executive Officer, Alan Stokes, says national guidelines need to be adopted covering the liability of public authorities in relation to climate change adaptation.

Mr Stokes has called for the Law Reform Commission to develop a set of guidelines and for those guidelines to be reflected in state-based legal systems.

In 2009, an inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee of Climate Change, Water and the Environment described the legal issues surrounding climate change as a “minefield” and recommended the government engage the Law Reform Commission to address the issue. The Federal Government has not responded to the committee’s call.

Byron Shire Council’s General Manager, Graeme Faulkner, says he would back any federal intervention to provide a national approach to coastline management and the impact of climate change.

Mr Faulkner says he does not believe the decision of the Land and Environment Court will undermine the council’s long-term strategy of "planned retreat". The policy denies coastal property owners the right to erect or reinforce storm walls and is aimed at pushing development back from the seafront.

[ top ]

3.  New national guidelines for water sensitive urban design

Councils around Australia now have access to a set of guidelines designed to help them implement water sensitive urban design practices.

Water sensitive urban design is the integrated design of the urban water cycle incorporating water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and groundwater management; urban design and environmental protection.

'Evaluating Options for Water Sensitive Urban Design – A National Guide' has been released by the Federal Government to assist urban planners, development assessors and water professionals to meet urban water reform requirements under the National Water Initiative.

The guidelines primarily identify issues that should be considered by organisations implementing strategies to achieve water sensitive urban design.

The new guidelines:
- Provide a consistent framework that can be applied nationally by developers and development assessors to facilitate and evaluate WSUD proposals;
- Supplement exiting WSUD regulations and detailed design and implementation guidelines;
- Direct users to more technical WSUD literature on specific issues; and
- Could be used or considered in developing WSUD planning scheme provisions.

The 'Evaluating Options for Water Sensitive Urban Design – A National Guide' can be found here.

[ top ]

4.  Second round HAF applications being assessed by Federal Government

The Federal Government is assessing more than 140 applications from local, state and territory governments for funding to deliver more affordable housing to low and moderate income earners.

The submissions lodged under round two of the government’s $512 million Housing Affordability Fund must give priority to greenfield and infill developments, as well as planning reforms that will help reduce the time taken to approve development applications.

Preference will be given to transit-oriented developments which provide housing within reasonable walking distance of public transport, shops and community services; and public housing estate redevelopment projects.

Councils and governments applying for funding were encouraged to submit joint venture applications with private companies and developers.

A spokesperson for the Department of Families, Housing and Community Services says it expects to advise successful applicants by the end of April 2010. The spokesperson says before funding can be released for infrastructure projects, applicants must provide the department with a Financial Security document which protects the government’s investment.

[ top ]

5.  Councils oppose possible expansion of stimulus package powers

New South Wales councils have urged the State Government to consider the impacts on local communities before expanding planning laws introduced to fast-track development under the state’s economic stimulus package.

The call follows a decision by Premier, Kristina Keneally, to review powers being exercised as part of the stimulus package and to consider how those powers could be applied to other infrastructure projects, including transport, significant commercial or residential developments.

The powers include authorising an infrastructure project as exempt from development control legislation such as the Planning and Environment Act 1979.

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW say they welcome the review of the economic stimulus measures, but they are concerned that planning powers under the package might be abused by private developers if they are extended to commercial or residential developments.

President of the Local Government Association, Genia McCaffery, says the far-reaching planning powers were put in place to combat a major economic crisis and should not be given to the government under normal circumstances.

Cr McCaffery says communities will be at risk of losing their right to have a say on local development. She says it is crucial the independent review takes into account the social impacts on local communities as well as any economic benefit. Cr McCaffery says sound planning policy should not be sacrificed purely for economic convenience.

[ top ]

6.  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 
• Rob Freeman, Chief Executive, Murray-Darling Basin Authority
• Professor Chris Davis, Commissioner, National Water Commission
• Dr Deborah Peterson, Deputy Secretary, Policy & Strategy, 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
• 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

Platinum Sponsor    

Gold Sponsor

 

Supporting Partner

[ top ]

7.  Top Jobs: Gold Coast seeks senior architect and urban designer

Queensland’s Gold Coast City Council is looking to recruit a Senior Architect / Urban Designer.

The position will attract a salary range of $70,359 to $74,478 per annum. Applications for the role close tomorrow – Tuesday, February 16. The successful applicant will facilitate appropriate urban design outcomes in relation to the assessment of new development within the City of Gold Coast. Further information about this position is available on the PlanJobs website here.

This and many other jobs within Australia’s planning industry are currently available on the PlanJobs website www.planjobs.com.au - the nation’s leading employment service for planning positions within local government and the private sector.

Other positions currently available on PlanJobs include: a Senior Strategic Planner at Mildura Rural City Council in Victoria; an Executive Engineer Planning & Design at Cairns Regional Council; and a Statutory Planner at Victoria’s Hepburn Shire.

For further details about these positions visit the PlanJobs website www.planjobs.com.au. For more information about PlanJobs contact Blake Duggin by emailing blake.duggin@halledit.com.au or telephone (03) 8534 5012.

[ top ]

8.  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.

A systems engineer working with the Perth-based council built the system, which a council spokesperson says will lead to greatly improved efficiency in handling applications and reduced costs.

The spokesperson says the engineer spoke with other councils that are using online application lodgements while developing Melville’s system. The talks enabled the engineer to understand problems encountered by the other councils and benefit from their experiences.

The spokesperson says Melville’s online system will cut administration time by about 50% - the current time taken to process an average application is about 40 days. The reduction will benefit the council and applicants. Paper and document storage costs will also be significantly reduced.

The City of Melville received nearly 5000 planning or building applications last year - applications that had to be lodged over the counter or by post.

The online system is a step-by-step process that will prompt the user and offer helpful hints during lodgement. Users will be able to track the progress of their application online. Melville will retain over-the-counter and postal lodgement of applications to cater for people who do not have access to a computer.

The new online system can be viewed by visiting the council’s website and then clicking 'Online Services and Payments' in the quick links section on the home page.

[ top ]

9.  New guidelines proposed for NSW Local Development Contributions

The New South Wales Department of Planning has released draft Local Development Contributions Guidelines for councils and the development industry, and has called for feedback on the draft.

The guidelines and an accompanying Policy Statement are designed to assist councils and the industry to understand implementation of the new Part 5B of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979. Part 5B of the Act now sets out the legislative provisions for the levying of development contributions by local councils.

The department says the key purpose of the guidelines is to provide guidance to:
- Assist planning authorities to prepare and administer contributions plans;
- Clarify the main components of preparation and implementation processes for all stakeholders; and
- Help all parties to prepare and administer planning agreements.

Submissions on the draft guidelines and policy statement close on February 26. The draft guidelines can be found here and the policy statement here.

[ top ]

10.  Property Council accuses NSW councils of 'sitting on' $500m

Councils in Sydney are sitting on nearly $500 million in unspent development levies, according to the Property Council of Australia’s latest audit of Section 94 development levies.

The audit is based on local government financial statements for 2008-09 and the Property Council’s NSW Acting Executive Director, Glenn Byres, says there is no reason why the councils should have stockpiled such a large amount of money.

Mr Byres says the levies are collected on the promise they will be spent on essential infrastructure and community facilities. He says given the levies are built into the cost of purchasing a new house, homebuyers will feel short-changed when they see so much money being stashed away.

Mr Byres says the situation illustrates the Property Council’s consistent call for greater accountability in the collection and use of levies, and broader reform of local government.

Mr Byres said the Property Council has promoted solutions including:
- Introducing a "use it or lose it" provision where unspent monies which exceed a set benchmark are seized by the Local Government Grants Commission for reallocation as it sees fit; and
- Better enforcement of the promise to cap Section 94 contributions at $20,000 per dwelling or lot, with too many councils having failed to meet a deadline to review and reduce their levies by December 2009.

[ top ]

11.  Risk Management Summit to be a key event for local government

 

* ONE WEEK UNTIL SUMMIT *

 

• A national summit meeting to assist local governments to identify best practice methods for addressing their financial, legal and environmental risks
  
• 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 comprehensive range of case studies describing how Australia's leading councils are successfully addressing the complex range of risks facing their organisations will be delivered at the national Local Government Risk Management Summit on April 28-29.

At a time when Australian councils face an increasingly complex risk environment with limited resources, this important event will provide local government managers 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, including online registration, is available on the conference website www.halledit.com.au/rm2010.

Platinum Sponsor	Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor

[ top ]

12.  More delays to introduction of Melbourne's growth areas levy

Legislation designed to introduce a development contributions system in Melbourne's outer-metropolitan growth areas has again stalled in Victoria’s Legislative Council.

Debate on a Bill designed to establish a Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution system has been before the Upper House since last year and has been further adjourned by the Opposition and minor parties until the parliamentary sitting starting on February 23.

A spokesperson for Victoria's Planning Minister, Justin Madden, says the State Government will wait for the outcome of the vote on the Bill before deciding its next moves.

In 2009, Mr Madden, said the government would not proceed with plans to extend the urban growth boundary unless the infrastructure contribution/levy was 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 levy is nothing more than a $2 billion tax on the development industry that will cost Victoria jobs, stall development and repel investment.

[ top ]

13.  Ways to improve number of women in management roles examined in latest Council Manager

The challenge facing Australian local governments to increase the number of women in council manager and Chief Executive positions is analysed in-depth in the latest edition of Council Manager magazine.

In recognition of 2010 being the Year of Women in Local Government, the February/March edition of Australia’s national magazine for senior managers in local government features commentary from a number of current local government women CEOs about how they believe councils can improve the proportion of women in key management roles.

Also in this edition of Council Manager magazine is an examination of how Stonnington City Council has improved its organisational culture, and an article describing how Shoalhaven City Council has implemented a successful staff retention program. Canterbury City Council’s initiatives to improve its governance processes are also examined in this edition.

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.

[ top ]

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

Time is running out for Queensland councils to submit their views on a draft policy that will require them to keep future industrial development at “safe distances” from homes.

Under the draft State Planning Policy for Air, Noise and Hazardous Materials, an area zoned for hazardous industry would have to be located at least 1.5 km from the nearest residential zone. The policy classifies industries as having light, medium, high or hazardous impact according to the level of their emissions and the degree of risk in storing any hazardous materials. Comments on the draft are required to be submitted by February 26.

Queensland Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones, says there are currently no set requirements to separate industry and residential areas when councils are preparing planning schemes.

Ms Jones says some councils implement best practice planning, but in instances where best practice does not occur, residents can potentially be affected by air, noise or odour emissions which may result in health problems. A copy of the draft State Planning Policy for Air, Noise and Hazardous Materials can be found here.

[ top ]

15.  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.

The department has also published a supporting manual for use by councils in their implementation of the new guidelines.

The documents and associated resources can be found on the department’s website here.

[ top ]

16.  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.

The $25.6 million redevelopment plan includes dedicated bike lanes and the creation of four new civic squares at tram stops along the street. The plan also provides for extra public seating, ceremonial lighting, additional trees and planter boxes and public art works.

The council has approved the commencement of stage one of the project and will seek $7.8 million funding from the upcoming 2010-11 budget. A further report will be presented to the council before work on stage two commences in mid-2011.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, says the redevelopment has seen the council re-think the street’s entire civic environment to create a plan that ties the whole street together. He says it represents the beginning of the renaissance of central Melbourne. The redevelopment is expected to be finalised by 2012.

[ top ]

17.  Terms of reference released for inquiry into Queensland population policy

The Local Government Association of Queensland has released the terms of reference for its inquiry into the need for a Queensland population policy.

A three-member panel - headed by Professor Peter MacDonald, director of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute - will undertake the inquiry, which is due to deliver its report in June.

The terms of reference will focus on:
- A review and analysis of demographic and growth-related issues of relevance to the sustainability of population increases, pressures on environmental and natural resources, community and industry capacity to pay and development, and liveability in Queensland;
- Identification of opportunities for policy initiatives at federal, state and local government level to enhance outcomes for Queensland from future growth; and
- Stimulation of debate on the need for a Queensland population policy within a national context and potential benefits from such a policy.

The panel will meet early in February to finalise the dates of public hearings to be held in March in Brisbane, Townsville, Bundaberg and Dalby, and an issues paper will be released in mid-February for consideration by interested parties.

As well as Professor MacDonald, the panel comprises Professor Lyndsay Neilson - a strategic analyist on Urban Policy, Planning and Governance at the University of Canberra, and Keith Hilless - a former Queensland Electricity Commissioner.

[ top ]

18.  Downturn in planning applications in Victoria

There was a 9% decrease in the number of planning applications lodged in Victoria in the 12 months to the end of June 2009, according to the latest Planning Permit Activity Report.

The report for 2008-09 is the sixth annual report published and it provides information about planning activity across Victoria, with overviews of metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas of the state.

It shows 54,162 applications were lodged comprising 45,936 new planning applications; 8103 applications to amend an existing permit; and 123 combined permit applications.

67% of planning applications were lodged under a Melbourne metropolitan planning scheme, while the remainder were lodged under a rural/regional scheme.

The average gross days to decision was 123 days, the median gross days to decision was 78 and the value of fees involved was $22.9 million, down 6% on the previous reporting period.

The top councils in terms of the number of planning applications lodged for each planning scheme, by the number of applications received, were Mornington Pensinula, Yarra Ranges, Kingston, Greater Geelong, Boroondara, Stonnington, Yarra, Moreland, Port Phillip and Knox. Further details of the Planning Permit Activity Report can be found here.

[ top ]

Conferences & Events

19.  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

Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Contracts

Wednesday, 24 February 2010 – Adelaide

Join us in Adelaide, for a must-attend seminar on construction, engineering and infrastructure contracts.

Topics include:

• Different Contracting Models – a Comparative Analysis
• Debt and Equity Funding of Infrastructure Projects
• Negotiating Commercial Contact Terms with SA Government – South Australia 2010 Update
• Government Contracting Strategies: Lessons from the Defence Industry

Follow this link to view the full program and speaker details.

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

[ top ]

20.  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

[ top ]