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Councils are invited to apply for new federal funding through the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program, run by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The Australian Government has committed $4 million towards Round 8 of HVSI funding for new projects that will help support a safer heavy vehicle industry. Project submissions must address the themes+
Posted 23 November, 2022 -
Circular Australia – an independent not-for-profit company – has released a new guide for local governments and other organisations to take action on progressing towards a circular economy. In collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, the study kickstarts a national dialogue on how to report and measure progress towards designing+
Posted 22 November, 2022 -
ALGA President Cr Linda Scott was a keynote speaker at the Local Government Association of the NT Convention in Darwin on 17 November. Cr Scott highlighted several of ALGA’s advocacy wins this year, secured in collaboration with LGANT and other state associations, These wins included a $750 million expansion of the Local Roads and Community+
Posted 18 November, 2022 -
ALGA President Cr Linda Scott was a keynote speaker at the Australian Airports Association Conference in Adelaide on 16 November. Cr Scott highlighted the importance of council-run regional airports to local communities and how more funding support is urgently needed. Across Australia, local governments own and operate more than 300 small airports and aerodromes –+
Posted 17 November, 2022 -
Feedback is invited on the Federal Government’s new draft guidelines for drone delivery services in Australia. The drone delivery guidelines step through regulatory requirements for drone operators and guide planning authorities, including councils, to make informed decisions about drone delivery services in communities: The guidelines are open for consultation, including from local government, until 2+
Posted 16 November, 2022 -
Congratulations to Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett and WALGA President Karen Chappel, both elected as your ALGA Vice Presidents at our recent ALGA AGM. I’m honoured to have been re-elected as your ALGA President, unopposed, and look forward to serving Australian local governments for a further two years. On behalf of the Board, I wish to+
Posted 11 November, 2022 -
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is launching a new network for local government road safety practitioners. The network will be launched with a webinar on Friday 18 November exploring and celebrating road safety strategic planning. The webinar will discuss the formation of the Local Government Road Safety Practitioners network, which enables members to:+
Posted 9 November, 2022 -
More than 200 elected members and council staff attended ALGA’s 2022 National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Hobart from 2-3 November. With the theme of Collaborating to improve Safety, Sustainability and Productivity, the Congress focused on delivering safer roads, building more resilient infrastructure, reducing emissions and boosting national productivity. Political leaders and guest speakers+
Posted 9 November, 2022 -
Arts, culture, and the creative industries are valued by local government as an essential economic driver for visitor, regional and night-time economies, as well as community mental health and social cohesion. ALGA recommends that the National Cultural Policy recognises the key role local governments play in arts and culture across Australia. In 2013, local government+
Posted 8 November, 2022 -
The Australian Roads Research Board will host a series of workshops for councils on roads and bridges throughout November and December. The Fundamentals of Building Roads The Fundamentals of Building Roads is a day-long, intermediate level, in-person course which fulfils Australia’s unprecedented need for a broad-based understanding of pavements across all levels, from industry managers+
Posted 4 November, 2022 -
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) is inviting councils to participate in National Asbestos Awareness Week (NAAW) 2022 during 21-27 November. NAAW 2022 reminds Australians to Think Twice About Asbestos and encourages home occupiers and tradespeople to ‘do things the right way’ by ensuring the proper and lawful disposal of asbestos. This is the+
Posted 3 November, 2022 -
In October 2022 ALGA provided a submission on behalf of Australia’s 537 local governments to the Productivity Commission’s Productivity Inquiry. This submission was supported by a research report produced by SGS Economics and Planning, which highlights how councils support and boost national productivity. The submission can be downloaded here: October 2022 ALGA Submission to Productivity+
Posted 2 November, 2022 -
Win! ALGA’s advocacy has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars for councils in last week’s Federal Budget, including a $250 million extension of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and a new $200 million Disaster Ready Fund. The Budget also included an extra $100 million in Financial Assistance Grants for councils, bringing the total+
Posted 28 October, 2022 -
In 2019, ALGA was proud to be a co-signatory in a landmark agreement that marks a new chapter in the national effort to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (July 2020) required all Parties to the Agreement to develop their own Implementation Plan to support the+
Posted 28 October, 2022 -
Due to popular demand, a new virtual registration option is available for next week’s National Local Roads and Transport Congress. The cost of virtual attendance over the two days is $275 per person, and registrations are now open. This year’s Congress will be an unmissable event and held at Wrest Point in Tasmania from 2-3+
Posted 26 October, 2022 -
Local governments have signed up to a landmark Housing Accord between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, investors, and the residential development, building and construction sector that plans to deliver up to one million affordable homes for Australians. President Linda Scott said including the Australian Local Government Association as a representative of Australia’s 537 councils+
Posted 26 October, 2022 -
Posted 25 October, 2022
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Councils can now apply for up to $30,000 in National Australia Day Council (NADC) grants for community events that encourage their communities to reflect, respect and celebrate on Australia Day 2023. The NADC is offering a total of $7.6 million in grants to Australian local government authorities and community organisations as part of its Australia+
Posted 21 October, 2022 -
ALGA Closing the Gap Annual Report ALGA’s 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report is a milestone for ALGA and the first report on the progress of ALGA’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan (September 2021). It provides a high-level assessment of progress on each of the actions ALGA and member state and territory local government associations+
Posted 19 October, 2022 -
ALGA Closing the Gap Implementation Plan In 2019 ALGA was proud to be a co-signatory in a landmark agreement that marks a new chapter in the national effort to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (July 2020) requires that all Parties to the Agreement develop their+
Posted 19 October, 2022 -
Win! 16 councils will share in more than $50 million in federal funding through the latest round of the Government’s Bridges Renewal Program. Councils are responsible for more than 22,000 bridges across the country, many of which are old and no longer meet modern requirements. The Bridges Renewal Program plays a key role supporting councils+
Posted 14 October, 2022 -
CitySwitch is a national program that helps office-based businesses reduce their emissions by mapping a pathway to net zero and connecting them with others on the journey. The program is funded by City of Sydney, City of Melbourne, City of Adelaide and North Sydney Council, and is delivered locally across the country. It is free+
Posted 14 October, 2022 -
Australia’s 537 councils support a wide range of sports and active recreation activities, while also managing local waste and resource recovery. However, participation in sport and recreation requires a significant amount of equipment. For example, in a single year close to 7.5 million tennis balls and 8 million inflatable balls are imported for the Australian+
Posted 13 October, 2022 -
Ten Australian councils have been recognised for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their communities in the 2022 National Awards for Local Government. The category award winners for 2022 are: Moorabool Shire Council (Victoria) for its Hide + Seek Music Festival project, in the Creativity and Culture category Sunshine Coast Council (Queensland) for its Sunshine+
Posted 13 October, 2022 -
23 projects have been funded through the latest round of the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program. This program provides federal funding to address issues where bridges are no longer fit for purpose, often involving the replacement of single-lane timber bridges with safer and more durable double-lane, modern concrete structures, and funding is provided to state,+
Posted 10 October, 2022 -
The Federal Government has launched a new website – drones.gov.au – to provide Australians with clear information about drone rules and regulations. The website has been developed to serve as a one-stop-shop for industry, recreational drone users and members of the public, and provides drone users with links to safety requirements as well as a+
Posted 10 October, 2022 -
ALGA President Linda Scott has urged the Government to continue to invest in councils and communities in this month’s Federal Budget. “Investing in local government will support Australia’s 537 councils to train and upskill Australia’s future workforce, deliver more affordable housing, and support our transition to a low carbon future,” Cr Scott said. “Providing councils+
Posted 1 October, 2022 -
Win! Thank you to Education Minister Jason Clare for recognising ALGA’s contributions to shaping the Government’s new childcare bill in Parliament this week. This bill will mean cheaper early education and care for families, while supporting local governments who provide these important services to our communities. Thank you to North Sydney and Western Downs Regional+
Posted 30 September, 2022 -
The final report released by the Government’s Regional Banking Taskforce has recommended that banks engage more closely with local councils when considering regional branch closures. ALGA President Linda Scott – who represented Australia’s 537 councils on the Taskforce – said this would help communities transition from branch closures in their towns and regions. “I want+
Posted 30 September, 2022 -
Early bird registrations have been extended for this year’s National Local Roads and Transport Congress by one week to 14 October. To be held in Hobart, Tasmania from 2-3 November, this year’s Congress will be an opportunity for councils to hear about proposed national heavy vehicle reforms, how they can support the transition to an+
Posted 30 September, 2022 -
The Australian Government’s Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is currently consulting on a new guide for councils to help combat illegal dumping and improper disposal of asbestos. This guide is being developed for council staff who are responsible for developing and implementing waste management strategies, as well as staff responsible for environmental and community health+
Posted 27 September, 2022 -
In a big win for Australia’s local governments, and as a direct result of ALGA advocacy, Prime Minister Albanese has reaffirmed his commitment to working with councils including re-establishing the Australian Council of Local Government. This shows the respect our new Federal Government has for the hard work and commitment of Australia’s mayors, councillors and+
Posted 16 September, 2022 -
The Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator the Hon Carol Brown, and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie will both attend and speak at this year’s National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Hobart, Tasmania. Assistant Minister Brown will address delegates at the Congress welcome reception on+
Posted 16 September, 2022 -
The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), in collaboration with the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), is conducting an online survey to: Identify current career pathways within Road Safety Identify current career barriers to entering or progressing in a Road Safety career Identify current drivers that attract+
Posted 15 September, 2022 -
A key advocacy win secured by ALGA and its member associations in the lead up to this year’s election was a new $200 million per year federal disaster mitigation fund. At present, less than 5% of all disaster funding in Australia is spent on disaster mitigation and community resilience. This figure needs to rise to+
Posted 14 September, 2022 -
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed his support for Australian councils, including his commitment to re-establishing the Australian Council of Local Government. Speaking after his CEDA State of the Nation address in Canberra last week, the Prime Minister said he wanted to re-engage directly with local government. “I believe, for example, that community infrastructure funding,+
Posted 12 September, 2022 -
ALGA President Linda Scott has paid tribute to the life and achievements of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, while providing councils with guidance on protocols following her passing. “On behalf of the nation’s 537 local governments, I extend my deepest sympathies to all members of the Royal family, following the death of Her Majesty Queen+
Posted 9 September, 2022 -
I was so humbled to attend last week’s Jobs Summit to represent all of you – 200,000 Australians working in our 537 local governments in more than 400 occupations. Contrary to popular opinion, our local government workforce looks a little like me – a majority of women, on average slightly younger than the average Australian+
Posted 2 September, 2022 -
Around nine in ten Australian councils are now experiencing skill shortages – an increase of 30% from just four years ago – and two thirds of councils have had local projects impacted or delayed as a result. ALGA President Linda Scott said there are a range of factors that are making it increasingly harder for+
Posted 2 September, 2022 -
ALGA has called for local government infrastructure to be included in Infrastructure Australia’s remit moving forward, through an independent review into this body. ALGA’s submission highlights the key role councils play planning, building and maintaining the roads and facilities that communities rely on every day, as well as the ongoing challenges councils are facing maintaining+
Posted 2 September, 2022 -
Working with its member Associations and Our Watch, ALGA has helped produce two webinars for councils to support them to prevent violence against women in their communities. One of these webinars has been developed primarily for elected members, while the other is targeted towards local government staff. These webinars support a local government toolkit which+
Posted 2 September, 2022 -
Registrations are now open for the 2022 National Local Roads and Transport Congress, to be held in Hobart Tasmania from 2-3 November. This year’s event will focus on how local government can help address Australia’s transport productivity challenges and the road safety crisis on our local roads, while building sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The Congress will+
Posted 2 September, 2022 -
ALGA President Linda Scott will represent Australia’s 537 councils – and the 190,000 Australians they employ – at the Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit at Parliament House this week. Cr Scott said she would be advocating for more support to help councils address jobs and skills shortages across the country. “Around nine in ten+
Posted 31 August, 2022 -
ALGA recommends funding a Disability Inclusion Officer in ALGA, and also in every State and Territory Association, to enable each Association to assist the councils in their state/territory, to increase the capacity of Local Government to provide local solutions and drive social change. It would also enable councils to be more agile in responding to+
Posted 31 August, 2022 -
A Perth metropolitan council has made lighter-coloured roofs mandatory under its local planning and design approval processes. The Town of Bassendean’s new sustainable development policy stipulates that the roofs of all new houses built within its local government area must have a solar absorptance of 0.5 or less. The policy also requires new or upgraded+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be representing Australia’s 537 councils – and the 190,000 Australians they employ – at the Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit at Parliament House next week. If you have a story or information you would like us to share at this event please let us know. Right across our nation+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
One of 19 NSW councils created in a round of forced amalgamations in 2016 has won the right to be demerged, with three others looking to follow. NSW Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman this week said the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council would be demerged on the recommendation of the state’s Local Government Boundaries Commission. Mrs+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
Local government is responsible for an estimated $467 billion in infrastructure and $248 billion in land, which includes local roads and community assets such as sporting, arts and cultural facilities, parks and gardens, and public libraries. These public assets make a meaningful contribution to national productivity and are critical in building strong, healthy and resilient+
Posted 18 August, 2022 -
South Burnett Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, Logan City Council, and Maribyrnong City Council were all recognised at the 2022 Australian Road Safety Awards, presented at Parliament House last week. Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Senator Carol Brown commended all the award winners on their efforts to save lives and reduce injuries on+
Posted 12 August, 2022 -
In December 2021 the federal government announced its new ‘CRISP’ program: the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot. Based on the popular 40-year-old Canadian model, this program is expected to support 1,500 refugees referred by the UNHCR to the Australian government for resettlement between 2022 and 2025. The CRISP program involves locals forming groups to+
Posted 12 August, 2022 -
Voting is now open for the 2022 National Awards for Local Government. For 36 years these awards have showcased the achievements of Australian councils, highlighting excellence and innovation across the sector. The 11 award categories in this year’s Awards are Creativity and Culture, Productivity through Infrastructure, Regional Growth, Cohesive Communities, Road Safety, Addressing Violence against+
Posted 12 August, 2022 -
We had a major win for local governments at last week’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting in Melbourne, where an independent review into National Heavy Vehicle Law reform was tabled. ALGA has advocated throughout this review for councils to retain their right to manage heavy vehicle access on their local roads, and this was supported+
Posted 12 August, 2022
