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Round 9 of the Commonwealth’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program opened on 3 February, with grants of up to $3 million are on offer for eligible applicants. A total of $15 million is available in Round 9, with eligible aerodrome owners or operators able to apply for a grant of between $5,000 and $3 million. Aerodromes+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
Local community organisations will be able to access federal money to plant trees under a new program celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Running for three years from 2021-24, the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee program will provide up to $15.1 million of grant funding to eligible groups and organisations for community-based tree plantings. Each+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
Thirteen Victorian recycling projects have secured a share of $36.5 million in Round 2 funding from the Recycling Victoria-Recycling Modernisation Fund (RV-RMF). The RV-RMF is a Victorian/federal government partnership delivering grant funding over three years to upgrade and establish new recycling facilities. The 13 projects include an expansion of Garden City Plastics’ Dandenong facility to+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
The design of the national reinsurance pool for cyclone and related flood damage has been finalised after consultations on the draft legislation. The Commonwealth-backed reinsurance pool was announced last May to help reduce significant rates of non-insurance rates across North Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the top end of Western Australia. The Morrison Government says+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
Apps to help urban planners and architects reduce construction waste and urban heat are about to be released nationally. Developed by researchers at the University of NSW’s School of Built Environment, the apps use machine learning and computational design to help minimise the environmental footprint of buildings. They do this by assisting build environment professionals+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has used its 2022-23 Federal Pre-Budget Submission to outline a series of partnership opportunities to help drive a strong and inclusive national recovery. ALGA President Linda Scott said Australia’s 537 local governments have the capacity for growing partnerships with the Commonwealth Government – as well as state and territory+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
I was saddened to learn over the past few weeks that 27 Queensland councils are facing new budgetary pressures due to a reduction in Financial Assistance Grants. This follows a change in the distribution formula used by the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission and comes at a time when financial sustainability is a big issue+
Posted 11 February, 2022 -
A Commonwealth quality assurance agency is looking to improve its communication with stakeholders in the aged care homes services sector. To that end, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has commissioned the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to consult with various groups within the sector. The consultation and research is intended to help ensure+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
The National Centre for Coasts and Climate wants local government input to help inform its work on climate adaptation and mitigation. According to the NCCC, the need for diverse solutions to coastal protection is becoming more urgent with climate change and population growth. Traditionally, shorelines are protected with artificial, non‐adaptive structures, such as sea walls+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
Submissions on the Stewardship for Consumer and Other Electrical and Electronic Products discussion paper close on 25 February. The paper is intended to inform future decision-making on e-stewardship and was published last month by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE). The rate of e-waste generated each year by Australians has more+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
Applications for round two of the Federal Government’s Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program opened this week. Grants from $10,000 to $70,000 will be available for eligible show societies and field days organisations to help them plan their events in 2022 and beyond. Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the program is a way+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
Women now comprise nearly four in 10 councillors across NSW, an 8.5 percentage point increase on the number of women elected in 2016-17. Sixty-nine of 124 councils that held elections in NSW last month now have more women on council than in previous terms, a result welcomed by Local Government NSW. “It’s a great outcome+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
The new and updated national road safety strategy launched last month aims to reduce road deaths by 50 percent by 2030. Developed by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), state and territory governments, and the Commonwealth, the strategy also aims to reduce serious injuries by 30 percent by 2030. The release of the National Road+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
The Commonwealth will invest $64 million on GPS upgrades in South Australia as part of a national project to deliver “real-world” infrastructure benefits. Working with the SA government and private sector partners, the Commonwealth will expand and upgrade 68 GPS reference stations across the SA network and build 12 new additional stations. Federal Minister for+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
Former Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Troy Pickard has been remembered as a fierce advocate for local government. Mr Pickard, whose career in local government spanned 16 years, died suddenly in Perth earlier this month. He was 48. Elected as a City of Stirling councillor in 2001, Mr Pickard later won elected office at+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
Stakeholders have until 14 February to provide feedback to the draft National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32. The draft plan was released earlier this month with a two-week window for review and comment by interested parties. However, domestic violence groups criticised the short timeframe, and the deadline for public submissions was+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper as part of its review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA). Implemented in July 2018, the NHHA is intended to facilitate cooperation between the state, territory, and Commonwealth governments to improve housing outcomes. The Commission will examine the roles and responsibilities of government to help+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
A national plastics summit focused on designing reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic products will be held in Canberra on February 14. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley is hosting the summit, which will “will explore opportunities to unlock growth for new industries and new markets”. “We simply can’t keep creating virgin plastic on the scale we+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
It’s wonderful to be back with you at the start of what will be a big year for local government and indeed our country. ALGA’s federal election advocacy is already delivering wins for our communities, with the Federal Labor Party committing to invest up to $200 million per year in disaster prevention and resilience if+
Posted 28 January, 2022 -
Lynn Mason, a former Mayor of Flinders Island Council – and ALGA Vice President – has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Ms Mason received the award in the 2022 Australia Day Honours List in recognition of her “significant service to local government, and to the community”. First elected to the+
Posted 27 January, 2022 -
The coming Federal Election marks a watershed moment for our cities, towns, regions, and communities. The past two years have been perhaps the toughest we have faced as a nation since World War II. During the COVID19 pandemic, the bushfires, and the floods, Australian councils have delivered emergency support, helped businesses, created jobs, and showed+
Posted 17 December, 2021 -
ALGA’s policies and initiatives, at end of the day, are your policies and initiatives. We propose frontline solutions which are informed by your communities and your work on the ground – and your input and guidance adds immeasurably to our effectiveness in progressing shared national objectives. To help build an even better Australia post-pandemic, we’re+
Posted 17 December, 2021 -
We are proud to launch ALGA’s Federal Election Platform. Informed by motions submitted by councils at our National General Assembly, and unanimously endorsed by our Board in conjunction with our member state and territory local government associations, this document outlines 17 national policy initiatives that will optimise Commonwealth/local government partnerships designed to benefit every community.+
Posted 17 December, 2021 -
This past week, on your behalf, I met with the Prime Minister, Premiers, Chief Ministers, and Treasurers as part of the National Federation Reform Council, to ensure local government voices are heard at the national decision-making table. I provided them with an overview of the significant efforts of local governments in 2021 to support communities dealing with the impact of COVID-19. I also used+
Posted 13 December, 2021 -
Applications have opened for Round 2 of the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program, with a $50 million set aside for priority projects. These include levees, levee systems, infrastructure to promote flood plain restoration, and specific green infrastructure initiatives that mitigate flood risk. The program, which is administered by the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA)+
Posted 13 December, 2021 -
Australia’s national disability strategy has been updated with a stronger focus on housing, safety, employment, and community attitudes. Launched on 3 December with pre-recorded messages from Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Linda Scott and state, territory, and federal government leaders, Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31 is the culmination of two years of engagement between various+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Communities in eight Queensland local government areas will be able to apply for disaster assistance after extensive flooding in central, southern, and western parts of the state. Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth‐State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to the LGAs of Banana, Barcaldine, Goondiwindi, Lockyer Valley, Maranoa, Scenic Rim, South Burnett,+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has responded to the increasing threat of heatwaves by developing and trialling a new Heatwave Warning with state and territory agencies. It has also released a new Heatwave Decision Support Product for state and territory agencies to assist heatwave preparation and response. It comes as Marble Bar, in WA’s north-west,+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Council staff are again being urged to contribute to research into local government strategies and work practices in vertebrate pest and weed management. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR), and the Invasive Species Council (ISC) are conducting the research based on a survey+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
James Cook University researchers are seeking conservation and environmental professionals to share their views on the use of drones in their organisations. The study aims to: Identify barriers to using drones in conservation and environmental management; Explore whether barriers to drones are universal or unique to different organisations; and Gather information on how these barriers+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Two new resources providing overviews of the state of rural health and workforce gaps have been launched by the National Rural Health Alliance. The alliance says its Rural Health in Australia Snapshot 2021 will enable a variety of stakeholders – from journalists and researchers to politicians and policymakers – to access key evidence about rural+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Darriea Turley has pledged to make Financial Assistance Grants a priority during her term as president of Local Government NSW. The Broken Hill City Council Mayor was elected LGNSW president on the first weekend of December after a postal vote by association members. Cr Turley will head up eight other returning Board members and nine+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
The Productivity Commission has called for regulatory changes to give consumers more options to repair smartphones and other consumer durables. In its Right to Repair report released on 1 December, the commission said existing barriers to repair for some products are significant and unnecessary and could be improved by clarifying consumer rights, giving independent repairs+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Round 2 guidelines for the Regional Connectivity Program have been released, with local councils and regional communities encouraged to apply for funding. Funding of $112 million has been allocated for Round 2 of the RCP, bringing to $229 million the total amount invested in the delivery of “place-based” telecommunications infrastructure projects to improve digital connectivity+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
A national survey to help local government address current skill shortages and identify emerging and future skills needs began this week. Local governments are encouraged to complete the survey to enable a comprehensive analysis of the local government workforce. The survey is part of the Local Government Workforce and Organisational Capacity Project which has been+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Australia’s visitor economy needs to diversify its destinations, modernise assets, and collaborate for it to become a top-five export income earner, a new report has advised. An expert panel economy led by former federal tourism minister Martin Ferguson prepared the report, which includes a draft strategy “for the long-term recovery and sustainable growth” entitled Thrive+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
Two-thirds of all local government assets are in good condition and meet community expectations. Community infrastructure is also lasting longer, while the proportion of infrastructure assets in a poor state of repair has remained relatively constant. The findings are contained in the 2021 National State of the Assets (NSoA) Report published by the Australian Local+
Posted 10 December, 2021 -
There were 190,800 people working in local government at the end of June 2021, new Bureau of Statistics figures show. This is about 4800 more people than were employed at the same time in 2020. Of those people employed in local government in 2021, 54,900 were in NSW, 52,300 in Victoria, 43,300 in Queensland, 10,700+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Disaster assistance has been made available to 25 local government areas in NSW and Queensland affected by severe storms and flooding in early to mide November. The assistance for NSW is being provided to the Bathurst, Blayney, Blue Mountains, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Cowra, Forbes, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Lachlan, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Port Macquarie+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Voting has opened for the National Awards for Local Government with local governments and the public being urged to cast a ballot to acknowledge outstanding community solutions. Voters can choose from 10 nominations in seven of the eight categories. There are three nominations in the Women in Local Government category. Click here to see the+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Some 2025 National Packaging Targets will not be achievable without interventions, a new report suggests. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) says plastic remains a concern, with recovery rates showing no significant improvements over a three-year period. “Modelling predicts a recovery rate of 36 percent with currently planned infrastructure and capacity improvements,” the report says.+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
A national campaign to help reduce household food waste has been launched by food rescue group OzHarvest. The Use It Up campaign features a new product innovation, Use It Up Tape™ designed to make it easy for consumers to waste less. The tape can be used in pantries, fridges or freezers to mark out a+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
The Regional Banking Taskforce is calling for public comment as it investigates how branch bank closures are affecting regional communities. To that end, an issues paper and guidelines for making submissions were published last week by the Federal Treasury. The taskforce was established on 22 October, with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) among its+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Nominations are being sought for the Federal Environment Minister’s product stewardship priority list for 2022-23. In a departure from previous practice, the public is being encouraged to contribute suggestions, along with industry and governments. The annual list identifies products and materials for which industry is expected to take product stewardship action to reduce the environmental,+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program has begun, with guidelines for councils seeking project funding now online. A broad range of local road projects can be nominated under the $2.5 billion program, such as traffic signs, street lighting, bridges, tunnels, rest areas, or even road and sidewalk improvements. Community infrastructure+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
The National State of the Assets Report 2021 will be launched on 9 December with the key findings to be discussed at an interactive webinar. Federal Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan will attend the launch, along with Infrastructure Australia CEO Romilly Madew, National Farmers Federation President Fiona Simson, and IPWEA President Myles Lind.+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
State governments should get behind local government efforts to create a healthy and sustainable food system in Australia, a new report says. Councils are already involved in food safety regulations as well as supporting sustainable local food production and reducing food waste, but could potentially do more to encourage the consumption of healthier foods as+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Governments will need to invest $30 billion in large-scale coastal protection and adaptation over the next 50 years, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says. A new report prepared for the ICA by Baird Australia says climate change is driving rising sea levels and exacerbating coastal hazards such as tidal inundation, coastal and estuarine inundation,+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
An updated suite of resources addressing gender inequality and violence against women has been published by Our Watch. Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said the revised evidence-based framework went beyond addressing individual behaviours to consider the broader social, political, and economic factors that drive violence. “The evidence shows that we can stop violence against women+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
Australia’s biosecurity defences have been boosted with another 96 more officers assigned to target frontline biosecurity risks. The deployment follows a major Commonwealth recruitment drive for biosecurity officers earlier this year in response to threats posed by African swine fever (ASF) and “hitchhiker pests” like khapra beetles. Agriculture and Northern Australia Minister David Littleproud said+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
WIN! Advocacy on Federal Assistance Grants Rewarded ALGA welcomes news last week that the Morrison Government has no plans in the short to medium term to review how Financial Assistance Grants are distributed by state/territory jurisdictions. We welcome the Federal Assistant Minister for Local Government, the Hon Kevin Hogan MP’s undertaking. The ALGA Board has+
Posted 29 November, 2021 -
The Future Drought Fund has published its first annual report and is inviting stakeholders to comment on its work to ensure effective future outcomes. The $5 billion fund was established in 2019 to provide a secure, continuous funding stream for drought resilience initiatives. The fund’s foundational programs announced in July 2020 include farm business resilience,+
Posted 12 November, 2021