ALGA News

Councils are invited to make a submission on updates to the National Light Pollution Guideline. The Federal Government has developed a draft Ecological Communities Appendix and Terrestrial Mammal Appendix to the Light Pollution Guidelines.  As these guidelines are national, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is seeking feedback on the development+

Local government is being urged to participate in a Federal Government survey to outline a vision for the future of Australia’s children and their families. The Department of Education has released the Early Years Strategy survey to support the development of the plan and seek a wide range of views on development of the Strategy.+

Councils are reminded that applications for the first round of funding through the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) close next month. While only states and territories are eligible to apply, councils with shovel-ready projects are urged to work with state or territory governments to apply for the $200 million in funding available. The National+

New dates for 2023 ALGA Annual Conference I’m delighted to announce our 2023 National General Assembly (NGA), incorporating the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum, will be held in Canberra from 13-15 June. The NGA is the biggest annual local government gathering in the country, and this year’s event is shaping up to be the best+

The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) is offering a range of new courses for 2023 including on road safety, sustainability and pavement. ARRB collaborates with all levels of government – including councils and transport agencies – consultants and contractors, and private sector organisations on any aspect of transport and mobility.  They deliver innovative transport solutions that+

Please find relevant updates provided by the Australian Government regarding the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code and other important citizenship ceremony information. Updates to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code The Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code has been updated to reflect: Councils must hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, or the three days prior or three days+

The call for Motions is now closed. Motions were due by Friday 24 March 2023 and must be lodged online. The theme for this year’s NGA will be “Our Communities, Our Future”. ALGA is seeking motions that align with this theme and identify opportunities for new federal programs and policies that will support councils to+

ALGA has welcomed the appointment of David O’Loughlin to the Federal Government’s new National Housing Supply and Affordability Council. As a former ALGA President with vast local government experience, Mr O’Loughlin, an Urban Renewal Authority Director in SA, joins a range of senior leaders on the interim council including: Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the CEO of Mirvac Group+

Councils are being urged to make a submission to a parliamentary committee inquiry about the implications of severe weather events on Australia’s regional, rural and remote road network. Following the extreme flooding and weather events this year, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has launched a formal inquiry into+

Australian councils are encouraged to apply for funding through a new Safe and Together Community Grants Program, managed by the Department of Home Affairs.  This Commonwealth program is aimed at helping organisations develop local initiatives to support Australian communities and vulnerable individuals to strengthen their resistance to extremism.  Community-based organisations, including councils, can apply for+

Win! New Disaster Ready Fund Legislated In response to ALGA’s advocacy, we’re so pleased the Federal Government has successfully legislated to establish a new Disaster Ready Fund, which will enable local governments to seek funding – up to $200m annually – for infrastructure that mitigates against the impact of natural disasters on our communities. If+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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+

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,+

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+

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+

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+