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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 -
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 25 October, 2022 -
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 20 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 9 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 29 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Infrastructure and Local Government Minister Catherine King has met with local government leaders ahead of next week’s Jobs and Skills Summit. Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Linda Scott, who will be among those attending the summit at Parliament House on 1-2 September, was also at the roundtables representing councils. Ms King said the events+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet confirmed last week his government will set up a reconstruction body able to compulsorily acquire land in high disaster-prone areas. Responding to the NSW Floods Inquiry report prepared by former police commissioner Mick Fuller and Independent Planning Commission chair Mary O’Kane, Mr Perrottet said flood-affected communities in the state’s Northern River+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
An independent research institute is surveying councils about news coverage of their activities to ensure public interest journalism continues to thrive. Since 2020, the Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI) has been gathering information on the impact of COVID-19 on local news and the impact of government interventions to support the sector. PIJI now wants to+
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 -
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 -
The NSW, Northern Territory, and Victorian governments are getting $50.3 million to fix 149 accident black spots in partnership with councils. NSW will receive $29.5 million under the Commonwealth’s Black Spot Program to remediate 93 sites across the state, while the Northern Territory will get $2.4 million to fix nine dangerous crash sites. Victoria is+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
Legacy Australia is encouraging local governments to get their communities involved in next year’s Legacy Centenary Torch Relay. The torch relay helps raise funds for the families of veterans killed or injured on active service and was first held in 1923, five years after World War I ended. The 2023 centenary relay will begin in+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
A new national silage plastic collection and recycling scheme is being developed by Dairy Australia with Commonwealth financial assistance. Work on the scheme began in April when Dairy Australia launched a pilot silage plastic recycling trial in Western Victoria with strong backing from local dairy farmers. The 80 farms involved in the trial have been+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
Grant funding of $500,000 is now available to support local communities in regional Queensland and NSW hit by this year’s floods. The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), through the Rebuilding Futures program, is offering grants of up to $25,000 to help not-for-profit groups and local community organisations in recovery and rebuilding. The Rebuilding+
Posted 26 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 -
Agriculture ministers have signed off on a new 10-year national strategy to collectively manage emerging animal and plant disease threats. The National Biosecurity Strategy builds on the National Biosecurity Statement published in 2018 and outlines six priority areas, including: Promoting biosecurity as a shared responsibility; Strengthening partnerships and networks between stakeholders; Building workforce capability and+
Posted 26 August, 2022 -
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is conducting a national online survey investigating the scenario planning capability of Australian organisations. Researchers at UTAS’s School of Social Sciences want to hear from people in local government who understand their council’s scenario planning capability, and some knowledge of their crisis management arrangements. This will help efforts to map+
Posted 26 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 -
From Monday 5 September ALGA News will take on a new form as a joint newsletter from ALGA and LGiU (Local Government Information Unit) Australia. All ALGA News subscribers will automatically receive this new fortnightly e-news, which will continue to include updates from ALGA on federal funding programs, local government policy announcements and ALGA events. +
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 -
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 -
Plastic Oceans Australasia is inviting Australian councils to host or participate in plastic-free picnics from 1-30 September to help heighten awareness of pollution from single-use plastics. Plastic Oceans Australasia’s mission is to change the world’s attitude to plastic within a generation, and through’ Picnics Unwrapped’ they are raising funding to expand the delivery of much-needed+
Posted 12 August, 2022 -
Fifty-five aerodromes across remote Australia – many of which are owned and operated by councils – will share in nearly $15 million of federal funding through round 9 of the Commonwealth’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program. This funding will support priority safety and access works, including runway resurfacing, fencing, lighting and drainage works. Assistant Minister for+
Posted 12 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 2022 ALGA commissioned AEC to undertake an analysis of the importance of Financial Assistance Grants to local government, which found that these untied federal grants contribute more than 20% of annual operating revenue for nearly one in four Australian councils. Financial assistance to local governments from the Commonwealth is relied upon by all councils to provide+
Posted 2 August, 2022 -
A nationwide project to reduce single-use plastics from entering landfills and the ocean has been widened to include support for councils. Plastic Oceans Australasia’s (POA) EPIC Business (community initiative) program will provide support and guidance for councils, community groups and schools. POA will work with councils to make strategic investments in pre-paying waste avoidance programs (to+
Posted 29 July, 2022 -
The sustainability, resilience, productivity, and safety of roads and transport infrastructure will be a major focus of ALGA’s 2022 National Local Roads Congress. The growing incidence of extreme weather events in Australia has significant implications for the sustainability of council road and other infrastructure assets, which the 2021 State of the Assets Report valued at+
Posted 29 July, 2022 -
New national environment laws enforced by a federal environmental protection agency have been flagged by Environment Minister Tanya Pliberesek. Speaking at the National Press Club last week after the release of 2021 State of the Environment Report, Ms Pliberek said a “fundamental reforming” of national environment laws was needed to restore damaged landscape, repair coral+
Posted 29 July, 2022 -
Climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and mining continue to threaten at-risk species and ecosystems, the latest State of the Environment report says. Released last week by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, the State of the Environment Report 2021 paints a sombre picture of the overall outlook for the Australian environment. Among other things, the+
Posted 29 July, 2022 -
Biosecurity and surveillance measure have been stepped up at Australian airports following outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) across Indonesia. The measures include giving airport biosecurity officers extra powers to direct travellers from Bali and other Indonesian ports to use sanitising foot baths or clean their shoes. Testing and surveillance of meat products has+
Posted 29 July, 2022 -
NSW Labor Senator Tony Sheldon has been appointed to the new role of Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Senator Sheldon, a former national secretary of the Transport Workers Union, will work with Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt to “ensure much-needed support is delivered to communities when natural disasters hit”. Mr+
Posted 29 July, 2022 -
Over 4200 people have registered with the Queensland government for funding to repair and retrofit their houses to better cope with future floods. The $741 million Resilient Homes Fund also allows for properties to be bought under a voluntary buy-back program. State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Minister Steven Miles said this week that+
Posted 29 July, 2022