ALGA made a submission to the Federal Government’s consultation on the Aviation Customer Rights Charter.

The submission highlighted local governments collectively operate more than 200 regional airports and aerodromes across the country, and aviation connections are vital for many local communities.

ALGA asked the Government to consider the impacts of the Aviation Customer Rights Charter on council-owned airports, and either exempts, or makes contributions to support the financial viability and capacity of these facilities.

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ALGA made a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for the Review on the Recycling and Waste Reduction (RaWR) Act.

The submission highlighted local governments are key national partners in resource recovery and management, in enabling communities’ social and economic aspirations, and provide foundational infrastructure and services which enable regional economies to function.

Local governments also play a key role in protecting local and regional environments and landscapes, such as by providing information to residents about safe and responsible disposal of resources and in responding where regulation and markets fail.

ALGA’s overarching position is the onus for waste reduction should be borne by industry, not by local governments.

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ALGA made a submission to the Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements, led by Dr Robert Glasser, and the Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, led by Andrew Colvin.

Both reviews highlighted the need to improve arrangements for disaster management and referenced the key role of local government.

ALGA supported the recommendations and used the opportunity to reiterate the need for a sustainable funding model for disasters through a non-competitive pathway, and dedicated funding for local government.

We also highlighted that betterment needs to be a core component of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DFRA), co-contribution requirements are a barrier to mitigation projects, and local government should be consulted.

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ALGA has provided a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) Reform of Packaging Regulations Consultation Paper.

The submission said local government plays a crucial role in diverting waste from landfills, especially as Australia’s waste is a growing problem that has broad impacts for local communities.

In the last decade, the amount of waste generated in Australia has increased by around 12 per cent. This is compounded by low levels of recycling with Australia’s recycling rate below most OECD countries.

ALGA’s overarching position is the onus for reducing and paying for waste creation must be covered by entities creating waste.

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ALGA has provided a submission to the Productivity Commission’s consultation for the Inquiry on Opportunities in the Circular Economy.

The submission said local governments are key national partners in resource management by supporting and brokering their communities’ social and economic development and providing infrastructure and services which enable regional economies to function.

As one of local governments’ major services, waste management and how operating and
environmental costs can be reduced, is a major focus for councils.

ALGA also advocated for waste avoidance, mandatory extended producer responsibility, and greater ongoing support for community education and awareness around resource use and waste.

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ALGA has provided a submission to the Federal Government’s National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan.

The submission highlighted local governments are vital delivery partners in Australia’s biosecurity regime.

Councils in urban, regional, rural or remote areas play a role in supporting public awareness and
education, contributing to surveillance, undertake regulation, undertaking weed and pest control,
and contributing to emergency response for biosecurity incidents.   They also provide information
and local insights to other tiers of government to support national biosecurity outcomes.

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