In the media – National
Heavyweights join City Powers Partnership
A further 35 councils, including the cities of Sydney,
Brisbane, Cairns and Darwin, have joined the Climate Council's
Cities Power Partnership (02 February 2018).
More...
Technology brings better customer service to
government
Rapidly advancing technology is opening new doors to
convenience, speed, and transparency for private-sector customers.
But these benefits are often not realised in government, where
tight budgets are making it difficult for the public sector to
deliver services of a similarly high quality (30 January 2018).
More...
Australia Day honours for local government
Local government identities around Australia have been
honoured in this year's Australia Day awards (29 January 2018).
More...
Cities Power Partnership doubles in size
The Cities Power Partnership (CPP), a
consortium of Australian local government authorities to encourage
the use of renewable energy, has increased its number of members to
70, exactly double the number that signed up when the group was
formed in July 2017 (29 January 2018).
More...
To celebrate or not: Aboriginal Councils share views on
Australia Day
Several local governments across the country are moving
Australia Day events from 26 January as a sign of respect for
Indigenous Australians, but what are Aboriginal councils doing? (25
January 2018).
More...
Broad view taken on broadband access
The Department of Communications and the Arts is to
implement a new online communication standards program that will
ensure all Australians have access to voice and broadband services,
regardless of where they live (23 January 2018).
More...
In the media – Queensland
Western Queensland research to help indigenous
councils
The LGAQ will use preliminary results from USQ research
in applications to support indigenous councils that suffer from
poor connectivity (02 February 2018).
More...
Toowoomba 'a model for decentralisation'
Regional Development Minister John McVeigh says
Toowoomba's emergence as a major regional centre is a strong
advertisement for federal decentralisation (01 February 2018).
More...
Tangalooma resort defends fee hikes for island
homes
The resort's director insists ongoing rises in annual
fees for Moreton Island property owners are "in line with
increases across the property market", despite some residents
saying their houses and apartments on the island could send them
bankrupt (31 January 2018).
More...
'Release the hounds': Brisbane greyhounds to be
allowed outdoors unmuzzled
Owners of greyhounds will be allowed to take their dogs
outside unmuzzled, under new animal bylaws proposed by Brisbane
City Council (30 January 2018).
More...
Qld local governments powering climate solutions
Brisbane, Logan, Sunshine Coast and Cairns councils this
week joined the Climate Council's Cities Power Partnership, a
collaborative network of Australian local governments that now
represents over two million Queenslanders (30 January 2018).
More...
LGAQ: Federal reef injection not enough
In response to the Federal Government's announcement
of a $60 million investment in the Great Barrier Reef the LGAQ has
said the funding still does not match the amount Queensland local
governments invest each year (25 January 2018).
More...
Statement from Local Government Minister
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
"Today I notified Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor Chris
Loft that I propose to exercise my power under the Local Government
Act to recommend that Councillor Loft be dismissed as Mayor and
Councillor (25 January 2018).
More...
In the media – Victoria
Victorian councils caught up in China's waste import
ban
Waste disposal companies running recycling operations on
behalf of Victorian councils have been told that Visy Industries
will no longer accept kerb-side pickups (01 February
2018).
More...
City of Melbourne staff report 'culture of fear'
at council
A confidential survey of City of Melbourne staff reveals
a number of workers have concerns about the council's ethical
culture (01 February 2018).
More...
In Practice and Courts
Extreme weather conference 2018
The impact of climate change on infrastructure and
government will be one of the key themes of Australia's first
Xtreme Weather Conference, to be held at the Sofitel Brisbane on 20
March 2018. The conference brings together climate change experts
with local government planners, academics and emergency services to
share information on climate change.
More...
National General Assembly of Local Government 2018
The National General Assembly (NGA) of
Local Government is the peak annual event for local government,
attracting in excess of 800 mayors and councillors each year. This
year's event takes place at the National Convention Centre in
Canberra from 17 – 20 June. Registrations are available
online. Motions are open and need to be lodged by 30 March
using the online
form. A
discussion paper is also available to provide guidance to
councils for the development of Motions for debate.
Closing the Gap Agenda
Closing the Gap agenda has begun with the release of a
Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
discussion paper to support ongoing consultations. More sessions
are scheduled across the country in coming months in 2018.
Submissions close 31 March. More...
Applying for Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity
Program funding: proposals
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon
Darren Chester MP, has announced that
Round Six of the HVSPP was open for proposals from 15 December 2017
to 30 March 2018. State, territory and local governments are
eligible to apply for funding for projects that will upgrade road
infrastructure to improve heavy vehicle safety and freight
efficiency.
More...
Applications for funding: Round Six of the Heavy Vehicle
Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP)
Local Government, as well as the state and territory
governments may apply for funding, with the Federal government
contributing up to 50 per cent of the total project cost to
successful projects, up to a maximum of $5 million. About $98
million will be provided Round Six funding. Proposals will be
accepted up to 30 March 2018.
More...
Regulatory Reform Summit 2018
The Regulatory Reform Summit 2018 (27 February – 02
March 2018) seeks to cover the most topical and timely of trends in
regulatory transformation and provide solutions to common
regulatory struggles. The conference aims to help policy makers
solve the jigsaw policy that is re-regulation - creating smarter,
simpler, more responsive and technologically integrated regulation.
Hear from 30+ leading government departments.
Register here...
Round Two: Commonwealth's Building Better Regions
Fund
Applications from councils and
not-for-profit organisations are now being accepted for Round Two
of the Commonwealth's Building Better Regions Fund. Those
interested can find out more about the program guidelines by
clicking
here. A second funding round is expected to open for
applications in the first half of 2018.
Consultation: Regulation Impact Statement on options to
phase out PFOS chemicals
The Department of the Environment and Energy has released
a consultation
Regulation Impact Statement on options to phase out PFOS
chemicals nationwide. The Department is holding a number of public
sessions from 10 November. The public comment period closes on 26
February 2018.
More...
Queensland
LGAQ: Delegations register
The latest review of the Delegations Register is
available in LG Online (www.lgaq.asn.au). This includes 2 new
registers, 3 changed registers and 35 updated to new reprint
only.
New registers
Peaceful Assembly Act 1992
Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2017 –
Council to CEO. New Register replacing the register for the
Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006.
Includes changes to section numbers formerly used in the 2006
Regulation.
Changes of substance to existing registers
State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 - Council
to CEO.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 - Council to
CEO.
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 – Council to
CEO.
LGAQ: Fraud management guideline
Designed to give councils a clear understanding of fraud
prevention and management and the requirements involved in
implementing a fraud prevention and management framework within
council, the Guideline serves as an ideal resource for employees at
all levels and will be of particular use to employees who are new
to the local government workplace. NOTE: Updated 25 January 2018 to
encompass the requirements of the new Crimes and Misconduct
Amendment Legislation 2014. More... [subscription
access]
Consultation on Reef Regulation Impact Statement
As one of the leading contributors to the management and
protection of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland local government
has an important role to play in the ongoing conservation of the
Reef. The State Government is proposing enhanced regulations around
nutrient and sediment pollution from key industries in Great
Barrier Reef catchments as part of a
Regulatory Impact Statement for enhancing reef protection
regulations (RIS). The LGAQ is preparing a
submission and seeking input from councils within the Reef
Catchment. Submissions close on 19 February 2018.
Victoria
VCAT high profile decision
Caydon Cremorne No 2 Development Pty Ltd v Yarra City
Council [2018] VCAT 85: Decision released by Senior Member
Laurie Hewet and Member Ann Keddie on 22 January 2018. Application
under section 77 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987
to review the refusal to grant a permit.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.