LG Focus - December 2023

DECEMBER 2023

Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper

Santa lights the way Six free children’s concerts, Christmas markets, choirs, lights, a visit from Santa and the adored Martin Place Christmas tree will transform Sydney for the 2023 festive season.

Picture: ABRIL FELMAN/CITY OF SYDNEY

Santa, Sydney Lord Mayor Sydney Clover Moore and the Australian Girls Choir.

The City of Sydney’s four-week Christmas celebration in the city centre and local neighbourhoods started on Saturday 25 November.

“We’re bringing a touch of Christmas magic to the city with lights, music, markets and a visit from the jolly man in red,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

“Sydney sparkles and buzzes at this time of year, with the majestic Christmas tree in Martin Place a worthy centrepiece.

We welcome families, shoppers and visitors to come in and soak up the festive atmosphere.”

Road to funding In what is being hailed by the Australian Local Government Association as a landmark win for local communities and Australia’s 537 local governments, the Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has announced Roads to Recovery funding will be doubled from $500 million to $1 billion per year through phased increases over the forward Federal Budget estimates.

The move has been applauded by ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott.

However, with some major projects being sidelined as part of the recent infrastructure review, not everybody was happy with the Federal Government, with the NSW State opposition and several councils expressing their disappointment.

Minister King – in her response to the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program Review – also announced a $40 million per year increase in the Black Spot Program, and a new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

On the Roads to Recovery funding, Cr Scott said: “Following ALGA’s strong advocacy and leadership, we are delighted to welcome this

major funding increase that will benefit all communities across Australia. For several years, ALGA has consistently advocated for more Roads to Recovery funding that will deliver safer and more productive roads.

“New independent research published last week highlighted a $1 billion per year local road maintenance shortfall across the country.

“In the last year alone, 46 disasters were declared across Australia, covering more than 300 different council areas, which has significantly impacted on the state of our local roads.

Minister King’s commitment to doubling Roads to Recovery funding will help reduce our roads maintenance gap, delivering road safety and productivity benefits to every community.

“It’s fantastic to see the Government recognising the importance of our local infrastructure, and the key role it plays in building more resilient and connected communities.”

Cr Scott said the $40 million per year increase to Black Spot Program would be welcomed by councils and will help save lives.

“Councils maintain more than 75 per cent of Australia’s roads and this expansion of the Black Spot Program will support us to reduce Australia’s unacceptably high national road toll,” Cr Scott said.

Cr Scott also welcomed a new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, which would incorporate the existing Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity and Bridges Renewal

Programs, with funding gradually increasing from $150 million to $200 million per year.

“As local road managers, councils play an important role supporting the efficient movement of freight around our nation,” Cr Scott said.

Infrastructure review Minister King said from now on the Australian Government’s investment in infrastructure would focus on productivity, sustainability, and liveability. “The independent strategic review found that the Infrastructure Investment Program inherited from the former Coalition Government was undeliverable,” she said.

Continued page 2

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EDITORIAL DESK Santa King delivers funding We end the year with the Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announcing Roads to Recovery funding will be doubled to $1 billion per year like a benevolent Santa Claus. Though it means the delivery of more projects, it has left some councils across the country - whose much-needed projects have been put on the back burner - feeling like they have had coal put in their stockings.

As always there will definitely be more to come on this issue and while we are taking a break and not publishing a January paper next year, we will be back in February bigger and better than ever.

To keep up with all the news until then check out our revitalised Facebook and websites.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Tania Phillips, Editorial Coordinator

INSIDE THIS EDITION MAYORAL PROFILES PAGE 5 THE GOOD OIL PAGE 6 PARKS AND GARDENS PAGE 10 ENVIRONMENT PAGE 11 METRO AND SUBURBAN PAGES 16-17 RURAL AND REGIONAL PAGES 18-19

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2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

NEWS

Bitter blow for Geelong

By City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan

Councillor Nigel Judd and wife Helen.

Picture: LGNSW

Cheers, Nigel Temora Shire Councillor Nigel Judd OAM, the longest serving councillor in NSW, has been honoured at the Local Government NSW conference with the Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledging his exceptional contribution to our community.

This award comes, quite literally, after a lifetime of 46 years of service.

Cr Judd was first elected to Narraburra Shire Council in 1977 before it amalgamated with Temora Shire in 1981. He served as Mayor from 2000 - 2006 after two years as Deputy Mayor (1998 – 2000). At 46 years of service, and counting, Cr Judd is the longest-serving Councillor in NSW. When Nigel was asked what Council’s greatest achievements during his time as a Councillor were, Clr Judd answered “1981 was the first year of the new Temora Shire Council and Council won its first Bluett Award with two major projects, Lake Centenary and the Effluent Recycling Scheme, and our community are still reaping the benefits of these two innovative projects today”.

In 46 years Cr Judd has contributed to major projects that have contributed to an active and vibrant community and visitor economy in Temora Shire, such as supporting the development of the Temora Aviation Museum, the establishment of Lake Centenary, the desilting of the Lake Centenary in 2003 and the establishment of a Lake loop walking track, the Temora Arts Centre, the Bundawarrah Centre upgrade, the Temora Memorial Town Hall upgrade (included a new 86-seat theatre), the Temora Recreation Centre and Temora Pool upgrade, construction

of the heated pool and the development of the railway precinct as a free RV camping site. He has also continued to support young people in the shire through the development of the Youth program and creation of the unique Platform youth space at the railway precinct, along with saving and upgrading the Youth Hall at Ariah Park.

Temora Shire has also been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to environmental initiatives including the implementation of a recycled effluent water scheme in 1981, forming a partnership with the Temora Lions Club to deliver glass and paper/cardboard recycling services and adopting solar and LED lighting and utilising solar to power many Council-owned buildings throughout the Shire.

In 2019, Cr Judd received his Masters of Local Government from the University of Technology, Sydney – his first university experience since leaving Ariah Park Central School and the Temora High School.

He is a past President and present Patron of the Temora Business Enterprise Group (TBEG), and was a foundation member of the Rotaract Club of Temora in 1971, and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Temora for 17 years.

He has served two terms as President and was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 2021.

The Federal Government’s decision to cancel the Geelong Fast Rail project is a bitter blow for the people of Geelong and the region.

Having promised our community a world-class rail system, the Federal Government has now abandoned those promises.

As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, Geelong desperately needs public transport investment.

Our rail service is under extreme pressure and a high-speed rail is long overdue.

Commuters are tired of disrupted timetables, long journeys and overcrowding.

Geelong people have waited long enough and the need for this service is urgent.

The City of Greater Geelong is working hard to successfully attract new businesses and investment to the region to grow employment.

A high-speed rail project would create more jobs for the region during the construction of the line. It would create certainty for local businesses, attract even more people to live in our regional city and encourage development in surrounding areas by bringing places such as Winchelsea and Colac within easy reach of Melbourne.

The City of Greater Geelong has been a leader in pushing for fast rail over many years and developed a Fast Rail strategy document that seeks to fast-track rail upgrades.

We will now ramp up our fight for our transport funding from the State Government.

Road to funding: Funds doubled From page 1 “Following consultation with the States and Territories, we now have a forward plan of projects that are properly planned and targeted to unlock significant economic, social and environmental objectives.

“Over the next ten years more than 400 individual ongoing projects are expected be completed or substantially developed, including: North South Corridor - Torrens to Darlington, Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail, M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace, Metronet, Tanami Road in Central Australia and New Bridgewater Bridge.

“Through this investment we can grow the economy, improve productivity and take pressure off inflation.”

The Minister said the independent review found while local government programs were a critical funding mechanism for local roads and infrastructure, they are administratively burdensome and lack sufficient funding or certainty.

“The Government has also acted on the review recommendations to improve efficiency and flexibility in project deliverability on nationally significant road and rail corridors,” she said.

“Many projects located along strategic national freight routes are now grouped into corridors. This approach will allow State and Territories to more flexibly manage project delivery schedules according to their priorities.”

However not everyone was happy with the announcement with the NSW Opposition slamming the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments for reportedly turning their backs on NSW

and cutting major infrastructure projects that would improve safety and productivity.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns has failed to stand up to Anthony Albanese and the Federal Labor Government, arguing they had taken the axe to a swathe of significant projects.

“Chris Minns must now confirm that his Government will find a way to fund these key projects,” Mr Speakman said.

Leader of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders said the regions will be hit hard by the cancellation of crucial projects like the upgrade to the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Lithgow.

“The decision to axe this project, that would better connect Sydney with Western NSW, sends a very strong message to the regions,” Mr Saunders said.

“It is abundantly clear that our bush communities are not a priority for the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, and as a result our important legacy infrastructure projects will come to a sudden stop and thousands of regional jobs will be lost.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the removal of funding for the Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton Bypass Stage One was a huge blow to Greater Shepparton, the State of Victoria and the nation.

“We were allocated $208 million in 20192020 Federal Budget to progress this critical piece of road infrastructure which has now been removed. That funding could have provided a start on projects which are vitally important,

such as design, reviewing and completing technical investigations, acquisition of land and developing key links to a second river crossing,” said Cr Sali.

“The intersection of Wanganui Road, Numurkah Road and Ford Road desperately needs a roundabout to improve safety which is part of where this funding would have gone. Wanganui Road is a key link for the second river crossing.

“The October 2022 floods cut the connection between the north east and the north west of the state for several days. During this time essential workers were unable to cross the Goulburn River to work at the hospital. We had to have supplies brought in by helicopter to meet the needs of the community all because there is no second river crossing,” said Cr Sali.

“It is very disappointing that the Federal government has categorised this project as lacking merit and strategic rationale,” he said.

Minister King said as part of responding to the findings of the review, the Government had made necessary decisions to no longer provide funding at this time to some projects.

“This includes projects that were not realistically going to be delivered with the funding available, have made little to no progress over a significant amount of time, and projects that do not align with Commonwealth or state and territory priorities,” she said.

“We also know that there continue to be significant cost pressures in the system and we will work collaboratively and proactively with the states and territories to manage these.”

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NEWS

Not wasting money Strong advocacy and leadership by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and local governments has resulted in new national packaging standards and reforms that will help councils save money on waste and recycling.

At the Environment Ministers Meeting in Adelaide, it was agreed the Federal Government will establish new regulations for packaging as well as mandate how packaging is designed, develop minimum recycled content requirements and prohibit harmful chemicals being used.

ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said the reforms were important for local governments who have consistently advocated for these changes.

“Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s commitment to introduce federal packaging standards is a major win for local governments as part of our transition to a circular economy. Australia’s councils welcome these reforms, as they will allow us to recycle more effectively and save public money in the long term by ensuring businesses are more responsible for their products to their end-of-life,” Cr Scott said.

“The changes will help create a stronger market for recycled goods by mandating that packaging contains recycled content, which is a critical reform.”

Collecting, treating, and disposing of Australian domestic waste costs Australia’s 537 local governments an estimated $3.5 billion annually. Local government also dedicates resources to administering community wasteeducation programs, collecting litter, addressing illegal rubbish dumping, and ensuring compliance with waste bylaws.

“The changes will help create a market for recycled products by mandating that packaging contains recycled content, which is a critical reform as there is no point in councils collecting materials for recycling if there is no end use available,” Cr Scott said.

Housing is a big issue.

Picture: GREG ROSENKE/UNSPLASH

ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said the reforms were important for local governments who have consistently advocated for these changes.

Cr Scott also welcomed the Ministers’ agreement for a new framework to accelerate product stewardship by better coordinating work across all levels of government.

“Fundamental to improving kerbside recycling collection services is the redesign of

packaging so there is less waste, and it contains less mixed material and is more easily recycled,” Cr Scott said.

“Councils are proud to do all we can to support reducing waste and boosting recycling.”

Desperate measures needed Local government, the level of government closest to communities across New South Wales and Australia, is drowning under a wave of escalating costs, cost-shifting by state and federal governments, increasing responsibilities and ageing infrastructure according to NSW Country Mayors Association Chairman Cr Jamie Chaffey.

“People across New South Wales rely on their Councils to provide a clean water supply, remove their waste, provide and look after their local roads, assist in planning, provide airport facilities, cultural and community facilities, sporting fields, walking tracks, swimming pools, tourism and economic facilities, and so much more,” he said.

“And yet the support, resources and funding available to local government is rapidly shrinking. Councils are having to take action to find the funds they need to continue to provide services through the only avenue left available to them – special rate variations.”

He said the recent announcement from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal NSW (IPART) – the body that sets the annual limits for rate increases - that the methodology for the rate peg system had changed shows this is just one of the ways the system has failed local government for many years.

“The rate peg methodology, supposedly implemented to protect the ratepayers, has instead hogtied local governments that provide community services, limiting a critical source of income as Councils’ responsibilities increase,” he said.

“Here are just some of the other blows local government has taken in recent years: “Cost-shifting. Councils and communities have been forced to carry ever-greater responsibility for state government services and infrastructure.

“In Cost Shifting 2023: How State Costs Eat Council Rates, released by Local Government NSW, LGNSW says the burden is now valued at more than $1.36 billion per year, up 78 per cent from $820 million in just over five years.

“That’s the equivalent of more than $460 per ratepayer annually.

“Dwindling funding. State and federal govLGFOCUS.COM.AU

ernment funding for critical services and infrastructure is dwindling as local government responsibilities become greater.

“Financial Assistance Grants – the funding provided by the federal government to help councils provide local services and infrastructure – were basically frozen by a change in methodology in 1989 and have fallen from one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue to 0.53 per cent.

“That’s half as much funding going back to the grass roots level of government.

“Natural disasters and ageing infrastructure.

State and federal funding has not kept pace with the need to repair and replace infrastructure.

“Add to this the massive costs associated with recent floods and fires, and local government is in trouble. Recent research published by the Grattan Institute showed our roads were in a state of dangerous disrepair, especially in the regions, and would continue to get worse without an extra $1 billion in funding each year.

“The gap between what local governments are expected to provide and the money they have to fund it has been getting wider and wider. Councillors are members of their communities and work passionately to help the people they live and work with. Similarly, Council staff are local people who work to achieve the best for ratepayers and residents. No Council willingly pursues a special rate variation. Every Council would provide the same high standard of services without taking this course of action if they possibly could. But the fact remains, in the face of increasing costs and evaporating assistance, the money must come from somewhere.

“Our CMA Members’ Survey this year found almost 75 per cent of member Councils in rural, regional and remote NSW had either imple-

mented a special rate variation in the past two years, or thought they would have to do so in the next five. From the numbers of Councils now forced to pursue a special rate variation, it appears this indication was very conservative.

“Seventeen Councils were granted special rate variations (SRV) in 2023-24, the highest number in many years.

“Among these approvals was the largestever permanent cumulative increase – Strathfield with 73.1 per cent (92.83 per cent compounded). Four of the approved SRVs were in the top 10 ever granted by IPART, and eight were in the top 20. IPART only grants special rate variations after stringent review that looks at the applicant Council’s financial planning, asset management, service planning and other areas.

“Councils are required to demonstrate the measures they have already taken for financial efficiency. In other words, SRVs are only granted when a Council shows it has explored every other avenue. It is proof that the system is not working, and that it has not been working for many years.

“While the change to rate pegging methodology is a start, the benefits will not come into play for some years.”

He said Local government had a commitment to continue providing services and facilities that are critical to everyday life in the meantime.

“We ask for our communities to stand with their Councils who have been forced to go down the path of seeking special rate variations to ensure their water supply continues, their garbage is collected, the swimming pool remains open, and the roads are safe. This is a desperate time for local government, and it calls for desperate measures,” the Chairman said.

Housing to the fore ALGA continues to work closely with association members, the Federal Government and key stakeholders to help address Australia’s housing and homelessness crisis.

As a signatory to the National Housing Accord, ALGA is actively involved with a range of Government agencies, including from the Treasury and Department of Social Services.

ALGA recently engaged and held online workshops with the Department of Social Services on the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, which outlines a 10-year strategy and shared vision to inform future housing and homelessness policy in Australia.

The plan is part of the government’s ambitious reform agenda which also includes a $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, to support the delivery of 30,000 social and affordable homes in five years.

Working alongside members, ALGA will soon provide feedback to the Department of Infrastructure for the consultation on new guidelines for the $500 million Housing Support Program. The program is a competitive fund that will be available for local and state governments to support enabling infrastructure for new housing.

This new program was announced by National Cabinet in August and ALGA will work closely with members to provide feedback to the government on these guidelines.

ALGA also continues to highlight the benefits of engaging with local governments on this ambitious housing build.

Local decision-making and input will improve the planning outcomes for local communities.

Local governments, working closely with their communities, want to create liveable communities and leave a positive legacy with this housing build. They also want to ensure regional and rural communities housing challenges and opportunities are also considered in the national policy settings.

December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 3

NEWS

Rate peg welcomed New South Wales councils have welcomed IPART’s announcement of the rate peg for the next financial year, applauding the use of new more realistic methodology than past years.

The core range for rate pegs will be 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent, but for those councils experiencing faster population growth the peg will range up to 8.2 per cent.

Local Government NSW President, Cr Darriea Turley AM said the new process for determining the rate peg should ensure a greater level of financial sustainability for councils.

“Councils need to be able to pay for the services communities expect and deserve and this new rate peg methodology goes part way towards making that achievable,” Cr Turley said.

“Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has been advocating for change for years and I’m

Cr Darriea Turley. confident that this will provide better outcomes for councils moving forward.”

She said under the new methodology rate

pegs would be determined individually for each council.

Employee costs would now be based on the Local Government State Award as advocated

by LGNSW and a 0.4 per cent superannuation guarantee adjustment has been added, meaning that the new rate peg better reflects actual costs.

IPART has introduced an Emergency Services Levy (ESL) factor that reflects the annual change in each council’s ESL bill, which is payable to the NSW Government annually. IPART will also include an additional special adjustment factor to reflect the impact of the NSW Government discontinuing the ESL subsidy.

Preparing for regional shift The CEOs of some of the country’s most influential peak bodies have met with three government ministers in Canberra, to help set the National Alliance for Regionalisation’s key goals for the coming year.

The Alliance, the first of its kind in Australia, was established by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) in March and is made up of 34 organisations working together to bring to life the Regionalisation Ambition 2032 – a 10 year, 20 goal plan designed to help decisionmakers prepare for an Australia where more people live in the regions.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the meeting heard from the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, and the Hon Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Home Affairs.

“Collaboration between government, industry, business and community will be the key in progressing the Ambition and we thank Ministers King, Clare and O’Neil for meeting with the Alliance during a sitting week of parliament,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Today, we were able to reflect on the progress that has been made on the Ambition in its first year, but more importantly we looked ahead to 2024 to identify the Alliance’s top priorities for the coming 12 months.

“They include developing skills in our regions for today and the future, looking at post-school qualifications and career pathways, housing in the regions, migration and settlement in our regions, and supporting regional communities in the energy transition.

“Health will also be a key focus in the new year, with a recent National Rural Health Alliance report finding each year there is an underspend of $6.5 billion on rural health – which means nearly 30 per cent of our nation’s population is not receiving the healthcare they deserve, need and are paying for.”

Ms Ritchie said this year has also seen regional Australia prominently – and rightly – highlighted in the development of govern-

ment policy, such as Jobs and Skills Australia’s commitment to a Regional Jobs and Skills Roadmap, and the creation of the Housing Australia Fund.

The Alliance has also provided feedback to the Federal Government on its Review of the Migration System, highlighting concerns that the government’s final report does not accurately represent the true positive impact of regional migration and what it can achieve in the future. Minister Clare provided the Alliance with an update on the Universities Accord, which has identified the hurdles many young regional Australians face when contemplating university: the tyranny of distance, the cost of living away from home, and the toll of the disconnection from family and friends. Whilst Minister O’Neil spoke about the Federal Government’s soon-to-be released Migration Strategy against the backdrop of regional and remote Australia.

Jamieson calling time on council Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President Mark Jamieson has announced that he will call time on his career in local government in March 2024, after 12 years of service to Sunshine Coast Council and more than seven years as President of the LGAQ. LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith thanked Mayor Jamieson for his outstanding service to his community and the Queensland local government sector.

“On behalf of Queensland’s 77 councils, I’d like to thank Mayor Jamieson for his stewardship of the LGAQ and his commitment to its members and their communities,” Ms Smith said.

“No-one is more committed to their communities than local councillors, and Mayor Jamieson’s achievements in office are testament to that.

“Mayor Jamieson’s leadership has helped reinforce local councils as the level of government closest to their communities, at the same time as ensuring the LGAQ is heard and listened to in the corridors of power.

“He helped spearhead significant campaigns to improve accountability inside the Crime and Corruption Commission, he helped highlight the unworkable and damaging councillor conduct provisions that needed to be reformed, made sure communities and councils were heard during the Covid response and natural disasters, and sounded the alarm on the

housing crisis.

“During his time as President, he has led LGAQ delegations to all corners of the state and the nation, which have provided valuable on-the-ground learnings from members and communities, as well as fighting tenaciously for the fair and firm funding all Queensland communities deserve to enhance liveability.”

Under the terms of the LGAQ Constitution, Mayor Jamieson will complete his tenure as President of the LGAQ 90 days after the 16 March 2024 elections.

Three cheers for the mayor The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has applauded Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) President Mark Jamieson for an outstanding career in local government.

ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott sincerely thanked Mayor Jamieson – who announced recently he would step down as mayor in March – for his long and effective service to councils at a local, state and national level.

“On behalf of Australia’s 537 councils, I sincerely congratulate Mayor Jamieson for his outstanding contribution to and leader4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

ship of local government,” Cr Scott said.

“Mayor Jamieson has enjoyed a wonderful career, including serving as LGAQ President for the past seven years.

“He also served on our ALGA board for four years, making a significant contribution to local government policy at the national level, and helping secure a better deal for our communities.

“Mayor Jamieson was also an instrumental leader in championing the bid for Queensland to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, and leaves a considerable local, state and national legacy.

“I wish Mayor Jamieson all the best for his future endeavours and thank him sincerely for his contributions to local government and the communities we serve.”

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne.

Behave, council The Victorian Government is set to introduce legislation to improve the performance and accountability of councillors across the state.

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne announced that legislation, to be introduced early next year, would “elevate governance and integrity standards in the state’s 79 councils, encouraging quality candidates to put themselves forward at local government elections to be held statewide in October 2024”.

Local government leaders and members of the community have called for action after confidence in local government in some areas has suffered due to poor councillor behaviour and ineffective performance.

The Local Government Culture Project has been a key driver in the reform process, drawing more than 140 submissions from residents, mayors, councillors, council staff and peak bodies.

Reforms will introduce mandatory training for elected representatives, a uniform councillor code of conduct and strengthened powers for the Minister to address councillor conduct.

The Local Government Act 2020 mandates induction training for new councillors and the changes will take this focus on education and training further with a requirement for ongoing training for councillors.

Good governance is critical to ensure councils make sound decisions and deliver the services their communities need. Expanded powers to address councillor misconduct will discourage poor behaviour.

Reforms will give the Minister the ability to suspend or disqualify individual councillors found to have created a risk to health and safety or prevented the council from performing its function. The Chief Municipal Inspector will also have enhanced powers, including the ability to issue infringement notices.

A model code of conduct for councillors with tougher sanctions for misconduct will provide a uniform set of standards and reduce the regulatory burden on councils which will no longer need to establish their own codes.

The Government will consult with the sector in coming months about the legislation and throughout next year on developing regulations for the councillor model code of conduct and mandatory training. Legislation is planned to be introduced in the first quarter of 2024.

The amendments to the Local Government Act 2020 will address recommendations made by integrity bodies such as the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the Chief Municipal Inspector.

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MAYORAL PROFILES

Home to more than 13,000 people As Mayor of the Moree Plains Shire, I would like to welcome you to our unique and diverse region at the heart of the most productive agricultural region in Australia.

By Cr Mark Johnson Mayor, Moree Plains Shire Council

Lord Mayor and Councilliors.

Nine years as mayor Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has become one of Newcastle’s longest serving Lord Mayors, officially reaching nine years in the role recently.

Cr Nelmes was elected Lord Mayor on 15 November 2014, having previously served six years as a Ward Three councillor, and is now the fourth longest-serving Lord Mayor, surpassing the tenure of former Lord Mayors John McNaughton, Joy Cummings and Greg Heys.

Frank Purdue (10 years), Douglas McDougall (10 years) and John Tate (13 years) are the only people to have served longer in the role of Lord Mayor, with Purdue and McDougall serving non-consecutive terms, and elected by other Councillors, rather than the community.

Cr Nelmes noted the significant transformation in Newcastle during her term as Lord Mayor.

“I want to thank the people of Newcastle, who have repeatedly supported our Council to show leadership and take tough decisions to deliver the change our city has needed,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Residents want to see progressive reforms and we are seeing the positive results across the city.“ Cr Nelmes thanked her colleagues who have strongly supported her in the role.

“Leading the organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic was perhaps the most challenging period of my time in office, but City of Newcastle delivered a stimulus program that helped protect local jobs and supported the region through that difficult time,“ Cr Nelmes said.

“This record of delivery has only been possible because of tough decisions that have made the City of Newcastle financially sustainable with successive budget surpluses.

“We will continue to focus on attracting more investment to our city to support jobs and deliver the services our residents deserve.“ Key achievements of City of Newcastle during the past nine years include: INFRASTRUCTURE More than doubling capital spending to reduce the infrastructure backlog, and upgrading amenity and liveability across the city.

Delivering city-shaping projects including the iconic Bathers Way coastal walk, Wallsend flood mitigation works and rejuvenation of Hunter Street Mall.

Funding Local Centre upgrades in Carrington, Beresfield, Shortland, Kotara, Merewether, Stockton and New Lambton, with more to come.

Addressing Stockton erosion with the state’s first certified Coastal Management Program (CMP), which has led to amenity sand nourishment through offshore dredge rainbowing.

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We acknowledge that the land on which we live and work is the traditional territory of the Gamilaroi (or Gomeroi) people and their historic connections to these lands continue to this day.

Moree Plains is located at the crossroads of the nation’s Newell, Gwydir and Carnarvon Highways with regional routes via rail, road and air. More than 13,260 residents call Moree Plains home - it is somewhere we are proud to call our home. It is a place we want to live, work, grow, invest and play.

Our region’s rich, black alluvial soil has helped us to become the most productive agricultural Shire in Australia and we are well positioned to benefit from the growing global demand for agricultural produce.

Our Shire is capable of producing approx. $1 billion worth of agricultural commodities under median rainfall conditions, making the Moree Plains a hotspot for investors wanting to gain a foothold in food and fibre production including prime grain, pulse, oilseed, nut, olive, orange and cotton crops, and livestock.

As our region enters an exciting new phase of economic growth, major investment opportunities are available for businesses looking to capitalise on our strategic potential for food processing, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, renewable en-

ergy production and tourism.

The NSW Government announced the establishment of Special Activation Precincts in line with its 20-year Economic Plan.

Moree was one of the first precincts declared, due to our location and growth opportunities.

Our precinct will unlock millions of dollars of funding to attract investment and support the development of key infrastructure to streamline freight movements.

The Moree Special Activation Precinct is a game changer for the local and regional economy, fuelling future employment and business investment.

As our region enters an exciting new phase of economic growth, major investment prospects are available for businesses looking to capitalise on our strategic potential for food processing, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, renewable energy production and tourism. We also have significant career opportunities across many disciplines, including health, education, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, construction, and professional and administrative services.

One thing is for certain, the opportunities ahead of us will transform and diversify our local economy, attract investment and offer long-term stability for families, as well as career pathways for our youth for generations to come.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

Building dozens of new playgrounds, including regional-scale playgrounds at Stockton, Blackbutt Reserve and Wallsend.

Delivering a once-in-100-year renewal of Newcastle Ocean Baths.

Opening new or upgraded fenced off-leash dog parks in North Lambton, Islington and Maryland.

ENVIRONMENT Becoming the first council in NSW to use 100 per cent renewables, including a 5MW publicly-owned solar farm.

Significantly expanding City of Newcastle’s street tree planting program and implemented a verge garden program.

Becoming the only council in the region to have a soft plastic recyclable program.

Protecting Blackbutt Reserve from proposed subdivision and sale.

Rolling out public electric vehicle (EV) chargers and expanded cycleway networks.

Advocating for off-shore wind, the diversification of the Port of Newcastle and the creation of new clean energy jobs and industry.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY Attracting new national and international events to the city.

Starting construction on the long-discussed Newcastle Art Gallery expansion.

Launching City of Newcastle’s very own New Annual cultural festival to support local artists.

Expanding public art and large-scale street murals throughout the city.

Supporting live music reforms to protect local performers, while implementing a live music grant scheme to support local artists.

Upgrading local sporting facilities and investment in community sport.

Cr Mark Johnson, Mayor, Moree Plains Shire Council.

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December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 5

NEWS

Cutbacks had to happen Councils are screaming blue murder about the Albanese government’s decision to cancel funding for 50 infrastructure projects as a result of an independent review.

THE GOOD OIL ROD BROWN

But the review’s findings make sense once the problem is fully appreciated – which is that the infrastructure pipeline is seriously clogged.

Why is this?

Demand side On the demand side, a succession of federal and state governments have played politics with infrastructure projects. They’ve happily referred hundreds and hundreds of projects onto Infrastructure Australia without much due diligence. Governments have been happy to glad-hand project proponents. As a result, Infrastructure Australia basically became a post office box where projects simply sat there, with little chance of progress.

The problem has been exacerbated by politicians getting involved in vanity projects viz. car parks for urban rail stations, football stadiums. The Inland Rail and Snowy 2.0 projects are close to being in this category.

Supply side Construction costs have ballooned due to supply chain issues with materials, together with the bidding up of wages in a tight labour market. In my former life I was Assistant Secretary Building and Construction, and later for Regional Infrastructure with the feds – so I’ve been quietly tracking this issue for some time. My current estimation is that construction costs are 25-30 per cent higher than the long-term trend.

Another problem on the supply side are budgetary constraints, at both the federal and state level. And lastly there is tendency for project proponents, and state/local governments, to see the feds as the funder of last resort.

All of the above factors explain why the feds had to take the heat out of the infrastructure market, and to knock some heads together.

Which brings me to the cancelled project grabbing the headlines in Sydney, namely the Western Sydney interchange connecting the M7 to Sydney’s second airport. I’m not privy to the exact reasons for the decision, but it clearly highlights the need for some head knocking. The bottom line is that Sydney’s transport system is on life support, and decent access to and from the new airport is critical to addressing the issue.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced which infrastructure projects would be cut following a review.

Picture: MICK TSIKAS/AAP Other recommendations The independent review made three other recommendations of particular relevance to local councils.

First, it has recommended that states and territories, in consultation with local governments, provide the Commonwealth with an annual infrastructure plan. This will include priority projects that have, or are seeking, a federal funding contribution over the next ten years and how they will be sequenced.

This annual infrastructure plan will include how the jurisdiction will manage cost pressures e.g. population growth, carbon emissions, regional development, housing. I strongly suggest that councils take this seriously, because if they don’t then projects will not be considered for funding. Indeed if you think about it, councils are best-placed to provide the specific arguments and data to underpin funding submissions.

Secondly, the independent review recommended a 50-50 split between the feds and state/local government. This is surely designed to stop the feds’ funder of last resort problem, and to inject some collaborative spirit into the process. Significantly, the feds will retain the flexibility to apply a different split for remote area projects.

The third recommendation was for a lift in funding for the Roads to Recovery program, with the majority to go to non-urban councils.

Eminent sense.

Pokies Reform The Pokies Reform agenda has lost its oomph.

And I figure that local councils have a role in getting it back on track.

To explain, a year ago, Rev. Tim Costello (ex-Mayor of St. Kilda) and Andrew Wilkie (federal independent) were hitting the airwaves on this, but now things have gone quiet apart from the cashless pokies trial in NSW. This is understandable given that licensed clubs and the Australian Hotels Association are formidable lobbyists with strong PR teams, and they haven’t been sitting on their hands.

Meanwhile the social costs keep adding up.

Billions of dollars are being sucked out of local communities, and untold damage is being wrought on gambling addicts and their families. A case in point is in South Australia where a significant proportion of female jail inmates are reportedly there because of thefts to finance their pokies addiction.

The latest spark has come from Frank Carbone, Mayor of Fairfield City Council (western Sydney, heart of pokies land), who is proposing that clubs making more than $20 million profit

would be levied with a 10 per cent tax on their gaming revenue, with the proceeds being spent on reviving the night-time economy within the same LGA, along with sporting infrastructure.

Now Frank’s suggestion is a sensible one, and it serves as a platform for further development.

For example, Canberra has numerous community and sports clubs with pokies, and their profits are basically returned to the local community. Each club has criteria to determine where the profits are to be allocated – to social welfare groups, church groups, choral societies, sports and health facilities etc. The ACT government has no role.

The unappreciated point here is that the clubs’ disbursements take pressure off the ACT Government’s budget expenditure to manage the damage caused by the gambling epidemic.

So in the case of western Sydney, the profits wouldn’t go to the NSW Government’s consolidated revenue, but straight back to the western Sydney community. The same logic can apply to country towns. Many LGAs in the bush are doing it tough, so why shouldn’t their clubs be able to reinvest any profits to their local communities?

Meanwhile there is the issue that federal and state governments don’t want to talk about – private ownership of poker machines. Why should hotels and Woolworths and Coles be allowed to profit from pokies? This is a disgraceful situation and the boofhead politicians that allowed this to happen should be ashamed. There are no economic or social arguments to support this.

I’d like to hear from local councils with an interest in collaborating to push the pokies issue further. And let’s learn from the Western Australia experience where there are no pokies, except at Burwood Casino.

The Albanese Government came into power with promises to reform things. Well let’s test this. Andrew Wilkie, the Teals and progressive councils could be effective in breaking the sad impact of pokies on our communities.

Chalmers looking good Treasurer Jim Chalmers is Albanese’s logical successor as Labor leader when the time comes. He has a great grasp of eco-political reality, a pleasant manner and is media savvy.

Tania Plibersek and Tony Burke are cut from the same cloth.

In terms of the Liberals, sections of the Victorian Branch were laying the groundwork for a Josh Frydenberg comeback. He has a similar skillset to Chalmers, and would have been a strong contender for Liberal leader when the Dutton experiment loses momentum. But he’s recently been appointed chairman of Goldman Sachs’ local arm which probably closes off that option.

Rod Brown is a Canberra-based lobbyist specialising in industry/regional development.

Email apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au

Rate-pegging method overhaul welcomed The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has welcomed the announcement by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of long overdue reforms to its council rate-pegging methodology, the method by which council rates are capped.

“The proposed new rate peg methodology is both simpler and more realistic than the old method and will hopefully result in council rates that more accurately reflect the changing costs to councils of providing services to their communities,” said WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert.

WSROC, the peak body representing councils in the Greater Western Sydney region, has for the better part of half a decade been urging the State Government to review not only its rate-pegging methodology but to look more broadly at the financial resilience of Councils.

“We are particularly heartened by IPART’s statement that it would be timely for the NSW Government to initiate an independent investigation into the financial model for councils 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

in NSW, including the broader issues highlighted in the Tribunal’s report on the rate peg methodology.

“To address long-term financial pressures and to deliver on community priorities, we especially need such an independent investigation to closely examine how Councils can achieve financial sustainability where community expectations are rising and the cost of providing services is increasing at a greater rate than revenue.

“In October 2019, the NSW Government’s independent, expert panel released a discussion paper, NSW Review of Federal Financial Relations, examining how the NSW and Commonwealth Governments can work to build a stronger economy, encourage state-led reform, and ultimately, deliver better value for

taxpayers.”

WSROC has been urging the State Government for a similar review that should examine how all three levels of government can work together to build a stronger economy, encourage reform across all three levels of government, and ultimately, deliver better value for taxpayers and ratepayers.

“Particular focus should be given to finding a fairer, more efficient, and more reliable system of Commonwealth and State funding for local government,” said Councillor Calvert.

“We consider such an independent review could provide greater transparency of councils’ financial sustainability.

“A critical shortcoming of the NSW government’s 2019 discussion paper was its lack

of focus on the part played by local government in delivering the services that communities need, and how councils’ financial relations with the state and federal governments impact the delivery of both infrastructure and services.

“In WSROC’s view, any review of the public sector’s capacity to deliver better outcomes for taxpayers and ratepayers must include local government; the primary delivery vehicle of many state and federal programs.

“Ad hoc, sometimes politically expedient, grants programs must be replaced by longerterm programs that are fair and equitable, and that ultimately deliver better community outcomes because Councils can plan better.”

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December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 7

NEWS

Billion a year call Research by the Grattan Institute suggests local roads are in a state of dangerous disrepair and recommends an extra $1 billion is needed each year to ensure councils can adequately maintain them.

The report - Potholes and pitfalls: how to fix local roads - recommends the Federal Government increases untied funding to councils through Financial Assistance Grants by $600 million per year, and Roads to Recovery funding by $400 million per year. More than 75 per cent of Australia’s roads are managed by councils and for many regional and remote councils there is little in the way of options to keep their roads in good condition. Current federal funding to councils is not keeping up with increases in road construction and maintenance costs.

An extra $1 billion in funding would provide an additional 25 per cent of top of what councils are spending on road maintenance.

The call for funding is being echoed by the Local Government Association SA and Australian Local Government Association, requesting Financial Assistance Grants be restored to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue and Roads to Recovery funding increased to $800 million per year. Local Government Association SA President Mayor Dean Johnson said the additional annual funding would benefit South Australian roads and communities, ensuring the money goes to where it is needed most.

“Councils play a huge role in the liveability of our communities, but they cannot maintain roads to the condition needed when the cost to do so is being outstripped by road freight and traffic,” Mayor Johnson said.

“Road maintenance is the single largest expenditure councils have, and for regional and rural councils they often do not have the revenue needed to keep up with the problem – par-

Speaking about the report, Grattan Institute Transport and Cities Program Director Marion Terrill said the Federal Government needed to help under-resourced councils better manage road networks and invest where it matters most. ticularly when faced with damage from natural disasters.”

Speaking about the report, Grattan Institute Transport and Cities Program Director Marion Terrill said the Federal Government needed to

help under-resourced councils better manage road networks and invest where it matters most.

“Taxpayers would get better bang for their buck if the Federal Government spent an extra $1 billion on improving our local roads rather than on building new mega projects in the major cities,” Marion Terrill said.

“What’s needed to put the road network on a better path is more funding better targeted at where it is needed most, and reforms to ensure that councils have the tools and time to fix the potholes and give their communities the roads they need.”

The report highlights that many regional, rural and remote councils face additional challenges in maintaining their local roads, based on their large geographic size and relatively small ratepayer base. Yorke Peninsula has the most kilometres of road across South Australia, followed closely by Mid Murray and Wakefield councils.

Yorke Peninsula Council Mayor Darren Braund said the call for increased federal funding was essential to the safety and productivity of local roads.

“Our road networks are lifelines to our communities and to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors, Federal support is needed,” Mayor Braund said.

The Grattan Institute has also recommended the Federal Government establish a new $200 million per year fund to assess and upgrade local roads identified as priority freight routes.

The Federal Government is currently undertaking a review of Australia’s Infrastructure Investment Pipeline, which also includes local government road funding programs.

Levy changes met with caution Councils in NSW have cautiously welcomed the State Government’s decision to review the way the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) is collected and have called for the levy to be removed from the council rating system.

President of Local Government NSW Cr Darriea Turley AM said a review of the levy collection methodology was long overdue.

“Councils have been shouldering the burden of the increased cost of emergency services for too long,” Cr Turley said.

“This has made it incredibly difficult for councils to budget and provide the services ratepayers expect.”

Presently the State’s 128 councils collect 11.7 per cent of the finances which fund emergency services - Fire and Rescue, the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.

The money is collected through council rates.

“Collecting the levy via council rates has to stop,” Cr Turley said. She said while she appreciated the sentiment of the Premier’s Bradfield Oration, no mention was made of decou-

pling the levy from rates, which costs councils money to collect and are of course not able to be levied on all types of land – including vast landholdings that generate income for the State Government through state owned corporations like Forests NSW. “I hope this was just an oversight and not an indication that council rates will continue to be cannibalised by the levy,” she said.

Inequities for rural childcare The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has endorsed a new report, which has highlighted the vast inequities regional families face in accessing early childhood education and care.

Independent not-for-profit advocacy organisation, The Parenthood’s Choiceless report includes more than 150 stories from regional families about the challenges they continue to face in accessing education and care for their young children.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the report painted a bleak picture about the state of the early childhood education and care sector in regional Australia.

“Early childhood education and care is vitally important in shaping the lives and futures of young children. There are 9.6 million people who call regional Australia home and RAI research has shown a further 3.5 million are considering joining them. All Australians must have access to early childhood education care, regardless of their postcode” Ms Ritchie said.

The RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition– a 10year, 20-target framework to help decisionmakers prepare our nation for more people living in the regions – lists improving access to early childhood education and care as a key target.

The Ambition aims to halve the popula8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

tion classified as living in a regional ‘childcare desert’ to below two million by 2032, but Ms Ritchie said there was still some way to go before the goal was realised.

“In 2022, 3.7 million Australians lived in a childcare desert in regional Australia. While the number of childcare services overall increased by 5.2 per cent between 2021 and 2022, not all service types have increased with family day care services decreasing by 6.7 per cent,” Ms Ritchie said.

“This issue needs urgent collaborative action from government, business, the not-forprofit sector, and communities. Without such action, our regional kids will continue to miss out on the rich rewards of early childhood education and care.”

Research by the RAI into childcare in the Maranoa and Western Downs region in Queensland found a lack of childcare impacted some parents’ ability to go back to work, work more hours, and to achieve financial stability.

For some, the lack of childcare had also impacted their health and wellbeing. Whilst this research was focused on one specific area, the findings resonate across regional Australia.

Ms Ritchie acknowledged The Parenthood’s focus on recommending place-based solutions for communities likely to be affected by market failure and the need for an early childhood sector workforce strategy to address chronic staff shortages.

“The structure of many regional communities is vastly different in comparison to large centres and metropolitan cities. Some areas will need tangible support to address their supply gaps,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Working parents make an extremely valuable contribution to the economies of our regional communities. If we are able to better support them, by ensuring their children can access early childhood education and care, we not only help the next generation to thrive, we also help a regional area thrive too.”

The RAI will release a new research report, Against the Odds: Realising Regional Australia’s Potential Workforce, on Thursday at its Regions Rising NSW event in Orange NSW, which focuses on providing solutions to help fill the 91,000 roles currently vacant in regions, including recommendations to strengthen local workforces and boost regional economies.

New fund Indigenous businesses across Australia that face barriers to finance and services from mainstream banks are set to benefit from a new fund being set up by First Australians Capital (FAC), a national Indigenous-led fund manager dedicated to helping Indigenous entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.

Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) (formerly Square, Inc.), a global technology company best known in Australia for its Square and Afterpay businesses, is investing AUD$3 million in capital to the fund with its first social impact investment in Australia.

Block Head Jack Dorsey was in Melbourne to meet with the FAC team and finalise the commitment.

“I’m thrilled that we can make our first Australian social impact investment with First Australians Capital, an organisation dedicated to helping Indigenous-led businesses find better solutions to thrive,” said Jack. “We know first-hand that many people are left out of the economy by mainstream services, that’s why our business exists, so it’s great to find a partner equally aligned with financial inclusion.”

Block and its businesses, including Square, Cash App, TIDAL, and TBD, have a shared purpose of expanding economic access for everyone. Today’s investment comes from its USD$100 million social impact investment fund, which was established in 2020 to support minority and underserved communities, allocating USD$10 million for social impact investments in markets outside the U.S. “The Indigenous business sector can be a powerful economic contributor to community and intergenerational wealth creation for First Australians,” said Brian Wyborn, Managing Partner at FAC. “We are delighted to have Block onboard as an investment partner for our new fund that will help us expand critical scale-up support services to even more Indigenous-led businesses across Australia.”

First Australians Capital was founded in 2016 to enable Indigenous-led businesses to access capital solutions that can help them grow and scale. FAC lends between AUD$100,000 and AUD$2,000,000 to Indigenous-owned and -led businesses, which have historically had to rely on unsuitable financial products from traditional banks. Dr. Clinton Schultz, founder of popular non-alcohol beverage brand Sobah, knows first-hand the success that can be achieved with the right support.

“The capital and services we have been able to access through our partnership with FAC have been a game-changer for our business, with our products now sold at hundreds of retailers across the country and expansion into South East Asia, the US and the UK. Accessing capital remains a huge challenge for Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to grow, so this investment is a huge vote of confidence for our business sector, and our broader community, at a time when we need it most.”

About First Australians Capital First Australians Capital (FAC) is a national Indigenous-led fund manager and business advisory organisation that connects investment markets with the Indigenous economy, offering accessible, patient debt finance to support Indigenous businesses and address racial inequity in Australia’s finance sector. FAC focuses on diverse, impact-driven investments into Indigenous-led businesses that create long-term social and environmental impact for Indigenous businesses and communities. Since 2016, FAC has worked with over 800 Indigenous businesses, and leveraged more than $70mil in capital to scale sustainable Indigenous businesses.

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December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 9

TURF TALK

PARKS AND GARDENS

Raising money, A Sunshine Coast picnic and playground favourite has been recognised with an international having fun award that will see its popularity soar to new heights.

Top award for park

On Tuesday, 28 November, International Greenkeepers held the first Two Ball One Stick Challenge at Cammeray Golf Club in Sydney to raise awareness for men’s health while also raising money to donate to Movember.

By Daryl Davidson This was a very unique day as each player was only allowed to bring one club to play the entire 18 holes in a two-ball Ambrose event.

After a few tough years mentally and physically for everyone in the turf industry, it was great to get together and have a laugh.

Huge thanks to all the sponsors of the day who made it possible for everyone to play for free and enjoy a great lunch with a couple of beverages.

The raffle raised $1000 which was donated to Movember. We also had a lucky door prize where one player was given blue balls instead of white golf balls, the winner won an awesome Go Karting experience.

Special mention to James Thomas who got a hole in one on the 6th hole and also won the day with his partner Stephen Foster shooting 51 off the stick. Sarah Mayes and Gregory Donachie took out the Bradman Award shooting 72.

We are looking forward to running the event next year, if you would like get involved please do not hesitate to contact International Greenkeepers at internationalgreenkeepersfh@gmail. com

Buderim Village Park, at the intersection of King Street and Gloucester Road, is a panoramic paradise with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Glass House Mountains.

The three-hectare public park features lush open spaces, a multitude of shaded playground offerings, an amphitheatre, pathways, barbecues and modern amenities.

While it is well known locally, now it has gained global recognition after being awarded The Green Flag Award.

It’s one of only a handful of Queensland parks to have received this prestigious accolade, joining the likes of South Bank and Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland in the heart of the Western Downs and fellow Sunshine Coast attraction, Kings Beach Park.

The Green Flag Award® scheme, which originated in England in 1996, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces that set the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces

around the world.

Today the Green Flag Award proudly flies above more than 2,400 places in 17 countries around the world.

Buderim Village Park’s win followed an extensive judging process.

Sunshine Coast Council Division Seven Councillor Ted Hungerford said the award brought with it a wealth of benefits for our region.

“I’m so pleased to see this glorious park recognised on the world stage and I’m sure the elevated status will lead to higher visitation which is good news for local businesses,” Cr Hungerford said.

“Receiving this esteemed award highlights the amazing work undertaken by our dedicated teams across Council.

“Our staff do a great job in maintaining not only this attraction, but our 1180 recreation parks and open spaces, 374 playgrounds and 196 public amenities.

“Buderim Village Park was accredited for

not just its natural beauty but for its manicured parkland and gardens, barbecue and picnic facilities, and kick-and-throw areas for community recreation.’’

Cr Hungerford said that the circuit pathways with seating nodes and lookouts provided visitors and locals with opportunities to walk and sit, and to enjoy impressive views of the ocean, coastal plains and mountains.

“For the children, the play opportunities include a rainforest-themed playground and surrounding landscaped areas give children a place to explore and play in.”

The covered stage and ‘Village Green’ host major community events and concerts throughout the year, including Buderim’s ANZAC Day Memorial Service, Carols by Candlelight, and Australia Day celebrations.

This latest Green Flag Award is also a win for Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS), which provides longterm direction to guide growth and shape a sustainable future for our region.

Late, local hero honoured Undercliff Reserve in Freshwater has been renamed Irene Crump Reserve to honour the late trailblazing local woman.

Located at the southern end of Freshwater Beach, the reserve includes part of the popular walkway and stairs that form an important pedestrian connection between Freshwater and Queenscliff Beaches.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said Irene Crump was a pioneer of her time having a long association with the area as a prominent environmental advocate and leader for over four decades and as a long-standing Director of Harbord Community Kindergarten.

“Legend has it that in 1970 Irene stopped at nothing to save this precious bit of land from developers by climbing what is understood to have been a large Coral tree and refusing to come down even when contractors were cutting the branches of the tree while she was clinging to it,” Mayor Heins said.

“Mrs Crump wanted to retain public ownership and access to the foreshore reserve by saving it from private development to ensure it could be enjoyed by the community for generations to come. She spent months fighting the proposed development in court until eventually the development was scaled back, and part of the land was retained for community use.

“Irene Crump’s efforts are remarkable and so it is fitting her story lives on, and this space is enjoyed as she intended.”

The name change proposal was made on

Irene Crump’s daughters Bronwyn, Jannice and Christine at Irene Crump Reserve Freshwater Picture: NORTHERN BEACHES COUNCIL behalf of the Friends of Freshwater and supported by Mrs Crump’s family.

The decision to rename reserves sits with the Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB); however, a change can be initiated

by Council providing a resolution of Council is sought along with evidence that input has been sought from the community.

The name change has been supported by the GNB.

The winning feeling.

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Penrith will have even more high-quality sports facilities on offer when the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct opens in Claremont Meadows next year.

The 32-hectare precinct will feature sports fields of various sizes to suit multiple sports, two netball courts, and cricket nets, which will all be floodlit to ensure they can be utilised to their maximum capacity.

Two multi-sport courts are also being constructed within the youth precinct which will be available for residents and visitors to enjoy informal games and recreation.

Earthworks, the installation of floodlighting and irrigation on the sports fields, and construction of two synthetic cricket pitches are complete. The southern fields have also been turfed as work continues across the precinct.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the precinct will be one of Penrith’s largest and best sport and recreation destinations.

“Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will become a prime location for local, regional and statewide sports competitions, training, and events once it opens next year,” Cr Carney said. “Sports clubs and their members will have access to high-quality sport facilities and supporting infrastructure such as the main amenities building which will feature eight change rooms, a large-scale canteen, areas for officials, and much more.”

“There will also be plenty of recreation opportunities for everyone in the community including children, teenagers and families, dog owners, and nature lovers.”

Once complete, the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will also feature a youth precinct with pump track and skate park, children’s play areas including water play, a floodlit dog park,

walking trails, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic areas, and car parking.

This $44.21 million project is proudly funded

by Penrith City Council and the NSW Government who are contributing $5 million through the Office of Sport’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund, $1 million through the Office of Sport’s Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund, and $500,000 through the Department of Planning’s Open Spaces Program.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the NSW Government is committed to delivering grassroots and professional sporting infrastructure in communities that desperately need facilities.

The Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will open in mid 2024.

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FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT

Waste to energy solutions Household food scraps may soon become a valuable commodity in the rush to reduce emissions, giving local governments a vital role to play in the clean energy economy.

Local governments are being enticed to follow the lead of progressive UK councils by developing waste-to-energy solutions for households and businesses, converting organic waste to renewable gas such as biomethane.

Jemena’s Shaun Reardon, executive general manager of Jemena Networks said local governments are uniquely placed to capitalise on an emerging renewable gas sector, allowing ratepayers to contribute to the reduction of emissions in one of the most cost-effective ways.

“This is the circular economy in motion; turning trash into a renewable energy source and when injected into Australia’s extensive gas networks it is stored and available on demand,’’ Mr Reardon said.

“This is not a pipe dream, but a reality that is here and now.’’

Biomethane is already being injected into the NSW gas network from the ground-breaking Malabar Biomethane Demonstration Project in south-east Sydney, which is on track to produce around 200 terajoules of renewable gas within four years. That is enough biomethane - converted from wastewater - to cover the average gas usage of approximately 13,300 homes if put to use in the residential network.

The link between household waste and renewable gas is already the lived experience in the UK where upwards of 100 biomethane projects inject biomethane directly into the gas network, with the majority of the feedstock coming from agricultural crop residues (34 per cent) and organic waste collected from households and businesses (31 per cent), according to a 2022 report by Sia Partners. The same is happening in nearby Denmark, with biomethane now making up over 25 per cent of net-

The Malabar dome.

Turning food scraps into fuel. work gas. Energinet of Denmark estimate they will be at 100 per cent biomethane by 2034. A remarkable achievement for a country that was fully reliant on Russian gas just a few years ago.

The prime mechanism for collecting organic waste across the UK is the recently enacted UK Food Waste legislation, which requires busi-

Supporting a secure, stable and sustainable energy system for the future

nesses to segregate food waste from general waste, to be either recycled or used to generate renewable gas.

Even Australia’s Kiwi neighbours are jumping on the opportunity with many councils in New Zealand, including Auckland City Council, diverting household food waste to NZ’s Ecogas

biomethane facility in Reporoa.

The enormous biomethane opportunity could be realised in Queensland, with the Logan City Council launching a project in October, in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the University of Queensland, to investigate the feasibility of converting food and green organic waste into biomethane.

“On the journey to a low-emissions future, Australia cannot afford to put all its eggs in the one basket. We need all options on the table,’’ Mr Reardon said.

“These renewable gas projects, and the many more to come, will ensure Australia has the chance to reduce emissions by using current gas infrastructure, maintaining energy choice for our businesses and homes.’’

Find out more about renewable gas projects and opportunities in NSW: gorenewablegas.com.au

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December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 11

FOCUS ON BUSINESS EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Waste challenges The City of Gold Coast will partner with JJ’s Waste and Recycling to deal with the challenges of waste management on the Gold Coast, including rapidly growing population and higher density living.

At a potential value of $1.336 billion, the contract is among the largest single contract awarded by the City in the past decade. The contract will operation for the next 10 years with an option to extend for a further decade.

“The Gold Coast is expected to grow to a population of more than 870,000 by 2036 with a trend towards higher density living,” Mayor Tom Tate said.

“This coupled with high visitor numbers means the City was looking for a holistic approach to waste management as well as value for money.

“We are confident JJ’s Waste and Recycling fits these criteria and will be able to meet the challenges facing waste management including the growing population, higher density living, getting the best safety and environmental outcomes and value for money.

“JJ’s Waste & Recycling also have close ties to the Gold Coast employing more than 220 staff at depots in Molendinar and Stapylton and its national engineering facility and research and development department in Yatala.”

It is expected that in the coming years the City will contend with an increased regulatory environment and higher community expectations in relation to amenity, environment outcomes and value for money.

The scope of the work includes kerbside collection for residual waste, recyclables including bulk cardboard and green organic waste, public place bins, deceased animals, and bulk bins for commercial customers.

In front of new delivery of JJ Richards trucks for green organics bin collections on the Gold Coast, Josh Evans, Executive Coordinator Waste Management, City of Gold Coast, Kathy Baker, Acting Director Water and Waste, City of Gold Coast, John Richards – JJ Richards Director, Tim Baker – CEO City of Gold Coast, Tom Richards, JJ Richards General Manager - SA, WA and South-West QLD, Chris Owen, Manager Service Delivery, City of Gold Coast.

The City is currently working with the JJ’s Waste & Recycling team to include educational messages on collection trucks which will work across the Gold Coast.

General Manager for JJ’s Waste & Recycling, Tom Richards said: “We are excited to continue our long-term partnering relationship with the City. Residents and businesses can expect a seamless transition and continuity of the service when the new contract begins on 1 July 2024.

“We value the local knowledge and experience our team and collection drivers bring to the new contract and are excited to introduce a fleet of new state-of-the-art vehicles, incorporating the latest technology and safety features.

“To accommodate rapid growth and a changing operating environment of the City, we will continuously challenge the way waste collection services are performed to ensure they are efficient, reliable, safe and sustainable.”

Art and culture to the fore Flinders Shire Council is excited to announce it has again collaborated with the Queensland Government to provide a significant arts and culture funding boost from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).

In 2023-24, the RADF will see the Palaszczuk Government’s $34,808 contribution boosted by Flinders Shire Council to reach a combined investment of $44,808.

This allocation will be specifically utilised to bolster key community-focused projects that emphasise the growth and development of the Flinders Shire region.

These include Community Grant Rounds, and Council-led projects to celebrate the second running of the Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies in May 2024.

Flinders Shire Mayor Jane McNamara said Council had has strategically designed these projects to benefit the local community.

“This funding will prioritise the strengthening of community action, promotion of regional growth, support for artistic and cultural initiatives, improvement of mental health outcomes, and investment in skills development within the Flinders Shire community,” she said.

“The funding boost from RADF is a significant step towards nurturing our local arts and culture.

“It reflects our commitment to strength-

Art in the Bush Cameron Downs State School. ening community bonds and fostering a vibrant and creative environment within Flinders Shire.”

The Community Grant Rounds will enable community organisations and individuals to

apply for projects that contribute to the flourishing of the Flinders Shire.

These initiatives have been carefully crafted through engagement with community members and the Arts Advisory Group, aligning with the objectives outlined in the Arts and Cultural Plan.

Past successful projects have included professional development workshops focusing on various artistic genres such as metal art, painting, and photography.

The Council-led projects provide a unique opportunity for students to engage in a realworld artistic endeavour, fostering their skills, creativity, and teamwork ahead of next year’s Festival of Outback Skies.

By collaborating with established artists and peers from diverse backgrounds, participants will gain valuable insights into different creative techniques, cultural perspectives, and problem-solving strategies, enriching their learning journey.

“This project not only benefits its participants but also enhances the experience of festival attendees, promoting appreciation for artistic expression and diversity,” said Cr McNamara.

EV bid The City of Adelaide has endorsed a roadmap to accelerate the shift to Electric Vehicles (EV) in the city and North Adelaide.

Prepared by industry experts ARUP, the Roadmap provides immediate actions which can be delivered by Council within three years and identifies priority charging locations across the City of Adelaide.

The Roadmap was informed by engagement across local governments, State Government, industry, community representative groups as well as stakeholders. Included in the recommendations are three actions Council can begin implementing this financial year: Establishing a clear framework for the rollout of EV chargers at strategic locations.

Enable the market-led provision of onstreet EV chargers in select locations which minimise impacts on the public realm.

Work with private sector providers to trial on-street charging in residential areas.

Having already endorsed a Climate Action Plan 2022-2025, Council aims to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles by including the installation of 100 public electric vehicle and bicycle chargers by 2025; as well as setting a target of 75 percent of our light fleet vehicles to be EVs by 2025 and to be powered by Council’s 100 percent renewable electricity.

The popularity of electric powered vehicles is growing rapidly. In 2022, EV cars made up 6.5 per cent of all new car sales in South Australia, and in 2023 EV sales are already more than double all of 2022.

Last year, transport emissions accounted for more than a third of the community’s carbon footprint in the city while Council’s fleet cars accounted for around 8 per cent of their total corporate emissions.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said Council had a responsibility to the community to help facilitate the transition from traditional vehicles to EVs. “As a Council, we want to support our community to transition to a low carbon economy through education, incentives and appropriate community infrastructure,” the Lord Mayor said.

“If we can encourage 10,000 households to make the switch to EVs, it would reduce carbon emissions by approximately 22,000 tonnes annually, a reduction of 2.3 percent of the total community emissions.

“We aim to provide infrastructure which is functional but elegant without narrowing footpaths or creating unsightly clutter.”

The recommendations and locations of priority charging locations in the EV Transition Roadmap will inform budget proposals in the 2024/25 business plan and budget process.

· · ·

Council purchases fully electric mower Going green is no longer just a trend – and the ‘Green Machine’ is a great example of that at Glenelg Shire Council.

With awareness of sustainable practices increasing, councils are well positioned to lead their communities so that sustainability is firmly embedded into the Australian way of life.

While a lack of infrastructure and the cost associated with installing charging stations means the transition to environmentally friendly fleet and plant – a commitment made in the 2021-25 Council Plan – might still be 12 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

a little way off, Council has been proactive in starting the transition.

The Works Unit, Parks and Gardens have recently purchased their first zero emissions fully electric light plant in the form of a 74-inch (188cm) rear discharge zero turn mower nicknamed the ‘Green Machine’.

With this mower Council gets a high-performance, highly efficient solution that’s great

for the community, our bottom line, and the planet.

Many Australian councils have pledged to reach net zero emissions targets much sooner than the 2050 target the Australian Government announced at the 2021 COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said Council was on the first steps of its net

zero commitment.

“In the 2040 Community Plan and Vision, Council is committed to developing and expanding upon its environmental sustainability practices,” she said.

“This will take time but we are working with the community to reduce the local carbon footprint, and aiming to be a carbon neutral region.”

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December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 13

NEWS

New chief for Glenelg Greg Wood has been appointed Glenelg Shire Chief Executive Officer for a period of six months.

City of Melville Deputy Mayor Glynis Barber, Mayor Katy Mair and Chief Executive Officer Gail Bowman.

CEO makes history The City of Melville has welcomed Gail Bowman as Chief Executive Officer - the City’s first ever female CEO. Ms Bowman was appointed to the role of CEO from a competitive field of 59 applicants following an extensive and Australia-wide recruitment process, and steps into the job from her previous position at the City as Director Community Development.

With a lifelong career in local and state government and community services, Ms Bowman is a passionate advocate for community, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to working closely and positively with Council to get the best possible outcomes for the Melville community, customers, residents, ratepayers and business owners.

Together with Mayor Katy Mair, Deputy Mayor Glynis Barber and Council, Ms Bowman will focus strongly on community-informed, Council-led decision making and is starting her tenure as CEO by inviting residents to help shape a bright future for the City by taking part in the major review of the City’s Strategic Community Plan.- Our Future Melville.

The Strategic Community Plan is the City’s most significant guiding document as it establishes the community’s aspirations and Council’s vision for the City over a 10 year period.

With broad reaching and varied engagement opportunities, the community can choose their own adventure to get involved and share their thoughts on how the City is tracking on our existing aspirations and vision, and share their ideas for our future.

The Chief Executive Officer said she was

pleased to be working at the council.

“I’m excited to lead the City of Melville organisation and staff to work collaboratively with the community and Council to achieve the Council’s vision and priorities and the community’s aspirations,” said Ms Bowman.

“My focus will be on community-informed, Council-led decision making as I’m passionate about Council-led strategic planning and alignment, engaging with and understanding our community’s priorities while also delivering good governance.

“I also want to ensure high performance in the delivery of excellent customer and community-centric services and facilities that meet the needs of our diverse Melville community in a sustainable way.

“I will bring an empathetic and authentic leadership style to the role as CEO and strive to embody our values of excellence, participation, integrity and caring.”

Ms Bowman offers an extensive background in community, corporate strategy, risk and governance and has a strong vision to ensure that the organisation is aligned with the priorities of the Community and Council, and that the administration delivers these through services and projects that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible, with strong governance and transparency, and the customer at the heart of everything we do.

While Ms Bowman is the City of Melville’s first female CEO, the City has a strong history

of female leadership with current Mayor Mair also previously serving as Mayor between 1995 to 2007 and June Barton serving as Mayor between 1989 to 1995, and seven of the current 13 elected members currently on Council being female.

“I’m pleased to welcome Ms Bowman on her first day as Chief Executive Officer at the City of Melville, which marks an exciting new beginning and opportunity to reset, with our new look Council,” Mayor Mair said.

“While we have had female Mayors, and currently have a majority of women serving on Council, Ms Bowman is our first ever female CEO and that makes today a historic day.

“I look forward to working with Gail and her team to help deliver the services and facilities that are important and needed by our community.

“We hold great stewardship for our residents, ratepayers and local businesses and with Gail as CEO, I am confident that together we can achieve the City’s vision to achieve an inclusive, vibrant and sustainable future, through listening and understanding our community’s priorities.

“Gail and I take this opportunity to invite our community to help us shape tomorrow, today through Our Future Melville project.”

Ms Bowman’s appointment was unanimously endorsed at a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, 20 August 2023.

‘Great honour’: Mayor resigns Cairns Mayor Bob Manning has resigned his post.

“This is a decision Claire and I have made together based on medical advice, and it is for that reason alone,” he said in a statement issued on 17 November.

“It is a great honour to have served almost twelve years as Mayor of the city of my birth.

Similarly for Claire, who has served this city

as Mayoress, and this is something she has done caringly and thoughtfully.

“It was never in our make up to seek recognition or reward, but I especially want to thank the people of Cairns who made us feel so welcome.

“Our beautiful city has changed greatly and for the better, and I thank all of those who have played a part in this – Councillors, management and staff.

“We can have much confidence in the future and what it will bring for the people of our beautiful city.”

James steps up at Cairns council Councillor Terry James is the new Mayor of Cairns.

At an Ordinary Council Meeting, a majority of Councillors voted to elect Cr James as the city’s 35th Mayor.

Mayor James, who has served as Deputy Mayor for the past 11 years, said he would ensure Council continues to deliver for the community in the coming months.

“It is an honour to serve the community as Mayor of Cairns,” Cr James said.

“I am grateful for this honour and look forward to working with all Councillors in serving for community and delivering for our city and region.”

14 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

Born in Cairns, Cr James has served as a Councillor for more than 20 years; firstly with Cairns City Council (1994 to 1995), then on Cairns Regional Council from 1999 to 2008, and from 2012.

In that time, he has served as Acting and Deputy Mayor, is the chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, and a representative on the District Disaster Management Group and Cairns Gallery Precinct Project Steering Committee.

Mayor James will be in the position until the local government elections in March 2024.

Following the appointment of Cr James as Mayor, nominations for the vacant Division 4 Councillor position opened.

Council is following the requirements under the Local Government Act 2009 (LGA) to fill the vacant Councillor position for the remainder of the term.

As Cr James was the Deputy Mayor prior to his appointment as Mayor, a Special Council Meeting was scheduled to be held 29 November 2023 to appoint a Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Cr Karen Stephens said: “Mr Wood comes to Glenelg with extensive experience in local government, across more than 20 year and three councils – city, metropolitan and rural. From the City of Casey and the City of Port Phillip through to the last 7 years as CEO at the Hindmarsh Shire.”

Mr Wood is committed to strong compliance and doing the ‘right’ thing and leading by reinforcing to council and senior management the importance of longterm sustainability, community engagement and good governance.

Mr Wood said: “In my experience good governance processes contribute to a highperformance council. Good governance together with improved community engagement and a strong financial management are essential foundations for the future of the Glenelg Shire.”

Mayor Stephens said she was delighted that Mr Wood had been appointed and looked forward to him working with council to benefit the community.

Will Coats has been elected to the Hobart City Council on a recount.

Welcome, councillor The Tasmanian Electoral Commission has confirmed that Will Coats has been elected to the Hobart City Council on a recount.

The position became available following the resignation of Simon Behrakis, who was elected to the Tasmanian Parliament’s House of Assembly for the seat of Clark.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds congratulated Mr Coats on his return.

“Having worked with Mr Coats previously, it should ensure a smooth addition to the Hobart City Council,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Congratulations to Will and I look forward to working with you in the future for the betterment of the residents of Hobart.”

Mr Coats was expected to be sworn in at the next Hobart City Council meeting on 27 November.

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NEWS

New mayor at Melton The City of Melton, Australia’s fastestgrowing local government area, has a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

West Ward Councillor Annemarie McCabe has been re-elected as Mayor of the Baw Baw Shire Council following a Mayoral election on Wednesday 15 November 2023, which also saw Councillor Tricia Jones elected as the Deputy Mayor.

McCabe re-elected West Ward Councillor Annemarie McCabe has been re-elected as Mayor of the Baw Baw Shire Council following a Mayoral election on Wednesday 15 November 2023, which also saw Councillor Tricia Jones elected as the Deputy Mayor.

The pair make up the first all-female leadership group and both Councillors represent the West Ward. Councillor McCabe has represented the Baw Baw Shire as Mayor for the past 12 months and said she is honoured and excited by the opportunity to remain in this role for another term.

“First of all, I would like to extend a thank you to my fellow Councillor group for the nomi-

nation and election, and I promise to continue to lead the Baw Baw Shire in the direction that it needs to go.

“The Baw Baw Shire is a rapidly growing community, boasting more than 60,000 residents, many of whom I look forward to continuing to work with.

“Advocacy and engagement are a key priority for this Council, and I will ensure that our

residents’ are voices heard.”

Recently, Council introduced a new engagement platform Baw Baw Connect, an online resource that enhances opportunities for meaningful and direct interactions with Council.

Councillor McCabe said she looks forward to building upon the achievements and milestones from the last 12 months.

Councillor Kathy Majdlik was elected the City of Melton Mayor and Cr Steve Abboushi elected Deputy Mayor until November 2024 at a Council Meeting on Thursday 2 November 2023.

Cr Majdlik brings a wealth of experience to the role, serving her fourth term on Council and will now serve her fourth term as Mayor, having served as Mayor in 2020/21, 2015/16 and 2012/13.

Councillor Steve Abboushi was elected Deputy Mayor for the second time, having previously served in the role in 2019/20.

Cr Majdlik thanked former Mayor Cr Lara Carli for her hard work and dedication to the community over the past year and thanked the Councillors for entrusting her with the privilege of serving the community over the next 12 months.

Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik she was honoured to be elected.

“I’m honoured and privileged to be elected Mayor of this City for the fourth time. I look forward to working with Deputy Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi, Councillors, the Executive team and Council staff to represent the community over the coming year,” she said.

“This is Australia’s fastest-growing municipality and with that comes challenges and massive opportunity. I’m looking forward to grasping those opportunities and working hard to make the City of Melton a community where families want to set up home and thrive.

“It is the people that live in our City that make our community so great, and inspire me to work tirelessly to help deliver the services and facilities that meet our community’s aspirations.

“I am committed to ensuring Council continues to work in partnership with the State and Federal governments to secure more investment in our community to build on the strong investment already underway.”

Introducing new Northern Grampians mayor Councillor Rob Haswell was elected Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council for a 12-month term at a Statutory Council Meeting held on Monday, 6 November. This will be his first term serving the shire as mayor.

Mayor Haswell is currently serving his second term as a councillor for Stawell Ward, having first been elected to council on 22 October 2016, and re-elected on 24 October 2020.

Originally from Sydney, Cr Haswell spent twenty years in Canberra and has a background in commercial furniture design.

He is passionate about maintaining the heritage of buildings and streetscapes throughout the Northern Grampians Shire and currently owns and manages a luxury short stay heritage accommodation business in Stawell, located at Langford House, a building that Cr Haswell restored and refurbished, as well as a successful online furniture business.

Cr Haswell relocated to Stawell following a 20-year career in Canberra and is a student of music, the arts and design, boasting a love for furniture sketching that dates back to his early childhood.

He is looking forward to further representing the wider shire community in his role as mayor, having represented council on StawellBiz and the Wimmera Regional Library Corporation during his first term as a councillor.

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Councillor Haswell.

“I believe that I will make a good mayor, I will be responsible and have an ear to my community at all times and proceed exactly

as they want me to proceed,” stated Cr Haswell, in his pre-election speech on Monday evening.

In addition to his role as Mayor, Cr Haswell also represents the council on the Stawell Harness Racing Club Community Grants Panel.

December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 15

METRO AND SUBURBAN

Inclusive city Match secured

State of Origin football will make its debut in Newcastle next year when Game two of the 2024 Women’s series is played at McDonald Jones Stadium on 6 June.

Logan City Council’s efforts to be a more welcoming and inclusive city have been recognised in a Queensland first.

The council applied in August to join Welcoming Cities, a national initiative that provides a framework for local governments to achieve social cohesion objectives.

It has now become the first Queensland local government area to be assessed and accredited by Welcoming Cities.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said Council was proud to be recognised for the work it was doing with the City of Logan’s extensive multicultural community.

Cr Power said Council’s advanced accreditation level meant it was successfully implementing initiatives and policies to support the city’s 234 different multicultural communities.

“We are proud to be one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia and look forward to liaising with Welcoming Cities and other key stakeholders to build further on our work in this area,” Cr Power said.

Welcoming Cities CEO Aleem Ali said Logan City Council was the third council in Australia to reach the advanced accreditation level.

“I especially congratulate them for becoming the first council accredited in Queensland as a Welcoming City,” Mr Ali said.

“The assessors were impressed by the examples of the city’s welcoming efforts and Welcoming Australia recognises and commends Council’s role in facilitating and supporting this work.

“The city’s accreditation at an advanced level positions Logan as a national leader and celebrates the collective contribution from diverse community stakeholders in fostering economic, social and cultural inclusion for all residents.”

The City of Logan is home to an increasingly

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power (right) receives the official Welcoming Cities accreditation from Welcoming Cities Queensland coordinator Cate Gilpin. diverse population.

The latest (2021) data figures show approximately 27.9 per cent of the city’s 360,000 population, or 96,000 residents, were born overseas.

Council became the 70th Australian Local Government to join Welcoming Cities last year.

The Welcoming Cities network represents 10 million residents across Australia.

The Newcastle clash was announced by the NRL on 13 November as part of an expanded three-match series, which will kick off at Suncorp Stadium on 16 May. Townsville will host the third match and potential decider for the Women’s series on 27 June, with the matches expected to draw significant crowds of local and travelling fans to the opposing states.

The announcement follows a push by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill to bring the women’s representative series to the regional heartlands of rugby league.

The mayors wrote a joint letter to the Australian Rugby League Commission in June calling for regular hosting rights for the top tier competition. This was backed up by a Lord Mayoral Minute in July and advocacy from City of Newcastle and the NSW Government.

Cr Nelmes welcomed the NRL’s announcement, which she said was a coup for the city’s sports fans and would deliver an economic boost for local businesses.

“Both Newcastle and Townsville have rich rugby league histories and passionate fan bases, making them the perfect host cities for next year’s Women’s State of Origin series,” Cr Nelmes said.

“With support from Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium, we knew that Newcastle was the right location to host a State of Origin match.

“Novocastrians will welcome today’s announcement and come out in force for the match, having demonstrated the strength of their support for our own premiership-win-

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath, Newcastle Knights NRLW and NSW State of Origin player Yasmin Clydesdale, McDonald Jones Stadium Venue Manager Dean Mantle and members of the Newcastle Knights Oz Tag Under 12 Girls State Cup team celebrate the State of Origin announcement. ning Newcastle Knights WNRL team with record-breaking crowds last season.

“City of Newcastle is committed to attracting and hosting major events as a key economic and tourism driver for our region.

“Events deliver both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and our visitor economy, help to create local jobs and support local industries while continuing to highlight our city as an amazing tourism and events destination.”

This year’s second Women’s State of Origin match attracted a record crowd of more than 18,000 footy fans to Townsville, while over 12,500 people packed the stands for Newcastle’s semi-final match against Brisbane, setting a new NRLW record for a standalone women’s fixture.

OCTOBER 2023

Australia’s National

Local Government

Newspaper

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– Regional/Rural Young Achievers Award a trainee engineer ll, recipient Jenna Dowe Council. at Upper Hunter Shire

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NSW Government now ther delay, with the demerger has hit ano r’s council elections. occur before next yea agai Regional Council it’ll und ther ra-G whe und on tam bt to de-amalting dou cas e, The planned Coo roadblock on the path er inquiry plac cant s signifi take it ncing yet anoth iry before ures; gamation, by annou and organisational struct calling for a public inqu

es; and into the issue. fully understood.

Rate levels and charg a er has been paying e arfor Lo- pacts are announced today is and shared servic “I don’t know if the minist last week, Minister been “The new approach Service standards efIn a press release since newsflash: we have Hoenig office said am unable to give legal nclose attention, but dejà vu all over rangements. cal Government Ron Minister and Office of necessary step as I by a pub- there and done that. This is for Local Gover er sed the Minist , asses r be office forme to then ave- fect to the coming The plan will n 218CC of the Commis- again,” Ms Cooke said. sectio aries had explored the legal rgt under t Bound nmen ion the itmen Gover il. lic inquiry led by Local ment’s intent we had a comm e a successful deme demerge the counc ine if independent “Twelve months ago deus Local Government Act to nues available to achiev This inquiry will determ councils are caion Government to provided by the previo nises council and the sion. from the previous Coalit and Gundagai er under the roadmap ndagai Regional “This approach recog and lets the Cootamundra nment. sustainable merge the Cootamundra-Gu rge gover ially to nal deme financ to plan a l-Natio a in desire Libera operating re Council, and importantly we had ap has only succeed- community’s destiny in creating pable of e necessary infrastructu.

They said this roadm end, with no statu- community shape their own way that will provid dead make it happen. to respective communities n their two new councils. ed in leading to a in place a road map and services to their ed the legislation (sectio “That decision put must be sustainable Government is satisfi to were well on tory mechanism under “Any future councils Providing the NSW ss facilitate the demerge, and we es and inGovernment Act 1993) proce y servic r Local the inquir delive of to public ue 218CC it was full speed t and fully functioning and able to contin community, now and into that the plan and the com- our way to our destination; local came the y to nty journe create two independen their that frastructure to provides enough certai new ahead. In March this year, er councils. be dissolved and two now we have a minist t supports the com- the future. new munity, CGRC will to a grinding halt, and rously wrong turn, leadg met outlined the “The NSW Governmen and Gundagai’s dede- council areas proclaimed.

Minister Ron Hoeni ra has taken a disast wered the council to for member for Coota- who munities in Cootamund we started. pathway which “empo frame their own future to guide However National Party the NSW Labor ing us back to where plan aries tion Bound menta the sire to demerge and minister said. said time velop a detailed imple the nable lo- mundra Steph Cooke “This will be the third prolocal governance,” lost its way on the this the establishment of two new sustai include ined this demerge Nationals created Government had clearly Regional Council de- Commission has exam question: how many must “The Liberals and i unities cal government areas”. The plan the merging two comm Cootamundra-Gundaga turned its back on the posal, which begs Governproblem by forcibly has for the NSW Labor propositions for: on. local merge process, and fac- times will it take the again be; what is once should this with nothing in comm now that are Where the boundaries hapment to understand nment knew there were of local community, who “The previous gover as wards, number helmingly want to see future. communities overw left to us to find a way Electoral matters such May- ing an uncertain legal issues but it was method of electing is shocked and dis- pen? councillors and the Ms Cooke said she Continued page 2 through the mess. nment Minister’s t or; office, the governmen d by the Local Gover to a maye g with comin unity “Since work liabilities; side the comm the demerger frame Division of assets and nt decision to blindhas made it clear that cracy as well as manageme enhance local demo imAllocation of staff, must support and ial practical and financ while ensuring the

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METRO AND SUBURBAN

Support for youth More than 16,000 young people attended the Geelong City’s youth programs during 2022-23, while 6,154 hours of enhanced Maternal and Child Health service was delivered to families.

The City’s Annual Report for the last financial year has highlighted the many services that the City offers to support children, young people and families, including childcare, playgroups, youth services, education and health and wellbeing.

The L2P (Learner to Probationary) program engaged 193 active learner drivers aged between 16-21 (and in some circumstances up to 23 years) who don’t have access to a supervising driver or appropriate vehicle to gain behind the wheel experience to get their P-plates.

Fifty drivers achieved their probationary licences, and 101 mentor matches were made.

The program currently has 98 volunteer mentors and 120 learner drivers.

The City managed 400 different local, district and regional playground spaces during 2022-23 to support children’s health, wellbeing, education and development.

The City hosted their 17th Geelong Children’s Week in October last year with more than 30 events that celebrated and recognised the talents, skills and rights of children.

The City worked alongside young people from the fOrT Youth Centre in Corio to deliver the SKAART Community Festival in April 2023, featuring a free BBQ, cultural foods, live music and bungee runs.

The Geelong Youth Awards celebrated 13 winners who make a difference in the community, and we also partnered with young people from the Multicultural Drop In to deliver Refu-

International Volunteer Breakfast Market Square Pavilion.

Deputy Mayor Aitken with young people from the Multicultural Drop In. gee Week activities.

Work began on the COVID-19 Youth Impact Report research project to better understand the ongoing impacts the pandemic is having on young people in the region.

In 2022-23, the City developed Youth Communities of Practice - a central point for local schools and youth-focused organisations to share information and develop innovative initiatives that respond to emerging needs.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the insights in the Annual Report demonstrated the City’s commitment to supporting children and people 25 and under.

“We’re dedicated to ensuring our childcare, health services, youth hubs, youth programs and school-based programs are safe and in-

clusive spaces,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“There are so many highlights over the last financial year, including 1,451 first time parenting groups, the achievements of the Youth Council and the development of the Rainbow Youth Advisory Group.”

Inclusion and Care portfolio chair, Councillor Sarah Hathway, said children and young people were important members of the Greater Geelong community.

“Children, teens and young people make incredible contributions to our region, are compassionate and resilient, and see the world in a fresh and exciting way,” Cr Hathway said.

“Council is proud to support these younger members of our community to help them develop, feel included and be the best they can be.”

Stirling backs road to respect The City of Stirling has once again supported the 16 Days in WA campaign between Saturday 25 November and Sunday 10 December 2023.

Saturday 25 November 2023 was International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and marked the start of the campaign’s seventh iteration. It will end 16 days later, on International Human Rights Day. The 2023 theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play your part.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the campaign drew on inspiration from the global movement to drive and shift the culture, behaviours and attitudes that lead to violence against women and their children.

“The City is a strong advocate against

family and domestic violence and offers a range of support for those who are in need, including Stirling Women’s Centre and Naala Djookan Healing Centre,” he said.

“We are committed to providing services to those experiencing family and domestic violence, with the Naala Djookan Healing Centre supporting 100 clients, running 170 workshops with over 1000 attendees and receiving 517 referrals in 2022-23.

“Sadly, we know that in just the last few weeks, six women were killed over a period of 10 days by someone they knew. It is a

shocking and unacceptable situation, and I call on every Western Australian to take an active role in raising awareness, recognising signs and seeking help.

“During the campaign, a range of activities will be on offer for clients at both centres, and the City will be participating in several special events and initiatives, including the annual march in the Perth CBD, interactive displays at our Stirling Libraries and the installation of new purple benches.”

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.

Thank you, helpers In the spirit of International Volunteers Day, Devonport City Council announced an upcoming Devonport Volunteers Breakfast, a free event dedicated to the selfless individuals who give their time and effort to make the City a better place.

The event was due to be held at Market Square on 5 December from 7am with the council inviting all local volunteers to join in this celebration as a gesture of gratitude for their invaluable contributions.

This event was not only an opportunity to enjoy a delicious, hearty breakfast, it’s also a chance for volunteers to connect with peers, share stories, and strengthen the bonds of community that make Devonport so special.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community,” Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman said before the breakfast.

“This breakfast is just one small way we can express our thanks for all the hard work and dedication they consistently display.”

Council looked forward to hosting the heart and soul of the community – “our volunteers”.

Volunteer program marks three decades The City of Hobart’s longest running and most popular volunteer program celebrated 30 years of caring for Hobart’s native forests, woodlands, and grasslands in late November.

It also recognises the outstanding contribution Dynnyrne resident Carol Bristow has made to Bushcare in her 25 years of volunteering with the Waterworks Valley Landcare group.

“The City of Hobart’s Bushcare program and its incredible volunteers have achieved remarkable results in caring for our natural environment,” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.

“Every weekend our Bushcare volunteers can be found working along the shores of the Derwent Estuary, up on the Queens Domain, in Knocklofty Reserve, deep in the forests of Fern Tree or across the alpine landscape of kunanyi/ Mt Wellington.

“They rid wildlife habitat of environmental weeds, are helping the City of Hobart protect nationally significant native grasslands on the Queens Domain and our newest Bushcare group is restoring waterway habitat along the Hobart Rivulet.”

The City’s Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Committee Chair Bill Harvey said Bushcare volunteers play a vital role in protecting our local native wildlife and inspiring others to do more for the natural environment.

“The key to Bushcare’s success has been its caring, passionate volunteers, who get out LGFOCUS.COM.AU

Carol Bristow and Robert Rands at Fantail Quarry. into our bushlands every weekend to keep environmental weeds under control and restore wildlife habitat,” Cr Harvey said.

“In a world where environmental issues can feel overwhelming, our Bushcare volunteers

are a reminder that the people of Hobart care deeply for the natural world around them, and want to help protect it.”

Every year the City of Hobart recognises a Bushcare volunteer who has made a positive

and lasting contribution to the conservation of Hobart’s bushland reserves and who inspires others to do the same.

This year Dynnyrne resident Carol Bristow is being recognised for her outstanding efforts in the conservation of nature through her Bushcare work.

“Bushcare is such a positive way for people to make a change to benefit our natural environment,” Ms Bristow said.

“The people that come and work and volunteer with us are wonderful to be with, they all have a good sense of humour and value the things that are important.

“You walk away from a Bushcare working bee and you feel good about yourself. You think yes, I’ve done something good today.”

The City’s Bushcare program manages 14 Bushcare and Landcare groups working on bushland reserves across the city.

In one year alone Bushcare volunteers contributed more than 3000 hours worth of environmental restoration work.

Bushcare is the City of Hobart’s largest volunteer program, with more than 700 registered volunteers on its books.

December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 17

RURAL AND REGIONAL

Win for workplace The Shire of Carnarvon is proud to announce its success as the winner of the Aware Super Warlang Award for Workplace Wellbeing in the below 15,000 population category.

This achievement was announced at an event where five local governments located across Western Australia were recognised for their contributions to fostering a culture of health, learning, inclusion, flexibility, and work/life balance within their workplaces.

The win demonstrates the Shire’s commitment to creating a healthy and inclusive workplace for all its staff. The key achievement that contributed to this victory was a substantial review and a significant expansion of the Shire’s retention policy. This policy is based on promoting workplace well-being and fostering a culture of learning, inclusion, and work/life balance.

As a result of this policy, the Shire of Carnarvon has witnessed a decline in staff turnover which has gone from 38 per cent in 2021 to 10 per cent in 2023. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the Shire’s efforts in fostering a healthier, more engaged team and more productive work environment.

Shire of Carnarvon CEO, Andrea Selvey said “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. We are committed to ensuring our employees enjoy a healthy and inclusive workplace. This recognition is a significant milestone for us, motivating us to continue our journey towards workplace excellence.”

The Shire of Carnarvon extends its appreciation to Aware Super and LG Professionals for their support in recognising and promoting exceptional efforts in workplace well-being across Western Australia.

Ashleigh Barr and Andrew Robertson accept the prestigious award.

Picture: LG PROFESSIONALS WA

Poppies a colourful reminder A colourful art trail of over 3000 red, white, and purple handmade poppies became a visual tribute for this year’s Remembrance Day, thanks to a Shire of Dardanup initiative. rier ship, an armed naval vessel, and a biplane in the distance, symbolising the Navy, Merchant Navy, and Airforce, along with the Army. The board also included a nurse figure, representing all the women who served during the wars.

“As part of the project, a three-hour workshop was conducted with a class of 30 Year 11 students at Eaton Community College last month. The students painted over 600 rocks vibrant red with a black centre, generously provided by Bunnings Australind,” Cr Gardiner said.

“Additionally, two Crafternoon workshops were hosted at the library, attracting participants of all ages. These workshops included poppy crocheting and tree decorating activities, adding a creative touch to the project.”

Shire of Dardanup President Tyrrell Gardiner (right) and Place and Community Officer Will Tuck at one of the colourful Poppy Project art trails in Eaton.

A new flying school - that is equipped with cuttingedge technology and a team of experienced instructors – has taken off in Armidale.

White Star Aviation, a flight training academy, has been operating the new school from the Armidale Regional Airport and will provide top-quality flight training to aspiring local pilots.

“The school’s mission is to empower individuals with the practical skills and knowledge required to embark on successful careers in the aviation industry,” said Jack Boss, White Star Aviation.

“Whether students aspire to become professional airline pilots, charter operators, or pursue other exciting aviation opportunities, White Star Aviation aims to equip them with the necessary skills and confidence to excel in their chosen fields.

“The flight school’s location in Armidale, NSW, offers an ideal training environment. With its diverse terrain, weather and surrounding airspace, students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in a variety of challenging flight conditions, preparing them for real-world scenarios they may encounter in their future careers.

“White Star Aviation prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and innovation. The instructors at WSA possess extensive flight experience and are eager to train aspiring pilots by passing on their experiences along the way.”

Courses offered at White Star Aviation include private pilot training, commercial pilot training, instrument rating, and multiengine rating. White Star Aviation, alongside Aviation Australia, also offers an immediate career pathway with the Torres Strait Air - pilot cadet program.

White Star offers a Diploma of Aviation program, and students can access VET student loans through Aviation Australia’s study now, pay later options. No other flight school in our region offers this funded specialised training.

“In addition to flight training, White Star Aviation aims to foster a vibrant aviation community in Armidale,” said Mr Boss.

The school will actively collaborate with local organisations, aviation enthusiasts, and industry professionals to promote knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.

“White Star Aviation will endeavour to contribute to the growth and development of the aviation sector in the region and to become a member of Armidale’s welcoming wider community.”

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The Poppy Project was displayed through to Sunday, 12 November in Burekup, Dardanup and Eaton, and according to the Shire of Dardanup President Tyrrell Gardiner, the project encouraged people to respect, reflect, and remember those who served in World War I. Cr Gardiner said the project also highlighted the importance of collaboration with various community groups and stakeholders, including the Eaton Community College, the Eaton Community Library, and local project supporter and artist, Theresa Wilks.

“The Poppy Project is a visually captivating art trail that signifies the community’s deep respect for the men and women who fought in World War 1,” Cr Gardiner said.

“It serves as a reminder for us all to honour their sacrifices and to reflect on the importance of Remembrance Day.” Cr Gardiner said a highlight of this year’s project was a commemorative board painted

by Theresa Wilks, which features a troop car-

School takes off

18 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

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RURAL AND REGIONAL

Working together across the border

Push to control foxes

Mayor Mark Johnson and Goondiwindi’s Mayor Lawrence Springborg signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the Moree Plains Shire Council Chambers, 9 November 2023 to formalise the shared vision of a commitment to working together for the betterment of the border region local government areas of Goondiwindi Regional Council (GRC) and Moree Plains Shire Council (MPSC).

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has put the finishing touches on its Fox Den Detection and Destruction Project.

The parties hope that this MoU may help alleviate, at least in part, some of the difficulties when navigating bureaucracy, disaster response coordination, planning and development, joint training activities and cross-council working groups.

Mayor Mark Johnson noted “The document formalises the significant relationship between our two Councils and provides a firm commitment from both bodies to work collaboratively for the collective good.

“Both of our Councils have so much in common and it just makes good sense for us to unite wherever we can, whether that be through shared services or advocacy we are better together”.

The MoU remains valid for a period of five years and includes a commitment to working collaboratively to achieve, more specifically outcomes for the betterment of the towns of Boggabilla and Toomelah.

Council’s Pest Management Team recently completed the project on several Council reserves throughout the region that potentially harbour the introduced pest.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Environment Portfolio Councillor Michael Hagan said the project was conducted at locations of known fox attacks.

“The properties were selected from those Council had received correspondence regarding fox issues, including attacks on pets, chickens, ducks, cats and sheep.

“Council engaged contractor Bellden Environmental Services to perform the service using detection dogs specifically trained in seeking and detecting active fox dens.

“This is a relatively new concept to the industry, and we are thrilled to have access to it for the Lockyer Valley given it has proven to be extremely effective in identifying and locating the subject dens.

“Once located, the dens were monitored with surveillance cameras.

“Following the surveillance, all the located dens were collapsed to discourage any further activity within these targeted locations.

“Overall, this project was extremely successful, with the detection dogs having surveyed six locations, with 15 dens identified and collapsed to help protect livestock, native wildlife and pets.

“As a Council, we are committed to exploring potential fox control programs in adherence to our biosecurity obligations and to both manage community concerns and protect the long-term farming future of the region,” Cr Hagan said.

For more information, contact Council on 1300 005 872 or visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au

Mayors Lawrence Springborg and Mark Johnson.

Councils combine for calendar Four councils in Queensland’s Central West have partnered to develop a calendar promoting disaster preparedness that will be distributed free of charge to residents and visitors.

The calendar was developed thanks to support from the Queensland Government’s Get Ready Queensland program. The Get Ready Queensland program is a year-round, allhazards, resilience building initiative to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcoo Shire Council, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, and Longreach Regional Council each put out the call for images to fill the calendar, with each council selecting three images submitted by their residents.

The calendar has been developed by Craig Neuendorf, who is employed by the

combined councils as Regional Recovery and Resilience Coordinator, with assistance from colleagues at each council.

Images in the calendar represent the most common natural disaster events which occur in the Central West. The calendar contains information about flooding, severe storms, bushfires, and heatwaves. It also promotes resources for residents and visitors to prepare for these natural disaster events and the steps to take once the event has passed.

Mr Neuendorf says preparedness makes a big difference in times of disaster.

“Evidence shows us that communities are able to recover from natural disaster events more effectively when they’re fully prepared,” he said. “This calendar is all about raising awareness of disasters relevant to our region, and how to prepare for them.”

The calendar will be forwarded by mail to all households, both urban and rural, in all four council areas. Copies will also be made available for visitors and tourists at Visitor Information Centres in the four areas.

For more information, tips and advice about ways to stay safe this severe weather season, visit getready.qld.gov.au

Lockyer Valley ready to celebrate Christmas Christmas means many things for many people, but one thing is certain – it’s a wonderful time to work together to spread some extra festive cheer throughout our community.

As Christmas nears once again, Lockyer Valley Regional Council is embarking on a range of exciting initiatives to celebrate the festive season.

One that is set to shine the brightest is sure to be the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, with its very own Christmas tree erected.

In addition, residents are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled over the next few days as our merry men and women create two whimsical Christmas precincts for the Lockyer Valley to enjoy.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said these were all perfect ways to bring Christmas cheer and joy to the region.

“How exciting that you can quite literally step into a magical Christmas Wonderland in Elf Town, Gatton and Candy Land, Laidley.

“From twinkling fairy lights to gingerbread houses, holiday cheer will be in overdrive at Centenary Gardens, Gatton and Das Neumann Haus, Laidley.”

Our youngest residents can also write their wish lists to the North Pole and find special mailboxes, designed just for Santa’s letters, at the Gatton and Laidley Libraries.

Letters posted before 13 December will reLGFOCUS.COM.AU

ceive a reply from Mrs Clause, Santa’s elves or even Santa himself!

“Be it sparkling lights, colourful decorations or letters to Santa, we’re certainly doing our part to bring Christmas joy to as many residents as possible,” she said.

Council also joined forces with students from Faith Lutheran College, who built Christmas present boxes to feature in the Christmas installation.

Mayor Milligan thanked the students involved for their time and efforts in what is an already busy time of year.

“How wonderful for this group of clever students to offer to do this!

“Our Council is passionate about partnerships, and working with our younger members of the community, who have so kindly offered to assist in creating these special Christmas displays, is incredibly rewarding.

“I’m sure the decorations will bring a smile to many residents in the lead-up to Christmas,” she said.

The Santa Letter box.

December 2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS 19

NEWS

Cup marks two decades Roper Gulf Regional Council celebrated its 20th anniversary Borroloola Barra Cup, held on 11-12 November in Borroloola.

This milestone cricket event brought together spirited teams from the region, ending in a thrilling victory for the Manangoora Magpies.

The Borroloola Barra Cup, initiated two decades ago, has become a highlight on the local sporting calendar, fostering solidarity and community spirit.

The event, made possible through the collaboration of NT Cricket and Roper Gulf Regional Council, not only celebrates the region’s passion for cricket but also serves as a platform to address critical social issues in one of the most remote parts of the Northern Territory.

Initially conceived with the aim of raising awareness about domestic violence against women, the Borroloola Barra Cup has played a pivotal role in starting conversations about this pressing issue within the community.

Roper Gulf Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Marc Gardner said “Sports have the power to bring people together, and the Borroloola Barra Cup exemplifies this beautifully.”

“Beyond the cricket field, it’s a platform for men, woman and families with addressing challenges, promoting mental health through physical activity, and building a stronger, more resilient community.“ Roper Gulf Regional Council acknowledges the support of NT Cricket and the local community in making the Borroloola Barra Cup a resounding success.

“I extend my gratitude to NT Cricket and the

Celebrating the 20th cricket cup. entire community for their amazing support.”

“The success of the Borroloola Barra Cup wouldn’t be possible without their commitment to our shared goals of community well-being and social progress,” Mr Gardner said.

Council emphasises the event’s dual purpose, to engage people in physical activity for the mental health benefits it brings, and to

Preparing for fire A new fire-retardant paint, formulated by engineers at UNSW Sydney, has become the first to pass a stringent Australian standard test that simulates a bushfire attack.

The paint, which is now on sale at selected Bunnings stores, achieved the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) 40 standard which assesses the bushfire resistance of buildings and construction materials.

BAL-40 indicates that a building or material has been tested and approved to withstand higher levels of radiant heat (up to 40kW/m²) and ember attack during a bushfire, and therefore provides increased protection against bushfires in areas prone to extreme fire conditions. The new paint, commercially branded as FSA Firecoat, was developed at UNSW in partnership with Flame Security International.

It was partially funded via a $3m Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant from the Australian government.

Professor Guan Yeoh, from UNSW’s School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, led the team that spent nearly five years perfecting the formula to ensure the paint incorporates the best fire-retardant properties.

The resulting product is a type of intumescent paint which means it is designed to expand as a result of heat exposure. The specific chemicals in the paint also produce a thick layer of char which offers an insulating barrier and effectively deflects the heat from the fire away.

“The special additives we include in the paint mix formula promote the growth of the char, which is the important insulating element.

The char is what helps the substrate, that is your house or your building, stay protected from the fire,” says Prof. Yeoh, director of the ARC Training Centre for Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies at UNSW. “In the rigorous tests you can see this char being created, but at the end you can just wipe it away and the wood underneath has virtually no damage.”

One major challenge for the research team was to ensure the all-important char, once produced, would not simply fall off vertical surfaces such as external walls. The char needed to remain firmly in place to continue to work as a fire barrier.

“Forming a char on a horizontal surface is fine, but for this application we needed to include additives into the paint formula to ensure the char would also hold very well on vertical surfaces. Which is a challenge,” adds Prof.

Yeoh.

20 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS December 2023

“If it just falls off, that defeats the whole purpose. The char – which is basically pockets of air and carbon – can be more than 50mm thick, so retaining it in place can be tricky. But it’s so important because it’s providing the insulation and preventing the penetration of the heat.”

One of the big advantages of the new paint is that it does not need any special equipment to apply it, meaning it can be brushed or sprayed onto a variety of surfaces – including existing render, timber, aluminium, steel, concrete, plasterboard and brick – in the same way as normal paint. The carbon ingredient means the FSA Firecoat product is only available in grey, but any standard coloured topcoat can be applied without affecting the fire-retardant properties.

Prof. Yeoh says the new fire-retardant paint could help prevent bushfires from spreading over a wider area, given the fact it protects buildings from burning down.

“If a building is not protected in any way and it starts to burn then it can become a source of heat for the fire to continue, like a chain reaction,” he says. “So we can say this paint assists in limiting the spread of bushfires because it prevents a building from igniting and therefore compounding the original fire.

“We wanted to push the boundary with this paint so we did tests on probably 200 different formulas in the first couple of years of research before we arrived at the best one. That was using very high-grade materials, which would have made the paint too expensive to produce, so we then tested again with more commercially available ingredients to ensure we got the same performance in a final product that people can afford.”

Tony Overstead, CEO of Flame Security International, which has secured an initial order from Bunnings to supply 80,000 litres of FSA Firecoat paint, said: “The release of this fully accredited BAL-40 rated fire retardant paint, we believe, will better protect buildings and other assets from direct exposure to flames and extreme radiant heat.”

Flame Security International is pleased with the strong collaborative research partnership established and the successful outcomes of fire safety products achieved particularly through the support of the Cooperative Research Centre project (CRC-P) Round five grant with UNSW.

continue addressing the crucial conversation around domestic violence against women in regional Australia.

The Manangoora Magpies emerged victorious in a hard-fought competition, showcasing the talent and dedication of the local teams.

The Council extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Manangoora Magpies and

all participating teams for their sportsmanship and commitment to the spirit of the Borroloola Barra Cup. Roper Gulf Regional Council looks forward to continued collaborations and initiatives that promote community well-being and social change through the universal language of sport.

Midnight celebration Melburnians are encouraged to don their sequins and glitter, as the city sparkles for the annual New Year’s Eve spectacular.

The City of Melbourne will host a massive city-wide midnight celebration with a special ‘All that sparkles’ theme – featuring a fireworks and laser extravaganza that will light up the city across 27 CBD rooftops.

Viewable from anywhere the city skyline can be seen – or from one of four Celebration Zones in the CBD – the midnight moment will be accompanied by a choreographed eight-minute soundtrack curated

by Melbourne based producer DJ Matt Radovich.

Family-friendly Celebration Zones will return to Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Kings Domain, with a range of free activities including live music, food trucks, dance workshops and DJ’s.

Young families and early birds can also enjoy a 9.30pm localised fireworks display.

Melbourne’s biggest entertainment venues will help bring the city to life with a Heaps Good live music festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and a special Arts Centre Melbourne gala concert courtesy of John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra.

For the first time, Melbourne’s iconic buildings and streets will be drenched in sparkles for the occasion – with trees across the city lit up, glittery projections across Town Hall and the State Library, late-night busking performances and free sparkly New Year’s Eve hats available at Celebration Zones.

New Year’s Eve revellers can also savor the celebrations at renowned city hospitality venues, with events taking place at Arbory Bar & Eatery, Afloat, HER, Marvel Stadium, Blossom Rooftop and many more.

Those ringing in the New Year at home can tune in to the official New Year’s Eve live broadcast, with Nine News showcasing all the highlights of the evening from 11pm.

Half a million people are expected to come into the city on New Year’s Eve and safety remains the number one priority. A detailed safety plan will be implemented in partnership with Victoria Police and emergency service providers.

Revellers are encouraged to book into a venue or attend a Celebration Zone. Road closures are planned to safely accommo-

Celebrating Melbourne style. date large crowds. Detailed information on changes to traffic, pedestrian access and parking will be available on the City of Melbourne website in early December.

New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city are supported by the $200 million Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund – a partnership between the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government.

“Melbourne is rolling out the sparkling red carpet for a New Year’s Eve celebration like no other,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

“We’re setting the tone for the evening with our ‘All that sparkles’ theme. For the first time we’re lighting up Town Hall and the State Library with glittering projections, extending the New Year’s Eve festivities all the way down Swanston Street.

“We can’t wait to see merrymakers show off their finest glittering outfits, dusting off their disco balls and filling our world-class hospitality venues for the best night of the year.

“The best of our city will be on full display – with spectacular live music events, free family-friendly activities, sparkling projections and our not-to-be-missed fireworks and laser show. If you can see the city skyline, you’ll be able to marvel at our incredible fireworks and laser show – so wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing, you won’t miss out on the fun.”

City Activation portfolio lead Roshena Campbell said New Year’s Eve is Melbourne’s time to shine – with half a million of revellers expected to fill our streets and support city businesses.

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