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Email: contact@ulga.qld.gov.au
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eNewsletter of the Urban Local Government Association of Queensland
Issue 3 - September 2006
2007 ULGA Conference
Toowoomba 16 - 18 May 2007
2006 Conference
Click here for Minutes and Responses to Motions
from the 2006 Annual Conference
DG Commits to Close Working Relationship with Councils
During his address to the delegates at the conference, the Director General of the Department Local Government & Planning, Sport & Recreation, Michael Kinnane outlined his plan to give councils a better department based on cooperation and mutual respect. His comments were welcomed by delegates, particularly with regard to plans to cut red tape, accelerate the pace of regional planning and increase departmental resources.
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| Future Growth Plan |
| Poker Money Back to Communities |
| ULGA Policy Document |
| ULGA Certificate of Service |
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Capping System for Landfills |
| Rocky Active Parks |
| Aspire Youth Grant |
| Mangrove Management Strategy |
for the next issue!
The lobbying of the "Infrastructure Now" submission will start this month. Members of the Executive will be meeting with Members of Parliament over the next three months. The lobbying will introduce the issues to the MP's and position the proposal as a win-win (or 'must do') opportunity.
The lobbying program will focus on the May 2007 Federal Budget as well as the impending Federal Election due in late 2007.
The ULGA's objective is to secure increased funding and commitment from the Commonwealth Government to the urgent delivery of a range of urban infrastructure projects in high-growth urban centres in Queensland.
We will keep you informed of the ULGA's progress.
The ULGA Executive met with the Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, the Hon. Desley Boyle to discuss the initiation of future growth plans for regional areas similar to that being developed for South East Queensland.
The Minister advised that she will be accelerating the Regional Infrastructure Plans and there will be three major deliverables before the end of 2005.
The South East Queensland strategy is a reaction to the current crisis in planning and infrastructure provision for the region. The balance of the designated regional statistical areas will face the same problems within 10 years and the time to start planning is now.
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Representations were made to the Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, the Hon. Desley Boyle asking that consideration be given to the development of a streamlined system for the disposal of low value abandoned vehicles on local government roads.
The Minister advised that the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation has written to the Main Roads Department regarding a proposed amendment to the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 to provide for local governments to dispose of certain abandoned vehicles without the need for an auction or the associated costs.
We will let you know when a response has been received from the Main Roads Department. |
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Gold Coast City Council Election The ULGA submitted a response to the Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, the Hon. Desley Boyle in relation to the recommendations made by the Criminal Misconduct Commission (CMC) inquiry into the 2004 Gold Coast City Council election.
The ULGA believes the recommendations made by the CMC in its report Independence, Influence and Integrity in Local Government have far-reaching implications for the effective and efficient administration and functioning of local government in Queensland.
The response outlines the ULGA's position on the broader question of electoral integrity, the current state of the electoral environment in Queensland local government and the resource and enforcement issues of electoral regulation in general. Read More
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Poker Money Back to Communities Delegates at the annual conference gave overwhelming support to a motion by Bundaberg Council, calling on the government to come up with a formula which would see poker machine revenue returned to welfare groups in the areas it originated from.
Bundaberg City Council Mayor, Cr Kay Mc Duff, advised efforts to slow the rate of poker machine proliferation in her City had been ignored by the State. This is disadvantaging our welfare and not-for-profit community organisations, as well as our business community.
Representations were made to the
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and
Innovation was on the 21 June, 2006.
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The draft ULGA Policy Document was tabled at the Annual Conference in June for discussion and comment. Delegates authorised the Executive to continue working on this document and present it again at a later date.
Work has been continuing on this document with the help of the LGAQ and it should be completed by next month, October.
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The document is divided into two parts. The first is a 'preamble', and broadly sets out issues such as the ULGA's vision, how it does business, what underpins it relationships with the various levels of government and how the Association interacts with them. The remainder of the document is the 'policy annex' which has 'statements of principle' on issues raised by member councils.
The document will support the objectives of the Association by providing a comprehensive record of the fundamental principles and position of Urban Local Governments on a diverse range of issues. |
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Certificates of Service and pins were awarded to 57 Councillors from 15 ULGA member councils at the Annual Conference in June for service to Local Government and their Community.
ULGA President, Cr Tony Mooney and the Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, the Hon. Desley Boyle presented the certificates and pins, with their congratulations, to the Councillors who attended the conference.
Worthy of special mention, is Cr John Faircloth OAM who has shown his dedication to local government and his community of Bundaberg by serving on the Council for 40 years.
Eligible councillors need to have served at least ten years of service. If you want to receive a certificate and pin next year an application form will be sent to member councils in March 2007 and will be presented at the annual conference in Toowoomba. Contact Trish Davey on 4727 9207 or contact@ulga.qld.gov.au for further details if required.
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Dawson Wilkie - Executive Committee Chair
The Queensland Water Directorate
(QWD) is a membership-driven organisation for the water industry in
local government. Currently 75% of Queensland councils are
members, including all but five medium and all but one of the large
councils. This number is growing each year.
The mission of the QWD is to act as a collective body to provide
technical input into policy formulation and develop and communicate
knowledge and support for members in delivering water services to
Queensland communities. Knowledge brokering is a key role for the
QWD and particular emphasis is placed on transferring information to
small and remote local governments on priority issues. The
Directorate does not directly enter into policy debate, but works
closely with LGAQ and provides advice to influence policy in response to
the needs of its membership.
I have been involved in the governance and management of the directorate
since its inception and currently act as chair of the Executive
Committee which includes representatives from LGAQ, IPWEAQ, LGMA and
AWA. The QWD is sited with the IPWEAQ and LGAQ in Brisbane and
many of the administrative functions are undertaken by the IPWEAQ as a
''parent body'' for the organisation. This allows for a lean QWD
team which consists of an Executive Manager and Executive Assistant.
In July this year, Rob Fearon took on the role of Executive Manager of
the Directorate, replacing the previous manager (Mark Girard) who has
moved on after 18 months of hard work getting the QWD up to speed.
Rob comes from a water background having worked in Queensland on
water-related issues for the past eight years, most recently as CEO a
national Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) that partnered with research
users including over 30 local governments and numerous other water
management organisations in Queensland and nationally.
Read
more and Visit
www.qldwater.com.au
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Rockhampton City Council
Rockhampton City Council in conjunction with Phytolink Australia and the Central Queensland University - School of Biological and Environmental Services has been trialling a new capping system for landfills.
The aim of the trial is to test an environmentally sustainable and cost effective alternative capping system for the Lakes Creek Road Landfill.
Conventional landfill caps are made of specially compacted clays or synthetic material like plastic, which can cost up to $240,000 per hectare.
The Phytocap, consisting of selected soils densely planted with vegetation such as trees, can cost half as much, but must be officially recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an appropriate capping system in order to be a viable alternative.
Townsville City Council
The Futures Roundtable is an initiative of the Townsville City Council and will act as the platform for discussions on the strategic directions of the Townsville community.
Townsville's established and emerging leaders from business, government, academia and the community will help develop a blueprint for the sustainable and dynamic future. Townsville is moving forward strongly, but plans are needed for the next stage of development. The 2006 roundtable theme is "Townsville's Future on the Table".
Keynote addresses from some of Australia's leading speakers will help inspire some creative thinking, while a series of facilitated discussions and workshops will aim to forge a collaborative strategy for Townsville's future. Click here for Conference brochure.
Bundaberg Builds on Tourism
Bundaberg City Council
The Bundaberg City Council is
master planning for the future by building on the back of the
tourism industry.
Tourism in the Bundaberg region is a growing industry and the
Council has recognised the need for the development of tourism
products and services in order for tourism to play a larger role
in the City’s economy.
Major projects that Council are currently developing include the
Hinkler Hall of Aviation, the Turtle Interpretive Centre, a
regional aquatics facility and a new airport terminal.
The Hinkler Hall of Aviation is funded by the Federal, State and
Local Governments, $4m, $1.985m and $1m respectively. The
Facility will be a pre-eminent aviation interpretive centre,
which celebrates Bert Hinkler and Bundaberg’s role in early
aviation experimentation and development and will build on the
Hinkler story by providing an interpretive centre that educates
and entertains through the acquisition and preservation of
Hinkler artefacts and memorabilia.
The Turtle Interpretive Centre is a concept designed to build on
the tourist potential of the Mon Repos facility operated by the
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service by providing a year-round
turtle centre aimed at extending the visitor experience of
turtles from seasonal to a full year.
The key features of the facility will include an array of
exhibits, interactive displays, theatre, aquaria and multimedia
displays, amphitheatre, café and shop. The Centre is a $5.2m
project funded by the State Government, $3.8m and the Bundaberg
City Council, $1.5m.
The Council is also implementing the Bundaberg Multi-Modal
Pathway Plan through the construction of pathways that link the
Hinkler Hall of Aviation, situated in North Bundaberg at the
Botanic Gardens, the Turtle Interpretive Centre and Aquatics
Facility, situated in the CBD on the Riverside Parklands, to
East Bundaberg where the Baldwin Environmental Swap, Bundaberg
Brewed Drinks and Bundaberg Rum are located. The Pathway also
links into the Burnett Shire pathway network to provide a link
from the City to the coast.
The Council is also undertaking precinct planning through the
design and development of streetscaping and unique directional
and interpretive signage in major precincts.
The Bundaberg City Council is taking a lead role in tourism
development to ensure quality products and services are
available for tourists, which ultimately increases visitor
nights and consumer spending, thus enhancing the economic
sustainability in the City. For further enquiries, contact Naomi
Bartlett on phone 4153 9933.
Rocky Active ParksRockhampton City Council
Rocky Active Parks (RAP) is an initiative of Rockhampton City Council and the Physical Activity Capricornia Taskforce and provides FREE access to physical activity opportunities in parks throughout Rockhampton City.
RAP aims to get more people active through the provision of fun, low impact activities in tranquil park settings.
Activities offered are Yoga, Defensive training and Pilates over an eight week program. For more information download the brochure here.
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Aspire Youth GrantTownsville City Council
The IPA Aspire Youth Career Grant is an initiative of the
Townsville City Council and has been made possible through a
partnership with the local branch of human resources company IPA
Personnel. Both organisations have made a commitment to
this unique program to help young people in Townsville achieve
their career goals.
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Mangrove Management StrategyBundaberg City CouncilBundaberg City Council identified the need for a Strategy to be developed for Mangrove Management within the Cities boundaries approximately 5 years ago.
A Steering Committee was formed in early 2002 to develop good
working relationships and networks between Bundaberg City Council,
Government Agencies and other marine stakeholders in order to facilitate
consultation, agreed outcomes, and timely and informed decision making
while implementing best practice work programs for Mangrove Management.
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