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eNewsletter of the Urban Local Government Association of Queensland

Issue 5  -  February 2008

 Date Claimer  

ULGA Conference

Gympie 23-25 July 2008

Registration will be available

via our web site www.ulga.qld.gov.au

at the beginning of May 2008.

Planning Reform Reference Panel

On 23 August 2997 the State Government launched "Planning for a Prosperous Queensland - A reform agenda for planning and development in the Smart State". 

The reform agenda was the result of extensive stakeholder consultation throughout 2006 and includes 80 actions that cover legislative, operational and cultural reform.  A collaborative approach is required by all stakeholders to deliver the desired reforms. 

The Coordinator-General of the Department of Infrastructure and Planning invited the ULGA to participate as a member of the Planning Reform Reference Panel.  The Executive appointed Cr Paul Pisasale as the Association's representative on the Panel.

The Reference Panel is chaired by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning with representation from the following organisations:

Urban Development Institute of Australia

Housing Industry Association

Local Government Association of Queensland

SEQ CEO's Regional Collaboration Steering Committee

Queensland Environmental Law Association

Queensland Law Society

Planning Institute of Australia

Queensland Conservation Council

Brisbane City Council

University of Queensland

Property Council Australia

Urban Local Government Association

Queensland Council of Social Service

The Role of the Planning Reform Reference Panel is to:

Actively participate in discussions about implementation options for reform actions to develop the most effective integrate solutions;

 

Provide input on issues where there are strong divergent views amongst stakeholders and develop strategic solutions that enable the project to progress and meet timelines;

 

Provide a strategic 'reality check' on implementation actions to ensure there are no 'unintended consequences' for users and stakeholders;

 

Convey information back to stakeholders groups on progress;

 

Ensure the project maintains its accountability by maintaining focus on the key actions in the report;

 

Undertake a 'project champion' role whenever possible, to facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaboration to achieve the desired operational and cultural reforms, through recognition, that legislative change alone will not necessarily deliver better planning outcomes; and

 

Provide a forum for discussing issues that would significantly impact on the success of the implementation, that were unforseen at the reform agenda launch.

The ULGA looks forward to participating in this major reform to achieve better planning solutions for a prosperous Queensland.

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Amalgamation and the

Rules of the ULGA

The Executive will be reviewing the Rules of the ULGA, amendments are required due to the Local Government Reform Implementation Act 2007.  The draft Rules will be submitted to delegates for consideration at the 2008 conference.

Issues that need to be considered are:

The Association currently has 23 members and after "changeover day" there will be 18 members.

The number of votes that may be cast by members is 150 and after changeover day this will be reduced to 128 votes.  Currently, the annual subscription for each member is determined by the number of votes the Council is entitled to.

With the reduction of members the issue of the number of delegates required to constitute a quorum at the general meeting will need to be amended.

Consideration needs to be given to the concept "predominantly urban in character" which is a requirement of membership to the Association.

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Election of Officers to the

ULGA Executive

The election of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Executive members will take place at the Annual Conference in Gympie from the 23-25 July following the Local Government Elections on the 15 March 2008.

Call for nominations will be sent out to member Councils in May, to be eligible for nomination you have to be a 'sitting member'.  The term 'sitting member' means a person who was elected to a Council at the most recent Local Government Elections.

The current Executive will be losing two of its members at the upcoming elections as Councillor Peter Corones (Vice President) and Councillor Kay McDuff will not be nominating for re-election on the 15 March.

The President and Executive members wish Crs Corones and McDuff well in their life after 'Council' and appreciate their contribution and support given to the ULGA over many years.  Cr Corones joined the Executive in 1996 and Cr McDuff in 2000.

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ULGA Policy Statement

The ULGA Policy Document has been updated with the resolutions from the 2007 conference and a draft copy can be found on our web site.

The updated Policy Document will be submitted to the 2008 for endorsement.

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 supports 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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ULGA Certificate of Service

Certificates of Service and pins will be awarded again this year at the Annual Conference in June for service to Local Government and Community.

Eligible councillors need to have served at least ten years of service.  If you want to receive a certificate and pin an application form will be sent to member councils in June 2008 and will be presented at the annual conference in Gympie, 23-25 July 2008. Contact Trish Davey on 4727 9207 or contact@ulga.qld.gov.au for further details if required.

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Climate Change Council

Our President, Cr Tony Mooney has been appointed to the Premier's Climate Change Council.  The Hon. Anna Bligh said the 16 person advisory panel would ensure Queensland's efforts in addressing climate change were informed by the best available knowledge and experience.

The first meeting is being held in March and the Premier will Chair the Council with the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara as the Deputy Chair.

Cr Mooney will keep the members of the ULGA updated on the progress of the Council.

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