Web: www.ulga.qld.gov.au
Email: contact@ulga.qld.gov.au
View this email on line http://ulga.qld.gov.au/newsletters.php
eNewsletter of the Urban Local Government Association of Queensland
Issue 1 November 2005
Date Claimer
Maryborough
31 May - 2 June
Host a Meeting
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| Warwick Streetscape |
| GC Waterfuture |
| Townsville Yarns |
| Water Resources |
| Community Cabinet |
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for the next issue! |
| Fluoridation |
| Better Cities |
| Salary Sacrificing |
| Cost Shifting |
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Warwick Shire Council
The face of Warwick’s CBD has lost some of its lines, but gained a few new ones as well. The overhead power lines are gone but adorning the face of the CBD now are the exciting lines of crazy paving and the slender lines of Canary Island palms.
There is no doubt the face of Warwick's CBD has aged beautifully but it has recently undergone a major facelift so as to become attractive and modern or both residents and visitors. The face has taken on a new character and vibrancy thanks to Streetscape.
Residents and visitors are now able to enjoy a variety of shopping and al fresco dining while they marvel at the old world charm of Queensland’s finest sandstone buildings. Read More
Streetscape Palmerin Street, Warwick
Solutions to Bulk Water Supply
Gold Coast City Council
Since April 2004, Gold Coast Water has been working on the new Gold Coast Waterfuture (GCWF) Strategy that aims to provide innovative solutions to meet our City’s bulk water supply needs for the next 50 years.
This strategy will replace the strategy developed in the 1980s that did not incorporate the most recent data available on climate conditions, and includes a revision of plans that more accurately cater for these new climatic conditions.
Many Gold Coast Water initiatives that will contribute to the Gold Coast Waterfuture Strategy are already underway and will develop further over time, such as the now mandatory installation of rainwater tanks on all new homes. Read More
Townsville City Council
Engaging with residents where they live
The Community Civic Cabinet program sees Townsville City Council move out of city hall and into the suburbs.
The first Community Civic Cabinet, held at the Annandale Community Centre in May this year, enabled residents to turn out in force and have their say.
Over 20 separate issues were raised and answered on the night, ranging from concerns with drainage and the removal of dangerous trees, to the future plans for the Murray Sports Complex and the Ross River Bikeway.
Future Community Civic Cabinets will be held across Townsville.
Community Civic Cabinet
Townsville City Council
Strengthening Community Identity and Sharing our History
The Townsville City Council’s Townsville Yarns project is a successful community initiative that shares and celebrates Townsville’s social history.
The Yarns was launched in 2003 as a key part of Townsville’s Centenary City Celebrations. The Yarns came to represent the heart and soul of the Centenary City Celebrations – reflecting the community
spirit and historical nature of these celebrations.
The Yarns is composed of two overlapping elements, the systematic collection of historical material relating to a topic and a community event, focussed on the topic. Yarn topics include; Port
Workers, Arts and Culture, Railways, Major Disasters, Townsville Women as well as various topics relating to Townsville’s relationships with the defence forces.
Read More
Speakers from the Townsville Yarn community event
Living the War – Life in Townsville During World War II
Mackay City Council
Mackay moves forward with $97m water project
MACKAY City Council has invited three major consortia to tender for the $97 million Mackay Water Recycling Project. The project is part of the Council's broader strategy to become a national leader
in sustainable waste and water recycling initiatives.
The Mackay Water Recycling Project involves the decommissioning of the city's main Waste Water Treatment Plant, increasing the capacity of existing waste water treatment plants north and south of the City, and providing up to 8500 megalitres of irrigation-quality water to the district’s cane farmers. Mackay Mayor Julie Boyd said the MWRP was the largest and most ambitious infrastructure project ever undertaken by Mackay City Council and when completed, Mackay would be recognised as a national leader in the sustainable treatment and reuse of waste water.
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ULGA Position
The issue of fluoridation of Queensland water is an emotive and contentious matter. On one side is the well documented oral health benefits that flow from fluoridation, whilst on the other there exists strong opposing views to mandatory medication and some concern relating to an increased risk of fluorosis.
Whilst these issues are not unique to Queensland, Local Governments responsibility for fluoridation, and the statute that governs this, is. As a result the Queensland uptake of fluoridation has been limited to Biloela, Dalby, Gatton, Mareeba, Moranbah and Townsville. As demonstrated by the diagram below, these areas represent some 5% of the population, which is a low percentage when compared to other states and territories. For the rest of Australia, State Governments have responsibility for fluoridation and in every case have introduced it where the benefits exceed the costs. Read More
Source: Qld Health Systems Review (Sept 2005) p53.
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ULGA requested the LGAQ to summarise the options available for Councillor Salary Sacrificing. Click here to access the LGAQ information sheet.
Transpac Consulting were appointed by the ULGA to commission (a) prepare a study in relation to supporting the reintroduction of Building Better Cities, and (b) develop and assist in the preliminary execution of a political communications strategy.
A final report received from Transpac, entitled, "Preliminary Lobbying Program for Promotion of ULGA Agenda for Reintroduction of a 'Better Cities' Program" will be discussed at the Executive Meeting scheduled for the 8th December.
The report outlines several lobbying recommendations, including sending a copy of the 'needs and assessment' report along with a written request for assistance to 'all key decision makers at a Commonwealth level' being leaders of all major and minor political parties and cross-bench senators.
It also identifies eleven (11) Members of Parliament and recommends a first round of lobbying to introduce the issues to the MP's and position the proposal as a win-win (or 'must do') opportunity.
Some of these MPs include Jim Lloyd, Barnaby Joyce, Kelvin Thompson, Paul Neville, and Peter Lindsay. The lobbying program will take place over three months.
We will keep you informed of the ULGA's progress.
The Regional Centres Program was renewed with funding of $26 million over two years from 1 July 2006.
RCP is a dollar-for-dollar subsidy which provides support for projects with genuine regional benefits, such as infrastructure and community facilities.
Revised guidelines for RCP will be developed and released in late 2005 for applications for funding after 1 July 2006.
In June of 2005 the Federal Government released its response to
the 18 recommendations from the Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government Report. These responses are provided at Appendix A.
An analysis of the Governments response revealed the following four key components:
>> Intergovernmental agreement on cost shifting
>> Productivity Commission study on barriers to local government
revenue
>> Recognition of local government by both Houses of Federal
Parliament
>> Review of interstate distribution of the identified roads component
of financial assistance grants
The current focal point of activities is with the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council, on which ALGA and the LGAQ have representation, which has agreed to the development of the
inter-governmental agreement. This group is considering the development of the agreement and has backed the Australian Government's proposal that a special meeting be held in March 2006 to
review the draft.
Read more for the proposed ULGA position on the Governments response to the Cost Shifting Inquiry.
The ULGA requested the State Government to review the anti-hooning legislation to enable offences to be identified to the owner of the vehicle in the first instance subject to the normal provisions for red light and speed camera offences rather than having to identify the driver.
Whilst it is understood that the introduction of anti-hooning legislation has given some powers to the Police to deal with an increasing problem in urban areas, the legislation requires the complainant to identify the driver of the vehicle. For residents in local streets who are constantly bombarded with noise from hoons, the requirement to identify the driver of a vehicle before a complaint can be investigated is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
For red light and speed camera offences, the owner of the vehicle is responsible, in the first instance, for the offence. If the owner is not the driver, they either sign a statutory declaration
advising who the driver of their vehicle was, or alternatively they take responsibility for the offence.
If this same process was applied to anti-hooning legislation, the onus would be on the vehicle owner rather than the complainant,
and, it is believed, have an immediate impact.
We will keep you updated on any progress made with this issue in the future.
The response from the Minister for Police and Corrective Services advised that the ULGA’s proposal is noted and will be considered by police. The suggestion of ‘owner onus’ enforcement approach has merit. A proposal similar to the ULGA was the subject of discussion by senior police officers within the State Traffic Support Branch.
We will keep you informed of any progress made on this issue in the future.
ULGA Recognition of Service
as resolved at the 2005 conference "That the ULGA adopt a Service Recognition Scheme, where the years of service from elected members of urban councils are recognised by way of a certificate, to be awarded once ten years of service are achieved”.
You will be able to make application for a certificate in March 2006 and it will be awarded at the 2006 Conference in Maryborough 31 May -
2 June.
Host a Meeting of the
ULGA Executive
Hosting a meeting of the ULGA Executive is an excellent opportunity for a council to profile its region and give local business leaders the opportunity to speak with Mayors of other Councils.
Click here to download information on hosting an executive meeting.