Summary of Outcomes
Second meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government
The Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) held its second plenary meeting in Canberra on 25 June 2009. The meeting was hosted by the
Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, and the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
The theme “Building Resilience in Local Communities” provided a platform for discussion about the current and emerging issues facing local government, including the challenges posed by the global economic recession and the impact of recent natural disasters in the context of climate change.
More than 400 delegates discussed common challenges and possible solutions in their breakout sessions. Local governments in disaster affected areas had the opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned during the recent disasters in Queensland and Victoria at the breakout sessions.
The outcomes of these discussions will inform the future work of the ACLG.
New Funding Initiatives for Local Government
The Prime Minister provided a comprehensive presentation of the impact of the global economic recession on the Australian economy, and the national strategies that have helped place Australia in a relatively strong position by international standards.
The Prime Minister noted the positive contribution made by Australia's local government sector through the Commonwealth’s economic stimulus plan, in particular the $800 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).
Further Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Investment
The Prime Minister then announced a further $220 million for the RLCIP, which will be delivered in two ways:
• $100 million is being allocated to all 565 of Australia’s councils on a formula basis; and
• $120 million for larger Strategic Projects will be available on a competitive basis.
The Government will commence the next round of community infrastructure funding at the end of 2009.
Guidelines for the additional funding will be available in the near future.
Local Government Reform Fund
The other element of the new funding is the establishment of a $25 million Local Government Reform Fund to fast-track the implementation of nationally consistent local government infrastructure financial and asset management and planning. The Fund will also support collaborations between councils to improve their capacity to serve their local communities.
Further information will be provided on the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website after consulting state and territory governments and local government stakeholders.
Centre of Excellence for Local Government
The Prime Minister announced the successful applicant to establish the Centre of Excellence for Local Government - the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). The UTS consortium partners are the Australian and New Zealand School of Government, the University of Canberra, Local Government Managers Australia and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia. The Centre is being established with an $8 million grant from the Commonwealth.
The Government’s funding for the Centre recognises the need to encourage innovative practices and solutions in local government, including improving workforce capability. The Centre will deliver programs nationally to maximise access across all local government authorities, including through online services.
National Awards for Local Government
The Prime Minister also announced the two winners for the National Awards for Excellence for Local Government.
• Newcastle City Council, NSW “ClimateCam – International Test Laboratory”; and
• Carpentaria Shire Council, QLD “Domestic Violence – It’s not our game”. Carpentaria Shire Council won the small council award.
Information about the National Awards for Local Government, including links to publication listing all category winners can be accessed from: www.regional.gov.au/local/awards
Opening Plenary
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) – Overview of the National General Assembly
Cr Geoff Lake, President of ALGA, summarised the recommendations and outcomes from the ALGA National General Assembly. The ACLG also received an update from Cr Lake on the local government sector’s progress with the matter of Constitutional recognition of local government.
Cr Lake spoke about the positive benefits of the Government’s $800 million RLCIP funding and the lasting impact it would have on local communities.
Dr Ken Henry AC, Secretary to the Treasury – The Global Economic Recession
Dr Henry outlined the impact of the global economic recession on the Australian economy and at the local community level. He highlighted the need to examine balance sheets, reliability to access finance, appropriate risk assessments with investments in financial assets and discussed ongoing work on taxation reform. He stressed that unemployment does not affect regions uniformly and asked delegates to consider what measures councils should take in their community to target emerging unemployment. On community infrastructure projects, he stressed the short-term stimulatory effects and asked how each council was translating that effect into longer term, ongoing economic development in their region.
Cr Lisa Price, Mayor of Latrobe Council – Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Resilience
Cr Price, who is also Chair of Latrobe City Council's Climate Change Committee, provided an overview of local experiences and lessons from the bushfires in February 2009. She outlined how the bushfires had affected the local community and the council and emphasised the importance of establishing strong relationships within and between communities. Cr Price noted that it is vital to build strong relationships during good times, because those relationships determine success in the face of unforseen challenges.
Breakout Sessions
Responding to the Global Financial Crisis
During breakout sessions, mayors, shire presidents and councillors discussed the characteristics needed for resilient local governments in the current economic climate, including the importance of effective economic management and planning for the future.
All participants commended the Government’s investment in local government infrastructure through the RLCIP. They discussed how councils can show leadership in local economic recovery and provided examples of strategies and actions, to build local economic resilience. Strategies included cooperation and collaboration between councils and other sectors such as industry, private sector, the training sector. Examples were provided by the Sydney Coastal Councils group which is working together to manage infrastructure, and by Prospect City Council, which is working in alliance with five other councils to share council services.
Participants also highlighted the importance of cooperation between local and federal governments to assist in achieving resilience in local and national economies. The RLCIP was highlighted as an example of this cooperation between the two levels of government. Some participants also highlighted the need for better partnerships between all levels of government to address community health and the needs of an ageing population.
Participants talked about having best practice models in order to encourage collaboration and regional planning and avoid duplication.
Responding to Climate Change and Natural Disasters
The breakout groups discussed the potential impacts of climate change on their communities and identified adaptation strategies that may reduce the economic and social cost to communities.
Councils highlighted the emerging economic opportunities for regional communities through renewable energy and other green industries. Councils also discussed ways of building more sustainable and resilient communities through community partnerships, including with emergency services, diversifying economic activities, and increasing flexibility in responding to change.
Many of the councils talked about work they were already undertaking to reduce the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Better management of waste, such as reusing sewerage for watering parks and gardens, partnerships to deliver better water treatment, improving energy efficient housing design was highlighted. Innovative strategies for water management included capping bores, collection of stormwater, recycling water and new energy technologies.
The groups also discussed local government’s role in managing the impacts of climate change and natural disasters and resource constraints in preparing for, managing and responding to the impact of extreme events.
Across the board, councils stressed the need to get work in a more coordinated way with state and federal governments and their communities to adapt to climate change. Areas for greater coordination included managing risk and liability and agreement between different spheres of government on roles and responsibilities. Councils recognised the importance of best practice demonstrations such as through the new Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.
Closing Plenary
During the closing session, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, advised delegates that Community Infrastructure Program funding had now been provided to all 565 local councils across Australia for community projects such as refurbishing community centres, town halls, pools and sporting facilities.
The additional $550 million component has also been allocated for 137 projects, which will produce more than $1.5 billion of local capital works.
The Minister stressed the importance of delivering infrastructure funding quickly to maximise economic stimulus. He also emphasised that councils should continue to select projects that offer the best opportunities for creating jobs. The Minister noted the importance of co-contributions for the Strategic Projects.
Minister Albanese advised delegates that the ideas and proposals generated by councillors at the Australian Council of Local Government would help shape the Government’s future policy agenda, and the ongoing work program of the ACLG Steering Committee.
The Minister also advised that the scheduling of future ACLG plenary meetings will continue to be linked to the timing of the ALGA National General Assembly (NGA).
The Hon Maxine McKew MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, spoke about the constructive nature of dialogue during the day. She said that she looked forward to her new role and would be meeting councils and inspecting community infrastructure projects over the coming months.
Contact:
Australian Council of Local Government Secretariat
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: +61 02 6274 8144
Email: aclg@regional.gov.au
Web: www.aclg.gov.au
