41 may - city of armadale · hr- l information' to standing committees i 3 city strategy lilac...

ISSUE NO. 0812008 41 May 2008

CITY OF

Inside this Issue

3 Correspondence & Papers

Pink Divider

g Information from Human Resources

Blue Divider

Information Bulletin Issue No. 0912008

WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News Issue No.18.08 - 12 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-l Issue No. 19.08 - 19 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-3 SSS Taskforce Bulletin Issue 12 - 20 May 2008 ................................................................................................ COR-5 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News 9 May 2008 .................................................................................................................. COR-7 16 May 2008 ............................................................................................................... COR-30 Media Release

.................................... Missed Opportunity to Redress Genuine Need - 9 May 2008 COR-42 AGLA Ready to Work with Government on Local Community Infrastructure - 14 May 2008 ........................................................ COR-43

... Local Government Welcomes Commitment to Transport Funding - 14 May 2008 COR-44 Mixed Response to One Year Extension of Natural Disaster Mitigation Program - 14 May 2008 .................................................. COR-45

Employee Movements .................................................................................................... HR- l

Information' to Standing Committees I

3 City Strategy Lilac Divider Nil

3 Development Services

Yellow Divider

Nil

3 Technical Services Green Divider

9 Community Services

Beige Divider

Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Technical Services Committee ................................ T-l

Monthly l Quarterly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme ............................................................................... T-2 General Information

..................................................... Minutes of Bungendore Park Management Committee T-6 ........................................... Minutes of Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee T-9

Vandalism and Graffiti ................................................................................................... T- 18 ............... Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 112 - April 2008 T-20 ................ Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 1 13 - May 2008 T-26

Future Now E Newsletter ................................................................................................. T-32 Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Community Services Committee .................................. C-l Monthly l Quarterly Departmental Reports Library & Heritage Services General Monthly Report -April 2008 .................................. C-2 Manager Ranger & Emergency Services Monthly Report - April 2008 ......................... C-10 Minutes of OccasionaYAdvisory Committees

............................ Connected Communities Armadale Inc. - 27 March 2008 C- 17/"CA-4"-25 Armadale Youth Advisory Group - 28 April 2008 ........................................ C-17P'CA-5"-29 Disability Advisory Team - 6 May 2008 ....................................................... C-17l"CA-7"-33 Minnawarra Festival Working Group - 25 March 2008 ............................. ..C-1 7WA-8"-36 Seniors' Interests Advisory Group - 17 April 2008 ...................................... C- 17I"CA-6"-39

Issue 9 - 21 May 2008

Information Bulletin Page Cor- l Correspondence & Papers

ue No. 18.08 W A L G A

12 May 2008

HEADLINES 4 STATE BUDGET IGNORES INFRASTRUCTURE

BACKLOG 4 WALGA AGM 2008 -SUBMISSIONS OF

MOTIONS AND VOTING REGISTMTION 4 STATE BLACK SPOT PROGRAM REVIEW MAILBAG 4 IMPROVED PARKING FOR PEOPLE WITH 4 INFOPAGE - ECONOMIC BRIEFING

DISABILITIE~ 1 INFOPAGE - STATE SPEED COMPLIANCE SURVEY 4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROAD SAFETY AWARDS 2007 RESULTS

ISSUES UPDATE STATE BUDGET IGNORES INFRASTRUCTURE BACKLOG The 2008-09 State Budget handed down last week has failed to redress the $1.75 billion backlog in Local Government infrastructure. WALGA President Cr Bill Mitchell said $4.35m more for public libraries - taking the total to $10.8m - was the only additional expenditure secured from $205m in funding needs outlined in the Associations Budget submission. He said the State Government's four-year $26.1 b capital works program to include a new football

the WA Local Government Association must be received by Monday, 26 May 2008 in order to satisfy the 60 day constitutional notification requirements. Enquiries relating to the preparation or submrssion of motions should be directed to Governance Policy Officer, Meredith Neilsen on 9213 2013 or email mneilsen@,walua.asn.au. Votinq Registration Member Councils seeking to exercise their voting entitlements must ensure that their voting delegates are appropriately registered.

stadium at ~ubiaco; a new museum at East 1 ~ e ~ b t r a t i o n details anda ~e~ is t ra t ion f6r Voting Perth and develoo Perth waterfront ianored Deleaates form were oosted to all Councils on 24 genuine infrastructure needs.

"

Indexed increases in local road funding of $9m was well short of the $80m over four years as submitted as necessary by WALGA. Further Information please contact, Deputy CEO Wayne Scheggia on 9213 2024, or email: wscheaaia@,walaa. asn.au

WALGA AGM 2008 - SUBMISSIONS OF MOTIONS AND VOTING REGISTRATION The Annual General Meeting for the Western Australian Local Government Association will be held from 1:00 pm to 5.00 pm on Saturday 2 August 2008. This event should be attended by delegates from all Member Local Governments. The Notice of AGM, procedural information and guidelines on the formulation of motions, were communicated in writing to Councils on 10 April 2008. Submission of Motions Submissions from Member Local Governments for inclusion on the Agenda for consideration at the 2008 Annual General Meeting are to be submitted in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of WALGA. The closing date for submission of motions is Friday, 6 June 2008. Please note that any motions proposing

~~ri1-2008. To regisier delegates, complete the form and fax back to the Association by Friday, 4 July 2008. For further information on registering voting delegates, please contact Governance -Policy Officer, Meredith Neilsen on 9213 2013 or e-mail [email protected].

STATE BLACK SPOT PROGRAM REVIEW The State Black Spot Program Review Working Group is calling for nominees who are willing to be interviewed on issues associated with the State Black Spot Program. The interview takes approximately 45 minutes and will be conducted over the telephone within rural areas or face-to-face for metropolitan nominees. The questions will be provided prior. If you are interested in participating please contact: Dr Lynn Meuleners, Curtin University Centre for Population Health Research on 9266 4636 or email [email protected] before 5.00pm on Friday, 16 May 2008. WALGA encourages Local Governments to participate as their input is critical to the review of the State Black Spot Program. Further Informatron please contact, Road Safety Policy Officer, Jenna Andrews on 9213 2068, or email: [email protected]

P~JIIIISIIC~ by the Western Auslrnllan Locn Government Assoclal~on. PO Dox 1544. Wssl Perlll. WA 6872 Tsl: (08) 9213 2000, Fax: (081 9322 261 l , Email: [email protected] l.au, lNebsllc: vw.vralgo asn .IU

Information Bulletin Page Cor-2 Correspondence & Papers

IMPROVED PARKING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WALGA recently participated with the Disability Services Commission in a working group to develop a new booklet - Improved Parking for People with Disabilities. The Commission will soon commence distributing and presenting the guidelines to relevant bodies. The Association encourages any Local Government preparing parking bay line marking to contact the Commission for a copy of the guideline on 9426 9200 or visit their website at htt~://www.disabilitv.wa.gov.au For further information, please contact Manager Local Government Advisory Services James McGovern on 9213 2093 or email jmcaovern@walaa,asn.au

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROAD SAFETY AWARDS The Local Government Road Safety Awards 2008 were presented at the Roads and Transport Forum held on the 6 May at the Hyatt Hotel by the Hon. Minister John Kobelke, Minister for Police and Emergency Services; Community Safety; Water Resources; Sport apd, Recreation. The Awards, a joint initiative by WALGA's RoadWise Program and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (WA Division), commenced in 2000 seeking to acknowledge achievements by Local Government in the area of road safety. The Local Government Road Safety Awards were established not only to recognise Local Government road safety projects, but also to showcase road safety initiatives to stakeholders and the community. The categories awarded and the winners were: The Safe Roads and Roadsides Category Winner (Rural Category): Shire of Cranbrook - For the Wingebellup Road project The Safe Travel Speeds category Winner: Shire of Plantagenet - For the Lowood Road Upgrade The Safe Road User Behaviour category Winner (Rural): City of Bunbury - For the Slow Down in Bunbury project winner (Metropolitan): City of Melville - For the '6' Six mates Six stories project Highly Commended: City of Gosnells - For a series of RoadWise and Travelsmart projects For further information please contact Roadwise Operational Coordinator, Vanessa Jackson on 9213 2054 or email [email protected]

PANDEMIC PLANNING WORKSHOPS The Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has announced Business Continuity Planning Workshops and a resource kit aimed at helping the non-government sector to prepare for the impacts of pandemic influenza. Local Governments are also invited to register for the sessions which will complement the workshops delivered to the sector throughout Western Australia during 2007 by a partnership between WALGA, LGIS, Riskcover and the State Government. The kit - Pandemic Planning Tools for Non-Government Organisations - has been developed to inform NGO staff about Pandemic Influenza, the need for business

continuity planning and to provide information and tools to enable them to be in the best position to help maintain social and community functioning. The steps outlined in the kit are also relevant to other disasters or events such as bush fires and cyclones. Workshop Dates: Bunbury 22 May 2008 (loam-3pm) Pilbara 27-29 May 2008 (to be confirmed) Geraldton 5 June 2008 (lOam3pm) Workshop places are limited. For further information please contact Mana Buczolich on 9229 1607 or email PIWorkshops. [email protected]

UNDERSTANDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WALGA with support from the Australian Government has recently published a series of factsheets on Local Government and Natural Resource Management (NRM). The factsheets provide an overview of: how Local Government operates; the statutory and non- statutory roles and responsibllities of Local Government (particularly in relation to NRM); decision making processes; opportunities to engage with and inform Local Governments about NRM; and the motivators for Local Government to participate in NRM. For further information or to obtain a copy of the series, please contact, Local Government NRM Facilitator, Jessica Sheppard on 9213 2027 or email [email protected].

TRAINING UPDATE The cost of each of the modules is as listed below (unless stated): Full Day $297.00 (inc GST) for Workplace

Solutions Members $324.50 (inc GST) for non-members

Half Day $148.50 (inc GST) for Workplace Solutions Members $162.80 (inc GST) for non-members

Elected Member Develoament Proqram City of Kaigoorlie-Boulder Module 9: Ethics and Conduct o f an Elected Member Date: Monday 26 May Time: 1:OOpm to 4:30pm

Module 1: Legal Responsibilities of an Elected Member Date: Tuesday 27 May Time: 9:OOam to 4:30pm Offlcer Professional Develoament

Shire of Esperance Letters and Report Writing in Local Government Date: Monday 19 May Time: 9:OOam to 4:30pm Preparing Agendas and Minutes in Local Government Date: Tuesday 20 May Time: 8:30am to 3:OOpm For further information or to register, please contact Training Coordinator, Heather Bewsher on 9213 2098 or email [email protected]


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4 TRAINING UPDATE 4 PANDEMIC PLANNING WORKSHOPS

OUTCOMES FOOR SECTOR 4 YOUR ADVANTAGE BROCHURE MAILBAG 4 TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONWCT 4 INFOPAGE- HEAWVEHICLE CHARGES

4 INFOPAGE - HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE 4 SOFTWARE LICENSING 4 ENERGY~ROCUREMENT PROGRAM 4 ATSB SAFETY BULLETIN - LEVEL CROSSINGS 4 MWAC INFORMATION BULLETIN ISSUE 113 4 ASSET AND EXPENDITURE RE~ORT2006/07 4 PROCLAMATION OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS ACT 4 WALGA AGM 2008 - SUBMISSIONS OF 2004 AND REGULATIONS

MOTIONS AND VOTING REGISTRATION

ISSUES UPDATE

Western Australia. with a summary of the Association's .key

email rbui-uesb walua, asn.au.

WALGA has renewed its contract with Telstra

summarises the services available.

[email protected]


ENERGYPROCUREMENT An update newsletter for this project has been circulated. WALGA is currently evaluating four submissions and preliminary assessment indicates a positive outcome from the process. An information session and contract launch has been scheduled for Thursday 19 June at 11.00am.

For further information please contact Business Development Manager, Andrew Blitz on 9213 2046 or email [email protected]. au

ATSB SAFETY BULLETIN - LEVEL CROSSINGS

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released a safety bulletin which raises awareness about the factors which have contributed to recent rail level crossing accidents. The bulletin can be downloaded by visiting www.atsb.sov.aul~ublicationsl2008lrail bulletin.aspx Rail safety resources, developed by. the Road Safety Council, are also available to help educate the community, schools and industry about safety issues at level crossings. To access the materials or to download an order form, visit www.ors.wa.qov.au and click on the TopicIRailway Crossing Safety page.

For further information, please contact Road Safety Policy Officer, Jenna Andrews on 9213 2068 or Email: iandrewsa walqa. asn. au

ASSET AND EXPENDITURE REPORT 2006107 Local Governments who are yet to provide information for the Asset and Expenditure Report 'are now placing in jeopardy the timely production of the document.

It is intended to distribute the report during Local Government week in early August however there are still 18 Local Governments who are yet to provide the requested information. I f you require another copy of the 2006/07 submission forms or for further information, please contact Support Officer Transport and Roads, Cheryl Bulford, on 9213 2059 or email [email protected]

WALGA AGM 2008 - SUBMISSIONS OF MOTIONS AND VOTING REGISTRATION The Annual General Meeting for the Western Australian Local Government Association will be held from 1:00 pm to 5.00 pm on Saturday 2 August 2008. This event should be attended by delegates from all Member Local Governments. The Notice of AGM, procedural information and guidelines on the formulation of motions, were communicated in writing to Councils on 10 April 2008. Submission of Motions Submissions from Member .Local Governments for inclusion on the Agenda for consideration at the 2008 Annual General Meeting are to be submitted in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of WALGA. The closing date for submission of motions is Friday, 6 June 2008. Please note that any motions proposing alterations or amendments to the Constitution of the WA Local Government Association must be. received by Monday, 26 May 2008 in order to satisfy the 60. day constitutional notification requirements.

Enquiries relating to the preparation or submission of motions should be directed to Governance Policy Officer, Meredith Neilsen on 9213 2013 or email mneilsen@wa/ua.asn.au. Voting Registration Member Councils seeking to exercise their voting entitlements must ensure that their voting delegates are appropriately registered. Registration details and a Registration for Voting Delegates form were posted to all Councils on 24 April 2008. To register delegates, complete the form and fax back to the Association by Friday, 4 July 2008. For further information on registering voting delegates, please contact Governance Policy Officer, Meredith Neilsen on 9213 2013 or e-mail mneilsen@walga. asn.au.

TRAINING UPDATE

The cost of each of the modules is as l,isted,-below (unless stated): Full Day $297.00 (inc GST) for Workplace

Solutions Members $324.50 (inc GST) for non-members

Half Day $148.50 (inc GST) for Workplace Solutions Members $162.80 (inc GST) for non-members

Elected Member Development Program City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Module 9: Ethics and Conduct of an Elected Member Date: Monday 26 May Time: 1 :00pm to 4:30pm Module 1: Legal Responsibilities of an Elected Member Date: Tuesday 27 May Time: 9:OOam to 4:30pm Officer Professional Development

Shire of Esperance Preparing Agendas and Minutes in Local Government Date: Tuesday 20 May Time: 8:30am to 3:OOpm For further information or to register, please contact Training Coordinator, Heather Bewsher on 9213 2098 or email [email protected],au

PANDEMIC PLANNING WORKSHOPS

The Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has announced Business Continuity Planning Workshops and a resource kit aimed at helping the non-government sector to prepare for the impacts of pandemic influenza. Workshop Dates: Bunbury 22 May 2008 (loam-3pm) Pilbara . 27-29 May 2008 (to be confirmed) Geraldton ,5 June 2008 (loam-3pm) Workshop places are limited. For further information please contact Maria Buczolich on 9229 1607 or email PIWorkshops. [email protected]

Information Bulletin Page Cor-5 Corresuondence & Papers

$ V S 1 t M 1 G

S I W a y SSS TASKFORCE BULLETIN ,,,.. Issue No. 12

COMMENT FROM THE CEO

Last week the State GovemmentlLocal Government Partnership group got together to continue discussions on opportunities for working together and to report on successful partnerships. The SSS Plan, The Journey was

I on the agenda and as I indicated in Bulletin 11, l did raise the prospect of both the LGMA and WALGA being involved in a steering committee to progress any work that might come from refonns.

However, it was clearly stated at the SGlLG Partnership meeting that the consultation process with Local Govemment is still in progress and we are yet to compile all the feedback that has come forward. It seems the

! majority of feedback from Local Government accepts the work and the concept, however, they are keen to see the recommendations thoroughly investigated, no doubt with some of them being rejected as being not feasible cr acceptable and others being further evaluated.

It was stated at this meeting that until the consultation process is completed and there is a position that WALGA is able to put forward in relation to the SSS Plan, The Journey, it would be inappropriate and unacceptable to form a Steering Group. However, we stated that in the event that there is an outcome that supports the reform plan, we are putting the State Government on notice that the LGMA and WALGA expect to be included in the overarching steering group that will be working on evaluating, costlng and recommending strategies to the Minister. There are already groups of Councils who are forming and requesting an opportunity to pilot the model and there are strategies being worked on (for example, the Finance and Accounting manual) so it is important that Local Governrnent is included in any decision making relatlng to the sector. For this reason, it has been suggested that a preliminary group could be formed to support the work that is taking place and both the LGMA and WALGA are considering names to work with a 'pre-SSS Steering Group!

I did state at the partnership meeting that WALGA responded to a request from its

members to pursue structural reform initiatives for Local Govemment and put forward a range of ideas on a preferred model for the future. It is now up to the members to support or reject the Plan and for State Government to decide how they will support the Plan. WALGA is committed to supporting its members and to continue working on strategies to sustain the sector into the future.

State Government advised that they will wait for the outcomes of the August State Council meeting before creating a Steering Group for the reform process and indicated that they would be inviting both WALGA and LGMA on to that committee. In the meantime, they indicated that there was good reason for a pre- Steering Group to get together to assist and support the work that was already underway.

It's also probably worthwhile providing some response to some of the 'gossip' or rumours that I've heard - "It's all WALGA and the LGMA haven't had much of a chance to be involved in this pwess. " LGMA members were on the Taskforce and LGMA members have been involved in all of the Teams working on the SSS Plan, The Journey. "It's WALGA centric and it's a11 about WALGA."

Yes - to a certain extent. WALGA has invested nearly $500,000 in the research and work of this project. The pocess involved identifying Research Consultants and then Project Consultants and therefore the Report was directed back to WALGA providing advice and recommendations on what WALGA should and could do to help sustain Local Government into the future.

"The Independent Assistance Commission is just another example of WALGA positioning themselves and empire building. " The Independent Assistance Commission was actually an idea generated by hvo of the LGMA representatives and picked up and carried by the 60 plus people working on the SSS Plan, The Journey. This proposal was put forward as a method to affect change and to assist in capacity building of the sector.

Information Bulletin Correspondence & Papers

WALGA representatives continue to attend information sessions with Member Councils around the State to facilitate discussion on the SSS Draft Report. Submissions offering feedback on the report will continue to be accepted until Monday, 16 June. Submissions received to date

I containsome excellent suggestions and feedback, and each of these submissions will be considered for possible incorporation into the final report. Amendments to the Draft Report will be included in the July Zone process before going to the August State Council meeting.

Reproduced below are excerpts from submissions received to date.

General Comments

"The Council has considered the SSS report and would like to congratulate WALGA and all those involved in producing this report. We take a very positive view of the report and accept it as the basis for the way fonvatd for Local Government restructure in WA. " "It Is important to remember that the report Is a plan, not a bible. It is more important that the direction is right rather than every detail is correct. As with all plans the detail will change and evolve through implementation, but if is important to have the right destination h mind."

"Whilst Councll recosnlses this achievement /the slgnificent work in coducing the report], it does have a number of reservations with regards to the future of the Local Government industry in Western Australia should many of the recommendations be adopted. " The Regional Model "Whilst Council is not fundamentally opposed to the direction of the Report or the balance of the recommendations, it needs to be recognized that the regional model wlll have differing levels of applicability and suitability in the varlous regions of the State. " "The proposed alignment for the regional structure

based on the current Local Government Zones is not desirable. It is our belief that the zones are too large to achieve practical restructure, and that the regional structure should be left to like minded Councils to set up, with a desire to make restructure work. "

"Given the level of support received from the Minister's office and the progress made in developing the proposed model we believe we would be a strong candidate for your pilot program. "

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"The Council does not support the Regional Model proposed in the Discussion Paper as it believes that communities will be no better served and it will only create another level of bureaucracy, adding to additional costs being Incurred at all levels."

"Any new Regional Councll, if found to be appropn'ete should be allowed to develop 'organically' via the voluntary agreement of Councils where and when the perceived need or opportunity arises, rather than being kick-statted by WALGA simply to test the theory. " Local Government lndependent Assistance Commission The Local Government lndependent Assistance Commission should be expanded to Include representation from offlcer .~roups such as Local ~bvernment Managers ~ u s h l i a and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (and others) so as to maximise resource capacity and options considered.

"The Shire does not support the setting up Of the Independent Assistance Commission. This would seem to duplicate or mlnimlse the department'^ lnvolvement in Local Government."

Accounting Manual "The new Accounting Manual is long overdue and In some ways this Is the most important part of the whole review."

Councillor Training "[Councillor] training should be strongly encouraged but should not be mandatov. Council is concerned that the recommendations concerning Councillor training could be seen to be self-serving of WALGA as it provides the training on a commercial basis."

"Although officer and Councillor training is supported, Council does not support cOmpUlSOry tmining for Councillors as are of the bellef it could be a deterrent to attract new Councillors to rural local authorities where it is difficult enough to attract new Councillors."

Compliance

"It is recommended that WALGA work with the Department of Local Government and Regional Development to identify reductions in the 'compliance' obligations currently imposed on Local Government. This would allow a trade-off between the additional costs of financial reporting and financial /asset management and a reduction in costs associated with other nonessential compliance requirements currently imposed on the sector by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. "

For further information, please contact Public Relations Officer, Kate Murray on 9213 2083 or emaii [email protected]


ALGA NEWSLETTER - 9 May 2008

PM outlines role for Local Government in affordable housing

In a wide-ranging speech to the Housing Industry Association, the Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd, has reaffirmed the Commonwealth's commitment to a Housing Affordability Fund - and a big role for local government.

"This fund wil l form a partnership between the Commonwealth and local governments to invest in this infrastructure to reduce the cost of new homes," Mr Rudd said.

"We're introducing more new housing policies than any budget in living memory.

"The 2008 Budget will include a significant package to tackle the housing crisis.

"It includes measures to make saving easier, to cut housing costs, to increase the number of affordable rental properties, and to build homes for homeless people.

"This new assault on the housing crisis is in addition to existing measures, such as Rent Assistance and First Home Owner's Grant.

"As we move into the second half of the year, we wil l also be re-writing the book on social housing policy in this country.

"The Council of Australian Governments, where the Federal and State Governments negotiate responsibilities and funding arrangements, is knuckling down to deal with the public housing challenge.

"The old Commonwealth State Housing Agreement will be replaced with a more comprehensive and streamlined National Affordable Housing Agreement.

"The new Agreement will bring together all housing assistance programs including Commonwealth Rent Assistance, the First Home Owners Grant and homelessness programs to create more affordable housing for those who need it," he said.

The Prime Minister went on to say that the 2008 Budget would include a $500 million Housing Affordability Fund to drive housing construction activity.

The Fund would be used to address two components of house costs: infrastructure charges and levies and "holding costs" caused by planning delays.

It has been estimated that housing linked infrastructure charges can add up to $68,000 on a new home in some parts of suburban Australia. Those charges pay for all sorts of important infrastructure like water, sewerage, transport, and parklands.

But it can push the dream of owning a new home out of reach when those charges are passed on to the homebuyer.


Expanding on how the Housing Affordability Fund would form a partnership between the Commonwealth and local governments - to invest in this infrastructure to reduce the cost of new home - the Prime Minister said that another part of the equation was "holding costs" - costs associated with planning and approval delays such as interest, land taxes, council rates and staff costs.

"These too can add tens of thousands to the cost of a home," he pointed out.

"Our partnership with local government wil l also address the need to streamline planning and approvals processes to reduce the cost of homes," the Prime Minister stated.

Mr Rudd also referred to the first housing policy commitment Labor made last year: Establishing a National Housing Supply Council.

"This Council wil l be the chief adviser to the Federal Government about housing demand and supply in this country," he said.

"We are establishing this body in recognition of the simple fact that Australia cannot address housing affordability without building more houses. In the last three years alone, we've added almost a million people to Australia's population. These people have to live somewhere.

"We simply haven't built enough houses in recent years. That's why our policy measures are so focused on the supply-side of the housing affordability equation.

"No one has been asking the'question of how many houses we need, of what kind, and in which locations, for more than a decade.

The Prime Minister told the HIA the Council would publish an annual "state of supply" report to analyse the adequacy of construction and land supply for the next 20 years.

Mr Rudd said the first State of Supply report would be due in January next year.

"There is no silver bullet to Australia's housing shortage, but it is the role of government to do everything within i t s power to provide relief from this pressure.

"After all, it's working families that have made Australia the country that it is today," Mr Rudd said.

(Photo of Kevin Rudd courtesy of the Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)

Australian Transport Council meeting report

Australian, State and Territory Transport Ministers, the New Zealand Minister for Transport Safety and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) met in Melbourne last Friday to consider a range of national infrastructure and transport issues.


The ministers committed to the following poiicy objectives:

Economic: To promote the efficient movement of people and goods in order to support sustainable economic development and prosperity; Safety: To provide a safe transport system that meets Australia's mobility, social and economic objectives with maximum safety for its user; Social: To promote social inclusion by connecting remote and disadvantaged communities and increasing accessibility to the transport network for all Australians; Environmental: Protect our environment and improve health by building and investing transport systems that minimise emissions and consumption of resources and energy; Integration: Promote effective and efficient integration and linkages of Australia's transport system with urban and regional planning at every level of government and with international transport systems; and Transparency: Transparency in funding and charging to provide equitable access to the transport system, through clearly identified means where full cost recovery is not applied

The ministers agreed that Australia's transport policy framework i s underpinned by the following guiding principles:

Infrastructure pricing: Sending the appropriate signals to influence supply and demand for infrastructure; Competitive markets: Establishing competitive markets wherever possible to minimise the need for regulation; Private sector: Involve the private sector, where it is efficient to do so, in delivering outcomes; National regulation: A national perspective should be adopted where regulation is required

National markets: Encourage national markets where possible Customer: Customer - focussed. Equitable access for all users

The ATC recognised that calls for a seamless national transport system of this nature had come from both industry and the community, as was reflected strongly in the discussions at the 2020 Summit.

With this in mind, ATC ministers agreed to take a historic first step towards national reforms that wi l l cut down on red tape and result in a more consistent approach to the regulation of transport modes.

The overall aim wil l be to provide better signals to guide both the supply of and demand for transport infrastructure and services, involving whole of transport solutions for corridors and networks rather than simply being mode specific.

ATC also agreed that the National Transport Policy would be guided by the vision, objectives and principles set out above.

Local government, through the Cr Paul Bell, President of ALGA, an observer at ATC, supported these high level mission statement and objectives for the transport system in Australia.

Ministers agreed to work programs for number of working groups that wil l progress a number of specific transport reform issues. Local government, through ALGA, wil l be represented on these working groups.


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It i s pleasing to local government that the National Transport Commission has been tasked with undertaking a number of supply chain studies including one on grain and a comprehensive work stream on urban congestion issues.

Barcaldine's Tree of Knowledge Lives On

Barcaldine Regional Council, in Queensland's central west, has been presented with 35 clones and cuttings of the historic Tree of Knowledge as part of the State's Labour Day celebrations.

Shearers met under the 160-year-old ghost gum in the historic town during a strike in the 1890s, leading to the setting up of the Australian Labor Party.

The tree was mysteriously poisoned in 2006, prompting a rescue operation to preserve it.

The cuttings were taken from a young shoot of the original tree in 1991, and have been cultivated by scientists from the state Department of Primary Industries.

The Labor spirit still seems to be thriving in Barcaldine: Local residents rushed to buy the clones and cuttings but a council spokeswoman said the council had another purpose in mind.

"We could have sold the seedlings a hundred times over but what we plan to do is use them to create a special 'Tree of Knowledge' avenue in the town," she said.

DPI staffers are preserving the poisoned stump of the original tree which will be showcased in a special memorial in the town on the tree's original site. (The illustration with this story i s an artist's impression of the memorial.)

ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, says his fellow Queenslanders in Barcaldine are to be congratulated for coming up with the "Tree of Knowledge" avenue idea.

"The avenue and the special memorial being proposed wil l certainly keep the historic town of Barcaldine on the map," he stated. The council is working towards opening the memorial on the May Day long weekend next year.

rom the President

During the last month or so, I have noted a recurring statement in the Prime Minister's speeches that prompts me to reflect upon the importance to our nation of sound and adequate infrastructure. The statement I refer to i s the one in which the Prime Minister urges us 'to build a modern Australia, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century - to

secure the nation's future, as well as securing the future for the nation's families'.

Central to the Prime Minister's vision for Australia is the concept of 'building'.

Local government has a critical interest in the building of infrastructure that binds our local communities together. In any one local government area, there may be community halls, swimming pools, museums, libraries, parks and gardens, cycle and

Information Bulletin Page Cor-l 1 Correspondence & Papers

pedestrian paths, and of course, local roads. These community facilities are essential to our communities, as they promote social interaction and wellbeing.

The reality, however, is that much of the present stock of community infrastructure is approaching the end of i t s economic life. Whilst some of our local roads have been upgraded through much needed funding such as the Commonwealth's Road to Recovery program, other key community infrastructure is being left behind and is in desperate need of renewal.

Some local councils have been able to find the finances to renew or rebuild this ageing community infrastructure. But as noted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in i t s Report on the National Financial Sustainability of Local Government (2006), commissioned by ALGA, the majority of our community infrastructure has not been rebuilt or renewed, due to cost pressures and squeezes on local government budgets that further highlight the effects of past under funding and cost shifting from other spheres of government.

The Productivity Commission (PC) in its recent study on the capacity of local government to raise own-source revenue (April 2008) concluded that local governments are raising a very high level of own-source revenue. It concluded that the hypothetical additional own-source revenue that could be raised by local government across Australia on average was low (12 per cent).

Importantly, the PC makes it very clear that whilst local government may have the hypothetical capacity to raise additional own-source revenue, this does not imply that local government should actually increase own-source revenue. The PC expresses considerable sensitivity to the fact that local governments are diverse, and exhibit that diversity considerably across a number of characteristics including demographic and geographic attributes of their local area, preferences and expectations of their local communities, and state legislative frameworks under which they operate.

Notably, the PC finds that even i f all local governments did raise own-source revenue to their maximum assessed capacity, the majority would fall below 100 per cent cost recovery. That is, there would still remain a gap between the revenue and the day- to-day expenses of most local governments.

The 'cost recovery' gap between revenue and expenses is likely to be wider still, given that the PC excludes from its definition of cost recovery any of local governments' future liabilities, such as those associated with infrastructure renewal, where adequate provision has not been made.

PwC estimated the community infrastructure backlog to be $14.5 billion, and that a funding gap per annum of $2.16 billion needs filling if the backlog i s to be cleared and the underspend corrected.

As we count down the days to the Federal Budget 2008-09, the need for fairer funding to enable local government to invest adequately in the 'rebuilding' of our nation has never been clearer.

Information Bulletin Page Cor- 12 Correspondence & Papers

Local government calls upon the Federal Government to act now to establish a dedicated Community lnfrastructure Renewals Fund to help reverse the consequences of past under funding, which has hurt our communities. Any delay in the establishment of such a fund i s a lost opportunity to build Australia as a modern, 21st century, socially inclusive nation. A Community lnfrastructure Renewals Fund i s the best way of ensuring that the 1000 or so community infrastructure renewal projects identified by local government bodies can be progressed as a matter of urgency. Like you, I await the Federal Budget with interest.

Cr Paul Bell AM ALGA President

Nominations Open for the Australian Privacy Awards

Local councils are invited to nominate for the Australian Privacy Awards programme.

This initiative of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was recently launched by Senator John Faulkner.

It recognises and rewards local councils, government agencies, businesses and not- for-profit organisations that engage in good privacy practices.

Councils can nominate for any projects, initiatives, campaigns or systems they may have engaged in that involve the handling of personal information.

ALGA submission to new financial management body

ALGA has made a submission to the newly established Senate Select Committee on State Government Financial Management.

In the submission, ALGA emphasises that any examination of improvements to the system of Commonwealth-State fiscal relations must also consider local government.

It points out that local government plays an integral role in the development and continued sustainability of Australia's local communities, and is a dynamic player in the Australian federation.

ALGA highlights four issues for the Committee's attention:

Intergovernmental financial transfers from other spheres of government t o local government as an aspect of reforms in intergovernmental relations; The potential for cost shifting from other spheres of government t o local government and the need to prevent this occurring; lnfrastructure and infrastructure renewals; and Transparency in the reporting of financial transfers to local government.

NSW communities will be deprived of millions under new laws: NSW LG&SA

The NSW Local Government and Shires Association has launched a joint campaign against proposed changes to the State's planning laws which which they claim will deprive communities of millions of dollars.


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Genia McCaffery from the LGA says developers will now be able to pay less money when they do a development to contribute to community facilities such as playgrounds, childcare centres and local roads.

MS McCaffery says 152 councils have contributed 100 thousand dollars in total to fight the planning changes.

Shires Association President, Mr Bruce Miller, has urged residents must tell their State MPS i f they don't support the laws.

Qld Govt to repair or buy damaged Collingwood Park homes

The Queensland government says it wil l establish a taskforce with the lpswich City Council to make recommendations to cabinet in the coming months for further assistance to people whose homes in the city have been damaged by mine subsidence.

The State Premier Anna Bligh, has stated that the Queensland government will repair or buy out up to 20 homes in the lpswich suburb of Collingwood Park damaged recently. mine subsidence.

Nineteenth century mine workings has been blamed.

However, State Mines Minister, Geoff Wilson, has said the financial assistance wil l not apply to properties approved for development since the subsidence began on April 26.

He says this means lpswich city council or any local council in Queensland must take full responsibility for future development they approve in any potential mine subsidence areas.

Inspection of the Collingwood Park area had shown the subsidence had stopped but monitoring would continue for some time.

Discussion paper prepared on COAG affordable housing move

The ALGA secretariat has prepared a discussion paper advise the Board of progress on the COAG Affordable Housing initiatives including electronic development assessment (e DA) .

The Council of Australian Government (COAG) agreed in December to implement five key housing initiatives: to facilitate improved housing supply through identifying surplus government land suitable for housing; provide incentives to build affordable rental housing; lower the burden of infrastructure and regulatory costs built into the purchase price of a new home and improve the evidence base for housing policy and program development.

COAG also agreed to support the most needy in society through joint Commonwealth- State investment in 600 houses and units for homeless people.

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One of the major initiatives of direct relevance to local government is the $500 million Housing Affordability Fund aimed at lowering the burden of infrastructure and regulatory costs built into the purchase price of a new home.

The Commonwealth has decided to allocate $30 million from those funds for the roll out of electronic development applications in local government with a priority focus on high growth areas.

The Housing Affordability Fund seeks to address two significant 'supply-side' barriers to housing development: infrastructure costs (such as water, sewerage, transport, and parklands) and 'holding costs' associated with the time taken by planning and approval processes.

COAG has agreed that the Commonwealth, in consultation with States and Territories and the ALGA, wil l establish assessment criteria for the Housing Affordability Fund.

The COAG Affordable Housing Working Group will meet again on 16 May 2008.

The discussion paper points out that the ALGA has made strong representations through-out the working group processes to ensure that state and territory local government association are linked to state government engagement in this process.

Where state representatives have proposed that state input be provided on any matter ALGA has successfully argued that jurisdictional input must be developed in conjunction with state and territory local government association.

The Commonwealth has indicated that the Affordable Housing Fund programme will be driven by a competitive bid process. Funding under this initiative wil l be available from 1 July 2008.

Applications will be sought from councils, groups of councils and in some cases state governments. Collaborative applications will be encouraged.

The Commonwealth i s preparing a consultation document which wil l be circulated to state associations, council and interested stakeholders. The timing of distribution of this document i s subject to the minister's decision. The Working Group has not at this stage been consulted on this document.

The ALGA secretariat discussion paper points out that this program faces several challenges: in particular there is genuine concern by all parties about how proposed savings can be passed on to home buyers. Further work wil l be required on this and other issues and the Commonwealth would be pleased to receive ideas on how this may be achieved.

On the issue of electronic development assessment, the Prime Minister announced that $30 million of the Affordable Housing Fund would be allocated for eDA. To facilitate the eDA initiative COAG has requested the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council to make the implementation of this work a priority.

At the Local Government and Planning Ministerial Council meeting held 27 March it was agreed that the states and territories would provide advice by 18 April 2008 to

Information Bulletin Page Cor- 1 5 Correspondence & Pa~ers

the Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, in conjunction with their respective state and territory local government bodies, on:

the extent of current eDA practices in their jurisdictions, including quantifiable information on the number of councils that have fully and partly completed the process; suggestions on possible ideas for fast tracking eDA best practice in local government areas within their jurisdictions; the extent to which referral processes are electronic in their jurisdictions, including quantifiable information; and planned strategies as well as new funding and resources that may be provided to support federal funding available to fast track eDA as part of the Housing Affordability Fund, for implementation by 2009.

ALGA understands that all jurisdictions have undertaken this task and that feedback i s with the Minister Plibersek. The Commonwealth i s considering the design parameters for this component of the program.

Disability Employment Strategy discussions in Sydney

The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O'Connor, met disability groups in Sydney this week to discuss ways to boost the employment of people with disability andlor mental illness in New South Wales.

The meeting was held under the aegis of the Federal Government's National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

"We want people to share their first hand knowledge with the Government so that the strategy can not only identify barriers but also address them in a practical and effective way," he said.

Mr O'Connor and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, recently released a discussion paper on the issue. They are now calling for submissions.

"The strategy aims to encourage more employers to employ people with a disability or mental illness by addressing myths about increased risks and costs, and increasing awareness of the benefits," Minister O'Connor said.

"Research shows that there are significant benefits in employing people with disability including fewer accidents at work and reduced employee costs.

Submissions close on June 30.

Regional airport security cash

Infrastructure Minister Albanese has provided more than $92,000 from the Regional Airport Funding Program to strengthen security at the Burnie and lllawarra airport.

The spending is:

More than $85,000 for a new closed circuit television system at Burnie Airport; and $6,700 to upgrade security fencing at lllawarra Regional Airport.


Last year, more than 87,000 passengers passed through Burnie Airport and more than 15,000 arrived at or departed from lllawarra Regional Airport.

Mr Albanese says that under the government's $36.5 million Regional Airport Funding Program practical measures are undertaken to strengthen security arrangements at up to 150 of the nation's regional airports.

New partnership to tackle WA skills shortages

Western Australia wil l be the first State to join the federal-state governments' Productivity Places Program.

Details were announced this week by Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard and her State counterpart,Mark McGowan.

Western Australia will, from July to December this year, pilot an initiative to deliver 1000 new training places in skill shortage areas, with more places expected next year as part of the broader rollout of the programme.

The Australian and WA Governments wi l l invest $2 million to provide workers in Western Australia with the chance to upgrade their skills and gain higher level qualifications.

The announcement was made at the opening of a new $8.4 million print and jewellery apprenticeship training facility at Central TAFE in Perth.

Minister Gillard says the Australian Government i s dedicated to tackling skills shortages across the nation. She described the WA announcement as "an important step in delivering 450,000 new training places in the next four years across Australia.

"This marks the next phase in the rollout of the Productivity Places Program, with the first 20,000 training places already made available for job seekers from April," the ministers said.

"The new training places we announced - and the others available - wi l l be targeted to the existing workforce and wil l be available at the Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels.

"Nearly 80 qualifications wil l be on offer across a range of industries, including the key skills shortage areas of metals and mining; building and construction; electro- technology; manufacturing; community services; and hospitality and tourism.

Krait re-enactment organisers approach welcome: Melbourne Lord Mayor

Melbourne's Lord Mayor, Mr John So, says his Council would welcome a formal approach for a civic reception by six ex-commandos who wil l be recreating one of Australia's most daring exploits of the Second World War.

"In Melbourne we support a lot of good causes," he said.


"We have Council elections on November 29 but I'm sure the new council would look favourably on any approach."

Allan Miles, the CEO of the "Following the Krait" exercise says that so far more than 30 local councils around Australia's coastline have already arranged civic receptions and more are coming on board all the time.

"I've made informal approaches to the Melbourne Lord Mayor's chief of staff and I'll be following those up."

The boat the ex-commandos plan to use for the trip is moored in Port Melbourne.

In 1943 a group of 14 Australian military travelled 33 days through Japanese- dominated waters in the old fishing boat before sinking 40,000 tons of Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour and returning unscathed.

The six ex-Australian Army commandos are reliving the "Krait" exploit to raise money for Legacy. They expect to arrive in Singapore on the 65th anniversary of the original daring attack.

The old soldiers raised $268,000 for prostate cancer research in a similar project in 2001.

"We call ourselves the Operation Pilgrimage Group," Allan says.

"We're not out to glorify war but to remember the courage of Australians in war.

"We're so pleased local government is getting behind us.

"The level of community spirit being demonstrated by local government shows the vital nature of this sphere of administration."

The nine month project begins on June 1 when Operation Pilgrimage leaves Sydney in a 32 foot power boat for Singapore. The ex-commandos expect to be back on February 28, 2009.

This time, instead of explosives, the Operation Pilgrimage Team wil l present a "pilgrimage for peace" greeting to the Singapore government.

"We'll be visiting 146 Australian coastal towns during the 40,000 kilometre voyage," Allan says.

"As well as the civic receptions during the voyage, Sydney City Council is planning a special one for us on our return."

Three of the original "Krait" crew are still alive, all going strong well into their eighties.

They are Horrie Young who lives on the NSW Central Coast, Arthur Jones of Perth and Moss Berryman who lives in Adelaide.

Information Bulletin Page Cor- 1 8 Correspondence & Papers

"We're organizing testimonial dinners for all three men in their towns as we go around Australia," Allan says.

Editor's note: Allan i s available on mobile 0412 992 997. The "Krait" i s kept as a floating Australian maritime military museum.

Local govt. needs more to cope with natural disasters: report

A new report critical of Australia's preparedness for natural disasters points to a resource-starved local government sector.

The wide-ranging review of Australia's resilience to a major natural disaster says such events pose a threat to normal life across significant areas of the country, similar to security challenges.

The focus on national security has obscured the potential for much greater deaths and casualties caused by extreme natural disasters and the need for an all-hazards risk approach, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) says.

The report - "Taking a Punch: Building a More Resilient Australia "- says the country has been very lucky not to have faced the "big one".

"(That's) the catastrophic event that produces extensive casualties and loss of life, widespread damage, large numbers of displaced people, significant business failure, extreme relief and recovery costs that simply overwhelms our capacity to respond," the report said.

"About 30 per cent of councils in Australia are under severe financial stress with asset management and improvements urgently required," APSl says.

It points out that work commissioned by the Australian Local Government Association suggests a national backlog in local government infrastructure which can be vital in helping to deal with natural disasters.

ALGA President Paul Bell comments: "This 'infrastructure backlog' can be a vital factor in terms of a disaster.

"The general backlog in community infrastructure, including halls, etc, certainly impacts on a community's resilience and its ability to provide community kitchens, areas for dormitories, etc in the case of a natural disaster."

APSl goes on to say: "Climate change wil l compound the risks of disruption and have a direct influence on the type, scale and frequency of disasters and emergencies Australia wi l l face, including increased flooding, more frequent and intense storms, lightning events and bushfires.

"More coastal zone residential developments are simply increasing these risks."

APSl says that currently there are many systems across policing and emergency authorities.


"If these were harmonised under a common approach it would enable all agencies to contribute through appropriate access and generate greater community confidence and resilience," it points out.

"Australia does not have an appropriate, effective, timely national community information and warning system capable of being used in the lead-up to, occurrence of, and recovery from disasters.

"Recent improvements to tsunami monitoring are commendable, but don't help to convey the message of a potential impact to communities in the middle of the night," the report concludes.

Local Adaptation Pathway Programme grants announced

The Minister for Climate Change and Water has announced the recipients of grants under the first round of the Local Adaptation Pathway Program. The grants wil l enable the 33 successful councils or groups of councils to assess the risks due to climate change in their areas, and to plan for adaptation to climate change.

"Local governments play a major role in planning and development, natural resources management, infrastructure, and health and recreational facilities - and so are crucial to managing the effects of climate change on their communities," Senator Wong said in her speech to the Queensland Media Club on May 6.

The grants, to a maximum of $50 000 each, were awarded to 33 councils. A full l i s t of recipients under the program i s available at website.

Australian councils called on to help PNG local government

Expressions of interest have been called from Australian councils to partner with PNG councils for a capacity building programme at local government to local government level.

The programmes wil l be aimed at improving the management and delivery of services to communities in PNG.

At present four such partnerships are in place:

Mt Hagen CityIOrange City - development of a city plan, refuse collection and disposal plan and women's empowermentleconomic development project; National Capital District Commission (Pt Moresby)lTownsville City - improvement of regulatory services, property rating and information technology; Lae CityICairns City - development of an integrated waste management strategy for the City of Lae; and Alotau ULLG and Noosa (now Sunshine Coast) Council - enhanced management of the solid waste disposal facility and collection, improved billing system and new information technology.

The three new partnership councils from PNG seeking an Australian partner are: Goroka, Madang & Kokopo.


Members of the CLGF team will be on the Sunshine Coast following the LGMA conference at the Gold Coast. They are hoping that future partners may be identified by then.

ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, says Mitcham Council in South Australia has already committed in principle and so we are possibly only looking for two new councils.

Potential Australian partner councils should initially contact Karen Miller on 02 61229441 at the ALGA secretariat with their expressions of interest.

There i s more information about the program on the CLGF Pacific website under the heading pacific projects PNG.

Road and rail pricing neutrality less than claimed: Productivity Commission

The Australian Government Productivity Commission has found that pricing neutrality between road and rail is much less of a concern than has been claimed.

I t says the main policy objective should be to ensure efficient investment decisions in both modes through better institutions and governance.

Details are contained in a special loth anniversary edition of the Commission's journal, PC update.

The Commission has reviewed road and rail as part of an overall review of incentives for efficient infrastructure.

As part of the review the Commission has also looked at the gas access regime, telecommunications competition regulation and the price regulation of airport services.

It says a major theme of these reports i s the desirability of an approach to infrastructure price regulation that does not discourage efficient investment.

In a review of broadcasting regulation, for example, the Commission called for rapid reform to deal with the new competitive dynamics of the converging media environment. It says that regulatory distinctions between media, services and delivery platforms should be avoided.

Meanwhile the Commission reports annually on the financial performance of government trading enterprises (GTes) in co-operation with Australian, State and Territory governments.

The Commission points out that monitored GTes provide services in key sections of the economy, including electricity, water, urban transport, railways, ports and forestry.

It says that despite some recent improvement, about half of the monitored GTes do not achieve commercial rates of return. This, the Commission says, indicates a long- term failure to operate these businesses on a fully commercial basis in accordance

Information Bulletin Page Cor-2 1 Correspondence & Papers

with competition policy agreement undertakings. The review of the governance arrangements of GTes had found considerable scope for improvement.

In the loth anniversary edition the Commission states that efficient provision and use of economic infrastructure i s fundamental to economic growth, pointing out that a significant determinant of the performance of Australia's infrastructure is the institutional and regulatory structure within which it operates.

Strategic Direction for Food Regulation System

ALGA attended the 1 lth meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Food regulation Ministerial Council held in Melbourne last. Friday.

The meeting endorsed the 'Overarching Strategic Statement for the Food Regulatory System' that provides the strategic context for the Australian and New Zealand food regulation system. The statement i s available here.

The Ministerial Council also: endorsed a policy guideline on the addition of substances other than vitamins and minerals in food; requested Food Standards Australia New Zealand to consider mandatory warnings on package alcohol taking into account the work of the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and other ministerial councils and New Zealand guidelines.

The full communique from the meeting can be found at alga's website.

Local government and liability - climate change

Two recent publications have highlighted some issues regarding the legal liability which councils may face due to climate change.

The first, published by Griffith University, i s entitled Climate Change: What are Local Governments Liable For?

It considers the issue from two perspectives: local government as a potential contributor to climate change, and the potential liability for local govenrment due to decisions, policies and programs it makes or implements. The report i s available free of charge here.

The second publication, prepared by The Environmental Defender's Office (EDO), was commissioned by the Sydney Coastal Councils Group. The EDO conducted an audit of legislation and policy instruments at all levels of government in Australia, to determine the responsibilities and potential liabilities of coastal councils for climate change.

The result was the report titled Coastal Councils Planning for Climate Change. An assessment of Australian and NSW legislation and government policy provisions in relation to climate change relevant to regional and metropolitan NSW coastal councils. To request a free copy please email [email protected]

Note that neither report should be considered legal advice.


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National summit on cars and climate change

Cars hold enormous importance to people from all walks of life, from high mileage drivers travelling to work, to those on low incomes or who are disabled for whom the car i s a lifeline to work, the shops and a range of services.

One of the key challenges for Australia in the 21st century isto harness the enormous benefits of cars, while at the sametime making significant reductions in the negative impacts caused by motoring, such as air pollution, death and injury and greenhouse gas emissions which lead to climate change.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) will be holding a one-day conference entitled On The Road To Greener Motoring on June 3 at the Realm Hotel, National Circuit, Canberra.

The keynote address wi l l be delivered by David Ward, Director General of the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society.

The FIA Foundation is an international charity founded in 2001. I t s objects are to promote road safety, environmental protection, and sustainable mobility.

David Ward is also the Secretary of the Commission for Global Road Safety, Chairman of the Governing Board of the World Bank's Global Road Safety Facility, and a Director of the International Road Assessment Programme.

He has also served in a number of road safety related advisory committees and working groups of the OECD, the WHO, the UN and the European Commission. Go to www.aaa.asn.aulGreenerMotoring to register your interest and for further information on the Climate Change Summit.

For other information, contact the conference co-ordinators, Julie Anderson or Paul Scott at [email protected] or on +61 2 6247 731 1.

2008 Local Government Cultural Awards

Important issues such as mental health, reconciliation, the environment and education were highlighted through the winning entries in this year's Local Government Cultural Awards.

Twenty councils across NSW, from a record 72 entries, were named winners at the awards ceremony held last week at NSW Parliament House.

The State Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch, the Presidents of the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW, representatives from the arts and entertainment industry and councils attended the ceremony to celebrate and recognise the important role Local Government plays in encouraging and promoting culture in the community.

"Councils recognise their key role in promoting culture in the community, and continue to create unique and inspiring projects that deal with important issues," said Cr Genia McCaffery, President of the Local Government Association.


"It i s crucial that councils be able to continue to provide the infrastructure that supports culture and the arts within their communities."

The President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller was impressed by the increase in entries in this year's awards.

"This year's record number of entries clearly indicates how important cultural projects are to our communities and confirms the many benefits these events and initiatives provide.

"It's great to see that 32 entrants were from the state's regional and rural councils."

Urana Shire Council won the People's Choice Award - a first-time category for the annual awards. While the results were close, Urana Shire Council's presentation of the production by Victorian Opera of Mozart's "Cossi Fan Tutte" took first place.

"Local Government is pivotal in promoting and expressing culture within the community and the Cultural Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise this," Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch said.

Babies winners in Victorian budget

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) says a sustained advocacy campaign by local government had helped persuade the State government to deliver for babies in its State Budget.

Also, a strong social Budget focus had invested in the needs of vulnerable families, early childhood development, anti-social behaviour and housing.

Cr Dick Gross, MAV President, said babies were big winners from this year's State Budget with an extra $55 million.

"State and local government share the cost of providing maternal and child health services but rising birth rates and a shortfall in State funding had left councils bearing an increased proportion of the service costs.

"The Budget has addressed this issue by allocating an additional $30 million over four years to ensure councils can cope with the demands of an extra 10,000 babies being born.

"An additional $13 million wil l boost the core maternal and child health service. This i s a pleasing result for councils after the MAV completed a costing study that found a shortfall in the State's contribution.

"An extra $12.2 million wil l also expand the enhanced maternal and child health service provided by councils to vulnerable and at-risk families. Babies have brought home the Budget bucks this year," he said.

Maternal and child health services are delivered by Victoria's 79 councils, with funding and policy development shared by State and local government to ensure all


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babies and young children receive check-ups and health support at key developmental stages up to the age of five years.

Cr Gross said it was great to see the State providing ongoing support to innovations in service delivery, where councils were collaborating to provide more efficient and cost effective options.

"A total of $6 million has been committed for the Regional Food Kitchen initiative led by Hobsons Bay City Council and involving 14 municipalities. This will provide an affordable and nutritious delivered meals service to community care recipients.

"Also, provision of $600,000 is welcome to support councillor good governance training and introduction of conduct panels following two years' work by the MAV.

"We await further details of the yet-to-be finalised reforms following a consultation process earlier this year, but the funding commitment is a good start."

ALGA supports doctors' appeal for rural health help in Budget

ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell has supported a call from the Rural Doctors Association of Australia for more help for doctors in the bush in the Budget.

"Doctors - indeed, all medical services - are of critical importance to all rural communities," he said.

"Councils certainly support the call on the Federal Government to address these health issues.

"After all, in the country, people can't just go to another GP down the road.

The Rural Doctors' Association says the Federal Government's Rural Health Workforce Audit has provided yet more evidence that rural health is in full-blown cardiac arrest and underlines why next week's Budget must include real measures to get more doctors and other health professionals to the bush.

"The results of the Rural Health Workforce Audit were much worse than even we had expected," RDAA President, Dr Peter Rischbieth, said.

"Those results provide yet more evidence of the chronic shortage of doctors and other health professionals across rural and remote Australia, and demonstrate just how much urgent work needs to be done in combating this crisis.

"In short, the rural health sector i s in full-blown cardiac arrest and only the Government can charge the heart machine's paddles.

"While we can understand the Rudd Government might want to take some time in further assessing the rural health workforce crisis before forming an action plan, there i s simply not the luxury of time available. After years of reviews, now i s the time for action.


"The truth is we once had a huge paddock full of rural doctors but they have been pouring out of a gap in the fence for years.

"The government can spend a further twelve months analysing what it should do about the gap and-at the same time-watch even more doctors getting out of rural practice, or it can bite the bullet, invest in some much-needed repairs and also put some real incentives in place.

"This might cost a l i t t le more than leaving a gap in the fence, but at the end of the day it wil l encourage a whole lot more doctors to stay in the paddock.

"Waiting until next year's Budget before implementing any meaningful package to turn the rural health workforce crisis around will only see more doctors leaving the bush because of burnout or retirement, and more young medical graduates choosing the path to city-based specialist practice rather than rural medicine.

"It wil l also risk more small rural hospitals being downgraded or closed because state governments can use the excuse that there are not enough doctors and other health professionals to staff them.

"One of the most critical items we need in next week's Budget is a Rural Rescue Package to entice more doctors to rural and remote Australia. Put forward last year by RDAA and the AMA, this cost-effective package has attracted significant support from many quarters and comprises:

A Rural Isolation Payment to be paid to all rural doctors (including GPs, specialists and registrars) to reflect the isolation associated with rural practice; and A Rural Procedural and EmergencyIOn Call Loading to better support rural procedural doctors (including procedural specialists) who provide obstetric, surgical, anaesthetic or primary emergency on-call service in rural communities.

"There i s also an urgent need to develop a national rural health policy to combat the lower life expectancy and poorer health outcomes of rural Australians when compared with their city counterparts, and the implementation of a "National Rural Health Obligation" (in co-operation with the states) to ensure that all rural Australians have better access to doctors, other health professionals, local hospitals and health services in their communities.

"We desperately hope next week's Budget wil l deliver a real way forward for rural healthcare in this country and, importantly, also help improve the overall sustainability of rural communities across Australia.

"We have heard the Rudd Government say on many occasions that rural healthcare desperately needs more support. Now i s the time for the Government to put its money where its mouth is," Dr Rischbieth said.

The National Local Roads and Transport Congress

The National Local Roads and Transport Congress i s being held in Shepparton, Victoria from 15 - 17 June.

I Information Bulletin Page Cor-26 Correspondence & Papers

More than 25 presenters will, over the two days of the Congress, be speaking on wide range of transport policy issues relevant to local government. There will be opportunities to question speakers on emerging policy developments under the new Federal Government.

The Congress theme for 2008 i s "Securing the First Mile". Delegates wil l be informed of the key role local roads have in the Federal Government's new national transport plan announced at the Australian Transport Council meeting on 2 May. See separate article.

As is the case very year the Congress provides the opportunity to hear about, and learn from, the experiences of councils from around the country. This year we will also have a speaker from Local Government New Zealand to speak on the way, which i s very different to Australia, that local roads are funded in that country.

There is also available over the two days of the Congress workshops on dealing with media. The workshops are available at no additional cost on a first come first in basis.

More details and registration information i s available at ALGA'S website.

Paid parental leave hearings begin in Canberra

Public hearings for the Productivity Commission inquiry on Paid Parental Leave began in Canberra on Wednesday.

The Commission has been asked by the Government to look at strategies for improved support for parents with newborn children.

The Commission says it is particularly keen to hear from individuals about their personal experiences and suggestions in relation to parental leave.

After Canberra, the hearings move to Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, then Darwin before finishing in Brisbane on June 5.

Community fora wil l also be held, including in Dandenong, Dubbo and Rockhampton.

The Commission will release a draft report for comment in September.

2008 Heart Foundation local government awards

The Heart Foundation is offering prizes again this year to local government.

It says any council that has a plan, policy or programme to create a healthier place for its residents is eligible to apply.

Councils that work co-operatively with community groups, schools, health and community organisations andlor private industry are encouraged to enter the awareds as well.


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Applications close on June 6. More information i s available from the website or from the local government co-ordinator on 02 92192444.

Metropolis Congress

The ninth World Congress of Metropolis will be held in Sydney on October 22-25.

More than 1,000 local and international civic leaders, public and private representatives and academics are expected to attend the congress which i s hosted by the NSW government.

Metropolis Congress 2008 will bring together world cities to exchange the experience and best practice of key contemporary issues including publiclprivate partnerships, climate change, social sustainability, urban renewal and technology.

Heritage at risk

Fifteen Australian heritage experts say the nation's heritage is at risk.

They met at a National Brains Trust forum in Sydney this week to discuss the situation.

Speaking for the group, the University of Queensland's Professor of History, Peter Spearitt, said governments had abandoned leadership, eroded their independent agencies and cut funding for heritage.

The situation was the worst it had been since the 1970s. The group said the situation was the worst in New South Wales.

"Significantly, heritage did not rate a mention - and the lobby even failed to gain a seat - at the 2020 Summit," Professor Spearitt said.

"Government has lost interest in heritage because it is seen as impeding development ." The forum called for the setting up of a national endowment fund for cultural heritage to complement funding for the natural environment.

The participants called for a focus on the sustainability of culture as well as the sustainability of buildings and landscape.

They called for the restoration of independent heritage agencies within all spheres of government.

A dissenting voice at the forum was that of the chief executive of the Property Council of Australia, Peter Verwer, who said property investors, particularly the large investors, had never been more committed to recognizing the heritage values of the nation's cities and investing in those values.

Information Bulletin Page Cor-28 Corres~ondence & Pa~ers

CSA: supporting families locally

The Child Support Agency has invited local government to join forces with it to help support separated parents throughout Australia.

The CSA says it recognises that local councils play an important and critical role for families in accessing information and support services on a local level.

The agency says that often, local councils are the first port of call for many of the l .5 million parents registered with the CSA.

"This is why the CSA encourages a partnership with local councils Australia-wide to identify ways in which both bodies can work together to build a stronger support network for families," a CSA spokesperson said.

Councils could help by promoting a link on their websites to highlight the significant changes to the Child Support Scheme from July 1.

A new formula would calculate child support payments based on the costs of raising children of different age groups.

The balanced formula also took into account a range of other issues, found at www.csa.qov.au/schemereforms/.

"The CSA has a network of 27 regional service centres providing a more convenient face-to-face service for parents in rural and regional areas," the spokesperson said.

"This includes questions about child support calculations or payments, personalised outreach services or interviews and referrals to other support services." Details are at www.csa.qov.au

For larger employers, including councils, the CSA also offered a "Staying Connected" programme.

"This program provides employee support in the workplace and offers tips on getting back on track after separation," the spokesperson added.

"Many large employers have found they have more than recovered the initial cost of the programme through reduced absenteeism, lower staff turnover, reduced commercial losses and reductions in workplace accidents.

"The quicker an employee resumes a normal working life following separation, the less impact the relationship breakdown wil l have on the workplace.

"We invite councils to register online with the CSA's Community Service Directory - an information portal on organisations in the community assisting parents on a wide range of family related issues," the spokesperson said.

For more information, contact Katrina Baird (telephone 02-6272 8886 or email katrina. [email protected]) or visit CSA's website.

Quote of the week "Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people." William Butler Yeats (1865- 1939)

Forthcoming events

For a full listing of forthcoming events, see ALGA'S Events calendar.

19 - 22 May 2008 2nd National EMS Forum

20 - 22 May 2008 CeBlT Australia 2008

20 - 22 May 2008 Irrigation Australia 2008 Exhibition Ft Conference

21 - 22 May 2008 Going Local & Making Great Places

22 - 23 May 2008 National Pollutant Inventory Conference

22 - 23 May 2008 3rd Annual Infrastructure Protection Et Security

26 - 27 May 2008 Public Sector Financial Reporting

28 - 29 May 2008 1st National Diversity on Boards Conference

04 - 05 June 2008 Ethical Leadership in the Public Sector Conference 2008

05 - 06 June 2008 National Local Government Shared Services Conference


ALGA NEWSLETTER - 1 6 May 2008 ALGA's policy agenda taken up in 2008-09 Federal Budget

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has welcomed the endorsement of many of ALGA's pre- Budget proposals in the Federal Budget 2008-09.

Several Budget initiatives are designed to benefit local communities. These include the establishment of lnfrastructure Australia, the allocation of funding for electronic development approvals through the Housing Affordability Fund initiative, funding for a National Broadband Network and the National Broadband Guarantee, plans to tackle the water crisis and the commencement of the grain line review. Cr Bell particularly welcomed the formal commitment in the Budget to consult with local government on the issue of constitutional recognition, through the new Council of Australian Local Governments (COALG).

The Government says it wil l build Australia into a modern, 21st century nation through the establishment of a Building Australia Fund, which wil l enhance nation- building, the allocation of an additional $25 million to support the expanded reform agenda of the Council of Australian Governments (which includes ALGA), and the announcement to establish a Regional and Local Community lnfrastructure Program from 2009-10.

However, Cr Bell said he wil l urge the Federal Government not to wait until next year's Budget before finalising details of the Regional and Local Community lnfrastructure Program, given the backlog in infrastructure renewals is already estimated to be $14.5 billion. "This i s a funding gap that can only grow bigger as each year passes," Cr Bell said. The Federal Government has said it wil l work closely with the new House of Representatives Standing Committee inquiry into a new regional infrastructure funding program (see story below).

Fairer general funding for local government i s another issue which Cr Bell said he would like to see reformed as a matter of urgency. The announcement by the Government on Budget night that it wil l commence the most comprehensive review of Australia's taxation system since World War II presents a timely opportunity for local government to put forward i t s strong case on this issue. "As the Budget Papers reveal, Commonwealth revenues have yet again been revised upward, and remain strong into the forward years. It i s time that our country's nation-building includes a financial relations system framework that allows local government to share in that economic strength, so that it can keep pace with the costs of providing services and much needed facilities to its community members," Cr Bell said.

In respect of climate change and natural resources, Cr Bell welcomed the environment, climate change and water initiatives in the Budget, including the Caring for our Country initiative, but said he was at a loss to understand why the Federal Government has not extended the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program beyond June 2009. This Program i s at the core of the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package, which the Government made a commitment to updating and improving when it was in Opposition.

Information Bulletin Page Cor-3 1 Corresoondence & Paoers

"Natural Disasters cost Australia well in excess of $1 billion per annum and investment in mitigation measures i s extremely cost effective in helping communities to cope," Cr Bell said.

ALGA wil l be pursuing outstanding issues with the Government in coming weeks.

ALGA ready to work with Govt on local community infrastructure

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has applauded the Federal Government's announcement in this week's Budget that a Regional and Local Community lnfrastructure Program will be established from 2009-10.

"The Government's announcement is a response to the extensive grass-roots campaign waged by ALGA, State and Territory Associations and councils over the past 18 months which drew attention to the community infrastructure crisis facing Australia," Cr Bell said. "I congratulate councils for their energy and enthusiasm and for submitting well over 1,000 examples of ailing infrastructure onto ALGA'S on-line Community lnfrastructure Ideas Register which sparked a national debate directly leading to this initiative."

Cr Bell said local government was responsible for more than $12 billion of local community infrastructure, including recreational facilities such as ovals, swimming pools, walking paths and community facilities such as halls, community and senior citizen centres, libraries and kitchens used by organisations such as Meals on Wheels.

"These are critical parts of the social fabric of local communities which are at risk right across the nation," he said. "ALGA looks forward to working closely with the Federal Government on making a community infrastructure program a reality."

Meanwhile the Rudd Government has welcomed the House of Representatives Standing Committee's inquiry into a new regional infrastructure funding program. The Parliament has appointed Independent MP, Tony Windsor to assist the Committee, chaired by Labor MP Catherine King, in i t s consultations.

The Government says it wi l l work closely with the Committee and with local governments and other regional organisations to improve and better coordinate regional infrastructure and services.

ALGA identified a major gap in local community infrastructure funding through i t s report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in December 2006. One of the major findings of the report on local government financial sustainability was that there was an investment backlog for community infrastructure in the order of $14.5 billion with an annual funding gap of $12 billion. The PwC report recommended the creation of a Local Community lnfrastructure Renewals Program funded at $250m per annum for 4 years to help close the investment gap. There i s a considerable body of evidence that demonstrate the multiple benefits of quality and well maintained community infrastructure. Benefits include: attraction and retention of key workers; health benefits from facilities such as recreational facilities, walking tracks and multi- purpose pathways that promote physical activity; and educational benefits through the provision of libraries, museums and galleries.


Pictured: Speers Point Library i s just one example of a worthy project for funding which may be eligible under the new Regional and Local Community lnfrastructure Program. The Lake Macquarie City Council has submitted onto ALGA's Community lnfrastructure Ideas Register a proposal for a $100,000 upgrade to improve community areas, internal fitout, and to meet OHS and fire and disability standards. The library was built in 1962 and due to increased community demand, the library is now cramped, poorly lit, and has inadequate storage and amenities.

Transport Funding - 2008-09 Federal Budget

The first Rudd Government Budget locks in the funding increases for the AusLink program announced in the 2007 Budget. This is in line with Labor's promises during the election campaign to maintain AusLink funding, including for the Roads Recovery

Program.

The 2008 Budget confirms the Government's commitment to providing $22.3 billion for AusLink 2 over the period 2009-10 to 2013-14. This i s good news for local government, as Roads to Recovery wi l l be funded from this source.

The current AusLink legislation ceases on 30 June 2009 and the Government will need to develop new legislation. Local government will be seeking to influence the new legislation to achieving its objective of greater flexibility in the use of the funds by councils.

Local Government also welcomes the funding for the Grain Transport Taskforce in NSW but i s disappointed that the Taskforce i s restricted to NSW and does not cover all grain growing areas.

The Building Australia Fund, promises a new era in Australia infrastructure investment and is welcomed by local government as a sensible investment of budget surpluses that wil l stand Australia in good stead in the long term.

Funding for local roads in 2008-09 wil l total just under $1044 million made up of:

Roads to Recovery: $355.5 million (this higher figure reflects some carry over of funding from 2007-08);

Identified local road grants: $576.7 million; and AusLink Strategic Regional: $89.6 million.

More information available at: www. alga. asn.au/ policylfinance lfederalBudgetAnalysis20081

From the President The first Rudd Government Budget has been a good one overall for local government. ALGA's '4 Fs' of Fair Funding, Fair Treatment, Formal Recognition and Future Challenges are well reflected in the document.

Of particular interest for local government was the Federal Government's announcement of a Regional and Local Community


lnfrastructure Program. This marks the culmination of 18 months of lobbying by local government and i s a welcome initiative. ALGA will be working closely with the Federal Government with the aim of ensuring that funding for the program is adequate and that it is set up as soon as possible to deal with the urgent backlog of community infrastructure in need of renewal. The Local Community lnfrastructure Renewal Fund proposed by ALGA included an allocation to each council. If an alternative model is adopted by the Government, it is critical that a transparent funding process be established whereby councils are able to put forward proposals which will be judged on need and merit. I am hoping that the new House of Representatives Standing Committee inquiry into a regional infrastructure funding program will achieve this aim.

The renewal of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program for another year i s an important step, however following a year marred by bushfires in the southern states and the devastating Queensland floods, local government was looking for more certainty and a longer-term commitment. This i s what we will be asking for in the lead-up to the 2009-10 Budget.

Road funding election promises are now locked in and it is reassuring that the Government kept i t s pledge to local government and more importantly, to the Australian people. We wil l be watching with interest some of the new proposals to ease urban congestion and the NSW grain lines study, however we are disappointed that this i s restricted to NSW, and ALGA wil l be lobbying for it to be expanded all grain-growing areas.

The Government has also firmly committed to Constitutional Recognition for local government and ALGA will be working directly with the Government, and through the new Council of Australian Local Governments when it meets, to further the process for achieving this goal which i s a long-cherished aspiration of local government.

This brings me to my favourite topics of fair funding and fair treatment for local government.

I was heartened by statements in the Budget of the Federal Government's preparedness to tackle inter-governmental financial relations as part of its Tax Review.

The decision of the Federal Government to look at the full tax system - Commonwealth, State and Local - underlines what ALGA has been saying for some time - You cannot treat each sphere in isolation.

The recent study by the Productivity Commission into Local Government's capacity to raise Own Source Revenue ignored the fact that local government taxes and charges are part of a whole of government approach to raising revenue and providing services. While Local Government has been doing its bit to raise revenue, the real problem has been the tax sharing arrangements between local government which is called on by communities to provide an enormous range of services and the Federal Government which raises vastly more revenue than it spends.

The Federal Government's commitment to collaborative Federalism is not only about coordinating program and service delivery but is also about adequate resourcing of


Page Cor-34

those services and programs. We have seen reforms proposed in the areas of Specific Purpose Payments between the Commonwealth and the States and now we need to see reforms to Commonwealth funding for local government.

The general funding support provided to local government by the Federal Government through the Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) is extremely important and in the Budget the Government has announced that it would provide $1.86 billion in FAGs to local government in 2008-09, plus a further $14.2m supplementary funding for South Australian roads. This funding i s welcome and makes a vital contribution to assisting councils to deliver the services and infrastructure required by local communities. Unfortunately however, all councils face significant and increasing costs pressures in this time of economic growth and the relatively low rate of increase in the grants will mean that many councils wil l slip further behind. It i s for this reason that ALGA has called for more equitable tax sharing by reforming the FAGs so that they are maintained at a constant rate of 1% of Commonwealth tax revenue.

Cr Paul Bell AM ALGA President

Budget announcement of Tax Review

Local government welcomes the announcement on Budget Night that the Federal Government will launch the most comprehensive review of Australia's tax system since World War II, to be headed by Federal Treasury Secretary, Dr Ken Henry AC.

This follows the Australia2020 summit proposal to have a 'holistic tax system that is fair, simple and efficient,' and comes earlier than the Prime Minister previously indicated.

At the Australia2020 summit, the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, endorsed the notion that fairness should be the centrepiece of our taxation system. Local government agrees, and advocates that fairness should also characterise the system by which the Commonwealth provides financial transfers to the other spheres of government.

It is encouraging that the tax review will consider simplifying the tax system, 'including across the Australian Federation.' This provides a timely opportunity for ALGA to again put forward the case for a fairer and more certain system of financial transfers to local government.

Analysis of the Federal Budget 2008-09 reveals that total Financial Assistance Grants from the Commonwealth to local government in 2008-09 represents only 0.62 per cent of total Commonwealth taxation revenue. In 1996-97, the proportion was 1 per cent.

These figures highlight the widening gap between Commonwealth revenues (which include growth taxes) and the funding for general purpose grants to local government, which does not keep pace with economic growth. Local government costs do keep pace with economic growth. It i s therefore appropriate the distribution of revenue to local government is examined as part of the tax review.


It i s expected that the initial discussion paper will be released by Treasury before the end of July 2008.

Bushfire trails get $5 million boost

Australia's bushfire trails will be better maintained with $5 million in funding under the Bushfire Mitigation Program for 2008-09.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the funding wil l help construction, maintenance, and signage works on Australia's extensive network of bushfire trails. "Bushfires are part and parcel of Australian life," Mr McClelland said. \\This makes it imperative to ensure that when bushfires hit, firefighters can get to the scene quickly and safely."

"The Bushfire Mitigation Program helps make this happen by bringing together State fire suppression and land management agencies with local governments to identify and address the most critical fire trail works."

Through building and maintaining fire trails, the program complements existing fire risk management activities around Australia and works in conjunction with State and Territory bushfire mitigation priorities and assessment procedures.

"I encourage State and Territory agencies and local governments to develop applications for the program," said Mr McClelland. Information on how to apply and eligibility criteria are available from Emergency Management Australia (EMA), a division of the Attorney-General's Department, at www.ema.$ov.au.

Bushfire Mitigation Program Applications are now sought for the 2008-09 funding round with a closing date of 30 June 2008

Responding to Sea Level Rise: Engineering Practical Climate Change Solutions

One of the key issues for coastal 8 tidal councils i s the impact of sea level rise over the long term, and more immediately the impact of the combination of storm surges and high tides on a council's coastal infrastructure.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) i s inviting Submission of Abstracts for its national conference "Responding to Sea Level Rise: Engineering Practical Climate Change Solutions". The conference wil l be held at Coffs Harbour NSW from 3-5 August 2008.

The key focus of the Call for Abstracts and Conference i s to identify and share experience, case studies and strategies on practical solutions.

Coastal & tidal council engineering and other staff who have been involved in the development of coastal and estuarine management response to sea level rise are encouraged to submit their proposals for the Conference.

The Call for Abstracts closes on Friday ~ 3 ' ~ May.


Page Cor-36

Further information on the Conference and the Call for Abstracts can be found at www.ipwea.orr?.au/coffs2008 or e-mail [email protected];.au.

Beach Safety and the Law: Australian Evidence

This new book presents expert legal assessment on:

public liability and Civil Liability legislation

roles and responsibilities of local government councils

tourism operators' duties

signage current injury prevention and public safety initiatives

the legal future of beach safety in Australia

This book i s the result of a National Summit partnership between Surf Life Saving Australia, the Queensland Law Society and QUT Law. Leading lawyers have provided expert commentary and insights into current legislation and case law affecting one of Australia's largest recreational activities. 'Beach Safety and the Law:

Australian Evidence' (edited by Dr Jeff Wilks - price $59.95) is available for purchase here.

Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government i s to conduct an inquiry into a new regional development funding program.

The inquiry, requested by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, is to report on the Australian National Audit Office's Performance Audit of the Regional Partnerships Program and make recommendations on ways to invest funding in genuine regional economic development and community infrastructure with the aim of enhancing the sustainability and livability of Australia's regions.

The Committee's report is to:

Provide advice on future funding of regional programs in order to invest in genuine and accountable community infrastructure projects;

Examine ways to minimize administrative costs and duplication for taxpayers;

Examine the former government's practices and grants outlined in the Australian National Audit Office report on Regional Partnerships with the aim of providing advice on future funding of regional programs; and

Examine the former government's practices and grants in the Regional Partnerships Program after the audit period of 2003-2006 with the aim of providing advice on future funding of regional programs.


Closing date for submissions: 30 June 2008. Further information and advice on making submissions, can be found at: www.aph.$ov.au/itrdlg

Grain Transport Taskforce

$3 million is being provided to establish a Taskforce to examine grain transport issues in NSW. The Taskforce will focus on the development of integrated and sustainable transport solutions that optimise the use of rail to facilitate a more efficient grain transport system.

The Taskforce wi l l provide expert advice on the condition and future viability of the grain track network in NSW and any necessary supply chain reforms to facilitate better transport movement of grain from farm to silo to domestic or export markets including collection, storage and handling practices.

Urban Congestion Studies

$75 million wi l l be provided this financial year to states to undertake studies into a number of landmark transport projects.

The states have agreed to contribute a further $57.5 million, bringing the total investment to $132.5 million for these studies.

In NSW $20 million will be contributed to feasibility study into the proposed Western Metro (Green Line) between Parramatta and the CBD and a further $5 million to examine potential improvements to the M5 transport corridor from Port BotanylSydney Airport to South West Sydney.

In Victoria $12 million i s being provided to a study to assess the projects identified in the Investing in Transport-East West Link Needs Assessments and 9 million into planning, traffic modelling, scoping works and pre-construction works for the Western Ring Road.

In South Australia $3 million i s provided for a transport sustainability study for Adelaide.

In Western Australia $3 million is provided to develop a strategic framework for transport networks servicing Perth Airport.

In Queensland $13 million i s being provided for a number of planning studies to enable the upgrade of the Bruce Highway to begin as soon as possible and $10 million to accelerate planning to upgrade the Gateway Motorway missing links.

Building Australia Fund

An initial $20 billion has been allocated to a new Building Australia Fund. This money wil l be used to build critical economic infrastructure such as roads, rail, ports and broadband.


These funds will be sourced from the budget surpluses expected in 2007-08 and 2008- 09, with the possibility of further deposits being made from future surpluses. The Communications Fund wil l also be rolled into the Building Australia Fund.

The Fund is expected to be up and running by 1 January 2009, with the first allocations to be made in 2009-10.

Allocations from the Fund will be guided by lnfrastructure Australia's national audit and infrastructure priority l i s t the first of which wi l l be presented to the March 2009 meeting of COAG.

lnfrastructure Australia

$20.0 million has been allocated over four years to develop a strategic blueprint for easing bottlenecks and addressing the nation's long term infrastructure needs.

lnfrastructure Australia's immediate task wil l be to undertake a National Audit and determine the capacity and condition of nationally significant infrastructure, including transport, water, energy and communications.

By March 2009 lnfrastructure Australia will deliver to COAG an lnfrastructure Priority List which wil l help guide investment.

lnfrastructure Australia wi l l also develop nationally consistent guidelines for Public- Private-Partnerships by October this year.

Security at regional airports

$12.6 million (over four years) from 2007 08, to assist 29 regional airports with baggage security screening.

$29.5 million to assist up to 150 regional airports to implement basic security measures required under the Aviation Transport Security regulatory regime.

Subsidy for flights to remote areas

The Government i s providing $44.7 million over four years to subsidise weekly flights to remote communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Cape Barren Island, under the Remote Air Services Subsidy Scheme.

Mixed response to one-year extension of Natural Disaster Mitigation program

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, welcomed the Federal Government's decision to extend the funding for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) beyond 30 June 2008 but said he was baffled by the decision to extend the program for only a single year.

"Natural Disasters cost Australia well in excess of $1 billion per annum and investment in mitigation measures is extremely cost effective in helping communities


to cope," Cr Bell said. Under the Budget announcement, the NDMP wil l receive a one- year extension of funding of $1 9.2m.

"There is increasing exposure to more severe storms and bushfires as a result of climate change and local government has been pressing over the past year for renewal of this program," he said. "The impact of the floods earlier this year in central Queensland, which affected many communities including my own at Emerald, would have been much worse without investment in mitigation measures such as flood levees and house relocations."

"The program was originally introduced as a recommendation of a report to the Council of Australian Governments in 2002 and involves a partnership approach to mitigation with funding provided by Federal, state and local government. The mitigation projects funded are often implemented over a number of years and to extend funding by just a single year, while welcome, wil l create uncertainty in councils about future mitigation works."

"The Government made a commitment in Opposition that it would update and improve the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by climate change. The mainstay of the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package i s the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and it i s unclear after tonight's announcement what Government intends for the Program. ALGA wil l seek the reasons behind the Government's decision and details of any future plans it may have for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program over the coming weeks."

Quote of the week

"Life i s not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"

George Carlin

New Generation Public Swimming Pools Cut Council Costs

They take three to four weeks to build, are 20% to 30% cheaper than traditional swimming pools, can save hundreds of thousands of dollars on maintenance costs, and can help councils avoid major public uproar and community distress of forced public swimming pool closures because of leaks.

This week construction has begun on the $4.4 million first stage of the Townsville City Council's Northern Beaches Leisure Centre located at the new Stockland Waterway Gardens development at Burdell.

Contact David Orrock Product Manager Commercial Pools 48 Hanna St, Noble Park, Victoria, 31 74. Australia Fax: 03 9554 2270 Direct Extension: 03 9554 221 9 Mobile: 041 9 555 142 Email [email protected] .au www.astralpool.com.au


Coastalwatch

The Coastalwatch website (www.coastalwatch.com) links viewers to live coastal images via a network of web cameras, and provides a range of information about coastal conditions as well as news about

coastal issues and events. The site and was established in 1998 and is Australia's No.1 Water Sports and Web Camera website.

Coastalwatch provides three levels of cost effective service, all from the one camera.

Science: CoastalCOMS assists with effective coastal management as the system recognises the need to manage the long-term impacts of natural and human activities, and to protect coastal resources for future generations. Coastal management authorities require timely access to information on the health of the beach system in order to effectively manage the distribution of resources and to address community concerns regarding beach amenity and safety. The Coastal Conditions Monitoring System (CoastalCOMS) offers a range of modules which provide comprehensive real-time and predictive information about beach, surf and harbour entrance conditions. The real-time data includes offshore wave height, near shore wave height, wind direction and strength, beach usage and shoreline position. Combined with data from other sources such as tide predictions and expert observations, the collected data i s stored and used to train predictive algorithms. The data produced by these algorithms is then displayed in a user friendly format via CoastalCOMS facilities. CoastalCOMS wil l soon be able to provide real-time information on beach state, beach risk and surf quality. Safety: CoastalCOMS utilises the camera network to make a significant contribution to safer coastal use. To this end, Coastalwatch has partnered with NSW Maritime, Surf Life Saving Australia, the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguarding Association, and the many Volunteer Rescue organisations and community groups across Australia and overseas.

Recreation: The website offers free access high-quality live, archived and still images and weather condition reports, along with environmental, news and editorials.

Coastalwatch i s a community focused commercial organisation, deriving income from the sale of advertising on site and the provision of data and related services. We ask that you consider Coastalwatch as a committed provider of timely and accurate services, and for a complete catalogue of modules, services and costings please contact:

Chris Tola Business Development Manager

Phone +61 02 9965 731 5 Email [email protected]

www.coastalwatch.com.


Forthcoming events

For a full listing of forthcoming events, see ALGA3 Events calendar.

19 - 22 May 2008 2nd National EMS Forum

20 - 22 May 2008 CeBlT Australia 2008

20 - 22 May 2008 Irrigation Australia 2008 Exhibition & Conference

21 - 22 May 2008 Going Local & Making Great Places

22 - 23 May 2008 National Pollutant Inventory Conference

22 - 23 May 2008 3rd Annual Infrastructure Protection & Security

26 - 27 May 2008 Public Sector Financial Reporting

28 - 29 May 2008 I s t National Diversity on Boards Conference

04 - 05 June 2008 Ethical Leadership in the Public Sector Conference 2008

05 - 06 June 2008 National Local Government Shared Services Conference


Page Cor-42

Media Release

09 May 2008 Missed Opportunity to Redress Genuine Need

The State Government has chosen what is "nice to have" rather than "what i s needed" in i t s capital works program outlined in today's State Budget.

WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell said the State Government has missed an opportunity to redress a $1.75 billion backlog in maintaining Local Government infrastructure.

He said the $26.1 b capital works program to build a new football stadium in Subiaco; a new museum at East Perth; and have a nicer Perth waterfront is at the expense of basic services such as roads and associated infrastructure in predominately non- metropolitan areas.

"Much of the economic prosperity that has enabled the State Government to enjoy a $1.85 billion surplus comes from the resources sector and its activities in regional Western Australia," Cr Mitchell said.

"The capital works program announced today that ignores the $1.75 billion backlog in Local Government infrastructure and emphasises the disconnection between where the State's wealth is generated and where it i s spent.

"There needs to be a balance in both metropolitan and regional investment and, more importantly, between what is nice to have and what is needed.

"If the State Government can not find a way to redress the infrastructure backlog when enjoying consecutive budget surpluses in excess of $1.8 billion then when will it?"

Cr Mitchell said to redress the anomaly of 72% of the State roads only being funding by 27% of vehicle registrations, WALGA had lobbied for an additional $80m for local road without success.

"We are s t i l l examining the Budget papers but so far we have only been able to identify an additional $4.35 million for public libraries, to take it up to $10.8m, as the lone additional commitment for Local Government beyond indexed adjustments," Cr Mitchell said.

"This State Budget is a missed opportunity to redress genuine areas of need in favor of projects that wil l be iconic and popular with metropolitan voters.

"It locks the State into a capital works program for the next four years during which time even Treasury estimates significant reductions in the size of the available surplus."

Information Bulletin Corresuondence & Pa~ers

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Media Release

14 May 2008 ALGA Ready to Work with Government on Local Community lnfrastructure

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has applauded the Federal Government's announcement in tonight's Budget that a Regional and Local Community lnfrastructure Program wil l be established from 2009- 10.

"The Government's announcement is a response to the extensive grass-roots campaign waged by ALGA, State and Territory Associations and councils over the past 18 months which drew attention to the community infrastructure crisis facing Australia," Cr Bell said. "I congratulate councils for their energy and enthusiasm and for submitting well over 1,000 examples of ailing infrastructure onto ALGA'S on-line Community lnfrastructure Ideas Register which sparked a national debate directly leading to this initiative."

Cr Bell said local government was responsible for more than $12 billion of local community infrastructure, including recreational facilities such as ovals, swimming pools, walking paths and community facilities such as halls, community and senior citizen centres, libraries and kitchens used by organisations such as Meals on Wheels.

"These are critical parts of the social fabric of local communities which are at risk right across the nation," he said. "ALGA looks forward to working closely with the Federal Government on making a community infrastructure program a reality."

ALGA identified a major gap in local community infrastructure funding through its report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in December 2006. One of the major findings of the report on local government financial sustainability was that there was an investment backlog for community infrastructure in the order of $14.5 billion with an annual funding gap of $1 2 billion. The PwC report recommended the creation of a Local Community lnfrastructure Renewals Program funded at $250m per annum for 4 years to help close the investment gap.

There i s a considerable body of evidence that demonstrate the multiple benefits of quality and well maintained community infrastructure. Benefits include: attraction and retention of key workers; health benefits from facilities such as recreational facilities, walking tracks and multi-purpose pathways that promote physical activity; and educational benefits through the provision of libraries, museums and galleries.


Media Release

14 May 2008 Local Government Welcomes Commitment to Transport Funding

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, said that he was pleased that the Federal Government had kept its election commitments on local road funding for 2008-09 and maintained i t s commitment to funding local roads at announced rates to 2014.

"I am pleased that the Federal Government has recognized the economic and social benefits of investment to meet the transport expectations of local communities" Cr Bell said.

Local government also welcomes the $75 million for a series of studies into urban congestion (to be matched by $57.5 million from the states).

Cr Bell said "Local government has been calling on the Federal Government for years to have greater involvement in urban transport issues. It i s pleasing to see the Government taking this initiative."

The proposed grain transport taskforce is important recognition of the importance of the need to have an efficient transport chain for our grain industries. Local government has grave concerns that if closures of grain rail lines proceeds they wil l have severe impacts on the local road system and the safety and amenity of rural communities.

"The Building Australia Fund to be overseen by Infrastructure Australia promises a new era in Australia infrastructure investment" Cr Bell said. "Local government welcomes this initiative as a sensible investment of budget surpluses that will stand Australia in good stead in the long term."

Cr Bell said local government was pleased that the Government has recognized the impost on regional airports of security requirements by providing funding for security upgrades.

"Remote communities have not been forgotten and the funding of subsidies for flights to remote airports wil l be particularly helpful," Cr Bell said

ALGA'S full Budget analysis wil l be available on the ALGA website tonight and over the next 24 hours: www.algia.asn.au/policy/finance/federalBudqetAnalysis2008/


Media Release

14 May 2008 Mixed Response to One-Year Extension of Natural Disaster Mitigation Program

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, welcomed the Federal Government's decision to extend the funding for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) beyond 30 June 2008 but said he was baffled by the decision to extend the program for only a single year.

"Natural Disasters cost Australia well in excess of $1 billion per annum and investment in mitigation measures is extremely cost effective in helping communities to cope," Cr Bell said. Under the Budget announcement, the NDMP wil l receive a one- year extension of funding of $18.6m.

"There is increasing exposure to more severe storms and bushfires as a result of climate change and local government has been pressing over the past year for renewal of this program," he said. "The impact of the floods earlier this year in central Queensland, which affected many communities including my own at Emerald, would have been much worse without investment in mitigation measures such as flood levees and house relocations."

"The program was originally introduced as a recommendation of a report to the Council of Australian Governments in 2002 and involves a partnership approach to mitigation with funding provided by Federal, state and local government. The mitigation projects funded are often implemented over a number of years and to extend funding by just a single year, while welcome, will create uncertainty in councils about future mitigation works."

"The Government made a commitment in Opposition that it would update and improve the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by climate change. The mainstay of the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package i s the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and it is unclear after tonight's announcement what Government intends for the Program. ALGA wil l seek the reasons behind the Government's decision and details of any future plans it may have for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program over the coming weeks."

p- p--- - -

Inside this Issue


Pink Divider

3 Information from Human Resources

Blue Divider

CITY OF


WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News Issue No. 18.08 - 12 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-1 Issue No. 19.08 - 19 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-3 SSS Taskforce Bulletin Issue 12 - 20 May 2008 ................................................................................................ COR-5 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News 9 May 2008 ................................................................................................................... COR-7 16 May 2008 ............................................................................................................... COR-30 Media Release Missed Opportunity to Redress Genuine Need - 9 May 2008 .................................... COR-42 AGLA Ready to Work with Government on Local Community Infrastructure - 14 May 2008 ........................................................ COR-43

.. Local Government Welcomes Commitment to Transport Funding - 14 May 2008. COR-44 Mixed Response to One Year Extension of

.................................................. Natural Disaster Mitigation Program - 14 May 2008 COR-45

Employee Movements .................................................................................................... HR- 1

Information to Standing Committees I


3 Development Services

Yellow Divider

Nil



Beige Divider

m Outstanding Matters ....................................... Report on Outstanding Matters - Technical Services Committee T-l

Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme ............................................................................... T-2

m General Information Minutes of Bungendore Park Management Committee ................................................... T-6

........................................... Minutes of Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee T-9 Vandalism and Graffiti .................................................................................................... T- 18

............... Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 1 12 - April 2008 T-20 Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 1 13 - May 2008 ................ T-26 Future Now E Newsletter ................................................................................................. T-32 Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Community Services Committee .................................. C-l Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Library & Heritage Services General Monthly Report -April 2008 .................................. C-2 Manager Ranger & Emergency Services Monthly Report - April 2008 ......................... C-10 Minutes of OccasionaVAdvisory Committees Connected Communities Armadale Inc. - 27 March 2008 ............................ C-17/"CA-4"-25 Armadale Youth Advisory Group - 28 April 2008 ........................................ C-17P7CA-5"-29 Disability Advisory Team - 6 May 2008 ....................................................... C-17P'CA-7"-33 Minnawarra Festival Working Group - 25 March 2008 ............................... C-17/"CA-8"-36 Seniors' Interests Advisory Group - 17 April 2008 ...................................... C- l 7P7CA-6"-39

Issue 9 - 21 May 2008

Information Bulletin Page HR-1 Information Items from Human Resource Management

1 . EMPLOYEE MOVEMENTS

New Staff:

o Casual Admin Assistant (Building), commenced 19/5/08.

o Tourism Officer (Part-time), commenced 21/5/08.

o Parks Maintenance Operator X 2, commences 27/5/08.

o Admin Assistant (Armadale Arena) - commences 4/6/08

o Health & Fitness Coordinator - commences 5/6/08

o Program Coordinator - commences 5/6/08

Staff Leaving:

o Nil

Other Staff Movements (Internal):

Library Clerk part-time to casual, effective 2/6/08.

Current Recruitment Activity:

Asset Management Coordinator - position on hold.

o Senior Designer - position on hold.

o Engineering Surveyor - to be re-advertised.

o Engineering Design & Drafting/Technical Officer - interview to be scheduled.

o Subdivision Engineer - position on hold.

o Parks Technical Officer - to be re-advertised 24/5/08.

Q Cadet Building Surveyor - position on hold.

Human Resources Manager - interviews conducted 20/0508, recruitment progressing

o Creche Supervisor - applications close 23/5/08.

Armadale Arena Casuals - recruitment progressing.

Supervisor Development & Assets -to be re-advertised 24/5/08.

o Admin Officer Recreation - applications close 23/5/08

o Library Clerk (part-time) - applications close 23/5/08

Information Bulletin Information Items fiom Human Resource Management

Page HR-2

Current Recruitment Activity (cont ...)

o Armadale Volunteer Resource Service Coordinator - position withdrawn.

Streamcare Promoter - interview scheduled 26/5/08.

o Waste Collection Vehicle Operator - applications closed 14/5/08, recruitment progressing.

o Irrigation Fitter - applications close 23/5/08.

Director - City Projects - applications closed 16/5/08, recruitment progressing.

R Environmental Health Officer - applications close 6/6/08.

CITY OP


Inside this Issue

g Correspondence & Papers

Pink Divider

=) Information from Human Resources

Blue Divider

WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News Issue No. 18.08 - 12 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-l Issue No.19.08 - 19 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-3 SSS Taskforce Bulletin Issue 12 - 20 May 2008 ................................................................................................ COR-5 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News 9 May 2008 ................................................................................................................... COR-7 16 May 2008 ............................................................................................................... COR-30 Media Release

.................................... Missed Opportunity to Redress Genuine Need - 9 May 2008 COR-42 AGLA Ready to Work with Government on

........................................................ Local Community Infrastructure - 14 May 2008 COR-43 . Local Government Welcomes Commitment to Transport Funding - 14 May 2008.. COR-44

Mixed Response to One Year Extension of .................................................. Natural Disaster Mitigation Program - 14 May 2008 COR-45

Employee Movements .................................................................................................. HR-1


Development Services

Yellow Divider



Beige Divider

Nil

Outstanding Matters ....................................... Report on Outstanding Matters - Technical Services Committee T-l

Monthly l Quarterly Departmental Reports ............................................................................... Technical Services Works Programme T-2

General Information ..................................................... Minutes of Bungendore Park Management Committee T-6

........................................... Minutes of Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee T-9 Vandalism and Graffiti .................................................................................................... T- 18

............... Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 1 12 - April 2008 T-20 ................ Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 1 13 - May 2008 T-26

Future Now E Newsletter ............................................................................................... T-32 Outstanding Matters

.................................. Report on Outstanding Matters - Community Services Committee C-l Monthly l Quarterly Departmental Reports

.................................. Library & Heritage Services General Monthly Report -April 2008 C-2 ......................... Manager Ranger & Emergency Services Monthly Report - April 2008 C-10

Minutes of OccasionaVAdvisory Committees ............................ Connected Communities Armadale Inc. - 27 March 2008 C-17/"CA-4"-25

........................................ Armadale Youth Advisory Group - 28 April 2008 C-17l"CA-5"-29 Disability Advisory Team - 6 May 2008. ...................................................... C- 17I"CA-7"-33 Minnawarra Festival Working Group - 25 March 2008 ............................... C-17/"CA-8"-36 Seniors' Interests Advisorv G r o u ~ - 17 A ~ r i l 2008 ...................................... C-17I"CA-6"-39

1 Issue 9 - 21 May 2008

investigation with MRWA -

with Lake Road

presentation by PTA

PAW between Lots 64 & 65 Sheoak Development Lighting improvement and Place, Armadale Services other improvement works - Refer D1 08/9/0 7 considered as part of 5 Year

Works Plan

PAW between Lots 201 (12) and 202 Development Lighting improvement and (10) Jarrah Cls, Westfield Services other improvement works - Refer D1 0 7/09/06 considered as part of 5 Year

Works Plan

PAW between Lots 705 (1) and 714 (9) Development Lighting improvement and Cl~bucca Plc, Armadale Services other improvement works - Refer D35/4/06 considered as part of 5 Year

Works Plan

Jull St Mall Maintenance and Technical Services Further report to the Technical Refurbishment Services Committee - expected Refer T105/12/0 7 Q4 FY 07/08

Primam - Parking Technical Services Future report to the Technical Refer T101/11/0 7 Services Committee

Heron Reserve - POS Funds Refer TI 02/12/07

BB0 facilities CBD and speed in^ traffic in Jull Street Refer T20/3/08

Technical Services

Technical

Report to the Technical Services Committee February/March 2008

Future report to the Technical Services Committee

Information Bulletin T2 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

TECHNICAL SERVICES WORKS PROGRAMME April - June 2008

Ranford Road Stage 2 Ranford Road Stage 2 Ranford Road Stage 2 Footpath Construction programme Footpath Construction programme Wright Rd upgrade Wright Rd upgrade Wright Rd upgrade Railway Avehlerrifield Rd Railway Avehlerrifield Rd Railway Ave/Merrifield Rd

Green AveIChurch AveIWungong Rd Slab Gully drainage

Development

Lake Rd drainage

Maintenance Footpath, kerb and drainage repairs Pothole and road failure repairs Contract road sweeping

Bridge maintenance

Newhaven Precinct 3 & 4 Armadale Shopping Centre (ING)

Wungong RdISeventh Rd Slab Gully drainage Heritage Rd Rehabilitation Carrawatha Ave Rehabilitation


Newhaven Precinct 3 & 4 Armadale Shopping Centre (ING)

LowanndChallis (Black Spot) Slab Gully drainage Heritage Rd Carrawatha Ave Soldiers Rd upgrade PoadIHesketh (Black Spot) LowanndChallis (Black Spot)


Newhaven Precinct 3 & 4 Armadale Plaza Development (Westzone)


Forrestdale Business Park Forrestdale Business Park Lot 27 Lake Road Lot 14 & 29 Westfield Road Lot 14 & 29 Westfield Road Lot 123 Canns Road

Chilten Estate -Stg 7 Narbethong/Equestrican Stg 1 Lot 1 & 2 Ninth Rd Lot 80 Lake Road. Champion Lakes Stg 2

Design & Engineering

Lot 27 Lake Road Lot 123 Canns Road Chilten Estate -Stg 7 Lot 1 & 2 Ninth Rd Champion Lakes Stg 2

Design & Engineering Wungong Road - Reconstruction Buckingham Road - Reconstruction Hesketh Ave Blackspot Lowanna WayIChallis Rd Blackspot Merrifield/Railway roundabout Warton Road final design. Westfield Stage 1 (Cammillo - Ypres)

Drainage Slab Gully Creek Ranford Road Stg I & I1 - special drainage & SW storage facilities.

Chilten Estate -Stg 7 Lot 1 & 2 Ninth Rd Champion Lakes Stg 2

Design & Engineering Warton Rd (Dual Carriageway) Westfield Stage 2 (Champion-Grovelands) Orchard Ave, Stage 2 (completion) Heritage Drive; Rehab Grant Carawatha Ave; Roundabout (ChurchIWungong) Ranford Rd; Stage 2 Dual Carriageway

Drainage Slab Gully, Stage 3b Carawatha Ave - Subsoil Drainage Leys Rise - Outfall structure Katrina Tce - Subsoil Drainage

Design & Engineering o Warton Rd (Dual Carriageway)

Westfield Stage 2 Ranford Rd; Stage 2 lighting & drainage Harrison Road Soldiers Road Wungong Road (roundabout to Seventh)

Drainage Slab Gully, Stage 3b Leys Rise - Outfall structure Banyard Road - Twin System


Park Improvements - Rushton Park Park Improvements - Rushton Park Park Improvements - Rushton Park Tree Preservation - Ficus Tree Tree Preservation - Ficus Tree Tree Preservation - Ficus Tree

Nature Reserves Improvements Nature Reserves Improvements Nature Reserves Improvements

Alfred Skeet & Bob Blackburn Memorial Park Improvements

Property Management

one grass green to synthetic surface.

Asset Works Play Equipment - General Works State Water Strategy - Meter installations

Maintenance Schedule Mowing Streetscape Maintenance Street Tree Pruning - Seville Grove, Forestdale, Brookdale. Roundabout maintenance

Capital Works Armadale Aquatic Centre Reference Group - Enclosure of pools CCTV Administration and Central Business District Federal Grant application for Phase 1 CCTV Roleystone Theatre - Documentation for

Play Equipment - General Works

Maintenance Schedule Mowing Streetscape Maintenance Street Tree Pruning - Seville Grove, Forestdale, Brookdale.

Capital Works Arrnadale Aquatic Centre Reference Group - Enclosure of pools CCTV Administration and Central Business District Federal Grant application for Phase 1 CCTV Roleystone Theatre - Documentation for

Corfield St Streetscape Improvements

Asset Works Play Equipment - Westfield Res Play Equipment - Bryan Gel Res Play Equipment - William Skeet Res

Maintenance Schedule Mowing Streetscape Maintenance Street Tree Pruning - Seville Grove, Forestdale, Brookdale.

Capital Works Armadale Aquatic Centre Reference Group - Enclosure of pools Armadale Aquatic Centre retiling 25m pool and warranty works on 50m pool CCTV Administration and Central Business District Federal Grant

Information Bulletin Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

New Offices at Arena for PCYC. Roleystone Theatre - Documentation for Asset Preservation Champion Centre Refurbishment Stabilizing earth bank at rear of Theatre

Administration Internal Refurbishment Champion Centre Refurbishment Admin Kitchen Upgrade Asset Preservation Roleystone Hall - Improvements Administration Air Conditioning Administration Internal Refurbishment including new Alfkesco area, acoustic enclosure of units and completion of Admin Kitchen Upgrade treatment, air conditioning and disabled

Administration Air Conditioning toilet and shower facility Arena PCYC - Roof and Gutter repairs enclosure of units and completion of Wallingara Pony Club - New Kitchen Asset Preservation

Maintenance Scheduled Cleaning Council Buildings Building maintenance all buildings

Arena PCYC - Roof and Gutter repairs Wallingara Pony Club -New Kitchen

Maintenance Scheduled Cleaning Council Buildings Building maintenance all buildings

Administration Internal Refurbishment H Admin Kitchen Upgrade

Administration Air Conditioning enclosure of units and completion of balancing system Arena PCYC - Roof and Gutter repairs Wallingara Pony Club - New Kitchen

Maintenance Scheduled Cleaning Council Buildings

Building maintenance all buildings


BUNGENDORE PARK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING No. 289, SATURDAY 19'~ APRIL 2008

MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT Cr Guenter Best (Chairman) Mr Bill Ladyman (Secretary) Mr Kim Sarti (Projects)

Mr Ron Withnell MS Miriam Stanborough (Weeds) Mrs Penny Versteeg

APOLOGIES Mrs Irene Morcombe

Cr Best declared the meeting open at 10.30 am. Minutes of the meeting held 26'h March 2008 were accepted as being correct.

StanborougWSarti Carried

BUSINESS ARISING 1. Replacement of Gate '6' and Gate 'M' -Nothing further has been done. The Gate '6' chain is

difficult to use. 2. Trail bike and Vandal activity -Mr Thompson and Mr Ladyman to arrange placement of large

stones etc at gaps at entrances that will prevent bike access but still allow pedestrian access. 3. Swan Alcoa Landcare Program 2009 - Mr Sarti has completed a $50 10 grant application, for

1000 seedlings ($950), Weed control ($1,1 OO), Feral bee control ($300), Dieback Treatment ($2,000), Wayside interpretive signs ($600) and Admin and Communications $60

4. Management Plan 1997-2007 Review - being continued by Mrs Omacini who has completed a draft for perusal by Mr Sarti and Mr Ladyman.

5. Hills Heartbeat Festival - Mr Withnell delivered a verbal report, about 4000 people attended, next years dates to be 27128th March. Mr Griffiths not present to report on the Pancakes in the Park event. Mr Sarti reported the Birds of Prey and Arrnadale Reptile Centre displays in the Park were well received. The response to the self guided walk was disappointing. A vendor questionnaire was completed and returned.

6. Garden Week display - Mr Ladyman will provide a suitable display frame for Mr Sarti by September.

7. Spring Walks - Mr Ladyman has informed Sue Allen of our preferred date, September 21" and that we'll assist.

8. Weeds Report - MS Stanborough reported success with the three year eradication campaign of Brazilian Pepper near the Water Tank in the northwest corner of the Park. 90% control has been achieved by the spraying of whole plants by Jim Treasure - Pest-R-Jim. No need for revegetation.

9. Regional Parks Community Grant 2007 - Mr Sarti has returned the completed Project report and Acquittal form (XT65)

10. Dieback information display - Mrs Omacini has made corrections to errors in text and obtained quote for production and installation. Removal to be arranged of Habitat information sign at Albany Highway entrance and placed in storage. MS Stanborough suggested the Dieback Sign be installed in addition to the existing signs at the Cockatoo Display

11. Track Trimming - committee discussed the need for trimming branches from tracks in the park. 12. Voluntary Hours - members logged their hours since last meeting.


13. Volunteer work authorisation - the following motion was put for the ensuing year: Bungendore Park Management Committee authorises members and volunteers to perform maintenance works and management activities for the ensuing year as, and when, required.

Moved: Sarti 1 Ladyman Carried 23-1 -2008 Activity since last meeting includes: MS Stanborough - weed inspection, Hillsheart activities, periodic ACC Year 12 walks, Mr Sarti - preparing for walks, Mrs Versteeg - patrolling.

A WAITING COMPLETION AND/OR REPLY I . Swan Alcoa Landcare Program 2007 - all funds have been acquitted except $I,OOO for Feral Pig

control. Extension to project timepom 3 I"' March has been granted by SALP; Project report and Acquittal form to be completed and returned by 31"' October.

2. Dieback Communication Plan - community-based Social Marketing Project Plan outline for Local Government Authorities. Mr Sarti has received a draft copy of the strategy for Bungendore Park and has yet to review it and make comment.

3. Symbol signs - Mr Sarti still to follow up quotes for purchase of new signs and for graflti coating existing signs.

4. Protective bufler burning - Mr Ladyman to contact DEC to suggest a complimentary bufler alongside the burn each year. [1/283]

5. Works schedule for 2008 - Messrs Sarti and Ladyman to assess for 2008 [3/285] 6. DEC Fire Access Track - Mr Thompson reported the access track to be a summer job.It is to run

from the south western corner of the Bungendore southern boundary into DEC bushland (Lot 200) to give fire access to a steep piece of country not accessible from the Wungong. Mr Tuffnell advises that track development and indeed all earthworks in the park should only be carried out after dieback investbation, with clean machinery and in dry soil conditions

GRANTS IN PROGRESS 1. Community Conservation 200312004 $900 2. Swan Alcoa Landcare Program 2007 (07S05) $6,2 10 3. Alcoa Bravo! Grant 2005 $305.35 4. Community Conservation Grant 200612007 $3,000 5. Swan Alcoa Landcare Program 2008 (08S06) $6,2 10 6. Regional Parks Community Grant 2008, partially received $89 1 7. Community Conservation Grant 2008 application forwarded

CORRESPONDENCE OUT l . DEC Regional Parks Unit - Project acquittal form for 2007 grant 2. Armadale Christian College - completed vendor questionnaire for Hills Heartbeat Festival.

CORRESPONDENCE IN Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility - research questionnaire on behalf of Alcoa. Western Australian Naturalists Club - launch and demonstration of the Perth Urban Bushland Fungi website, 15' May 5.45 pm at Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre, Hope Road, Bibra Lakes. RSVP Roz. HartO,dec.wa.aov.au Emails - Mr Sarti to Mrs Omacini re Dieback entry signs Email - from Mrs Omacini - being relieved by Paula in May. INFORMATION RECEIVED Bushland News - autumn edition

FINANCE l Details I Amount I Expenditure I

K Sarti - postage, photocopying, methylated spirits $ 52.85

Type XT 7


BUSHCARE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT (Next meeting 14th May).

GENERAL BUSINESS. o Post planting review and determining new sites for this year's planting - Mr Sarti, Mr Ladyman

and Cr Best inspected last years planting sites and and detected satisfactory survival. Details of proposed plantings on attached proformas.

o Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Catchment Planning Workshop - Mrs Versteeg and Mrs Lagrange attended and will report next meeting.

o Apolow - Mr Sarti tendered his apology for the May meeting as he will be overseas.

XT 57 XT 65 XT 72

Jim Prince - control of feral honey bees Inv #4 29-3-08 Pest-RJim -weed control Inv #3284,29-3-08 Pest-RJim -weed control Inv #3284,29-3-08

Walk. Threatened

StanborougW Versteeg Carried

150.00 123.50 326.50

SUMMARY OF OUTSTANDING ACTION POINTS

DATE OF NEXT MEETING Committee Meeting Room 7.30 pm 28& May 2008

X283 2/285 3/285

Meeting declared closed at 11.45 am

Mr Laa'yman to attend to hazard reduction details Mr Ladyman to attend to entrance reinforcement work Mr Sarti and Ladyman to assess works for 2008

W. Ladyman Secretary

Signed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ChairmanlActing Chairman - Bungendore Park Management Committee


BUSHCARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Wednesday12March2008-6PM Committee Room - City of Armadale Administration Centre

CONTENTS

1 .ATTENDANCE, APOLOGIES & LEAVE OF ABSENCE 2.DISCLAIMER 3.DISCLOSURES OF FINANCIAL INTEREST 4.PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 5.PROJECTS FOR COUNCIL'S NOTICE 6.GUEST SPEAKER 7.CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 8.BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES 9,CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION 9.1 Correspondence in 9.2~orresiondence out 10.COUNCIL RELATED BUSINESS 10.1 Formation of Local Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group 1 0.2Firebreak Maintenance Guidelines 1 1 .OTHER BUSINESS 1 1.1 BEAC Bushwalks 2008 1 1.2Fuel Loading Assessments 2008 1 1.3Tonkin Highway Construction Project 11.4Minnawarra Festival - Saturday and Sunday sth and 6'h April 2008 1 1 SPlenary Session Planning - Feb 2008 12.INFORMATION 12.1 Planning applications & scheme amendments out for public comment. 1 5 12.2Items of interest fiom the Council Committee1 Council minutes1 agenda to note. 16 12.3Grant watch information report 16 12.40ther Information items (i.e. progress reports relevant to previous business) to note 16 12.5Press Releases 16 12.6Reminder list -items in progress or scheduled for future meetings 16 12.7Around the table. 16 13.NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE 17


ATTENDANCE, APOLOGIES & LEAVE OF ABSENCE I Member4Ie~ut-v Member I Affiliations L L Y

Cr Pat Hart Mr Cam Clay

Chair - Armadale City River Care Group Bedfordale Volunteer Fire Brigade and Arrnadale Gosnells Landcare Grour,

Cr Bob Tizard Mr Bill Ladyman Mr Michael Moltoni

City of Armadale Representative Bungendore Park Management Committee Armadale Settlers' Common

Mr Adrian Choules Mr Glen Hagan

Friends of Goolamup Community Representative

Mr David Jarnes Mr Kirn Fletcher

Friends of Forrestdale Friends of Armadale Shale Quarry [arrived at

MS Beth Laurie

Mr Ron Van Delft

Arrnadale Gosnells Landcare Group [arrived at 6.10 pm] City of Armadale - Senior Environmental

Mrs Corinne Omacini Planner Environmental Officer - Citv of Armadale

Mrs Yvonne Ward A~olo~ies :

Minute Secretary - City of Armadale

MS Gwen Watson Mr Bob Noakes

DISCLAIMER Nil

Armadale City River Care Group Friends of Goolamrur,

Dr Ian Colquhoun Cr G Best

DISCLOSURES OF FINANCIAL INTEREST Nil

Roleybushcare Councillor - Citv of Armadale

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME Nil

PROJECTS FOR COUNCIL'S NOTICE The following projects are listed for Council's notice. The Project1 Group leader for all projects listed in the table below has agreed to conduct the works with due regard to the City's safety and training requirements for bushcare activities as described in the City's Friends Group Manual.

RECOMMEND

That Council be advised that the Project1 Group leader listed in the table below has been co-opted to the Bushcare and Environmental Advisory Committee to protect or rehabilitate bushland by facilitating works by volunteers for this Committee to extent of the scope of works and volunteer duties described.


The Chair welcomed Mr Glen Hagan, recently appointed to the Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee.

Project1 Group leader Mr Adrian Choules Dr Ian Colquhoun

GUEST SPEAKER Mr Ron Van Delft - City of Arrnadale Senior Environmental Planner, provided a briefing on the proposal to widen Ranford Rd through Balannup Lake.

Talk completed at 6.35 pm

Questions asked of the Committee were: Kim Fletcher - is Shepherd Court going to be affected in any way? - A small section of Shepherd Court will become road reserve.

Scope of works1 volunteers duties

Watering seedlings at Goolamrup Reserve

Group (if any)

Friends of Goolamrup Roleybushcare

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Recommend

Span of dates

Fortnightly

That the Minutes of the Bushcare and Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting held on 9 January 2008 be adopted.

MOVED: Mr Adrian Choules CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES Section 1 1 page 5. Request for update on Tonkin Highway Project - see section 1 1.3 of the agenda. Section 12.2 page 6. BEAC Bushwalks 2008 - see Section 1 1.1 of the agenda. Section 12.3 page 6. Request for Trails Network Plan Map - copies to be provided at meeting. The Environmental OfJicer advised that the Community Services Directorate is looking to put in a funding application for the Kelmscott River Walk. The funding is for planningpurposes only - not for any construction but to have a landscaper designer look at the levels and the practicalities of installing a path - Section 12.4 page 6. Minnawarra Festival - see Section 1 1.4 of the agenda. Section 12.5 page 7. Plenary Session - see Section 11.5 of the agenda. Section 13.6 page 12. Request for briefing on City of Armadale firebreak maintenance procedures. See Section 10.2 of the agenda.

CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION Correspondence in Urban Nature Bushland News Summer 2007108 Threatened Species Network Newsletter Riverview Summer 2008 Natural Heritage


Urban Bush Telegraph Festival of the Trees - Men of the Trees and Heavenly Hectaresputting on a series of worhhops on 29 March 2008 to include: Magic of Native Plants; What Happens on Tree Planting Days; Successful Tree Planting Drought Proofing Your Property Sustainable Investment Trees; Composting Sustainable Hobby Farms

Correspondence out Advice provided to BEAC members about level of assessment set by the Environmental Protection Authority for the proposal to widen Ranford Rd through Balannup Lake.

COUNCIL RELATED BUSINESS Formation of Local Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group In adopting the City of Armadale's State of the Environment Report 2005 Council resolved as one of its action1 objectives to "Prepare and implement a Local Biodiversity Strategy using WALGA guidelines to identzjj and improve management of sites with signiJcant biodiversity, where possible".

Preparing a Local Biodiversity Strategy involves a number of phases including the scoping of the document, the preparation of a discussion paper and the subsequent preparation of the Local Biodiversity Strategy which would further include action plans and polices.

The City is currently progressing this action by preparing a brief for a consultant to prepare a Local Biodiversity Planning Discussion Paper.

WALGA have produced guidelines to inform the development of this discussion paper. It is anticipated that the discussion paper will include the following. Identifying and mapping natural area resources. Developing a vision and objectives for the overall Local Biodiversity Strategy. Establishing natural area condition targets and formalising criteria to be used to identify what areas are locally significant. Identify local planning policy or other policy measures and consider the potential application in the City to assist in meeting targets. Identify incentives for private land conservation and consider the potential to assist the City in meeting targets.

To assist in developing the visions, objectives and targets of the Strategy and to assist in addressing technical issues as they arise, WALGA guidelines recommend the establishment of a Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group.

It is recommended that a sub group of BEAC be established to fulfil this essential role in the development of a Local Biodiversity Planning Discussion Paper and the subsequent Strategy. This proposal to establish a sub group of BEAC is consistent with current BEAC roles as identified in the Committee's Terms of Reference (See: purpose 2.5 "to assist in developing, implementing and reviewing strategic conservation strategies") and clause 9.1 of the Terms of Reference allowing the Committee to "appoint a sub-group(s) of its members to cany out a


particular task consistent with the purpose and objectives of the Committee". Consistent with clause 4.8 of the Terms of Reference, this sub group could also "enlist the services of other persons or organisations that are not members of the Committee to assist in meeting its objectives". It is anticipated that the sub group of BEAC acting as the steering group would enlist the services of the following representatives. City of Armadale Councillor City of Armadale Senior Planning Officer City of Armadale Senior Environmental Planner Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group representative Department for Planning and Infrastructure representative Department of Environment and Conservation representative

A meeting schedule for the proposed steering committee has not yet been determined. However, it is anticipated that the steering committee would be required to meet approximately four times during the development of the discussion paper (Meeting 1 : Establish process1 meet consultant1 receive training on process, Meeting 2: Receive presentation fiom consultant on natural area resources and determine targets, objectives and visions of the discussion paper, Meeting 3: Review draft discussion paper prior to release for public comment, Meeting 4: Endorse final discussion paper). The assistance of this steering committee is again likely to be required for latter stages of the project when the discussion paper is used to inform the development of the larger strategy.

RECOMMEND

That Council endorse the establishment of a Bushcare and Environmental Advisory Committee sub-group to act as the Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group for the preparation of a Local Biodiversity Planning Discussion Paper, consistent with WALGA guidelines, and as funding for the development of the discussion paper is received.

Moved: Mr Cam Clay CARRIED

RECOMMEND

That the Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group is to comprise of the following BEAC committee members: Cr Bob Tizard - City of Armadale Councillor Cr Pat Hart - Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee Mr Cam Clay - Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee Mr Kim Fletcher - Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group representative City of Armadale Senior Environmental Planner City of Armadale Senior Planning Officer Department for Planning and Infrastructure representative Department of Environment and Conservation representative

Firebreak Maintenance Guidelines In January 2008 City of Armadale policy on firebreak maintenance procedures was discussed. The City of Armadale Environmental Officer undertook to document the current procedures for firebreak maintenance in City of Armadale reserves and provide this information to BEAC members at the March 2008 meeting.


Information relating to current procedure was tabled and discussion invited.

The Environmental Officer advised that as yet she had not seen any actual documents on "best practice" in terms offire break management i.e. herbicide as opposed to machinery. Concern had been expressed in regard to the City's existingpractices for constructing firebreaks. The City's ENG 9 Policy contains comprehensive information regarding jrebreaks.

This matter to be referred to the next meeting of BEAC for further discussion.

OTHER BUSINESS' BEAC Bushwalks 2008 Each year BEAC hosts bushwalks in order to "facilitate communication between community groups and individuals concerned about the protection and rehabilitation of the natural environment".

At the January 2008 meeting of BEAC, bushwalks in the following locations were suggested: Bird watching - early morning at Champion Lakes Jandakot Regional Park - Forrestdale walk (spring) Stinton Cascade Hilbert Road Wetland Ellis Brook Valley (spring walk)

Suggestions for dates for the BEAC bushwalks were invited and allocated as follows: Hilbert Road Wetland April 2008 Bird watching - early morning at Champion Lakes May 2008 Stinton Cascade June 2008 Henderson Cliffs - Mt Brown July 2008 Ellis Brook Valley (spring walk) August 2008 Jandakot Regional Park - Forrestdale walk (sprind September 2008

Fuel Loading Assessments 2008 Consistent with the City of Armadale Friends Group Manual, a copy of the fuel loading assessments for the City of Armadale's bushland reserves was tabled at the meeting.

This information should be considered by each of the City's Friends groups to avoid undertaking activities in areas whereby a control burn is planned.

The Environmental Officer advised that the fuel loadings list is not fully comprehensive due to the fact that Ranger Services is still undertaking the process of inspecting reserves to quantzjj fuel loadings. However, ifany member has a particular interest in any of the Reserves, they should contact Corinne. She will be happy to meet the member on site in company with a Ranger to see what the proposal is for that particular Reserve. Most of the Reserves on the list relate to Roleystone/Karragullen Reserves.

Tonkin Highway Construction Project


At the January 2008 meeting of BEAC, members requested an update on the current status of the implementation of the environmental management plans for the Tonkin Highway Construction project.

An update on the status of the management plan implementation was provided at the meeting.

The Environmental Officer that she had undertaken research on this matter but had not yet been able to get a response@om Main Roads. Information gainedpom the files indicates that Main Roads had developed its Wetland Mitigation Strategy in 2006. It had been submitted to the then Department of the Environment for approval and since then progress was made to implement the water course component of that Wetland Mitigation Strategy in that they contracted AGLG to undertake revegetation worh on a significant part of the Wungong River. In regard to the remainder of the WMS, the Environmental Officer advised that she had requested Main Roads to provide an update on the status and what the next step will be in implementing the WMS.

Minnawarra Festival - Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th April 2008 BEAC members provided suggestions for a joint BEACI Arrnadale Gosnells Landcare Group and Phosphorus Action Group display for the Minnawarra Festival at the January 2008 meeting of BEAC. These suggestions were taken on board and with the assistance of a BEAC sub committee, displays are being developed to promote local wildlife, local natural areas and provide education about local environmental issues.

Volunteers are sought to assist in promoting the local natural environmental and volunteering in Armadale on each of the Festival days from 1 lam to 6.30pm on Saturday and 1 lam to 5.30pm on Sunday.

The Environmental OfJicer circulated draft display material (including photos taken for the Roleystone Dieback Action Group competition) intended to be displayed at the Minnawarra Festival in the joint BEAC/AGLG Tent. The topics to include pests, weeds, native fauna and local Reserves. The Landcare Coordinator has also hired stuffed animals fiom the WA Museum which should make an interesting display. The Environmental Officer requested that members volunteer some of their time to assist on one or both of the (2) days of the Festival. Members interested in volunteering to contact Corinne.

Plenary Session Planning - Feb 2008 The next BEAC Plenary Session is proposed to focus on local wildlife and local wildlife photography. An update on progress arranging this event will be provided at the BEAC meeting.

The Environmental Officer advised that it had been intended to organise a Plenary Session in February, however the unavailability of Mr Michael Morcombe had meant that it was not possible. Now is now proposed to reschedule the Plenary Session to August when Mr Morcombe will be available.

INFORMATION

Planning applications & scheme amendments out for public comment.

Nil


Items of interest from the Council Committee1 Council minutes1 agenda to note.

Cr Hart advised that the Water Corporation will provide a briejng to Council on Tuesday, 25 March 2008 on a proposal to pipe a section ofpiping, initially in Green Avenue.

Grant watch information report Lottery West Grants - ongoing. Trails Network Grants - Due by 28 March 2008 SGIO Grants - the Environmental OfJicer advised that SGIO is offering environmental grants fiom $500 to $5,000. Grant applications to be received by 21 May 2008. Other Information items (i.e. progress reports relevant to previous business) to note Press Releases

BEAC members to table any information relating to possible upcoming press releases.

Cr Hart advised that the City of Armadale is supporting the "Earth Hour" on Saturday, 29 March 2008. Everyone around the world is being asked to turn their lights offfor l hour between 8 - 9pm. The website for information is w~)w.earthhour+.com.

Reminder list -items in progress or scheduled for future meetings

Around the table.

12.7.1 Bungendore Park [Bill Ladyman] Feral pig activity in Bungendore Park has been causing a few concerns of late. Bill took a walk through the Park with John Snowden of the Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC) to inspect the damage. The Friends of Bungendore Park have been successful in obtaining SALP funding for seeding, feral pig and weed control. The Hills Heartbeat Festival will be held over the weekend of 29/30 March 2008. A fire was lit in the Park on 25 January 2008, probably by an arsonist. Half a hectare was burnt with the fire eventually being put out by DEC with bulldozer and helicopter assistance. At the same time another fire was lit near the dam.

12.7.2 Settlers' Common [Michael Moltoni] There was a big fire in Settlers' Common; A bulldozer decided to to develop next to the Common opposite CarradineIChurchman Brook Road. 400 metres of damage was caused. Negotiations are currently be entered into regarding rehabilitation of the area.


Cr Tizard advised that the Settlers' Common Field Centre building was now serviced by potable water.

12.7.3 Friends of Forrestale [David James] Rubbish is being dumped in the Oxley Road area on a regular basis which is very disappointing. Council has placed rocks in the area where the dumping has been occurring.

12.7.4 Friends of Goolamrup [~drian Choules] Watering has been continuing on a fortnightly basis during the summer months. Planting will get under way once the rains start. At the weekend used the "People Against Vandalism" van to clean graffiti off a sign in the Reserve.

12.7.6 City of Armadale [Cr Bob Tizard] The City of Armadale has been upgraded. Information of interest will be progressively added to the site which could be of value to members between BEAC Meetings. "Intramaps" - The City of Armadale's mapping on line is now available in a limited form on Council's website (www.armada1e.wa.gov.a~). The online application will enable a search on any property within the City of Armadale using a simple address search or by navigating to a property of interest using the zoom and pan functions. A range of information is provided on each property, e.g. address, zoning, dimensions etc. Sustainability - reports have been circulating recently regarding the amalgamation of Councils for form regional Councils i.e. the amalgamation of Gosnells, Armadale and Serpentine Jarrahdale. Staffing Issues - There are issues at the present in trying to obtain staff. 20 Councils in the country are currently without a Chief Executive Officer. Patience is requested if things don't happen quite as quickly as they should in regard to the services provided by Council.

12.7.6 Nutrient Offset Workshop [Cr Pat Hart] Cr Hart advised that a Nutrient Offset Workshop was to be held at the Swan River Trust on Friday, 14 March 2008.

NEXT MEETING & CLOSURE At 6.00 pm on Wednesday, 14 May 2008, City of Armadale Committee Room.

MEETING CLOSED AT 8.15 PM


VANDALISM AND GRAFFITI

Council was advised by the Corrective Services Department that two youths have been apprehended by the Police for carrying out graffiti on Council's property. As part of the justice system the "victim" can provide a "Victim Impact Statement" or be part of a panel that confronts the accused. The two hearing in this case will be held in May 2008 and will have officer representation from the City. For Council's information the following information will be provided at the hearing: To date the City of Armadale has spent $256,350 on vandalism and graffiti throughout the City. This figure is expected to be around $3 10,000 by the end of the financial year. Details are as follows:

YTD Estimate to June Buildings $ $ Vandalism 92,788 107,222 Graffiti 78,062 90,205

Bus Shelters 44,500 5 1,422 Removing graffiti $3 50lshelter. Replacing glass panels at $200 each panel. There are 10 panels per shelter. Between $400 and $700 to repaint per shelter.

Parks and Reserves 50,000 57,778

Total 265,350 306,627

The impact of such willful damage must be borne by the community at large through the increase costs of community facilities, land rates, various fees and charges in order to off-set these costs. There are also indirect costs such as increase in insurance premiums, increase in security and surveillance measures, additional and extended lighting to name a few.

Members of the community (especially the elderly and disabled) are also disadvantaged or inconvenienced by having to wait for necessary repairs to be undertaken, or by having services or facilities removed or relocated to other locations less likely to be targeted.

There is also now the need to employ dedicated work teams specifically fitted out with materials and equipment to address the increasing amount of graffiti which also comes at a cost to the community.

The City is also becoming under greater community pressure to provide surveillance cameras at known troubled spots in order to reduce vandalism and graffiti. Understandably there is a certain amount of fear within the community as a result of such offences resulting in many particularly the elderly residents withdrawing from public places as they perceive it to be a danger to themselves.

Information Bulletin T19 Information Items fkom the Technical Services Directorate

The costs mentioned do not take into account commercial and private businesses and residential properties that are forced to clean or repair the offending material themselves. The overall cost to remove graffiti and address vandalism within the City of Armadale can be multiplied many more times.

If by chance the City (like all other Councils) did not have such an issue with vandalism and graffiti the amount currently expended could be channeled to upgrading many of the older facilities or developing new amenities such as skate parks and other youth orientated facilities and programmes.

Ultimately the cost of vandalism and graffiti must be carried by each local community member in one way or another.


W A L G A MUNICIPAL WASTE ADVISORY COUNCIL

INFORMATIO~V B ULLE TIN Issue 112 April 2008

-

www.wastenet.net.au-About Waste in Western Australia

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Bin Bucks for Hazard New HHW Program begins

2

Climate mnnne Faus Mayor Paddi Creev~ leaves MWAC

2

Project Kellis N W MWAC Prale~1 Cmtdin0101

2

SMRC EdorsesFreQuenlPlckuu 2 Trial weekb kerbside recycling collectton SYCOCSS

Balteries Thrlving Update an EMRC banerymlleelion

3

Flrsl P s l t h e Post PRC Waste Managemen1 Plan

3 enaond

Narlhsm lo be Recycled Nonhamresidenuwanlrherbsida recycline

Position of the Fortnight 3 WMBrecyCiCdorganicsPosBim Pauec Relee604

Warte W Review Lsndnll Review released

CO~DOSI H e a w i g h t 4 COmoa5t A~stralia workshop

second Hand R O S ~ 4 Hunler establlshlq reusable k ~ o ~ i d e wi leaim

Recycling Rates In the UmeligM 4 olsaepanciea over reqdo$aala

OdnWng Bill MonngementofWosteStreams& tltirah Cuntainer Recycling 6111

S I e W n g ~ o l d k s 4 LandnllOrwDseehin~

PICSCnlClL

whet CDWM B rsisssedRnai COWMI Rnwrt 5

Yw Beeulyl n 4 ~ Sustainable lie. Program

016 GI~SS, Shinina m t ~ r e CrvJhedglasslncivitconslrumn

VIC Veraul SA VICmnside rsCD1(l SA,ood l,alls 5

Faod forThought Jarrsn's aooroacn to recydine

COMMUNIST WASTE T h e the MWAC Executive Officer The MWAC Executive Mumieipai .and Councilfors from- the-Qmcer-presented a--paper W a s t e C i t i es o f Gera id ton- at the summit on Local Advisory Greenough and Melville and Govern m e n t w a s t e C o U n c i i Shire of Gingin. management practices in sent four Western Australia.

deiegates to a 'Towards Zero The delegates visited waste W a S t e S U m m i t ' i n management facilities for two For rnore information Hangzhou, China. days, followed by a two-day contact Rebecca Brown on MWAC representatives were Summit. 9213 2063.

SUBMIT TO MWAC In March 2008, a two yearly With the provisions in the WasteNet website review commenced on the Waste Avoidance and www.wastenet.net.au. Container Deposit Systems Resource Recovery (WARR) (CDS) and the Extended Act for EPR, a strong and Submissions close Monday Producer Responsibility united Local Government 26 May 2008. (E PR) WALGA Policy position is needed. Therefore statements. the review of and additional For more information on

input in to the Policy the Policy Statements and Revised Policy Statements Statements is vital. how to make a submission on EPR and CDS Policy please contact-Judy Scon Statements are now out for The Policy Statements are on 9213 2086 or email comment. available from the [email protected]

TIME'S A WASTING ... The Waste and Recycle The proposed keynote and participate in discussions 2008. Conference is themed invited speakers include Jeff regarding the delicate The Heat 1s On: No Time to Seadon, Enzo Favoino, Mike balance between waste Waste. The Conference runs Munger, Garth Hickle, Heien management, envlronment from 8-12 September and Speigelman and Sandra and economy; enhancing will be held at the Esplanade Cointreau. your knowledge of current Hotel. Fremantle. trends within the industry;

Some of the topics that will be and investigating how you Fantastic sponsorship and covered a t the Conference and your organisation can exhibitor opportunities are include Climate Change, improve your waste st i l l available. These E x t e n d e d P r o d U c e r management strategies opportunities offer exposure Respo.nsibility, Carbon and practices. to over 300 deiegates from Offsets, Organics and Federal, State and Local Compost, Rural Issues, For more information go to Government and the waste Legislation and Hazardous www.wasteandrecycle.com. management industry. Waste. Delegates attending au

the conference can expect to

Information Bulletin T2 1 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 2 Issue 112

Cascade Green, a "100% carbon

offset" beer. Cascade Green

has initially purchased

certified carbon

YUYICIVAI WALII A O y l ) O l l COVWU

offsets for the tlobart Landfill

Flare Facilitv.

-

(Source:www.fos tersgroup.com/ mediacentre)

CLIMATE CHANGE F M WAC C h a i r , Council, and hence would resign Mayor Padd i asMWACChair. Creevey, indicated at February's Mayor Creevey indicated that Municipal Waste she will be focusing her efforts Advisoa Council on actlons for Climate Change

Cascade has launched

meeting that she would not be and lobbying to this effect. -

continuing on the WALGA State The Municipal Waste Advisory

BIG BUCKS FOR HAZARDS Over the past year dlsposal of HHW for both Councll (WMRC) held a Pilot MWAC has been workrng metropolltan and HHW Collection Day on w ~ t h Department of non-metropolltan areas. Saturday 16th February E n v ~ r o n m e n t a n d 2008. Conservat~on and Local A steering committee Governments to develop a conslstlng of MWAC, Local and The three hour collect~on new Household Hazardous State Government will be per iod a t t rac ted a n Waste (HHW) Program. meeting soon and expressions ovenvhelm~ng 200 vehicles,

of interest for the infrastructure 1200L of water-based palnt, The new Program has been will be dlstrlbuted In the near 400L of oil-based paint and given the go ahead by Hon. future. 200L of other HHW. Thls Templeman MM, Mlnlster for was an average of 1 0 the Environment; Cllmate For more information contact containers of paint per Change. The Program 1s worth Rebecca Brown 9213 2063 or vehicle. up to $ 1 million per year for a email rbrownC3walga.asn.a~ pertod of three years. For more information please

To facilitate the Introduction of emall Bernie Burnett The Program will fund HHW the new HHW Program, the at [email protected] ~0 I le~ t i0n tnfrastructure and Western Metropolltan Regtonal

O C U S Council would like to thank Mayor Creevey for all her work in the waste industry over the past years and wish all the best for her future endeavours.

The Municipal Waste Advisory Kellie studied Environmental Kellie is also a fitness trainer Council is very happy to Science at Murdoch University and Is looking forward to welcome MS Kellie Field to the and has a background as an getting MWAC into tip top team as the MWAC Project environmental scientist in shape. Coordinator. contaminated sites. For more information contact

Kellie on 9213 2062 oremail [email protected]

I SMRC ENDORSES FREQUENT P I C I ~ U P Bibra Lake. prepared to spend 50 cents

extra a week for the service. ,,..,,..,.,..,., ,,-, ,., Households that had weekly kerbs~de recycllng collect~on The SMRC endorsed report,

The Southern Metropolitan showed a 52 per cent increase supporting the Introduction of Regional Council (SMRC) has in the recovery of recyclables, the weekly servtce, has now endorsed a report supporting compared to a neighbouring gone to the member the introducrton of weekly control area. C o u n c ~ l s f o r t h e i r kerbside recycling collect~ons consideration. by lts member Councils. A follow-up phone survey

lndtcated that 87 per cent of For more lnformatlon contact A nine month trial, funded households thought it was Brendan Doherty on 9329

t h r o u g h t h e N a t ~ o n a l Important for the weekly 2 7 0 0 o r e m a i l P a c k a g I n g Cove n a n t , collect~on of recyclables to [email protected] monitored 300 households in continue and 85 per cent were



Issue 112 Page 3

BATTERIES THRIVING The EMRC dry-cell battery parents, fr~ends, and collection program continues neighbours about the @ into 2008. The program has benefits of collecting and Increased the school recyclingbatteries. participation rate now to 27 schools. Some teachers Integrate the

program with the curriculum in The aim is to educate children the way of storytelling and on the importance of correct educational posters. Classes disposal and provides a compete to see who can collect means of responsible the greatest amount of disposal. The school program batteries by weight. EMRG assists with informing collect batteries at the end of

the term for shipping to the recycling centre.

EMRC also provides dry-cell collection bins in all public libraries in the Perth's Eastern Region. Residents are encouraged to take their used household drycell batteries to these collection points for recycling. For more information visit www.emrc.org.au

-~J&s-T PA-ST T H E PO-ST The Department of cheque for $60,000 for the responsible for appointing a Environment and development of the Plan. non-partisan recycling Conservation (DEC) Funding will cover activrties coordinator. h a s f o r m a l l y such as public awareness and endorsed the Pilbara the acquisition of equipment For more informatlon Regronal Waste and technology. contact Adrian Ellson, PRC

Management Plan. Executive Officer on 0428 PRC are currently in the 940 632 or email at

DEC presented the Pilbara process of establishing a prcQroebourne.wa.gov.au Regional Counc~l (PRC) with a steering group whlch will be

NORTHAM TO B E R E C Y C L E D The Shire of Northam has response, approximately a recently sent out a survey to week since the mall out, a l l residents seeking indicates that almost 90 per feedback on kerbside cent of residents want recycling collection. kerbside recycling. Once the

data has been coliated, the Currently residents are able extent of the kerbside service to deposit recycling at will be determlned according to collection points throughout response in geographical the Shire. The initial regions of the Shire.

The Tender process has began and the Shire are looking at implementing the kerbside recycling collection in the next financial year. For more information contact Phil Stevens on 9 6 2 2 6 1 3 5 o r healthOnorthamshire.wa.go v.au

POSITION OF T H E FORTNIGHT The Waste Management The Municipal Waste Advisory For a copy of the Position Board has released its Council will be engaging with Statement on Recycled Position Paper on Recycled the State Government on this 0 r g a n i c S g o t o Organics. issue. www.zerowastewa.com.au

The Waste Management Four Scenes Consulting Pty Ltd The flnai report was Board (WMB) engaged a conducted a desktop review of released in November 2007 consuttant to undertake a relevant reports and held and is now available from revrew of some aspects of the interviews with selected the Zero Waste website landfill levy in September stakeholders. www.zerowastewa.com.au/ 2007. levy/

DELL will recycle your e-waste for free, whilst Phillips is

lobbying that customers should pay

a fee for e-waste

recycling (Source:http://

weblog. Greenpeace.org

1



Issue 112

Australia. isthe leader in

newspaper recycling, at a

rate of 75 per cent.

(Source: Planet Ark)

l COMPOST HEAVYWEIGHT Compost Australia is holding a Ron Alexander wil i be of Testing Assurance training workshop Marketing presenting the workshop. He Program. and Specifying Application has experience marketing RSVP by Thursday 24th April Specific Compost Products on organic products in the US, 2008. Wednesday 30th April Canada, Europe and Australia. For more information phone 8.00am-4.00pm in Perth. Ron is the CO-manager of the 02 8746 5000 or email

US Composting Council's Seal [email protected]

I SECOND H A N D ROSE The NSW Government a n d t h e C e s s n o c k ,

Lake Macquarie and Maitland Councils will be establishlng a new kerbside collection project for reusable goods in the Hunter, North of Sydney.

The government is providing The project envisage recyling $114,000 funding. The service up to 4000 tonnes of items will provide 114, 000 homes per year. It also hopes to with three collections per year recycle 1.3 million plastic for the next five years. The bags.

-programwlltaccept goods such as clothing, toys, mobile (Source:Env~ronmentalManage phones and DVDs. mentNews.net)

RECYCLING RATES I N THE LIMELIGHT The Natronal Packaging include hundreds of cornpanles see the frgures once Covenant (NPC) was a n d mos t A u s t r a l i a n properlyrefined. introduced in l 9 9 9 to reduce governments. WALGA is the environmental effects of actively engaged in the NPC. The NPC is currently working packaging and in the future to on rts mid term review and is stop products ending up in The covenant recorded 56 per under significant pressure to landfi l l . Recently the cent recycling rate In 2005 to produce results by 2010. Covenant recycling data has 2006, but following a recent been in the media headlines. audit it recorded 43 per cent. For more information on the

Federal Environment Min~ster, NPC phone 03 9861 2322 The aim of the Covenant is to Hon. Peter Garratt commented o r g o t o recycle 65 per cent of that the audit figures were only www.packagingcovenant.org packag ing by 2010 . a draft and he would like to .au Signatories of the covenantf (Source: Canberra Tlrnes)

DRINKING BILL The Standing and reuse waste, The Drink The Municipal Waste Committee on Container Recycling Bill 2008 Advisory Council wrll be Environment, willalsobepartoftheir making a submission on the Communications enquiry. terms of referehce. and the Arts will be considering The committee has invited sub- For more rnformation

trends in waste production in missions to comment on the contact the secretariat on Australia and examine the terms of reference. (02) 6277 3439 or go to effectiveness of existing Submissions close Friday 23 www.aph.gov.au strategies to reduce, recover May 2008.

The WMAA WA Landfill Group They are seeking Expressions For further information or to is organislng their annual of Interest(Eo1) from anyone express your interest please Countty RoadShow.This year who would like to be a contact Jordina Ruta at it i s to be held mid-August in presenter at this year's Road [email protected] Geraldton. Show.

www.wastenetnet.au-About Waste In Western Australia


. I s s u e 112 P a g e 5

WHAT A COWM! Centre for resource management. The COWM have released thew Organic Waste Centre applied for a patent on Final Report on this project. Management their intellectual property for (COWM) was - bioremedlation of soil; soil For a copy of the report visit opened in stabiiization; and advanced h t t p : / / August 2000 and has ni t rogen removal from cowm.murdoch.edu.au/ extensive knowledge of the wastewater. publicatons processes ~nvolved in organic

Y o u BEAUTY! Keep Australia Beautiful WA has announced a Sustainable Cities awards program.

It will glve local governments and c o m m u n i t ~ e s a n opportunity to present thelr i n i t i a t i v e s a n d b e acknowledged for their efforts

in environmental beautification The WA winner will then and protection. compete at a national level

in October 2008. Erltry is free and the awards program covers a range of Entries close on Friday 25 c a t e go r i m l n c l U d I n-g-- April. - 2008. Eor -more Biodiversity and Youth Information contact Anna Environment. McGlynn on 6467 5547 or

go to www.kabc.wa.gov.au

O L D G L A S S , S H I N I N G F U T U R E . l The D e pa r t m e n t o f Using crushed recycled glass report indicated that the Environment and Climate for embedding glass was cheaper, easier to Change NSW, Sydney Water water and sewer handle and spread. and Benedict Sand and Gravel m a i n S p i p e For more information phone conducted a trial on using exceeded the 02 8837 6000 or email crushed glass for civil performance of sustainability@environrnentn construction. natural sand. The sw.gov.au

VIC V E R S U S SA I Victorians could be r e w a r d e d

' for drinking Victorians could be receiving 10 cents per recycled drink container under the proposed container deposit legislation (CDL).

The aim is to target consumers outside of the

home to increase recycling and to about 80 per cent of drink clean up the environment. containers recycled in South Independent MP Craig ingram Australia. and the Greens are aiming to (Source: news.com.au) have the legislation drafted by April, prior to the mid-year Food scrap trial In SA review of the National SA is seeking Councils to Packaging Covenant. participate in a three month

trial, involving collection of lngram said that only 30 per food waste In compostable cent of recycled product a bags placed in green waste getting recycled. That compares bins. (Source: ernn.ne1.a~)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Chopsticks i n s t e a d o f extracting precious metals. In an attempt to reduce disposableones. "lng@ Metal from one denture can landfill the Japanese Cabinet turn into 3,000 yen or worth approved plans for a recycling (Source: www.time.corn) $28 USD. The money is then society. They will be urging donated to organisations like citizens to take False Teeth UNICEF. t h e l r ct-topst,cks O

The Japan Society for the Recycling of Dentures is (Source: w.popfi.com)

d i n n e r t i m e crushing down false teeth and

Definition of a Freegan: A person who chooses to reduce their

spending and consumption

habits by living off waste.

(Source: www.freegan.

info)



2 0 0 8 C A L E N D A R O F

EVENTS 30 Aprll 2008 Compost Australia, Marketing Workshop

For more InformatiM urntan WMM on 02 8745 5000

May 2008 lnternatlonal Compostlng Awareness Week For more Information visit wmv.mmposlweeLcom,au

y 2008 Illegal Dumplng Workshop Tachnolow Pah. Benuay. WA

POrtDW@aS, QLD For more informatm contact Malmlnl Pe'Jleon 07 3000 2220 or emall Malwlm-petr~eQlga&asnau

25-31 August 2008 Keep Australia Beautiful week For more inforinallon v611 w.bb.orgau

&l2 September Waste & Recycle 2008 Conference, The Heat Is On: No CONTACT DETAILS -Time to Waste-.

anager. Waste & Recycling The Esplanada Hotel Frementla

1618 September NSW Waste Management Conference and Expo For mora Information vis~rw.nswastemnfer~n~~.com~au or emati

aii: rbrown&alga.asn.au Veronica Putlens [email protected]

l MWAC Project Coordinator MS Kellie Field Tel. 08 9213 2062 Email: [email protected]

MWAC Policy Coordinator MS Judy Scott Tel. 08 9213 2086 Emaii: [email protected]

Waste Management Offlcer MS Bienne Argent Tel: 08 9213 2069 Email: [email protected]

Oftlce: Local Government House 15 Ntona Street. WEST PERTH WA 6005 Postal Address: PO Box 1544. WEST PERTH WA 6872

2021 September Clean Up the World Weekend 2008 For mure lnformet~on visltwmv deanuo or&au

10-16 November National Recycling Week 2008 For more Informallon visit wmv.planeta~k.mrn

2 0 0 8 C A L E N D A R O F SUBMISSIONS

25 April 2008 Sustainable W e s For more informatron contact Anna McGlynn on 6467 5547

23 May 2008 Management of Australia's Waste Streams &the Drink Con- tainer Recycling Bill 2008 Terms ol reference. For mwe tnformation contact Vle secretadat on 02 6277 3439

26 May 2008 Container Deposit Systems and Extended Producer Respon- sibility For more lnformaUon mntact Judyxotton 92l.3 2069 oremall JsconQws1gaasn.a~

30 September Zero Waste Plan Development Scheme-Phase 2 2008 For more Infornla18on vis\t wvnv.zerowasbwa,mm nu

WHAT I S THE MUNICIPAL F r m.am-Emw-, WASTE ADVISORY COUNCIL? - The Municipal Waste Advisory Council (MWAC) Is a standing c0mmllIee of the Western Australian Local Government Association witn W A L G A delegated autnorityon munlcipai waste issues.

MwAC's membership tncludes the major Resonal counc~is (waste management) ~ h l s mokCS MWAC a unlque forum through which all the major LOCEI

Government waste management organisations cooperate.

MWAC ~ O C U S ~ S Its work In three main areas4 The proacl~e develoment of policy on pnority Issues: Comprehenswe represcntatlon of Local Government views on legislation. regulat~ons, adminlstratave poi~cy and related rnatteten, and Tho delivery of grant funded Programs conslstent wlth Local Government prlorltles


1 9 MAY 223 +

W A L G A . W A L G A

MUNICIPAL WASTE ADVISORY COUNCIL

I s s u e 113 M a y 2008

1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: INTERESTED I N HHW? l SholThe Sheriff. .. 2 New MWACChalr and DOPUN Weir

WALGA Training An lntroduclion to Envlmnmental services

Educated Oplnbn MWAC Poliw Statement

2

A sMRCi5selllng~eonnousegos Whole L O I O ~ G ~ S 2 abatemen1 unlb

Who Cares? Esnh carera training courses

Fluor0 IS 10 sale disposal of Ouo,ercantglobes 3

15 Waste e Liabitl*r, 3 WMA4 WA Canch seminar

Espefelxa h ~ o p s Resldenb excel In racydlng

3

1 EU Action ALL HOT A N D BOTHERED? Nager to be taken to mun by EC

return them to the WA Local gas cylinders; and varied Government Association by amounts of arsenic, Tu.lesday3-June 2 0 W herbicides, pesticides,

snail pellets and ant dust. The Program is still in Its formative stages, however, A Program Design and Site some good information was Selection document has.

Expressions of Interest gathered from the recent pilot been posted on the (Eol's) are Out now for the day conducted by the Waste N e t Webs i t e new Household Hazardous West ern M e t ro po l i t a n www.wastenet.net.au. Waste (HHW) Program. Regional Council (WMRC).

For further information L o C a l G o v e r n m e n t S The bulk of the material please contact Kellie Field interested in being involved collected included 600L oil on 92132062 or email in the Program should based paint; 1200L water kfield9walga.asn.a~ complete the Eol's and based paint; 80L used oil: 60

::

MDS Phase ZWPWS Phase I Repm Roloosed

omd ryrad 4 Federal Government released a Pacrags for end~hlile lyres

BRBALaunch 4 Online national directory for RCFs

Yours P Take Newwob$itelorgidng]tems~way

4

US Gone Postal Mail back program to recycle small

4 electronic gods

LAST CALL FOR POLICY The Container Deposit united Local Government Submissions on the Policy Systems (CDS) .and the position is needed. Therefore Statements close 'Monday,, E X t e n d e d P r 0 d u c e r the review of and.additional-.Z6 May 2008. Responsibllity (EPR) WALGA input into the Policy Policy Statements are Statements Is vital. For more information on currently out for comment. the Policy Statements and

The Policy Statements are to submit comments on the With the provisions in the available from the WasteNet Policy Statement contact Waste Avoidance and website Judy Scott on 9213 2086 Resource Recovery (WARR) www.wastenet.net.au o r e m a l l Act for EPR, a strong and [email protected]

www.wastenet.net.au-About Waste In Western Australia

Hoe Lot M Power S p o n s o r S h i p Key features of this years * The usual high quality ~uming londliil gas into fuel opportunities are Conference will include: p a p e r s f r o m

still available for + Site visit to the WMRC internat ional and ID Greenwash Twls to ldenuty greenrmsh

and new Alternative Waste nationally recognised 2 0 0 8 Treatment (AWTJ Plant; experts.

N ~ P W Reincnrnsuon Conference, The Heat IS On: * Workshops on Strategic Nap~les beln~convenedtousab~e products

we went YOU 5 Resuest mr conVlbutlonstotha MWAC lnfonotion Bullstln

.NO 77me TO Waste to be held Waste Management For more details visit at the Esplanade Hotel Plans, National Packaging www.wasteandrecycie.com. F r e m a n t l e 8 t h - 1 2 t h Covenant and b in au september. systems; and


d.gov.au/ BCCWR/assets/

bcc/pop-ups/ waste-roundup-

garne/game.htm

I The Municipal Waste Advisory about his landfills and strong Ilnks between Council would like to welcome we are looking forward climate change and waste.

Was tegames lO l the new Chair and Deputy to his positive input Chair of MWAC. into MWAC. For more information

contact Rebecca Brown on Just get Cr Michael Aspinall from the Cr Doug Thompson 08 9213 2063.

Good Luck!

of sorting Waste in

real life?

The SMRC is looking to sell more than 57,000 tonnes of independent ly ve r i f i ed greenhouse gas abatement units. The credits were approved in recognition of methane gas abatement achieved a t the waste

Shire of Gingin is the new from ttie City of Fremantle is the Chair. Michael is passionate new Deputy Chair. Doug sees

composting facility at the and is the first Local SMRC's Regional Resource Government in Australia to Recovery Centre (RRRC). operate a Greenho'use

FriendlyTM project providing The RRRC diverts more than carbon credits verified by the 350,000 residents household Department of Climate waste. The net difference Change. The SMRC is one of between landf i l l ing and only 16 organisations in composting gives the SMRC its Australia to achieve this Verified Emission Reductions recognition. (VERs).

For more information contact The SMRC attracted strong Chuck EIlis on 08 9329 tenders for its latest allocation 2714.


WALGA TRAINING L o c a I that Local Government has to respective environmental Government contend with. fields. Topics covered include Workplace N a t u r a l R e $ . o u r c e So lu t i ons Thecoursehasbeenspecifically Management, C l imate h a s designed to inform elected Change, Water management,

Well it is t ime for the test .....

Go t o www.bottlesandc ans.com/canit/

(MWAC's Best Score: Level 2, 'l0 points)

Or try

www.brisbane.al

developed a members-. -on eurrent Issues Waste-and-Recycling. new tratnlng course for elected regarding the environment, as members- Module 17: An well as, outl ining Local For further information Introduction to Environmental Government ro les a n d please contact Bernadette Management. responsibilities. Howes Learn ing and

Development Consultant on WALGA recognises that The course was developed with 9 2 1 3 2 0 9 0 0 r environmental sustainability is subject matter experts and [email protected] one of the most urgent matters academics specialising in their

EDUCATED OPINION MWAC has commenced work communication required; available from the WasteNet on a Policy Statement covering + Ident i fy consu l ta t ion / W e b s i t e Consultation, Communication communication methods; www.wastenet.net.au and Waste Educat ion + Identify the roles of Federal, pro,e,ses~ State and Local Government The submission period will

regarding waste education. close on Friday 27 June Some of the areas covered by 2008. For more information the Policy Statement include: The Draft policy Statement on Contact Judy SCOtt On 9213 t Commitments from WALGA Consultation, Communication 2 0 8 6 0 r e m-a-i I

on consultation; and waste Education is [email protected] t Test parameters for level of currently out for comment, The

c o n s U I t a t i o n / draft Policy Statement is

A WHOLE LOT OF G A S


I s s u e 113 Page 3

WHO CARES? Q - Earth Carers Earth Carers of the Mindarie provide an historical

8 a r e Regional Couocil (MRC) have background on how waste is B v o l U n t e e r s recently began holding free processed: and provide a

who assist t r a i n i n g cou rses and positive platform for Local groups and information sessions for the Government to interact with individuals to community. residents.

' ' 1 learn ways to anuu .Q- protect the The aim of the Earth Carers For more information on

e n v i r o n m e n t t h r o u g h workshops Is to engage the Earth Carers in the MRC reducing, reusing and commun~ty in reducing-waste contact Peg Davies on 0422 recycling waste. from purchase to disposal; 941 492.

gjobes to the Household specialist recycler of tlazardous Waste Collection mercury wastes. The globes Days held monthly In the will be recycled into Mft< Regional Council. household insulation batts,

The EMRC r e c e n t l y dental amalgam and introduced a recycling Many fluorescents contain fertlisers. service for fluorescent globes small amounts of mercury, and tubes. Residents are therefore once collected they For more ~nformat~on visit encouraged to take the will be transported to a www.emrc.org.au

The Waste Management Sector: Opportunities and opportunities in climate Association of Australia Liabilities on Wednesday 21 change legislation. (WMAA) WA Branch, in May 2008. conjunction with the Bookings close Friday 16th Department of Environment The purpose of the seminar is May. For more information

' and Conservation, will be to provide information and go to www.wmaa.com.au/ holding a seminar Cllmate equip the waste sector of the flyers/cc/wacc080521.pdf Change and The Waste r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a n d

Recent figures show that Esperance residents are recycling at rates exceeding the national average. The national average for recycling is approximately 40kg per person per year, with 50 - 60kg considered a fairly high rate.

Esperance residents are well

above the national average with a staggering 67kg per person recycled each year.

The recycling program began 6 years ago and participation rates have risen nearly 100 per cent since incept~on. In addition, Esperance has maintained consistently low contamlnatlon rates at 14 per

cent. The Shire continues to improve the kerbside collection system through promotion, education and policing of the system.

For more information contact Scott McKenzie on 08 9076 0647. (Source: Esperance Express. April 2008)

The Depar tmen t o f Phase 1 closed on 28 Phase 2 of the ZWP E n v i r o n m e n t a n d September 2007. Ninety-one Development Scheme Conservation have recently per cent of Local Government closes September 2008. released the Zero Waste partic~pated in an online Plan Development Scheme survey to establish baseline The report is now ava~labie Phase i Report 2006-2007. characteristics for all Local from

Government In Western www.zerowastewa.com.au Australia.

Join the urban mininP boom

Got an unused old mobile

phone?

"Urban Miners" are extracting

precious metals from electronic products and

melting them down for jewelry

and manufacturing,

For more information or

To ioin the Mobile Muster

Go to www.mobilemu

ster.com.au

To start collecting

mobile phones in the

workplace.


I s sue 113

In China, there will be a kebab crackdown to

help ensure that Beijing meets its clean air targets for the Olympic

Games.

(Source: WME, February 2008)

T h e Fed er a l The proposed recycling scheme Government has aims to drive innovation, r e l e a S e d a decrease environmental package on end-of- Impacts and build end-of-life life tyres for public management costs in to comment. product prices.

The Environmental Protection Submissions close Friday 11 and Heritage Councii (EPHC) July 2008. Public forums wtll met in Apr~l and agreed to be run on the proposed tnrtiate a national approach to scheme in ail major cit~es. managing end-of-life tyres.

The .Municipal Waste Advisory Councii will be developing a submission on the proposed scheme.

For more information visit www.ephc.gov.au and click o n t h e " P r o d u c t Stewardship" link.

Australia's f l rst National Recycled Product Directory on the 29th April 2008 in Perth, WA.

BRBA is a non-profit alliance of businesses and also provides a range of services

BRBA LAUNCH to help their members promote The aim of the directory is to the purchase and use of the~r prov ide t ranspa ren t , recycled content products deta~led and consistent (RCP's). information on a range of

recycled products. The directory lists over 480 products available in Australia For more information visit and has around 200 products www.brba.com.au pending approval to be llsted over the next slx months.

A new website has been launched where everythrng on it is free! In an

effort to reduce "waste" going into landfill the Riverina Eastern Reg~onal Organisation of Councils (REROC) which covers -23" local councils in

NSW launched the YoursZTake The webs~te IS available na- webs~te. tionally and is similar to

ebay, users reg~ster a few The purpose of the website is details and contact between to divert waste from landfill by the glver and taker is by prov~dlng an outlet for giving email. Items away rather than throw- ing them away. For more information visit

www.yours2take.com.au

Adelaide City Council agreed at a meeting in April to introduce a kerbside waste collection for foodscraps.

Residents in the City and in North Adelaide will soon be able to put their food scraps in cornstarch bags and place

them into their green organic The aim is to significantly waste bins. reduce household waste

going to landfill from the Food scraps account for up to current 70 per cent to 50 40 per cent of household percent. waste and it is intended that the collected food scrap will be (Source: WME, April 2008) composted.

The US Postal Service The Post will provlde 'mall recycles, remanufactures launched a pilot program back' envelopes, with the and remarkets smal l allowing customers to recycle postage to be paid for by Clover electronics. small electronic and inkjet Technologies Group, which (Source: EMN.netau search: cartridges for free. Postal)



t '

, I s s u e 113 MUNICIPAL WASTE ADVISOPV COUNCIL

Page 5

Naples, Italy is expected to be taken to court by the European Cornmission (EC) over the cessation of rubbish collection.

Collection of household waste stopped last Christmas when almost every landfili was declared full. There is currently over 1,000 tonnes of

waste rotting in the streets of sites for treating and storing Naples. waste and that nothing was

planned to sort or recycle it. Even though the Italian Government has proposed a (Source: http://news.bbc.co.uh) new plan to address the backlog of waste and future waste management issues, the EC stated that the proposals are "insufficient". An official said the government still lacked

In New York. Waste it is expected that the plant will sourced from decompositkon Management inc be operational in 2009 and of organic-- waste- It - is in a joint venture cost $15 million US Dollars. expected that the plant wlil with The Linde produce over 490 OOOL of Group announced Linde will be responsible for the liquid bkogas per day.

that its plann~ng to open the engrneerlng of the plant as well worlds biggest fackllty to turn as t h e c lean In g a n d (Source: landfill gas ~n to fuel for ~ t s liquefaction of the landfill gas. w.sustainablebusiness.com) 300 collection trucks. Waste Management Inc will be

supply~ng the landfill gas

"Greenwash" was colned by 1. Gobbledygook Jargon that 4. Best in class Declaring environmental activists to only a scientist or boffin could you are slightly greener than descrlbe the efforts by understand. the rest, even if the rest are companies t o portray 2. Suggestive pictures Green pretty terrible. 1 h e m s e 1 v e s a s images that indicate an 5, imaginary friends A label environmentally responsible unjustified green impact ie that looks like a third party I n o r d e r t o m a s k flowers blooming from an endorsement, except its environmental wrongdoings. exhaust. made UP.

3. Irrelevant claims Here is some ways to identify Emphasising one small green For more information visit slgns of greenwash: attribute when everything else www.futerra.co.uk

1s ungreen.

Brktain will soon be converting makes up 4 per cent of nurseries, but plans to smelly disposable nappies Britain's nappy waste per year. extend Into the domestic into freshly made plastics, market. claddkng and roof tiles. The Knowaste will initially source facility aims to recycle 30 000 napples and incontinence (Source: The Guardian, tonnes of nappies, which products from hospitals and April 2008)

Does your Local Government Do you have the solution to a Advisory Council or by fax on have some hot gossip? waste dilemma? . 9322 2611.

Has the new transfer station Share your stories or ideas by changed your life? emailing the Municipal Waste

Thirstv work

An Englishman has invented a 750ml bottle

that can instantly clean contaminated

water and make it drinkable.

It uses a filtration system that blocks anything longer than /

15 nanometres.

For more information visit www.lifesaversys

tems.com

(Source: WME, February 2008)



MUNICIPAL WASTE ADVISORY COUNCIL Next MeeUng 2008 Date: 18 June2008 CALENDAR O F nme: 4.00pm Veflur Local Government House

E V E N T S

CONTACT DETAILS Manager, Waste.& Recycling MS Rebecca Brown Tel: 0 8 9 2 W 2063 Email: rbrownC3walga.asn.a~

MWAC ProJect Coordinator MS Kellle Field TeL 0 8 9 2 1 3 2062 Email: M ie l d~a lga .asn .au

MWAC Policy Coordinator MS Judy Scott Tel. 0 8 9 2 1 3 2086 Email: JscottC3walga.asn.a~

2 1 May 2008

5 June 2008

S11 July 2008

2531 August2008

812 September 2008

Climate Change &The Waste Sector: Opportunities & UabilKies Perlh. WA For more information go to W wmaa.com.au/nyes/~:/wace080521.~df

WALGA Elected Member Tralnlng For more lnlormauon contact Bernadene Howes on 9213 2090 or bhowes%alga.asn.au

National Environment Conference Port Oou@% QLD For rnore InformaUon cuntact Mslcolm Palrle on 07 3000 22020 or emoll makolm-pebIe@lg8ga6nnau

Keep Australia BeaVtlfui Week For more Information vlsltw.kab.or&au

Waste & Recycle 2 0 0 8 Conference, The Heat $ On: No Time to Waste The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle For rnore Information visit w.wasteandrewle.mm.au

2 0 2 1 Ssptember Clean-Up- Wd7lUWbekend 2008 For more lnformat~on vlslt w cleanup orgau

1 0 4 6 November Natlonal Recycling Week 2008 For more lnformauon vlslt w.planatark.com

23-21 November WMAA 2nd Natlonal LandflllO Transfer Stations Conference 2008 Melbourne

Delails at www.wmas.asn.au

23 May 2008 Management of Au6tralia8s Waste Streams & the Drlnk Contatnor Waste Management OMcer Recycling Bill 2 0 W Terms of Reference M s Bienne Argent For more Informa(lon contact Me Secretariat on 02 677 3439 or visit Tei: 0 8 9 2 1 3 2069 w aph eov au

Email: bargentC3walga.asn.a~ 2 6 Mny 2008 Container Daposit Systems and Extended Producer Responsibilliy For rnore Information w.wsstenet neteu or WntactJudySconon 9213

Office: 2086 or emall [email protected] eu Local Government House 15 Altona Street, 3 June 2008 HHW Program-Expraalons of Interest Due WEST PERTH WA 6 0 0 5 For rnore informaUon vlsit w.wastenetnet au orconlacl Kellle Flald on

923.3 2062 or emall kfle1dWalg.a asn.au Postal Address: PO Box 3544, 3 0 September 2008 Zero Waste Plan Development SchemcPhase 2 WEST PERTH WA 6 8 7 2 For more Informetion v~slt w.zerowastewe.wm au

WHAT I S THE MUNICIPAL MuNlnpAI ,vAs,c W A S T E A D V I S 0 RY C 0 U N C I L ?

X-lh* C f l n m ~ ~ . C E ~

The Municipal Waste Advisoly Council (MWAC) is a standingcomm~nee of the Western Australian Local Government Assm~atlon wlth W A L G A

delegated authorltyon municipal waste issues.

MWAC'S member~h~p ~ncludes the major Resonal Councils (waste management). Th19 makes MWACa uniquetorum through whlch all the major Local Government waste management organisstlons coopemte.

MWAC locuses its work in three main areas: The ~roactlve development of policy on prlortty Issues; . Comprehensive reoresentation of Lwal Government views on legslation, regulations, administrat~c palicy and related matten, and The dcllWlY Of grant funded PrOMamS mnslstent with Local Government prlorlties.


FUTURENO W eNE WSLETTER

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Dear Paul Lanternier

Welcome to the latest issue of the FutureNow eNewsletter. FutureNow provides high level strategic advice to government and industry on the training needs of the creative, cultural and recreation industries.

Inside This Essue

New Industry Training Advisory Arrangements Federal Budget Announcements Sport and Recreation Training Package Review Workshops FutureNow Advice for the 2009-11 WA State Training Profile 2008 WA Training Awards Industry Skills Councils Environmental Scans Western Australia Leads the Way in Training Calling all Future Sport and Recreation Industry Leaders FutureNow Projects Tackling Skills Shortages and Obesity in WA Australia 2020 Building a World-Class Education and Training System Establishing Skills Australia SkillsBook - Powered by The Competency Navigator Upcoming Events

Nexw Industry Training Advlssry Arrangements

15 May 2008

I n an earlier website update we advised of a preliminary report on the Review of the Industry Training Advisory Arrangements in Western Australia. Yesterday the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Mark McGowan MLA announced that the final report from the State Training Board had been accepted and that new arrangements would be in place later this year. The FutureNow industries will form part of a new Training Council which will include: Arts, Recreation, Information, Media and Telecommunications, Hospitality and Tourism. See the Minister's release U. Look for updates at this site and in the next edition of FutureNow Alert.

14 May 2008

The Federal Government has released its 2008-9 Budget. An overview of the Budget can be viewed here.

Click on the links below for the relevant press releases:

¤ The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - Education Revolution

¤ The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts - New Initiatives for a Creative Australia

Sport and Recreation Braining Package Reviewu Workshops

14 May 2008

FutureNow in conjunction with Service Skills Australia will be holding two workshops t o validate the new Sport and Recreation Training Packages. The workshops will be designed to enable participants to


provide feedback into the training package review through discussion of broad review issues and analysis of qualifications and units of competency. The dates for the workshops are as follows:

¤ Monday 28 July 2008 - Training Providers ¤ Tuesday 29 July 2008 - Industry Representatives

To register your interest to attend one of these workshops, please email [email protected]

FutureNok31 Advice for the 2009-11 gBVA State Training Profi11e

13 May 2008

FutureNow has submitted its advice on the training needs of the creative, cultural and recreation industries for the 2009-11 State Training Profile. The state training profile provides a planning framework for the State's Vocational Education and Training (VET) system to respond to industry skilling and training challenges. FutureNow views this as a "work in progress" document and would value your input and feedback on its contents. Click here for the link to the document. To submit your feedback, please email [email protected],au.

2088 iWA Training Awards - AppBicalioi3-w Reminder

12 May 2008

Applications for the WA Training Awards 2008 close on Friday 23 May 2008, so those wishing to put forward a nomination have just over a week to do so. These awards are recognition of innovation and excellence in the vocational education and training sector with a range of categories from Vocational Student of the Year to WA Small Business of the Year. For more information and to apply, contact Jacqueline King-Small on (08) 9264 4980 or email [email protected]. Information is also available online at www.traininaawards.det.wa.edu.au. Students from our industry areas have been very successful over the years and we welcome applications from those fitting the criteria.

Read more...

Industry Skills GounciBs EnwZranmenPal Scans

12 May 2008

The Industrv Skills Councils (ISC) website has created a listing of each ISC's Environmental Scan for their industries with links to the relevant documents. The environmental scans are a general statement and overview of each of the industry sectors represented by an ISC, and aim to capture and analyse the most recent grassroots industry intelligence about existing and emerging skill shortages and training requirements. The Environmental Scans feed into the Productivity Places Proaram announced through Skillinq Australia for the Future.

Click here for the link to the Environmental Scans.

1Vesteeg.n Australia Leads the Way in Training

6 May 2008

The Deputy Prime Minister and Employment and Workplace Relations Minister the Hon Julia Gillard and WA Education and Training Minister the Hon Mark McGowan have announced 1,000 new training places exclusively for up-skilling workers through higher level traineeships, while at the opening of a new $8.4 million printing and jewellery making facility at Central TAFE in Perth. WA is the first State to join with the Australian Government to deliver the training places under the Productivity Places Program, which will target traineeships at Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels.


Read more...

Calling All Future Spert and Recreation Industry Leaders

5 May 2008

The Department of Sport and Recreation is calling for applications from potential sport and recreation industry leaders to take part in the Sport and Recreation Career Development Program. There are three categories available:

m Student Futures Package m Emerging Professionals Package ¤ Sport and Recreation Mentor Package

The program aims to equip participants with a better understanding of the sport and recreation industry, increased leadership skills and improved industry networks. For more information, follow the link to the Department of S ~ o r t and Recreation website.

2 May 2008

FutureNow has been successful in securing funding to undertake the following projects in 2008:

m Reframing the Future - Community of Practice in Arts Administration/Management, Event Coordination

m Professional Development Support Program (PDSP) - Consistency of Assessment in the Outdoor Recreation Industry

m Department of Culture and the Arts - An Analysis of Education and Training Provision in the Cultural and Arts Industries

For further information about each of these projects, follow the link to the current ~ro iects section of the FutureNow website or email FutureNow at [email protected]

Tackling SkiiBBs Shortages and Obesity in WA

1 May 2008

Service Skills Australia is undertaking a pilot Australian Apprenticeship program Children's Fitness Trainers, which will enable fitness trainers to specialise in the delivery of exercise to children and young adolescents. I t is estimated that 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese and this number is increasing every year. This project will help tackle the obesity problem and the current skills shortage of fitness professionals qualified to work with children. Service Skills Australia is currently seeking host employers to participate in the project and is targeting fitness and community recreation centres in Perth and Bunbury regions.

Read more..,

Australia 2020

21 April 2008

The Commonwealth Government's 2020 Summit was held over the weekend of the 19th and 20th of April in Canberra to help develop a long term strategy for the nation's future - covering the economy, the nation's infrastructure, our environment, our farmers, health care, indigenous Australians, creativity and the arts, national security, governance and inclusiveness. Over 1000 Australians participated in the two day summit with many of the issues very relevant to our stakeholders, including creativity and the arts, education and training and the "wellness" of our community. Click on the interim report for a copy of the outcomes. To have your say visit the Australia 2020 website which will be updated later in the week to take your views.


BuiBdlng a World-Glass Education and Training System

21 April 2008

The Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) and the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE) have announced a strengthening of collaboration between Commonwealth, state and territory education and training ministers to improve education and training in Australia. The Ministers signed an historic agreement which will see a unified approach to early childhood education, schooling and vocational education and training with the goal of building a world-class education and training system in Australia. Click here to read the communique'.

21 April 2008

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has announced the 7 members of Skills Australia, an independent statutory body that will provide advice on workforce development and future skills needs. The members of Skills Australia are:

m Mr Phillip Bullock (chair) m Professor Gerald Burke • MS Sharan Burrow m Dr Michael Keating m MS Marie Persson m Mrs Heather Ridout m Mr Keith Spence

Special congratulations to Mr Keith Spence, Chairman of the Western Australian State Training Board for his selection on Skills Australia.

Read more...

Skili%Baak - Powered by The Campetency Navigator

We previously advised that the Competency ~ a v i g a t o r ~ ~ had undergone a major upgrade, with key improvements including an online skills passport called ~ k i l l s ~ o o k ~ ~ , additional search functions and a host of new tools to support trainers and students. S k i l l s ~ o o k ~ ~ is an online individual directory of categories of skills and experiences. Under a license arrangement, S k i l l s ~ o o k ~ ~ provides a customised web interface that enables end to end business processes. It is proving to be a major winner with skill stores, recognition of prior learning services, employment services, workforce development services and migrant skill identification across the country. For more information call FutureNow - Learning for Life on (08) 9285 8555 or 1300 559 422 or visit the website www.skillsbook.com.au

Read more...

m WA Training Awards 2008. Entries open 17 March 2008 and close 23 May 2008. Details

m BSB07 Professional Development Workshops. 14 May, 29 July, 30 July, 3 1 July 2008. Details

m Career Choices Expo 2008. 20 - 22 June 2008, Claremont Showground Exhibition Centre, Perth. Details

m National Centre for Vocational Education and Training Research (NCVER) National Conference. 9 - 11 July 2008, University of Tasmania, Launceston. Details

m G03 Electronic and Entertainment Expo 2008. 1 - 3 August 2008, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Details


m Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) 2008 National Conference. Creating New Futures: Challenges for today, strategies for tomorrow. 28 - 30 August 2008, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart. Details

¤ Regional Arts Australia National Conference Art at the Heart 2008. 3 - 5 October 2008, Alice Springs. Details

m Creative Clusters Conference 2008. 17 - 20 November 2008, Glasgow, Scotland. Details.

I f you have an upcoming event that you would like promoted through the FutureNow eNewsletter or on our website, please forward us the details by email to [email protected]

CITY OF



Pink Divider

=) Information from Human Resources

Blue Divider

WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News Issue No.18.08 - 12 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-l Issue No. 19.08 - 19 May 2008 ..................................................................................... COR-3 SSS Taskforce Bulletin Issue 12 - 20 May 2008 ................................................................................................ COR-5 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News 9 May 2008 ................................................................................................................... COR-7 16 May 2008 ............................................................................................................... COR-30 Media Release

.................................... Missed Opportunity to Redress Genuine Need - 9 May 2008 COR-42 AGLA Ready to Work with Government on

........................................................ Local Community Infkastructure - 14 May 2008 COR-43 ... Local Government Welcomes Commitment to Transport Funding - 14 May 2008 COR-44

Mixed Response to One Year Extension of .................................................. Natural Disaster Mitigation Program - 14 May 2008 COR-45

.................................................................................................... Employee Movements HR- 1



a Development Services

Yellow Divider



Beige Divider

Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Technical Services Committee ................................ T-l

Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme .............................................................................. T-2 General Information

..................................................... Minutes of Bungendore Park Management Committee T-6 ........................................... Minutes of Bushcare & Environmental Advisory Committee T-9

Vandalism and Graffiti .................................................................................................... T-18 ............... Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 112 - April 2008 T-20 ................ Municipal Waste Advisory Council - Information Bulletin 113 - May 2008 T-26

Future Now E Newsletter ............................................................................................. T-32 Outstanding Matters Report on Outstanding Matters - Community Services Committee .................................. C-l Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Library & Heritage Services General Monthly Report -April 2008 .................................. C-2 Manager Ranger & Emergency Services Monthly Report - April 2008 ......................... C-10 Minutes of OccasionaYAdvisory Committees Connected Communities Armadale Inc. - 27 March 2008 ............................ C-17PCA-4"-25 Armadale Youth Advisory Group - 28 April 2008 ........................................ -7PCA-5"-29 Disability Advisory Team - 6 May 2008 ....................................................... -7/"CA-7"-33 Minnawarra Festival Working Group - 25 March 2008 ............................... C-l 7PCA-8"-36 Seniors' Interests Advisory Group - 17 April 2008 ...................................... C-7/"CA-6"-39

Issue 9 - 21 May 2008

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C-l Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

MATTERS OUTSTANDING REPORT

Community Services Committee meeting the possible design and cost of building a "street real" skate park with or without bowl at the

current amphitheatre, incorporating the latter in the design; and A flat unrestricted site.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C-2 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

MONTHLY OFFICER REPORTS

LIBRARY & HERITAGE SERVICES GENERAL MONTHLY REPORT - APRIL 2008

1. LIBRARY SERVICES

1.1 Statistical Performance Indicators

The Library Department's statistical performance indicators report for the month of April 2008 is attached. (Refer to Attachment "CA-1")

1.2 Library Extension Activities

1.2.1 School Holiday Activity Report

Report - April 2008 School Holiday Programme Prepared by - Rita Lennon, Shirley Reilly, and Barbara Boulton - Assistant Librarians at Armadale, Westfield and Kelmscott Libraries

Topic: Up, Up and Away! Presenters: Rita Lennon, Shirley Reilly, Barbara Boulton Dates: 16" April, 17Ih April, 23'* April, 2008 Venue: Armadale, Kelmscott and Westfield Libraries No. Attending: 90 children ; 39 adults

ARM: 18 children, 8 adults ; KMS : 23 children, l 0 adults ; WST : 49 children ; 21 adults

Comments: The first session held at Westfield Library was with Michael Alvares from Kite Kinetics hosting a kite making workshop. He showed a stunning array of different kites he had made from various countries including Indonesia, Japan and Guatemala and spoke about the history of kite making. Some games were played outside with the children trying to catch the end of a kite windsock. The children then made their own Bermuda hexagon kite and drew a picture on it. When completed they were able to take them out to fly on the oval behind Westfield Library. It was a wonderful and colourful sight to see the children running around and all the kites worked! Michael also flew a kite train with 120 hexagon kites joined together. A fantastic workshop with lots of delighted children and parents enjoying some old fashioned fun! Books on making kites and flight were available to borrow (Shirley Reilly - Westfield Library)



Kelmscott Library resembled Jandakot Airport with lots of planes whizzing through the air. There were four different sorts of paper planes that the children could make. The first half hour of the session was spent making the planes, with lots of discussion about the need for accurate folding and sharp creases so that the planes would fly. There was some surprise expressed by both children and adults when some of the planes actually flew quite well. One, called a "Blunt Nose" proved to be one of the better flyers! Planes were decorated with lots of imagination: the "shark's teeth" on the nose, "roundels" made with dot stickers and reinforcing rings, hearts and flowers, flames, and lots of other pictures. The last part of the session involved getting the planes to fly around the library. Luckily the library was fairly quiet! Those customers who were in the library proved to be very indulgent of planes whizzing past their noses 62 landing in (and on top ofl) the shelves.

Books on paper planes & other flying things were on display, and were referred to for inspiration, and borrowed after the session. All the children were given a "Kelmscott Library Paper Plane Pack" containing copies of instructions for the planes we made and a small supply of coloured paper so they could make more at home. Parents were pleased that the children could be occupied for the rest of the rainy day! (Barbara Boulton - Kelmscott Library)

At Armadale Library it was 5,4, 3,2, 1 ,0 .... blast off as kids made rocket flyers to launch into library space. Recycled poster tubes formed the main rocket, and rolled up cardex cylinders were attached as rocket boosters. A plastic drinking straw with wool threaded through provided the internal guidance mechanism. The kids then looked at books featuring space rockets and shuttles to give them ideas for adding detail to their rockets. Some added wings and nose cones, while others opted for lots of cellophane flames shooting from the booster rockets. Teaming up with fellow astronauts the kids had great fun letting their rockets zoom across free space in the library. (Rita Lennon - Armadale library)

All sessions aimed to promote library stock about flight, how to make kites, paper aeroplanes and rockets as well as having fun at the library whilst being educational too.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C-4 Inforniation Items from the Community Services Directorate


1.3 State Government Budget, Joint Advisory Committee and Public Library Services

It is pleasing to report news received from tlie State Library of WA that confirms additional funding for public libraries of $4.355 million, which is in addition to the base funding of $6.5 million allocated annually for the purchase of stock for public libraries. This makes a total of $10.855 million for tlie 2008109 financial year.

This funding includes $200,000 to progress the Structural Reform of Public Library Services in Western Australia report by Dr Veronica Lunil that was completed in 2007. The report resulted in fourteen High Level Recommendations, that were provided to Couiicillors by way of a memo in A u g ~ ~ s t 2007. These recommendations are included as an attachnlent to again bring them to the attention of Councillors. (Refer to Attachment "CA-2".)

The Govcrnlnent has agreed to extend the current Framework Agreement for Public Library Services for a further 12 months pending inlplementation of t l ~ e Structural Reform report. The new Framework Agreement will focus on achieving the reconiniendations of the report. A Structural Reform Task Group has been established by the Joint Advisory Committee to progress implementation of the report, which will see sollie major changes to the way that public library services are managed in this State.

2. HERITAGE SERVICES

2.1 Statistical Performance Indicators

The Heritage Department's statistical performance indicators report for the month of April 2008 is attached. (Refer to Attachment "CA-3")

2.2 Birtwistle Local Studies Library

(Report prepared by Lorraine I'earce, I~Iistorian1Local Studies Librarian)

Genealogy Training at State Library The HistoriadLocal Studies Librarian and four Birtwistle Local Studies Library genealogy voluiiteers attended the second in a number of genealogy training sessions presented by family history subject specialists at the State Library. The session titled "Vital Rccords: How to find births, marriages and deaths" covered materials held at the State Library in reference to birth, death and marriage rccords relating to Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. A number of websites were also discussed. The training was very informative and the handout given to attendecs is a useful reference tool to locate records that are essential for family history researchers.

Minnawarra Festival Although the Birtwistle Local Studies Library was closed on the Saturday of the Minnawarra Festival owing to its cancellation due to inclement weather, 338 people



visited the library on the Sunday of thc Festival. The library contained displays on the history of Araluen Botanic Park and St Mary in the Valley Anglican Church which were provided by local historian groups. There were also displays pron~oting the District History Rewritc and the Birtwistle Local Studies Library Family I-Iistory Research Centre with particular emphasis on the availability of thc Ancestry database.

Three family history volunteers were present to speak to people about researching their family history. A local historian and the Historian/Local Studies Librarian were available to answer any questions regarding the history of the district.

Pamphlets promoting the library and displays were handed out to the crowd by volunteers and the Local Studies Librarian encouraging people to visit the library. A poster suggesting that families may have "skeletons in the closet" and inviting people to let them out was placed outside the library along with a skeleton being hung at the entrance to encourage investigation into the family history research materials available at the library.

District History Rewrite Display A display to promote the District I-Iistory Rewrite has been placed in each the City of Armadale Public Libraries for a period of two weeks in each library. The display contains some interesti~lg snippets of local history that have been discovered so far by the book's researchers. An opportunity has been provided for people who feel that they may have any information to contribute. A form has been made available to enable them to supply their contact details and any information they have to share; a box being provided in which thcy can place the completed forms.

The forms will then be given to researchers Jennie and Bevan Carter who will decide if they make contact with anyone who may have useful information.

Visit to John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library The HistoriadLocal Studies Librarian joined other local studies librarians in a visit to the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library at Curtill University of Technology. The library manager invited the group to view the materials which are available online. These included oral histories, films, speeches and original documents that had been scanned. The transcripts of original documents were also available online.

The education coordinator discusscd programmes for school groups and the box of teaching materials available to be sent out to schools around Australia. The group was then invited to visit the archive and work area. The tour was finished off by viewing the latest exhibition at the John Curtin Exhibition Centre. The visit was particularly interesting in providing ideas of promoting a collection and a scrvice delivery that is made both innovative and easily accessible when the resources are available.

ANZAC Day Opening Birtwistlc Local Studies Library was opened fiom 2pm -5pn1 on ANZAC Day owing to the celebration of the 20''' anniversary of the Minnawarra Historic Precinct.



Photographs and plans of the relocation of the Old Congregational Church and Armadale School Room were placed on display. The opening of the library provided an excellent opportunity for visitors to observe how the building has been utilized in housing the City of Armadale's local studies collection and providing fainily history research facilities.

2.3 History House Museum

(Report prepared by Christen Bell, Museum Curator)

Minnawarra Festival Despite the event being cancelled on the Saturday History House Museum had a good Sunday. The museum had 168 visitors across the day. The museurn also had the I-Iornsby Petrol Engine working down at the park. This was a popular display with a couple of hundred people stopping and looking and talking about the engine.

Canning River Walk Community Meeting On Saturday the 12"' the HHM curator attended a comlnunity meeting regarding a heritage trail along the Canning River that would tcll some of the key stories about the development of the area. It was a productive afternoon where members of the local comlnunity discussed what storics were important to thcm.

20"' Anniversary of Minnawarra Historic Precinct Friday the 25"' was the 20"' anniversary of the opening of the Minnawarra Historic Precinct. 70 people who were part of this important project attended the event. Displays were put on in the museum and local studies library. It was a very successful day and everyone had a good time catching up.

Armadale Scout Visit The Joeys and Cubs from the Armadale Scouts visited the museum on the evening of Monday the 28"'. Parents and scouts learnt about how the suburbs of the CoA got their names as well as a chance to look around the museum and ask the curator question about objects on display. Old time games were then brought out for the scouts to play.

Cubbies, Coins Coughs and the Classroom A new display has been installed in the museum that explores how growing up in the CoA has changed over time. It is designed to encourage families to visit and talk about their different experiences. The display includes some well loved objects from the museum, images, episodes of the Dad and Dave radio show and oral histories recounting childhood n~emories.

3. VISITOR SERVICING

3.1 Statistical Performance Indicators:



1,411 people came to the Centre for the month April 2008 compared to 702 for April 2007. This is an increase ofjust over 100%.

APRIL STATS:

500 400 300 .Ticketmaster 200 0 Museum 100

0 BlVol Hours

Week One Week Two Week Week Four Three

VISITOR CENTRE OPENED FOR 200 HOURS (Closed on 2jth March -Anzac Day)

AVERAGE VISITORS PER WEEK: 353 VOLUNTEER HOURS PER WEEK: 36

VISITOR CENTRE - DOLLAR VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY: Average Visitor Spend - Day Visitor:

Mail Outs

190

Firewwd Permits

78

%7,057 per day = $49.400 per week = % 197,600 per month

Overseas Visitors

92

Museum

222

(Based on $50perperson who came into the Visitor Centre staying one day in our area, this is a conservative figure as current guidelines are based on $80perperson each day)

Figure is calculated as Visitors less Ticketmaster and Firewood Permits. Average Spend - Including Accommodation:

$878 per night = 9 6,146 per week = $24.584 per month

Volunteer Hours

144

(Figure is calculated as Visitor Centre Visitors less Day Visitor, Ticketmaster and Firewood Permits - using Intra, Inter and Overseas figures per week)

Visitors Less

Ticketmaster

1066

Visitors

1411

Total for Month of April 08: $222.184

Ticketmaster

345



3.2 Visitor Centre

(Report prepared by Yvonne Bradfield, Visitor Centre Coordinator)

Tourism strategic plan

Mr Matthew Bird o f RBA Consulting has been appointed to do the Tourism Strategic Plan for the Visitor Centre. Ail initial meeting has been set up for the 14"' May 2008. Meetings:

The Coordinator attended tlie following meetings aiid functions:

1. Experience Perth Regional Visitor Centre Managenient Network meeting - held at Tourism W A head office. A tour and introduction to all staff within the various departments o f T W A was followed by a meeting at which Tourism Council W A and Experience Perth staff gave presentations. W e were then taken to the W A Visitor Centre on Wellington Street for an overview o f its operations. Visitor Centre Coordinators/Managers fkom Swan Valley, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Northain, Mandurah, Armadale, Mundaring, Chittering, Pinjarra and Perth attended.

2. The official opening o f the fully refurbished Swan Valley Visitor Centre at which the 'Guildford as a Gateway to a Diverse Region' exliibitioii was launched.

3. A function at The Waterford Executive Conferencing Centre in Carradine Road, Bedfordale, where local business and tourism industry representative were introduced to the superb facilities o f this Centre.

4. Conducted, on behalf o f the Visitor Ceiitrc Association o f W A , an on-site inspection o f the town and venues for thc upconiing annual conference o f the VCAWA with Mr Andrew Bird o f Meeting Masters.

5. Attended the monthly Local Branch Chamber o f Commerce aiid Industry network meeting, held at the Manse Restaurant.

Advertising:

Thc Visitor Centrc has placed an advertisement in tlie upconiing 'WINTER BREAKS' magazine that will be an insert in the 'West Australian' on Saturday 17"' May 2008. Partnerships have been made with members o f the Visitor Centre who are offering 'Special' Winter Brcaks. These 'Specials' will bc given when a client mentions the advertisement in the magazine.

There will also be a Visitor Ccntre advertisemcnt in 'The Beautiful South' Booklet published by Cooks Tours for 2008109. The Coordinator has facilitated a group o f six local businesses to also advertise in this booklct gailiilig greater editorial for

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C-9 Information Items from the Con~nlnnity Services Directorate


Armadalc. Clients will obtain 'Specials' when mentioning the particular advertisement within the Booklet. Tracking of the viability of placement will be assessed over the coming months.

The Coordinator is currently facilitating another partnership with local tourism businesses to have editorial and a full page advertisement in the well known publication 'SCOOP'.

Advertisements within strategically selected publications of our tourism industry will assist in growing and lifting a positive rewarding future for our City.

Co-operative partnerships:

Accommodation shortage within the metropolitan area was one of the concerns raised at the Experience I'erth Network meeting; prompting the Coordinator to initiate the setting up of a reporting system on accommodation availability each weekend with the following Visitor Centres - Swan Valley, Perth, Fremantle, Mundaring, Mandural~, Rockingham and Armadale.

Each Visitor Centre ringslemails their Member Accon~~~~odation facilities 011

Thursdays then forwards a standardized form listing availability for the up-coming weekend to each of the other Centres. These Centres then cross-sell all available accommodatioll within the Greater Perth region. This system has been operating for four weeks and has proved to be highly effective.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C-1 0 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate


MANAGER RANGER & EMERGENCY SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT FOR APRIL 2008

1. Animal Control

1.1 Dogs

Ranger Services has received four hundred and thirty three (433) requests for assistance during this report period. Whilst the individual areas of dog control vary, the overall number of requests for assistance is only slightly higher than the comparable period for April 2007.

1.2 Livestock

During this report period, Ranger Services attended to eight (8) requests for assistance in dealing with stock wandering on the road.

1.3 Court Action

Thc following information relates to legal action taken by Ranger Scrvices pursuant to the provisions of the Dog Act 1976. These matters were heard and detcrmined in the Armadale Magistrate's Court during the month of April 2008.

2. Vehicles

2.1 Parking

NAME

Coleen Murphy

Ranger Services received sixty seven (67) requests for assistance and issued forty six (46) Infringement notices in regard to various offences relating to the parking of vehicles during this report period.

COSTS $

120.20

The number of Infringements issued in the vicinity of schools still remains relatively low and this is attributed to the ongoing Ranger Services attendance at local schools throughout the district on a regular basis to ensure the safety of children is maintained.

TOTAL S

1,120.20

OFFENCE

Dog Attack (on another animal)

One of the ways of achieving this is by a strict applicatiou of the Local Law Relating to Parking; thereby reducing the risk of injury caused by the indiscriminate parking of vehicles and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic is maintaincd.

FINDING OF COURT Guilty

PENALTY S

1,000

Inforlnation Bulletin - Issue No. 9 I'age C- l l Information Items from the Community Services Directorate


2.2 Abandoned Vehicles

The number of abandoned vehicles dealt with by Ranger Services conti~iues to be of concern, with sixteen (16) being recorded during this report period.

2.3 Commercial Vehicles (Trucks)

There was a slight increase in the number of reports received in rclation to trucks being parked in residential areas for extended periods. Rangers will continue to be vigilant in this area of operations.

2.4 Control of Vehicles (Off Road Arcas)

Ranger Services attended to a number reports of vehicles (motor cycles) being driven in areas that are prohibited, and issued forty four (44) Infringement notices during the report period.

3. Fire Services

Rangers continue a high profile in relation to hazardous blocks and offer advice to land owners with regard to fuel reduction and ongoing maintenance of firebreaks.

Ranger Services received one hundred and thirty six (136) rcquests for assistance during the report period, which demonstrates a 27% increase from the same period last year.

4. General

Following the success of the combined crackdown on the unlawful use of Off Road Vehicles (ORV) in the Forestdale area on 29 & 30 March 2008, Ranger Services, in conjunction with WA Police (WAPOL) and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), carried out a further operation on 12"' &13"' April 2008.

The operation known as "Operation Crackdown" resulted in the seizure of a further twenty (20) ORV's and the issue of forty nine (49) Infringement notices for a variety of vehicle-related offences.

Ranger Services will continue to conduct random operations of this nature throughout the district during the coming months.



5. Statistics -April 2008

Down , ,",

Dogs for Pick Up 40 32 417 362

Barking 17 28 260 212

Attacks 13 19 177 160

Lost & Found 88 50 883 646

I I I I

Total 433 1 343 1 . -

4047 1 - -

General Information

Sub Total

Office Phonc Enquiries

Up 20% I lawi~ 2% Down 18%

Up 13%

Up 8%

u p I I%

u p 4%

u p 9%

12

219

214

11

182

161

92

2262

1785

84

1980

1829

r - - u p 10%

u p 14% Ilown

Infornlation Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C- 13 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate


Saine

u p 53%

Up 20%

l ip 88%

u p 44%

Up 169%

l ip 63%

40%

Up 115%

l ip 72%

u p 8%

Up 27%

Up 56%

Up 56% Down 10%



" Up21%

Sold

Destroyed

Vet / Rescue - .

3 12

8

0

12

2

33 174

52

26

1 18

66

Up27%

U P 47% O O U , ~ 20%

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C-1 5 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate


. .. -- ... .-

I.lIPOl'.\'I)ED I'l~HICI.l~.S April April 200712008 2006l2007 2008 2007 Progressive Progressive

Total 1 \'CII~CI:> (1 ;I

OURT PROSECUTIO

l i p 40%

Up 100%

Same

Same

Same

Same

u p 100%

u p 120%

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Page C- 16 Illforinatioil Iteins from the Community Services Directorate


DOG REGISTRATIONS

Up 63% Down 20%

Residences via Diverter I

Down 25%

TOTAL

Down 70% Down 7%

1015 943 111 73

Infor~natiotl Bulletin - lssue No. 9 Page C-17 Information Items from the Co~nmunity Services Directorate

MINUTES OF OCCASIONALIADVISORY COMMITTEES

Connected Com~nunities Arlnadale Inc. Meeting of 27 March 2008. (Refer to Attachment "CA-4".)

Armadale Youth Advisory Co~nmittce Meeting of 28 April 2008. (Refer to Attachment "CA-5".)

Seniors lnterests Advisory Group meeting of 17 April 2008. (Refer to Attachment "CA-6".)

Disability Advisory Group meeting of 6 May 2008. (Refer to Attachment "CA-7".)

Minnawarra Festival Working Group Meeting of 25 March 2008. (Refer to Attachment "CA-S".)

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-1" Information Items from the Community Services Directorate Page 18

COA Libraries IssueslRenewab

MonthMear

COA Libraries Number of Visits

Monthh'ear

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-1" Information Items from the Communitv Services Directorate Page 19

COA Libraries Current Borrowen

MonthNear

COA Libraries New Borrowen

MonthNear

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-l" Information Items from the Community Services Directorate Page 20

COA Libraries n w r m r ' s Reservations

MonthNear

COA Libraries Comparison Reservation by Staff 8 Direct by Borrower

MonthNear

8~esewaion by smfor B o m n 8Online Reservations by B c m w m

Information Bulletii~ - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-2" Information Items from the Commul~ity Services Directorate Page 22

A SiruCtliiai Reform olPcrbifc ifbiary Services in lYerIcro Asrtraita

A A

AECgmup m) More effective support at the Regional level thmugh the development of needs

based speclflcations In tho Regions tailored to local LGA needs, including communication processes with State Library;

n) The development of more cort-effective and responsive centralised procurement and materials movement systems, Including full rbelf ready supply of materials;

O) Seamless service delivery through development of a Statewlde library card and greater mnllstency in policy and service delivery across LGAs;

p) A focus on continuous Improvement in all areas of delivery;

1 4 c 3-comll it,: f the J i nf i o i y Corninctee ce erraelmeo to ocrorn. nr mc nl r r i rlralegc c ;rr ".ten of 1.nd; for c 1olar.e.. Iron> I .c Stare Goermen, ,?c. cc n l~ncor erp?nolcdre n r e a t an t30.tccmes uentf c(.

8. More evective partnerships cross government and at the local level be developed. including Dartnershios with lndiqenour and leamlns aqencies, onrrortunltler and . . rcenr.er CO pla:e s n a l i ~ r ~ e ; P rr.n.,te iun:,n.ntci ,n rectentre\ ano

L O D > T ~ . D C L I II :annzi ecror. LGAS iwr wr .m. r o n of nr.% ,. ~ l l c r . *(,ar,<l .,.id(, 'IdllgemePI S~ i t cn l s an0 rero.rce rlxanrq crc.d I $1 rr .l$ anu e\rerr.re;

9. A State-wide Technology Strategy be developed, including opportunities to maximise technology for labour efficleneies (such a s self-check technology) and that access to Online content be improved through the identification of access gaps through a State- wide audit of ICT capabilities, and by incleased upskilling of staff, and promotion of online databases;

10. An audit of Western Australia's public library buildings be conducted using People Places and State-wide library building audits conducted in NSW and Victoria as guidelines;

11. Opportunities for exposure to innovation Is public buildlng and design and the use of library spaces be maximised through showcasing successful models and recogni2ing innovation and excellence;

12. Training and proferrlonal development be tailored to diveirc needs througil mare ilexlble delivery optlonr (including online options) and lnfoimatlon sharing through forums and presentations;

13. Strategies and illcentives to attract and retaiil skilled staff in remote areas be idenrifled; and

14. An integrated State-wide marketing and branding strategy be developed and implemented.

Infornlation Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-3" Information Iterns from the Community Services Directorate Page 23

Month: April Year: 2008

Reference Enquiries Research Enquiries Visitor Attendance Volunteer Hours

Birtwistle Local Studies Library Current Month Apr 08

23 15

389 68

Oral History Letters Sent Interviews Completed Transcripts Cornpleted Volunteer Hours -

Transcribing Volunteer I-Iours - Interviewing Digitising Records p-

Reference Research Volunteer Hours

Year to date

Apr 07 40 3

192 76

nil nil nil 28

nil

nil

1 90 SO

Jul07 - Apr 08 122 88

983 544

2 1 1

25

6

9 Family History

N A N A NA

Jul06 - Apr 07 129 69 466 480

21 12 14

284.5

40

45 Research

1 1 180 233

8 14 9

305

54

NA p-

N A N A NA

Illforniation Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-3" Ilifor~nation Items from the Community Services Directorate Page 24

Month: April Year: 2008


MINUTES CONNECTED COMMUNITIES ARMADALE INCORPORATED MEETING HELD IN

THE COMMITTEE ROOM AT THE CITY OF ARMADALE ON THURSDAY, 27 MARCH 2008 AT 3.00 PM

1.0 Welcome

The Chairman opened the meeting at 3.00 pm.

2.0 Attendance & Apologies

The general consensus of ntembers was that a 3.00 pm start for the meelifzg was prefivable.

Name CS Henry Zelones Mr Richard Price Mrs Annette Nicolson MS Liz Vander Zanden Mr Car1 Askew Mrs Yvonne Ward Apologies: MS Kerry Busby MS Shelley Pike

3.0 Declaration of Members' Interest Nil

Title Chairman Portal ManagerJAdministrator ARA Colnlnunity Reference Group Member Swan TAFE City of Arrnadale City of Armadale

Local Chambers Armadale Redevelopment Authority (ARA)

4.0 Confirmation of Previous Minutes - 31 January 2007

RECOMMEND

That the Minutes of the Connected Communities Armadale Incorporated (CCAI) Meeting of 31 January 2007 be received.

MOVED: Mrs Annette Nicolson CARRIED

5.0 Matters Arising from Previous Minutes - 31 January 2007 Nil

6.0 Guest Speaker Nil

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-4" Information Items from the Community Services Directoratc Page 26

7.0 Correspondence > Bank Statement ($26,999.98) for the period ending 4 March 2008. (Refer to

Attachment "A-l".)

8.0 Chairman's Report - Cr Henry Zelones Nil

9.0 Project Material - 27 March 2008

Richard Price advised that the Project Material pack incorporated those views and comments provided by menibcrs at the last meeting. Coliiments received prior to the meeting had been incorporated, updating the graphics and narrative based on that feedback. An updated Project Material Pack was then circulated to members with a request for comments.

Working through the document, alterations to be made to include, but not be confined to the following:

DL Flyer (2 pages) > Page l

- Wording to be redraftcd to try and capture "Why get on line" as the tag line but to be aimed across the dcmographics. I~nage of relevant statistics to be included.

- Lettering in second column to be moved to the right so that it does not overlap the vertical watermark.

> Page 2 - wording to be amended to reflect grammatical changes as per co~nnients provided.

Poster > Free to Join - Armadale on-line - font to be bolder and brighter; (this to be

followed through on all headers).

m Business Advertiscment > This page received changes that were highlighted by Henry, i.e. the re~noval of

"By the community - For the community". > The words "Join up for FREE and WIN" to be removed from the top bar. > The words "proudly sponsored by Armadale Chamber of Commerce" to be

included.

Action: Cr Henry Zclones to provide a letter of authorisation to Debbie Boxall on behalf of the Armadale Chamber of Commerce.

a Community Advertiscment > The words "Join up for FREE and WIN" to be added to the top bar.

Comment: An amount of up to $500 to be spent on the items offered as prizes

Infornlation Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-4" Information Items from the Commullitv Services Directorate Page 27

Prizes that appeal to all demographics be added to each of the four advertisements.

Press Release P Wording to be amended as per comments provided. 9 Document to be justified.

City of Armadale Letter P No change.

Connected Communities Letterhead 9 No change.

m Connected Communities Hyperlink To be used in conjunction with a digital signaturc. 9 Lettering to be changed from orange font to white and moved to the right to sit

in the orange box.

m Campaign Timeline Richard Price expanded on the Campaign Timeline.

Prior to finalisation, a copy of the Project Material Pack to be forwarded to members, which incorporates the changes provided at this meeting.

Prize Allocation: A total of $500 to be spent on prizes, to be allocated as follows:

4 double passes - local cinemas @ $20 each $80.00 4 Shopping Centre Vouchcrs @ $25 each $100.00 1 Restaurant Voucher @ $100 each $100.00 1 Digital Caniera $250.00

It was suggested that sponsorship be sought for prizes from participating organisations.

Action: Cr Henry Zelones to contact The Manse Restaurant, with request for sponsorship towards the Restaurant Voucher; Richard Price to seek sponsorship for the Double Passes to local cinemas.

Distribution of Posters: It was suggested that 50 posters be produced and placed in the following places:

Council buildings Schools (after term holiday) Community Centres TAFE Minnawarra Festival

10.0 Manager's Report Finaucials [As per point 7. above]

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-4" Information Items from the Con~nlunity Services Directorate Page 28

Cr Henry Zelones suggested that prior to the launch of the advertising period, bascline statistics be obtained so that pre-advertising and post-advertising statistics can be compared.

Committee of management portal administration training The suggestion had previously been made that providing information to schools or groups would be beneficial. It was suggested that becausc contact would be made with these groups via the flyer and letters, that no action needed to be taken in this regard at the moment. However, should enquiries be received following the advertising period, then a follow on strategy be adopted.

Portal Promotion [As per point 9. above]

1 1.0 General Business Nil

12.0 Next Meeting - 24 April 2008

The next Meeting of Connected Communities Armadale Incorporated will be held on Thursday, 24 April 2008 at 3.00 pm in the City of Arinadale Committee Room.

MS Liz Van Der Zanden advised that she would be an apology for the next meeting (24 April 2008).

13.0 Close

MEETING CLOSED AT 4.35 PM.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-5" Il~formation Items from the Colnmunity Services Directorate Page 29

ARMADALE YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP (YAC) Minutes 28 April 4.15pm

Community Development Committee Room (White building behind library)

City of Armadale

Present: Melissa Northcott (Chairperson) Community Member, Cr Ruth Butterfield (nominated Councillor), Ben Edmonds Community Member (arrived 4.35pm), Lee Holben City of Armadale Community Development Coordinator, Gregg Pearce Community Development Coordinator - Youth.

GuestIPotential member: Stacey Eddington (Kelmscott High School)

Apologies: Ben Ritacca Carey Baptist College, Katie Hully (Deputy) Community Member, Natasha Sallis Armadale Christian College, Keira Bassula Community Member,

Non Attendance: Aemero Yitbarek Dale Christian School, Jarryd Urbas, Finley Shepherdson Community Member, Community Member,

New Community Development Coordinator - Youth (Officially commencing 12 May 2008) Gregg Pearce introduced himself and gave brief update of his experience. 25 years experience, amongst others has worked for Mission Australia, Balga works as well as being Coordinator of youth accommodation and a Youth worker. His emphasis being to encourage young people to achieve their potential.

Guest Stacey Eddington introduced her self and gave brief background. 16 years of age, years 8 to 10 Armadale High, years 11-12 Kelmscott. Looking at having gap year next year. Her passion is about changing things that need changing -the ability to "have a say".

Confirmation of Previous Minutes: Accepted without change

General Business:

Minnawarra Festival - Youth Zone - feedback Melissa. Report distributed to those present - see attached for those not present.

Anzac Day - feedback Melissa. Report distributed to those present - see attached for those not present. Stacey reported as part of scouts she was part of an all night vigilance. Committee thanked Melissa for attending Dawn Service and laying a wreath on behalf of the YAC.

Art Award - general discussion re how Youth could get involved in Minnawarra art award.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-5" Inforn~ation Items from the Co~n~nunity Services Directorate Page 30

Stickers - reprint needed. Should a new design be done or utilize the old design. Committee discussed and recommendation was that Committee members look at design and at May meeting present some options i.e. colour logo, slightly smaller, contact phone number for CD0 - youth etc etc. Any design selected for printing will need to be approved by Media department to ensure follows City of Armadale style guide.

Years program - Subcommittees:

o Leadership day - Date to be confirmed second half of the year. Guest Speakers: Suggestions X 4 speakers various topics. In the past Drug and alcohol, road safety, trauma.

Melissa and Ben to give feedback after attending YACTION Youth Forum 1011 1 May 2008 for commentslsuggestions etc.

o Ten Year Celebration - September Format: Suggestion of formal dinner, function room City of Armadale, invite pastlpresent YAC members, Councillors, Politicians. The ability to recognize YAC, its role over this period and how important to council it has been. Ability to highlight to outside community, not to promote to just the YAC. Contact past members: Melissa to continue to try and contact past members. If not successful need to relook at format of function. General discussion on guest speaker - committee would prefer that a local sports person be asked.

Your tutor - Launch 26 May 4.00pm City of Armadale Library. All committee members to go direct to City of Armadale Library for next meeting re the media launch of this program.

YACTION Youth Forum City of Perth - May 10 - 11 2008 - A s per nomination March meeting - Melissa Northcott and Ben Edmonds attending. Both will report on event at May 26 meeting.

BMX Track Community Development Coordinator answered queries from last meeting re maintenance of BMX track.

Off Road Vehicles Committee member notified of incorrect information in Council Off Road Brochure - Community Development coordinator to follow up.

Youth Activities Area - No further information at this point.

m Careers Expo - Not to be run by City of Armadale in the future.

L.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-5" ' C

Information Items from the Community Services Directorate Page 3 1

Invitation to attend Graffiti Vs Urban Art Workshop 8 May 9.00am - 3.00pm, City of Melville Civic hall. lnformation attached - if interested in attending please notify Community Development Coordinator Lee Holben 9399 0630 by Friday 2 April. Information distributed at meeting -to be mailed to those not present.

Timing of meeting. As numbers appear to be low with limited apologies, a survey to be attached to minutes requesting that committee members indicate in order of priority their preferred day and time of meeting. Please return this ASAP or bring to next meeting.

Close of meeting 5.50pm

Next Meeting: 26 May 4.00pm - meet at Armadale Library for the launch on - "My Tutor". 30 June, 28 July, 25 August, 21 September (29 September is Queens Birthday public holiday), 27 October, 24 November.

Please phone (9399 0642) or email ([email protected]) i f you are unable to attend meeting -essential.

Informatioll Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-5" Information Items from the Community Services Directorate Page 32

Meeting times - Survey

Due to small numbers of committee members attending YAC meetings it was decided to do another survey regarding preferred day and time of meeting. The last survey in February 2008 indicated that Monday at 4.00pm suited most committee members, but life may have changed since the last survey for you. Please complete and return to council or bring to next meeting (26 May 2008)

In order of priority please list 1 to 4 which day of the week suits you best.

Monday

Tuesday C] Wednesday

Thursday

In order of priority please list 1 to 4 which time would suit you best (meetings run for approximately 2 hours)

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-6" Information Items fro111 the Coni~iiunity Services Directorate Page 33

Disability Advisory Team Notes

Date of meeting: Tuesday, 6th May 2008 Time: 10:OOam Venue: Committee Room, Council Administration Building, 7 Orchard Avenue.

Present: Cr Pat Hart (Chair), MS Susan Hillel (Building Services Manager), MS Gail Nesci (Armadale Health Service), MS Nonnie Wickens (Community representative), Mr John Glassford (Buildings Manager), Mr Tony Cutajar (Community representative), MS Sheila Parker (Community representative), Mr Ron Fisher (Community representative), MS Melissa Northcott (Community representative) Mr Daniel Cain (Community Development Officer - Seniors / Disability),

Agenda Items:

1) Apologies John Green. Louise Hansen

2) Minutes Agreed. Nonnie made amendments to previous attendance list. Team welcomed Melissa Northcott to the meeting.

3) Facilities near History house (John Glassford) Toilet facilities repaired Further damage to toilet seats reported by Tony and will be looked into by John.

John requested the team consider a document about the development, public design of the Wungongl Brookdale area in relation to access and inclusion issues. Feedback requested by May 12Ih 2008 by emailing or calling John. Copies of document taken away for people to consider.

4) Survey of facilities / attractions (Daniel Cain) Daniel made a proposal to the team concerning commissioning a consultant to assess identified buildings in the City of Armadale. This would accomplish the access audit target which we have been exploring and examining recently. Current resources could possibly permit this assessment. Other City's to have this information on their website include City of Perth and Rottnest.


The team agreed to meet the presenter (Pip Daly-Smith) of the "Your Welcome" project from the Disability Services Commission to explain in more detail at the next meeting.

The DSc could train voluntary community members to continue assessing new and existing facilities for inclusion on the list. Team discussed additional options including applying for funding in October, sponsorship from local large business. Gathering information from a variety of other sources including the water authority.

Team considering the priority of buildings over the next month. Susan Hillel said the assessment of buildings could cause some embarrassment to businesses in the area due to their limited access.

Will be discussed further after the presentation on the 3rd June 2008.

5) Proposed change of start time to l l a m for next meeting (Daniel Cain) Change in start time to l lam agreed for next meeting to allow "Your Welcome" speaker to attend.

6) Mobility Map progress (Daniel Cain) Currently going to proof copy, hopefully released shortly after the next Disability Advisory Team meeting on the 3rd June 2008.

7 ) Aquatic Project : proposed changes (Daniel Cain) Daniel explained to the team a proposed change in the aquatic inclusion project. Due to the aquatic centre closing at the end of season the Physical Activity Task Force has agreed in principle to changes including training instructors at Seadragonz commercial pool, having training at Seadragonz for Swim-ability and Disability awareness courses for community organizations involved in Disabilities.

Agreement was made to work with Seadragonz as one centre as the project was a pilot and linking to a lot of different centres would not be practical.

Seadragonz could purchase equipment and this would be on loan from the aquatic centre to be returned at the end of the project. People with disabilities could have up to 50 % discount on their swimming course.

We would be looking at extending the project until the end of December and moving the groups back into the aquatic centre in October if possible. After agreement with Seadragonz another

Inforination Bulletill - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-6" Information Iteins from the Communitv Services Directorate Paee 35

report would have to be made to the Physical Activity Task Force to confirm changes.

The Advisory team supported the proposed changes.

8) Discussion of Website design and content (Daniel Cain) Access and Inclusion page discussed by team. Suggestion of linking senior's page to the Access and Inclusion page. Tony suggested adding head injury website address. Team suggested links to Seniors page.

Suggested people contact and discuss with Daniel or visit to go through ideas.

Discussion of Network Forum topics: Independent Living Centre presentation, transport, finance, housing, occupational therapist support. Possible theme for each network meeting.

Need for information in the community concerning adaptations to the home.

9) Photo of Disability Advisory Team (Daniel Cain) Photos of team taken for inclusion on website and future promotion.

10) "The good, the bad and the ugly document" - reviewing buildings document. (Susan Hillel) Document produced by the disability rights unit of the DSc reviewing the good and bad buildings with photographs. Helpful document for buildings standards. Can be found at www. humanrights.gov.au/disability~rights/buildinglgood. him

11) Traffic lights button taken off traffic lights at end of Jull Street. (Tony Cutajar) John Glassford advised issue for main Roads Dept.

Next meeting: Tuesday, 3rd June 2008, 11:00, Function Room -Council Administration building.


Notes

OF THE MINNAWARRA FESTIVAL WORKING GROUP HELD ON TUESDAY, 25 MARCH 2008 IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM AT THE CITY OF ARMADALE ADMINISTRATION CENTRE COMMENCING AT 6.00 PM.

Present

Present Cr J Stewart Mr E Thexton MS Lesley Murray MS P Turnbull

Organisation Councillor - City of Arn~adale Rotary Club of Armadale Community Representative Events Coordinator - City of

Mr P Jones MS A Highman MS B Hartley

2.1 General Entertainment

Armadale Community Representative Community Representative Community Representative

l

The Events Coordinator tabled a copy of the program for the committee to peruse. The Events Coordinator stated that although late the additional community groups were helping to assistjll the~?rogran~.

Mr G Mason

2.2 Kids Corner

Community Representative

The Events Coordinator stated that the entertainnlent for the kid's zone is interactii1e andfocuses on the art and culture concept keeping in mind the theme ofcolour and light.

2.3 Youth Zone

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-7" Informatioll Items from the Commullity Services Directorate Page 37

The Events Coordinator made note that the youth activilies were nzininzal and was a result of not having u Youth Oficer and a changingfocus ofthe Conznzunity

Development teanz. Theirfocu.~ has changed to one that is afacilitatorfor the conznzunity.

Basically for the Minnawarra Festival that nzeans that the City of Arnzadale Youlh Of$cer and Senior.? Oficer will as.sist in providing infornzation and nelworks but will not be present to nzan the nzarquees during the festival.

2.4 Seniors Marquee

The Events Coordinator discussed the di.~plays that will attend the Seniors Marquee. They will be set up around the perinqeters of the nzarquee and tables and chairs set up in the middle,for a rest urea.

2.5 Marketing and Promotion

The Events Coordinator stated that a double page spread ~ iou ld be in the Exanziner this Thursday. The double page spread included the poster and the Saturday and Sunday's progranz. There uve lead in arlicles relating to bands due to perform at Minnawarru Festival also appearing in /he local papers before the event.

Cr Stewart asked if anything had been subnzitted to the Courier. The Events Coordinator explained that the print media sj)on.ror was the Exanziner

Newspaper which gave then? exclusive advertising rights. The general nzedia releases sent out by the Public Relations Departnzent go 10 all media sources.

2.6 Craft Stalls

The Events Coordinator said the crafis stalls are lacking this year, possibly due to the Roley.~tone Markets, and Kulanzunda Markets. Total crajls stalls being 8-10.

Paul asked the Events Coordinator for a list ofstalls to be entailed to both of his entail addresses with the site layour.

2.7 Displays / Food Vendors.

The Events Coordinator stated that [here were 14 display vendors regislered. The nzujority atlending on both days.

3.1 Go~don asked if lhe Citj) required the use of his van as the site olfice. The Events Coordinator thanked Gordon for his offer and declined. A discussion between Gordon and Eric resulted in the van being used as an extra deterrent,for vandals ar the location of the anzusement rides.

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 9 Attachment "CA-7" Information Items from the Con~munity Services Directorate Page 38

3.2 Cr Stewart said that he vequired a run sheet for the event. The Events Coordinator assured Cr Ste~jurt that he ~ iou ld receive a copy before the event,

3.3 The Events Coordinator asked the commiltee what roles they have previously take on during the festival days and their availability;

Cr Jim Ste~iurt MC Main Stage Bree Hartley Back up MC Main Stage Gordon Mason Assistance Main Stage Eric Thexlon Set up and Pack up (Rotary Club also to assist) Paul Jones Crufl Stalls Andrea IIigh~nan Available on Sunday ifrequired

3.4 Lesley asked ( f the Minnaularra Church wa.r available ,for the Indigenous art display. The Events Coordinator con$vmed it was available and stated that Lesley can obtain the key on Saturday morning to set up.

3.5 Cr Stewart invited and encouraged the conunittee to attend the opening night of the Minnawarra Art A~iard, to be held in the upstairs foyer on Wednesday the 261h of March starting at 7pn1.

To be held on Tuesday, 14 May 2008 at 6.00 pm.

MEETING CLOSED AT 6:35PM

Information Bulletin - Issue No. 19 Attachment "CA-8" Commu~l i t~ Services Directorate Page 39

Seniors' Interests Advisory Group Notes

Date of meeting: Thursday, 17th April 2008 Time: l.lOpm - open

1.20pm - closed Venue: Committee Room, Council Administration Building, 7 Orchard

Avenue.

Members: MS Trudi Hodges (Community representative) Mr Ron Fisher (Community representative) MS Lee Holben (Coordinator, Note Taker)

Agenda Items:

1) Apologies: Mr Daniel Cain (Community Development Officer) MS Cheryl Samborski (Community representative) Mr Terry Edmett (Community representative)

2) Minutes from 20 March accepted with no alterations.

3) Feedback reference Armadale Railway station No feedback from ARA as yet.

Seniors page on website - general comments -Ability to change font size - larger -Ability to have in different languages - Members present will think and provide other links that they think appropriate. - when detailsllink to organisation - name of person to contact would be beneficial - ie Trudi Hodges - Dale Cottages. - depending on individual committee members to have their names and if appropriate work contact numbers - need permission from individuals to proceed.

Next meeting: Thursday 15th May 2008, lpm, Committee Room - Council Administration building.

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