\ NUMBER 20/14 – 7 November 2014 Mayor Barry Jarvis Dorset Council 2014 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE SPONSOR President’s Message As I write my first column for the LGAT newsletter, I can only reflect on what a big couple of weeks it has been for everyone remotely interested in Local Government. The retirement of the LGAT President, now ex-Mayor Barry Easther, and the election of 14 new mayors, with a significant rise in females obtaining the top position, and many new councillors across the State, certainly the term ‘new era for Local Government’ is very apt. I must congratulate all newcomers to Local Government and wish those that have retired or been unsuccessful all the best for the future. Thank you all for the significant effort that you have made to make your communities a better place to live, work, or visit. I urge all elected members, whether newly elected or not, to take advantage of the professional development opportunities that LGAT will offer over the coming months. The Local Government sector will face many challenges over the next four years with the fiscal constraints being experienced by both federal and state governments finding its way to us. This in turn will lead for calls around resource-sharing, mergers or amalgamation. On these issues we must lead the discussion with not only interest groups but, more importantly, the communities we are elected to represent. The space and leadership must be filled by Local Government. In closing, it is sad to note the recent passing of Jack Rheinberger. Jack was the MC of the annual Local Government Conference for many years and a former Sorell Councillor. I pass onto Robin and all those he leaves behind our deepest sympathies - a man surely missed. Voluntary Council Amalgamations The Minister for Planning and Local Government, Hon Peter Gutwein MP will soon invite mayors from Tasmania's 29 councils to a series of meetings around Tasmania to discuss voluntary amalgamations. The State Government has proposed a meeting with mayors in each of the three regions of Tasmania over the next three months to discuss the process for voluntary amalgamations and develop principles to guide future discussions. In his letter to mayors, the Minister will outline four starting principles that any change must: be in the interest of ratepayers; improve the level of services for communities; preserve and maintain local representation; and ensure that the financial status of the entities is strengthened. The State Government is also committed to enabling councils to have various models for resource-sharing and if further resources are required, that will be considered as part of future budget processes. All mayors are encouraged to undertake community consultation as part of this process to ensure good outcomes for councils and the communities they represent. Each year, local councils in Tasmania generate $680 million of operating revenues, including $400 million in rates, spend nearly $700 million, employ almost 3,500 Tasmanians and manage infrastructure worth more than $6.5 billion. 2014 Tasmanian Local Government Elections bring Significant Change Tasmania's Local Government Elections have brought sweeping change across the State's 29 councils. The introduction of all-in, all-out elections and the removal of the twelve-month qualification period for the positions of mayor and deputy mayor resulted in a record number of candidates running in the Local Government Elections. A total of 476 candidates nominated for 263 councillor positions, 91 candidates nominated for 29 mayoral positions, and 143 candidates nominated for 29 deputy mayoral positions. Among the suite of changes, 14 new mayors were elected across the State, including one mayor who is new the sector. Women have also gained a stronger foothold within Local Government, with 9 women being elected to the position of mayor, and a further 9 women to the position of deputy mayor. To view the election results, visit www.electoral.tas.gov.au/LocalGovernmentElections201 4/LGResults.html. Mayors’ Handbook and Councillor Resource Kit Available The Mayors’ Handbook and Councillor Resource Kit, developed by the Local Government Association of Tasmania, have been updated and are now available on the LGAT website at www.lgat.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=655 and www.lgat.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=232 respectively. Local Government Association of Tasmania 326 Macquarie Street, Hobart. GPO Box 1521, Hobart, TAS 7001 Ph: (03) 6233 5966 Fax: (03) 6233 5986 Email: [email protected] Vale Jack Rheinberger It is with great sadness that LGAT acknowledges the passing of Jack Rheinberger following a short illness, on 28 October, aged 76. Jack has had a long connection with Local Government in Tasmania, having served as Councillor at Sorell Council from 2000 – 2009, and as MC for the annual Local Government Conference for over a decade. Jack will be fondly remembered for his zest for life and mischievous, fun-loving approach to all that he did. He is survived by his wife Robin, their five children and ten grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by all. Health Council of Tasmania Appointment Clr Dr Graham Bury of Kingborough Council has been appointed to the State Government’s newly-formed Health Council of Tasmania for a period of two years. The initiative is part of a substantive reform agenda to improve the health outcomes of Tasmanians and the sustainability of the Tasmanian health system. The Health Council of Tasmania will provide representative views of key stakeholders across the Tasmanian health system. Glenorchy City Recognised for Community Health Initiatives Congratulations to Glenorchy City Council which was announced the State winner of the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards in Tasmania for councils with populations greater than 15,000. At the national level, Glenorchy City Council also received a Joint Highly Commended Award. The Heart Foundation Local Government Awards provide an opportunity for councils to celebrate their achievements and receive recognition for their commitment to creating healthy communities. Glenorchy City Council has implemented a number of initiatives as a result of its strategic direction around improving the health and wellbeing of the community. These include the Healthy Communities Initiative – Glenorchy on the Go, the Healthy Communities Framework 2014 2023, and the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park on the Elwick Bay Photo by Ben Hosking Foreshore. Smoke-free strategies have also been implemented including ensuring all council run community events are smoke-free. Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Hearings A commonwealth parliamentary committee will hold two public hearings this month on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The first hearing will be held at the Reception Room, Parliament House, Hobart, from 9.00am – 3.00pm, on 13 November. The second hearing will take place from 9.00am – 1.00pm, on 12 November, at Chalmers Hall, 163 St John Street, Launceston. The Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples would like to hear the views of the Tasmanian community and its leaders on steps towards recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution at a referendum. The committee published an interim report in July which can be found online at www.aph.gov.au/jscatsi. For information, call 1800 728 963, or email [email protected]. NRM Survey – Have Your Say! Tasmania’s three natural resource management (NRM) organisations are in the process of developing new strategies for the state’s NRM regions. The regional strategies, that run from 2015-2020, are developed by NRM South, NRM North and Cradle Coast NRM on behalf of their respective communities. The NRM organisations are seeking input from interested stakeholders and community via an online survey, which takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Results from the survey will be collated and used to support development of the regional strategies. Have your say on the future management and priorities for your region by completing the survey by 10 November, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/5HHYKXR. Stop Violence towards Women – Support White Ribbon Day Violence against women is a serious problem in Australia. On average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence and one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them. Domestic and family violence is the principal cause of homelessness for women and children and one in four children are exposed to domestic violence - a recognised form of child abuse. White Ribbon is Australia’s male-led campaign to end men’s violence against women and 25 November is White Ribbon Day. You can help by organising an event to help raise awareness, by taking the oath never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women, or by becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador. Visit the White Ribbon website at www.whiteribbon.org.au for more information. Paddle Safe this Summer The Paddle Safe Program, developed by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST), aims to improve the knowledge and skills of the recreational paddler. Information about general water safety, weather reports, safety equipment and correct paddling techniques are covered as part of the program to help paddlers increase their enjoyment of the sport, as well as making them aware of the risks. Paddle Safe sessions will be held around Tasmania from December to March and the organisers are looking forward to working with councils to promote this innovative program. For more information, phone Ian Ross at MAST on 6235 8859, or 0457 826 975. Volunteer Christmas Gift Wrappers Needed Volunteers are needed to help raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation by helping to man the ‘pop up’ gift wrapping station at Myer in Hobart and Launceston, between 11-24 December. During scheduled times, customers can have their Christmas gifts wrapped for a small donation to the Leukaemia Foundation. Wrapping shifts will be of 2-3 hours duration and are done in pairs. A briefing will be provided beforehand. If you love getting into the Christmas Spirit and can volunteer a few hours for this wonderful fundraiser, please contact Kate Baker on [email protected], or phone 6231 0650 or 0400 084 685. Grants & Awards National Stronger Regions Fund The National Stronger Regions Fund is an initiative to boost social and economic development in Australia’s regions by funding priority infrastructure projects in local communities. The Australian Government has committed $1 billion to the fund over five years, commencing from 2015-2016. Funding will be provided for capital projects which involve construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade, extension or enhancement of existing infrastructure. Projects selected for funding should deliver an economic benefit to the region beyond the period of construction, and should support disadvantaged regions or areas of disadvantage within a region. Local Government and incorporated not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for grants of between $20,000 and $10 million. Applications close on 28 November 2015. For information on how to apply, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/NSRF/index.aspx. Nominations for the 2015 National Youth Awards Now Open Applications for the 2015 National Youth Awards (NYA) are now open. The NYA celebrate and recognise exceptional young Australians. The award categories include the: Youth Leadership Award; Youth Culture and Diversity Award; Youth Employment Award; Youth Courage Award; Youth Health Award; Youth Safety Award; and Youth Media Award. If you know a young Australian who should be recognised for their achievements, please nominate. Applications close on 27 November. To find out more, visit www.youthweek.com/nya. Conferences, Seminars and Workshops Elected Member Professional Development – Local Government 101 On 22 November, LGAT will be delivering a professional development day for newly elected members in Launceston which will cover: roles and responsibilities under the Local Government Act; the relationship with the general manager and the mayor; acting as a member of the planning authority; strategic planning requirements including financial and asset planning; pecuniary interests and offences under the Act; and meeting procedures. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your skills as a newly elected member. For further details, log onto the LGAT website at www.lgat.tas.gov.au, click on the Extranet Login tab and enter your Council’s password, or email [email protected] to request a registration form. Making Your Municipality Age-Friendly and Opportunities for your Council – Book Now! Three free workshops on the World Health Organisation’s Age-Friendly Cities concept and opportunities for Local Government will be held this month by the Council on the Ageing Tasmania (COTA). Councils may send up to four participants each and are encouraged to invite staff from planning and community development teams, as well as representation from older people in your community such as Council Advisory Committee members. RSVP as soon as possible to [email protected], or phone 6233 5960. The workshops will be held from: 12.30pm 3.30pm on 12 November, at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside; 9.30am - 12.30pm on 13 November, at St Brigid’s School Hall, Wynyard; and from 9.30am - 12.30pm on 14 November, at the Tas. Hockey Centre, Cornelian Bay, Hobart. Clever Cities, Creative Spaces: Igniting Investment, Jobs and Growth Smart cities are great spaces for us to live, work and play, and they help our economy grow. Leading global urban thinker, Charles Landry will help join the dots to create vibrant and prosperous communities. Charles Landry is an international authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. He helps cities identify and make the most of their resources and to reach their potential by triggering their inventiveness and thinking. His overall aim is to help cities become more prosperous, culturally confident, resilient and self-sustaining. Refreshments will be available from 5.30pm, followed by the presentation at 6.00pm, on 10 November, at the MS2 Lecture Theatre, Medical Science Precinct, Cnr Liverpool and Campbell Sts, Hobart. Find out more at www.events.utas.edu.au, or phone 6226 2521. Engagement Essentials A one-day course, presented by IAP2 Australasia, on community engagement will be held in Hobart, on 12 November. The session is the first module of three that enables participants to gain the Australasian Certificate in Engagement encompassing essential training for community and stakeholder engagement practitioners. The training is hands-on and participants are encouraged to share their stories and experiences. Cost is $550 (IAP2 members) and $660 (non-members). See details at www.iap2.org.au/events/event/Engagement-Essentials-Hobart. Knowledge Partnering and Community Innovation A special networking event and book launch on the topic of knowledge partnering and community innovation, hosted by the Institute for Regional Development at the University of Tasmania, will be held in Burnie on 12 November, and in Launceston on 13 November. Both events will feature guest speaker, Professor Jo Barraket from the Centre for Social Impact and the launch of the new book, Knowledge Partnering for Community Development (Routledge, 2014) by UTAS Associate Professor Robyn Eversole. For further details, call 6430 4949, or RSVP to [email protected] indicating which event you plan to attend. 2015 LGMA Tasmania Mentoring Program Nominations for the 2015 LGMA Tasmania Mentoring Program are now open. The overall Mentoring Program will run for 9 months, commencing in February 2015. Mentees and mentors will be expected to attend three facilitated workshops to be held in February, July and November 2015. Regional check-in sessions will also be held approximately two months into the program. Expressions of interest, either as a mentor or mentee, are invited by 21 November. Information on the Program is available online at http://tas.lgma.org.au/expression-of-interest-2015mentoring-program. Engineers Australia Convention 2014 Convention 2014, run by Engineers Australia, will be the largest engineering event ever held in the Southern Hemisphere, presenting all disciplines of the engineering profession in one place. The Convention theme of Our Voice, Our Future will deliver cross-disciplinary forums exploring global issues on transport and infrastructure, nuclear and energy security, and provide thought leadership that will influence the future of engineering in Australia. The convention will be held from 24-28 November in Melbourne. For details, visit http://convention2014.org.au. Bushfire Training Opportunity The University of Technology Sydney together with the Tasmania Fire Service will run a short course in Development and Building in Bushfire Prone Areas, in Hobart, from 24-28 November. Successful completion of this course is the pathway to be a Provisional Accredited Practitioner for Bushfire Hazard Assessments. This course is suitable for council officers who work in the planning and building areas who want a thorough understanding of the subject. To reserve a seat, or to find out more, contact Mark Chladil at [email protected], or phone (03) 6230 8615. Tasmanian Event Exchange Expand your events knowledge, network and discover how to create a rewarding relationship with your event at the 9th Tasmanian Event Exchange, to be held by the TasTAFE Diploma of Events team on 25 November, at the Drysdale Campus Hobart. Some features of this year’s event exchange are: Byron Bay Bluesfest Director, Peter Noble will reveal how to make an event popular and profitable in the long-term; MONA’S Head Risk Management, John Kirwan will explore blending creativity with risk; author Anna Maguire will share her expertise on crowdfunding and provide an international perspective on digital content; and a lively panel discussion on the do’s and don’ts to avoid a disaster at your event. Find out more at http://taseventexchange.wix.com/tastafe. Local Government Forum - Health and Wellbeing A free health and wellbeing forum, specifically tailored for Tasmanian Local Government and interested community organisations, will be held to showcase a range of health and wellbeing initiatives and services to encourage and support Local Government representatives and community organisations to get involved with physical activity in their community. The forum will take place from 10.00am – 3.00pm, on 5 December, at Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Devonport. To register, email [email protected], or phone 1800 252 476. 2015 LGMA Australasian Management Challenge Registrations for the 2015 LGMA Australasian Management Challenge are now open. The Management Challenge is a sophisticated development program designed to deliver personal, team and organisational professional development. It’s hard work but also great fun. Your Council is encouraged to enter a team and participate in this rewarding program. Councils can also join with other councils to make up a team. Register before 12 December and save! For further information, visit www.managementchallenge.com.au, or email [email protected]. Local Government Events National Local Roads and Transport Congress, Tamworth General Meeting, Launceston Introduction to the Role of Mayor, Launceston Mayor’s Professional Development Day, Launceston Local Government 101, Launceston General Management Committee Meeting, Hobart Elected Members’ Professional Development Weekend, Launceston 12-14 November 19 November 19 November 20 November 22 November 2 December 28 February – 1 March 2015