\ President’s Message A Focus on Performance

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NUMBER 21/14 – 21 November 2014
Mayor Barry Jarvis
Dorset Council
2014 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CONFERENCE SPONSOR
President’s Message
Last week, I attended my first Australian Local
Government Association (ALGA) Annual General
Meeting and Board Meeting in Tamworth, and was
able to gain an understanding of the amount of work
the Association does on the behalf of Local
Government at a national level. I would like to pay
tribute to past President, Felicity-ann Lewis for her
strong advocacy at the national level and wish her
well in the future as she steps away from Local
Government completely.
ALGA now has a new President - Mayor Troy Pickard
from the Western Australian Local Government
Association and two new Vice Presidents - Clr Greg
Belz of the Local Government Association of
Queensland, and Cr Bill McArthur of the Municipal
Association of Victoria. I wish them well in their new
roles.
The agenda discussed many things that have the
potential to filter down to us at a community level but
the main focus for me was the strategy discussed to
get the Financial Assistant Grants fully reinstated, which
is very important for Local Government to be able to
fully deliver the services our communities expect and
deserve. Reform of the Federation and Taxation White
Paper processes were discussed at length. These two
reviews by the Federal Government will have an
impact on Local Government. We need to be active
at a local level to engage with our federal politicians
to reinforce the importance and relevance of Local
Government to their local communities.
While in Tamworth, the National Local Roads Congress
was held and a function was organised at the
magnificent Tamworth Equine Centre. The centre
seats approximately 3,200 in the main arena and
stables, with the capacity to house 480 horses under
cover. The cost to build the facility was a staggering
$30 million, with the Tamworth Council contributing
almost $20 million. The centre was booked for 271
days last year so this has become a major economic
driver for the Tamworth Region.
Medibank Active Tasmania Awards
The 2014 Medibank Active Tasmania Awards showed
once again the importance of Local Government
leadership in building healthy, active communities.
Clarence City Council was presented with a Silver
Award for its 14.5km Clarence Foreshore Trail. Flinders
Council also received a Silver Award for its Flinders
Health and Happiness program, and Sorell Council
took out the Inspiration Award for the YOLO (You Only
Live Once) Colour Fun Run. For further information on
the award winners, visit www.getmoving.tas.gov.au.
A Focus on Performance
With over a third of councillors being newly elected and
nearly 50% of mayors new to the job, the Local
Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) is helping
them approach their new roles with confidence and
professionalism through a raft of training opportunities.
This week, the Association held two highly successful
workshops with mayors. Donning the Robes provided
some key advice on the role and procedures for brand
new mayors, and Leading Performance provided both
inspiration and tools for mayors to lead high performing
councils. LGAT President, Mayor Barry Jarvis said the
sessions were extremely well attended, the mayors were
highly engaged and all said they found it valuable, both
in terms of learning and building a strong collegial
network.
On Saturday, 22 November, LGAT is running a course for
new councillors. Local Government 101 has nearly 60
councillors attending and will cover roles and
responsibilities, strategic planning, pecuniary interests,
meeting procedures and more. This early training will be
built upon with an elected member professional
development weekend, scheduled for 28 February - 1
March 2015 in Launceston.
“It is fantastic to have so many new councillors
attending training this early in their term,” said Mayor
Jarvis. “I think it shows the passion and commitment in
Local Government, and the drive to deliver the best
outcomes for communities”.
ALGA Elects New President
The Australian Local
Government Association
(ALGA) has elected a new
President, Mayor Troy Pickard of
the City of Joondalup. Mayor
Pickard, a former Tasmanian, is
currently the President of the
Western Australian Local
Government Association, he
has been a Director of ALGA
since 2007 and served as a
Vice President of the
organisation since 2010. During
his term as President, Mayor Pickard will be focusing on a
number of issues including: the Federation and Taxation
White paper processes, and ensuring a strong voice for
Local Government in any reform of the Federation and
Taxation; leading ALGA's campaign to have indexation of
Financial Assistance Grants restored; and continued
advocacy for permanency for Roads to Recovery
funding.
New Training Grants for Councils
The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from councils to join a
Skills Fund training grant application. If successful, this funding will cover 80% of training costs. If your Council is
interested in the possibly of obtaining training through this funding, please approach your manager. Managers
should discuss their needs with council Human Resources (HR) which have been sent the EOI documents. The
deadline for EOIs to LGAT is 4 December. Council HR units can obtain further information from Scott Blacklow on
6233 5967, or at scott.blacklow@lgat.tas.gov.au.
Tasmania's First Female Governor to be Appointed
Last week, the Premier received informal approval from Her Majesty The Queen that Prof
Kate Warner AM be appointed as Tasmania's 28th Governor, making her the State's first
female Governor. Prof Warner has led a distinguished career as a Law Professor at the
University of Tasmania. Prof Warner has been Director of the Tasmanian Law Reform
Institute, Commissioner of the Tasmanian Gaming Commission, a member of the
Sentencing Advisory Council, President of the Alcorso Foundation and was awarded a
Member of the Order of Australia this year for her significant service to the law. Upon
notification of formal approval from the Queen, Prof Warner will be sworn to office on 10
December.
Garage Sale Trail Recognised with Prestigious National Award
The Garage Sale Trail has received timely recognition of the success of this year’s event
which took place across Australia on 25 October. The event received a prestigious 2014
Banksia Sustainability Award in the Leadership in Citizenship and Communities category, which recognises a group
or individual that has demonstrated strong, local capacity building measurably enhancing the long-term social,
economic and environmental status of their community. The Banksia Foundation provides a positive platform to
showcase the best in Australian invention, innovation and ingenuity in the all-important sustainability space.
Public consultation on the Early Childhood Education and Care National Quality Framework
A review of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care Services is being undertaken by
the Australian Government and all state governments to ensure the goal of improving quality in education and care
services is being met in the most efficient and effective way. The review aims to identify what is working well, areas
for improvement and any unintended consequences that resulted from implementation of the National Quality
Framework. The next stage of the review will involve consultation on the proposed options for changes to the
National Quality Framework using a Regulation Impact Statement. The public consultation sessions are an
opportunity for interested parties to provide feedback on the proposed changes. Sessions will be held in Burnie and
Devonport (2 December), in Launceston (3 December), and in Hobart (4 December). For details, visit
www.deloitteaccesseconomics.com.au/our+services/nqfconsultationris.
Project Wild Thing Film Screening
Project Wild Thing is a film-led movement to get more kids and their families outside and reconnecting with nature.
The film is an ambitious, feature-length documentary that takes a funny and revealing look at the complex issue of
the increasingly disparate connection between children and nature. Watch the trailer at
http://projectwildthing.com/. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) will be hosting a screening of
the film in the Dechaineux Theatre at the UTAS Tasmanian College of the Arts, Hobart, on 27 November, for both
members and non-members. Refreshments will be provided from 5.45pm, with the film commencing at 6.30pm.
Admission is $10. For more information, contact (02) 6248 9970. Register online at
www.aila.org.au/iMIS_Prod/AILAWeb/Commerce/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=TAS3272&WebsiteKey=44fe2fe05560-4283-981a-c15fe691b1d1.
Ten Days Unveils a New Name
Ten Days has unveiled a new name for its acclaimed, biennial, international, multi-arts, statewide festival - the
'Tasmanian International Arts Festival'. The festival’s new title recognises exactly what the festival is about and firmly
places Tasmania at the centre of the arts world. The Tasmanian International Arts Festival will be presented in March
2015. Book before Christmas to secure a 25% early bird discount. Details are available online at
www.tendays.org.au/event.
Conferences, Seminars & Workshops
Communicating with Confidence!
Youth workers and those who wish to improve their communication skills when working with challenging consumers
and colleagues are invited to attend one of two free workshops in Burnie and Launceston, presented by the Centre
for Rural Health, UTAS. Topics to be covered include: recognising helpful and unhelpful communication styles;
managing challenging communication situations; communicating with cultural competence; and taking care of
yourself. For enquiries, phone 6324 5400. To register for the Burnie workshop (28 November), visit
https://secure001.utas.edu.au/ruralhealth/seminar_registration/udrh-pdce.php?det_id=96. To register for the
Launceston workshop (5 December), visit https://secure001.utas.edu.au/ruralhealth/seminar_registration/udrhpdce.php?det_id=97.
Spaces, Place, Being
The 11th Annual Geography and Spatial Sciences Conference will be held at the UTAS Sandy Bay campus, from
25-26 November. The conference is of particular interest to people working in the areas of town and spatial
planning; community cultural development; environmental planning and services; social equity and social justice
and conservation management. Staff and students will present on topics including: Drones for Mapping Natural
Landscapes; Exploring Indirect Health Consequences of a Changing Climate; and Climate Change
Communication, Trust and Values. Attendance costs $20. Find out more at www.utas.edu.au/GeoConf2014.
2014 CLAIR Forum – Revitalise Your City
The Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR) and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government
(ACELG) will co-host the 2014 CLAIR Forum, to be held in Sydney, on 27 November. This free event will discuss
economic development in regions and the key ingredients for encouraging population growth and retention in
regional capitals. For further information, visit www.acelg.org.au/events/2014-clair-forum-revitalise-your-city.
Attitudes to Men’s Violence against Women and Gender Equality
VicHealth recently published the findings of the third National Community Attitudes towards Violence Against
Women Survey. The survey is based on more than 17,500 interviews with Australians, measuring community
knowledge and attitudes towards violence and gender equality, and tracking changes over time. The results of this
study will be explored at a forum to be held at Parlaiment House, Hobart, from 11.00am - 12.00 noon, on
28 November. RSVP by 25 November to melissa.gunn@dpac.tas.gov.au, or phone 6232 7654.
New Parks Management Workshop
IPWEA will be hosting an intensive, one-day workshop for parks managers, asset professionals, engineers, technical
officers, inspectors and assessors in Launceston, on 1 December. The workshop will focus on what is important and
practical in compiling inventories and undertaking a Parks condition survey and data analysis. To find out more, visit
www.ipwea.org/Tasmania/home/.
Work Health and Safety Breakfast Forum and Workshop
Does complying with the new Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation in Tasmania look overwhelming and
complicated in comparison to the previous Occupational Health and Safety law? Find out what you need to know
about WHS, with access to an expert panel of risk management, legal and government professionals in an open
forum, coordinated by the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) Foundation. The breakfast forum will
commence at 7.30am, on 3 December, at the Old Woolstore, Hobart. A 3-hour workshop will follow to assist business
in taking a risk management approach to WHS law. Tickets for the breakfast forum are $20, or free for NSCA
members. The workshop costs $120 (NSCA members) and $150 (non -members). RSVP by 26 November. For details
visit http://nsca.org.au/knowledge-centre/events/upcoming-events/#hobart.
Introduction to Governance Program - Strategy and Planning
A key function of any board is to set the strategic plan of the organisation to ensure it achieves its objectives. As
part the Effective Governance Series, TasCOSS will hold a workshop that will explore planning cycles, setting the
vision for the organisation whilst ensuring organisational activity is measurable, and meeting the needs of internal
and external stakeholders. The workshop will be held in Hobart on 3 December. The cost is $95.00 (TasCOSS
members), $135.00 (not-for-profit) and $235.00 (government). For enquiries, contact Dale Rahmanovic on 6231 0755,
or email dale@tascoss.org.au.
Creating Environments to Support Active Living in Rural Tasmania
Hear about work led by researchers at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research that aimed to understand which
features of local, rural neighbourhoods may help community members to live healthy, active lifestyles. Forty-nine
men and women from the North, Central Highlands and South of Tasmania were involved in interviews that revealed
functionality, variety and diversity of opportunities, and accessibility as three key themes central to supporting
physical activity. These themes and further recommendations will be discussed in detail at the Premier’s Physical
Activity Council Local Government Forum, on 5 December, in Devonport. To register, visit
www.getmoving.tas.gov.au/whats_on/forums, or phone 1800 252 476.
Foundations of Active Living
Are you interested in healthy living? The UTAS Foundations of Active Living Unit is designed for anyone who is
interested in increasing their knowledge on the importance of individual and community health and wellbeing. It is
offered as part of the Bachelor of General Studies and will focus on physical activity, nutrition and hydration, and
mental health. The unit is free through a full HECS scholarship and is available Australia-wide through online
education. Enrol now for 2015! For details, visit www.utas.edu.au/health/study/foundations-of-active-living.
Local Government Events
General Management Committee Meeting, Hobart
Elected Members’ Professional Development Weekend,
Launceston
2 December
28 February – 1 March 2015
Local Government Association of Tasmania
326 Macquarie Street, Hobart. GPO Box 1521, Hobart, TAS 7001
Ph: (03) 6233 5966 Fax: (03) 6233 5986 Email: reception@lgat.tas.gov.au