Breaking News
National assembly
Delegates respond to the address by Mark Coulton MP
Canberra was host to almost 900 mayors, councillors and chief executive officers last month at the 25th annual National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) hosted once again by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the sector’s national peak body. Read more >
TurtleCare volunteers make a world of difference
Volunteers like Carolyn Ufer work tirelessly to save the critically endangered Loggerhead Turtle, ensuring as many hatchlings survive to increase their breeding population.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, has more than 1500 local volunteers who have so far this year donated over 15,000 hours of their valuable time and skills towards Council’s volunteering program. Read more >
World heritage secured for Budj Bim
Budj Bim joins the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House and Kakadu National Park to be Australia’s 20th icon on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Photograph courtesy Visit Victoria.
The protection of one of Australia’s most important indigenous cultural sites has been secured with this month’s historic UNESCO World Heritage listing. Read more >
No warning for Levy hike – President’s comment
Local Government Association of South Australia President, Mayor Sam Telfer
Local businesses urged to reduce waste to landfill
Commercial waste charges will rise with Queensland Government’s waste levy, effective since 1 July, but will not impact households.
Local businesses can expect to pay more for kerbside waste collection and waste disposal at landfill and transfer stations.
Burdekin Shire Mayor, Lyn McLaughlin, said the new levy would apply to all types of waste that ends up in landfill (unless specific exclusions apply) and that Council would be responsible for the collection and payment of the levy to the State Government.
“This new Queensland waste levy will have no direct impact on the costs incurred by local households, as Council will receive an annual advance payment from the State Government to reimburse us for these costs.
“However the charge for a standard commercial 240 litre bin will rise by about $47 a year.”
The Queensland waste levy will be applied to all commercial and industrial waste that is disposed in the landfill. This includes kerbside bins and self-haul taken to transfer stations or landfill.
It will be charged at $75/tonne (ex GST) for general waste and will be charged in addition to the usual council fees charged at the transfer station and landfill facilities. Higher levies apply for regulated wastes.
The Mayor said Burdekin businesses were being encouraged to reduce their levy liability by reducing waste and taking the time
to sort and recycle.
“Not only is recycling good for the environment, it’s good economics.
“Burdekin residents can already dispose of a range of items for free at our waste management facilities. To be eligible, all waste must be sorted and separated into different waste categories prior to disposal.”
Fresh food returns to Coonalpyn
The Heart Foundation is joining forces with Council in a bid to improve health outcomes in the Coorong district.
An innovative new partnership project being delivered by the Coorong District Council, South Australia (SA), will bring weekly deliveries of fruit, vegetables and meat back to Coonalpyn residents for the first time since the local supermarket was closed in 2010. Read more >
Canberra was host to almost 900 mayors, councillors and chief executive officers last month at the 25th annual National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) hosted once again by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the sector’s national peak body.
