Don’t waste it

The City of Melbourne has backed a campaign from the Municipal Association of Victoria calling for the introduction of a state-wide Container Deposit Scheme. Read more >

Councils combine to combat water crisis

A new campaign urging families to practice waterwise habits that are passed down from generation to generation, such as turning off the tap when brushing teeth, was rolled out in August.

Comprising TV and radio commercials, print advertisements and social media, the campaign unites Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi and South Burnett Regional Councils, plus the Queensland State Government, to create and fund the effort.

Southern Downs Mayor, Tracy Dobie, said the campaign message was simple.

“We are urging residents to embrace simple water-saving measures to support our community, as well as encouraging local businesses to manage water effectively.

“It’s fitting the television commercial was shot here in Stanthorpe, featuring local residents, as the storages that service the town are reaching a very low level.

“Bringing together the State Government and all five councils in our region to spread this vital message is unprecedented, and we thank all involved for backing this initiative.”

While all five councils are facing water shortages of varying degrees – Goondiwindi last month moved to ‘level two’ restrictions and Toowoomba has nine towns on ‘medium’ and one (Vale View) on ‘high’ restrictions – Southern Downs, and Stanthorpe in particular, are facing the most acute shortages.

In March 2019 the council moved to ‘extreme’ restrictions and last month approved instigating ‘critical’ level measures from 1 September, limiting households to 100 litres of water per person per day.

“Council is daily updating its plans for the provision of water for Stanthorpe but in the meantime, I urge you to continue visiting the town and beautiful surrounding regions,” Mayor Dobie said.

“The support of visitors, particularly our fellow Queenslanders, is so vital during this tough time.”

Toowoomba Regional Council Water and Waste Councillor, Nancy Sommerfield, said the region’s councils would look for further ways to work together beyond the life of the campaign.

Local Government Information Technology Conference*

Coffs Harbour City Council is organising the 22nd Local Government Information Technology Conference at Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, 27-29 November 2019.

IT2019 provides a forum for Local Government Managers and support staff to network, learn and exchange ideas.

The program will feature key speakers from government, the private sector, online organisations, and the broader computer and communications industries.

Representatives of local, state and federal government agencies, and business corporations will be in attendance from throughout Australia.

This year’s topics include Council Case studies; Hybrid Enterprise cloud migration; Security; Internet of Things (IOT); Smart Cities; impacts of 5G; Digital disruption, Future Ways of Working and techniques to manage Tech related overload.

Industry Leaders such as Microsoft, HP, Sophos and Technology One will be presenting over the two days.

This year’s conference will feature high profile keynote speakers, including Leigh Sales AM an award-winning journalist and author who hosts the ABC TV flagship current affairs program 7.30; Allan Sparkes CV, OAM,VA,FRSN - not only one of Australia's most decorated citizens but a nationally recognised advocate for the integration of proactive programs to reduce physiological ill health in Australian workplaces; and Mark Pesce -  a leading futurist, author, entrepreneur and innovator who has been at the forefront of the digital revolution for thirty-five years.

An extensive trade exhibition and fun networking functions form an integral component of the conference.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with industry suppliers and keep up to date with latest developments in industry products and services.

We would like to thank our gold sponsors: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Outcomex and Sophos as well as our 26 Silver sponsors, coffee cart sponsors, Keynote speaker sponsors and Social sponsors.

Program available now at: lgit2019.coffslgconferences.com.au 

For further information contact Michelle Aubert from Countrywide Conference and Event Management –  [email protected] or 0408 791 492.

*Copy supplied by Coffs IT

Spring Festival not daunted by the drought

Winter is officially over and to celebrate the change of season Laidley Spring Festival turned on the fun with a host of new events making their debut this year. Read more >

The year of the VIP - Presidents comment

The year of the VIP - President's Comment Read more >

Call for more Regional Deals

The Australian Infrastructure 2019 Audit released last month has revealed that cities like Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, are at risk of being left behind as the infrastructure gap widens between regional cities and capital cities.

Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council, Greg Conkey, said the report confirmed what Council had long been advocating – that urgent planning for the future of Wagga Wagga is now required to ensure Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) predictions do not occur.

The Australian Infrastructure Audit report found:
1. Regional cities are great places to live because of their culture, unique histories and identities; however

2. There are ongoing risks to these cities because jobs in regional cities are generally based on the success of a small number of sectors; and

3. The continuing changes in technology and how services are delivered means regional cities will be decline if investment does not keep pace – particularly when it comes to connecting regional cities to other parts of Australia and the world.

“Getting infrastructure investment right in Wagga Wagga is very important, because like many regional cities, Wagga Wagga is a service hub that provides access to employment opportunities as well as the all-important health, education, sporting, art and cultural facilities,” the Mayor said.

“In fact this issue has even broader implications, because IA’s predictions relate to all regional cities.

“Regional Capitals Australia, a national organisation of which I am a Board member has found that every day eight million Australians rely on a regional city for their everyday needs.

“The Federal Government needs to plan for the needs of regional capital cities by providing more Regional Deals.

“Regional Deals bring together the local, state and federal governments to develop regional capital cities and identify new ways to support the growth of the regional economy.

“IA has been clear, the Federal Government should back the growth of our regional capital cities - there have been City Deals announced for all the big metro cities, so the time is now right to make sure our regional cities get their fair share.

“Wagga Wagga will be working with Regional Capitals Australia to advocate to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Michael McCormack, and Assistant Minister, the Hon Nola Marino, to get a deal for our city and make sure our future is on track,” Mayor Conkey concluded.