Breaking News
Inland rail conference sets priorities
Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Alliance Chair, Councillor Sue Price of Moree Plains, provided the Federal Minister for Regional Development, The Hon. Dr John McVeigh with a copy of the MBIRA media release on the success of the Inland Rail Conference 2018.
The inaugural Inland Rail Conference held last month in Parkes, New South Wales, brought together key players for the first industry-led conference aimed at identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with the project. Read more >
The value of community centres recognised
Western Australian Regional Development Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, has announced a decision to reinstates $13 million in funding for 105 regional community centres across the State.
A vital resource for regional communities, the decision to retain the centres is the result of a united effort by the Local Government sector.
Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA) President, Lynne Craigie, has applauded the decision to reinstate the funding.
Councillor Craigie said the Minister should be recognised for genuinely considering the representations made by WALGA and Local Governments to retain the funding.
Located throughout WA, Community Resource Centres support local social and economic activity with 395 staff and more than 1000 volunteers.
Cr Craigie said, “It is understandable that when faced with the challenge of budget repair the State Government would look at making savings across programs.
“It was unfortunate that the Community Resource Centres were caught up in this process but fortunate that the Minister was prepared to listen to the community and reverse the decision.
“It takes decisive leadership to terminate a program but even stronger leadership to genuinely consider the arguments from stakeholders and then change your position.”
Cr Craigie said WALGA and individual Local Governments had made strong representations to the Minister to retain the centres as they provided vital community support.
She said Community Resource Centres were critical in helping deliver the State Government’s focus on traineeships and creating jobs in regional WA.
“The decision by the Minister to consult with the sector in a meaningful way is, I believe, a direct consequence of the State Government’s partnership agreement with the Local Government sector and is a welcome change to addressing critical issues,” Cr Craigie said.
Speeding fines will build better roads for Victoria
The Victorian Government has committed $2 billion in roads funding for Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
The Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan, has announced new legislation to establish the Better Roads Victoria Fund, which will mean residents of Melbourne’s Interface Councils will receive better and safer roads more quickly.
Interface Councils is a group of ten municipalities that form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne and advocate for better services and infrastructure for their 1.6 million residents.
Interface Councils spokesperson, Mayor of Wyndham City Council, Councillor Peter Maynard, said, “This is a big step forward. Improving roads in Melbourne’s outer suburbs is one of our top priorities.
“Roads in the Interface Councils region have not kept up with the rapid population growth we’re experiencing. This is great news because our residents drive extremely long distances to and from work each day, with more than 80 percent of people dependent on cars.”
According to the proposal, all revenue from on-the-spot speeding fines and traffic cameras will be directed to improve outer-suburban roads. Both outer-suburban and country roads will each receive a minimum of 33 percent of the fund.
Over the past four years, Interface Councils has welcomed nearly 200,000 residents, which has resulted in the region accounting for nearly half of Melbourne’s growth. As a result, the quickly expanding communities who call it home are straining already stretched services and public infrastructure they rely on daily.
“Really what this is about is making sure residents have the same access to road infrastructure that the rest of Melbourne has. Congestion is one of our biggest problems and it has a significant impact on the daily lives of residents,” said Cr Maynard.
Interface Councils comprises Cardinia Shire Council, City of Casey, Hume City Council, Melton City Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, City of Whittlesea, Wyndham City Council and Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
Inclusive strategy
Local Disability Advocate, Elisha Wright with Council’s Spokesperson for Lifestyle and Amenity, Cr Denise Sims and Cr Matt Constance.
Life is about to become a whole lot more accessible for people living with a disability in Moreton Bay, Queensland, where the region’s first Disability Access and Inclusion Plan has just been adopted, committing Council to the development of an inclusive community. Read more >
The Elephant in the Wheatbelt
Artist Samantha Hughes and her dad Dennis
Shire of Corrigan, Western Australia (WA) is talking loudly about the ‘elephant in the room’ in an effort to save lives on local roads. Read more >
Watering spike does it right…*
Every irrigator, from the home gardener to the professional nursery manager, knows the challenge of putting the right amount of water onto each plant. Read more >
Life is about to become a whole lot more accessible for people living with a disability in Moreton Bay, Queensland, where the region’s first Disability Access and Inclusion Plan has just been adopted, committing Council to the development of an inclusive community.
