Here are some of the key resolutions debated and carried. A full list of all Resolutions is available on the ALGA web site at www.alga.asn.au
Resolution 1:
Bankstown City Council, New South Wales
That the National General Assembly reiterate its long standing call for amendments to the Australian Constitution to recognise the roles and responsibilities of Local Government, and calls on all political parties to adopt this as a formal policy position during 2007. That this 2007 National General Assembly call on all political parties to agree to hold a National Constitutional Convention to resolve the long outstanding issues of constitutional recognition, roles and responsibilities, and appropriate funding arrangements for Local Government in Australia.
Carried
Resolution 4:
Composite of Knox City Council, Bankstown City Council, City of Onkaparinga, Shoalhaven City Council, Hornsby Shire Council and Moreland City Council.
That the National Assembly endorse the recommendations of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on Financial Sustainability of Local Government for a ‘twin track’ approach comprising internal reform and reform to intergovernmental transfers. Further that the National General Assembly of Local Government endorse the need to:
- establish a new $250 million per year for four years Community Infrastructure Renewal Program
- make Roads to Recovery funding permanent
- change the annual indexation of the Financial Assistance Grants to an escalation formula that better reflects Local Government costs, noting that changes to the escalation methodology of FAGs would be an interim measure while working toward a fixed share of Commonwealth taxation revenue (net of GST).
Carried
Resolution 5: Composite of Melton Shire Council, City of Whittlesea and Shoalhaven City Council.
That the National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to provide direct funding support to significant growth areas to enable urgently needed social infrastructure and services to be delivered into communities, to ensure strong community development and good community outcomes.
Carried
Resolution 6: Composite of City of Marion, Melton Shire Council and Shellharbour City Council.
That this National General Assembly call on:
- •Federal and State Governments to meet the intent of the Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing the Principles for Guiding Intergovernmental Relations on Local Government Matters (the IGA) and
- the Local Government and Planning Ministerial Council to publish an annual report on the implementation of the IGA.
Carried
Motion 14: Composite of Yarra City Council, Moreland City Council, Maroondah City Council and Manningham City Council.
That this National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to recognise the importance of public transport, provide specific funding for upgrading facilities, infrastructure and systems.
Carried
Motion 19:
City of Onkaparinga, South Australia
That this National General Assembly acknowledging that information, along with the access to it, is a critical element of an informed, empowered and sustainable society and that “information poor” Australians suffer a significant disadvantage to those who have ready, reliable access to information and therefore call on the Federal Government to takes steps to provide more equitable Broadband access to information throughout Australia.
Carried
Resolution 28:
Composite of Bankstown City Council, City of Whittlesea, Moreland City Council, Yarra City Council and Knox City Council.
That the National General Assembly agree on the need for all spheres of Government to address the issue of housing affordability and call upon the Federal Government to lead and resource a collaborative response to the issue through a National Housing Strategy that examines possible solutions to increase housing affordability and accessibility by all sectors of the market including public housing.
The strategy should investigate all options including both supply and demand of a range of housing alternatives, and financial assistance strategies including but not limited to taxation reform, grants and rent assistance.
Carried
Resolution 43:
Knox City Council, Victoria
Due to the impacts of climate change on Local Government, this National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to take a proactive stance to mitigating the detrimental impacts of climate change through:
- •supporting and facilitating the development of strategic partnerships and regional alliances across Australia to reduce energy demand and foster the
uptake of energy reducing technology - supporting the implementation of energy demand reduction initiatives, establishment of progressive targets for large scale take up of renewable energy and an effective framework for carbon offsets
- seeking Federal Government investment in safe, renewable energy production methodologies such as solar and wind power rather than the development of a nuclear energy industry.
Carried
Resolution 49:
Moreland City Council, Victoria
That this General Assembly call on the Federal Government to:
1. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which will:
- •send a strong message to the world that climate change is a major priority for Australia
- more clearly address emissions reductions and keep us below 450 parts per million of CO2e in the atmosphere
- complement the work being undertaken via, the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6) group
- and ensure Australia is not locked out of the negotiation process that will shape the world’s economy into the future.
2. Give clear direction to communities, business and Local Governments on the sectoral targets required to minimise temperature rise to the lower end of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predictions.
3. Commit increased funding levels to Local Government for Climate Change Adaptation and mitigation to engage stakeholders, identify and set priorities for action, assign responsibility for action and monitor implementation and keep adaptation strategies under regular review.
4. Provide national leadership in urban policy and climate change by putting in place systems of governance to coordinate urban issues and ensure effective partnerships between all three levels of government to facilitate sustainable urban practices.
5. National leadership actions can include support of specific recommendations of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage (August 2005), including:
- • upport the development of an Australian Sustainability Charter, which would incorporate national targets for water, transport, energy, building design and planning
- establish a sustainable building material labelling scheme
- develop nationally accepted and implemented building rating tool that takes into account a range of environmental and sustainability factors.
Carried
