The following is a summary of some of the main resolutions passed by the Assembly and later endorsed at the AGM. A full list of all Resolutions is available on the ALGA web site at www.alga.asn.au
Mover: Knox City Council and Gannawarra Shire Council
That this National General Assembly call for an improvement to the funding arrangements from Federal and State Governments which ensures that
1. Australian Local Government receives an increased share of the national taxation revenue that is linked to a growth tax.
2. The share of national taxation revenues available to Australian Local Government is sufficient to allow Councils to address
- urgent backlog infrastructure issues
- the provision of future infrastructure needs resulting from both replacement of existing infrastructure and growth in population
- redress the financial impact on Councils resulting from the impact of past cost shifting.
3. The Commonwealth Government increase the level of direct funding to Local Government to enable adequate provision of all Local Government services.
Carried
Mover: East Gippsland Shire Council
That this National General Assembly endorses the concept of a summit of peak bodies to establish the parameters for a review of the roles, responsibilities and financial arrangements of the three spheres of Australian government and that appropriate representation be invited to such a conference from the Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG); elected representatives of Federal, State and Local Governments; academia; business associations; taxpayer and ratepayer associations; and retirees.
Carried
Mover: Gosford City Council
The National General Assembly calls on the Federal Government to develop a long term population strategy for the whole of Australia that will guide development of regional areas, particularly those surrounding the metropolitan areas and interface regions, taking into account the economy, the environment, immigration and social and cultural issues.
Carried
Mover: Hurstville City Council
That this National General Assembly oppose the draft Leading Practice Model for Development Assessment (DA Model) being undertaken by the Development Assessment Forum.
Carried
Mover: Hindmarsh Shire
That this National General Assembly request
1.The Federal Government to continue to make National Competition Payments (NCP) payments to all State Governments.
2. State Governments make an appropriate share of NCP payments available to all Local Governments.
Mover: East Gippsland Shire Council
That this National General Assembly encourages the Federal Government to actively pursue the development and implementation of new policies to achieve a sustainable rural and regional Australia that includes
1. A guaranteed level of physical, social and technological infrastructure within rural and remote communities
2. Allocation of increased direct Federal Government funding to non metropolitan councils is not subject to any reduction in direct funding to metropolitan councils.
Carried
Mover: City of Boroondara
The this National General Assembly calls on the Federal Government to provide leadership, funding and partnerships among the three spheres of government in Australia, to achieve integrated transport planning, in particular by utilising Auslink to improve public transport, and support walking, cycling and local traffic management as major components of national health, national economic activity and urban regeneration.
Carried
Mover: Gosford City Council
That this National General Assembly of Local Government condemns the actions of James Hardie Industries in the strongest possible terms for not accepting responsibility to fully fund the legitimate claims brought by asbestos victims against its former subsidiaries.
The Assembly calls on James Hardie Industries to adequately provide for current and future asbestos victims.
Further, councils and contractors are encouraged to review product availability from the competitors of James Hardie Industries and to include as part of their criteria of choice:
- the respective corporate reputations of those suppliers; and
- the relative acceptance of those suppliers in delivering secure occupational and health outcomes for victims of industrial injury.
Councils are encouraged to review policies around their employees, local workers and residents who have, or may come, in contact with asbestos during their course of their duties.
The General Assembly calls on James Hardie Industries to meet with the ALGA Executive to discuss appropriate solutions to Local Government’s concerns as expressed by Assembly delegates; and Request ALGA to inform the United Cities and Local Government of this position and seek their support internationally.
Carried
Mover: Penrith City Council
That Local Government considers the likely impact of the Long Term Care initiative on Local Government’s public liability exposure and explore the extent to which Local Government could participate in the initiative.
Carried
Mover: East Gippsland Shire Council
That this National General Assembly pursues Federal Government funding to be provided directly to Councils that are experiencing development pressures in order to meet the increasing planning and infrastructure demand for residential development.
Carried
Mover: Whittlesea City Council
That the Federal Government develop with the State and Local Governments a sustainable public transport provision policy that is linked to greenhouse reduction targets and includes a funding strategy for extensions of public transport infrastructure including rail to new development areas on the urban fringe of Australian cities.
Carried
Mover: Whittlesea City Council
That this National General Assembly calls on the Commonwealth Government for a targeted financial commitment to the provision of water saving systems in urban areas across Australia by the direct funding of sewer harvesting and third pipe reticulation.
Carried
Mover: Local Government Association of Queensland
That this National General Assembly calls on the Commonwealth Government to provide more support for urban infrastructure and better urban development outcomes, based on the following
1. an audit of the National Strategy for Environmental Sustainability
2. provision of adequate resourcing and financial assistance for Local Government
3. development and implementation of appropriate intergovernmental relationship strategies
4. Commonwealth Government use of its financial, revenue raising and taxation powers to provide incentives to individuals, communities and industries
5. development of a National Cities Policy.
Mover: Darwin City Council
That Local Government become more informed and aware of the possible impact on local councils of ATSIC being replaced by government agencies for the provision of services.
Carried
