National General Assembly of Local Government

2005: List all motions debated

A total number of 89 motions were submitted. Of these, 57 were carried as resolutions. 16 were lost or withdrawn. 14 of the late motions were not debated.

Resolution: 1

Amended motion (Merger of 1 and 3)

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Yarra City Council

That delegates of this national Assembly call on the federal government to address the lack of childcare that is severely impacting on families with children, in partnership with local government , the private sector and the community managed child care sector, to adopt a proactive role in the provision of affordable childcare by:

1. convening a national summit on childcare
2. the implementation of a major capital development funding program for new facilities and the purchase of land to lease to childcare providers who will build centres, operate them and transfer the facility back to the Commonwealth after an agreed period
3. making the provision of childcare places for children 0-6 years, a high priority rolling program until waiting list needs are met
4. the introduction of more flexible access arrangements for families wanting to utilize ‘in home’ and ‘in venue’ care through the Family Day Care Program
5. the provision of improved Fringe Benefits Tax exemptions for employers wishing to create or purchase childcare places for employees.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has for some years supported the case for the provision of adequate child care services to local communities. ALGA will continue to advocate the position outlined in this resolution and has asked the Australian Government to respond accordingly.

Resolution: 2

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Moreland City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the Commonwealth government to work with the states and local government, and with other stakeholders, to make significant reforms to the planning and delivery of child care services to address significant issues outlined below:

1. The viability and accessibility of Family Day Care due to work force issues
2. Market failure of long day care due to:
   1. over-supply or under-supply because of the absence of a planning model
   2. under-supply of under 3 year old places
   3. insufficient data to adequately assess local demand
   4. lack of affordable land especially in inner metropolitan areas
   5. increasing gap fee making services inaccessible or financially draining
   6. ageing, inappropriate infrastructure with no on-going capital works program
   7. difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified staff
   8. additional costs of providing services in rural and remote Australia

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 1

Motion: 3

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Boroondara, City of

Action taken:

Merged with Motion 1

Resolution: 4

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Knox City Council

That the delegates of this National General Assembly call upon the Commonwealth government to:

1. Ensure the sustainability of the existing Family Day Care Scheme by continuing to apply the current method of calculating the operational Family Day Care subsidy until appropriate operating standards are agreed
2. Work in partnership with state and local governments to establish minimum operating standards (including accreditation requirements and employment status) for the Family Day Care Scheme and utilise these standards to underpin a new funding agreement.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 1

Resolution: 5

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Whitehorse City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly write to the Commonwealth government:

1. Opposing the government's intention to modify the calculation of operational grants for Family Day Care Schemes in a manner that will reduce the level of grant funding provided to the majority of schemes.
2. Seeking the federal government's assurance to maintain current financial support to each scheme to ensure the ongoing sustainability and maintenance of quality standards for this important universal childcare program.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 1

Resolution: 6

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Penrith City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call upon the Federal Minister for Family and Community Services to review the federal government planning policy to ensure equity of access to affordable quality children's services for parents of children aged 0-2 years through a national needs based planning process and the controlled distribution of Child Care Benefit (CCB) places, and that this should include community consultation forums to identify and prioritise the distribution of CCB places to areas of need.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 1

Resolution: 6.1

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Blacktown City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to introduce a second and higher tier of Child Care Benefit payment for under two year old children in recognition of the higher cost of providing care to this age group.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has strongly communicated to the Australian Government over a number of years, the critical importance in providing adequate child care services to local communities. ALGA will continue to advocate the position outlined in this resolution.

Resolution: 7

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Penrith City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call upon the Federal Minister for Family and Community Services to adopt a national needs based planning framework for the planned release of Child Care Benefit (CCB) funded places for families requiring Out Of School Hours Care (OOSH) services, and that this should include community consultation forums to identify and prioritise the distribution of CCB places to areas of need.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has for some years supported the case for the provision of adequate child care services to local communities. ALGA will continue to advocate the position outlined in this resolution to the Australian Government and has asked the Australian Government for a response.

Resolution: 8

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Knox City Council

In acknowledging the importance of the early years, delegates of this National General Assembly call upon the state and Commonwealth governments to:

1. Increase the base level of funding support being provided for children with additional needs attending 4 year old preschool
2. Redress the inequity of funding available for additional needs children attending preschool as this group of children are significantly under resourced in comparison to the education and child care sectors.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 7.

Motion: 9

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Newcastle City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly write to the:

1. Prime Minister and the Federal Minister for Education to express our strong concern about the proposed loss of 40 jobs at the University of Newcastle and to request the Commonwealth government to provide urgent financial assistance to the university, drawing the Commonwealth governments' attention to the fact that the large funding cuts for universities has had grave consequences for the University of Newcastle.
2. University to express our concern for the 40 employees who may lose their jobs as a result of the financial crisis facing the university.

Lost

Resolution: 10

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Marrickville Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly:

1. Make a submission to the Minister for Education regarding the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of compulsory Up-front Union Fees) Bill 2005 which shall state opposition to the Bill's provisions because they:
   1. are a threat to employment
   2. will oblige students to pay more for student services on the campus and may see the loss of some current services
   3. will reduce recreational and cultural opportunities for residents as services to the community are reduced, placing further pressure on council services
   4. will compromise the vibrancy of cultural, political and social debate in surrounding council areas.
2. Advise the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) of this resolution and of the National General Assembly's support for the NTEUs campaign against the Bill.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Education, Science and Training seeking the Australian Government’s response to the position outlined in this resolution.

Motion: 11

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Newcastle City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly:

1. Express support for the stand taken by maintenance workers employed by Boeing Australia, at the RAAF Base at Williamtown, to seek a collective workplace agreement instead of the individual contracts being imposed by Boeing Australia (a subsidiary of Boeing Hawker de Havilland)
2. Support the democratic right of Australian workers to choose a collective agreement and to be represented by a trade union if they decide it is in their best interests
3. Believe that this protracted dispute is causing great financial and emotional suffering for the affected workers and their families. It is time for Boeing to recognise the democratic rights of these workers to be represented by a trade union, and to grant these workers the right to return to work under a collective bargaining structure
4. Believe that freedom of choice is an essential right of citizens living in a democratic society such as Australia.

Lost

Resolution: 12

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Yarra City Council

That delegates of this National Assembly call for a strong national policy and program for the retention and expansion of a skilled labour force to address issues including:

1. Ageing of the workforce
2. Shortages of trained tradespersons and professionals
3. Australia's competitiveness in the international economy.

Measures should include the provision of:

1. National funding and taxation incentives to encourage investment in research and development
2. Funding and promotion of training skilled labour in both the professions and the trades
3. A taskforce of key stakeholders from federal agencies, ALGA and LGMA to develop a coordinated approach to the problem, undertake appropriate research and develop national policy and strategies to overcome the current skills shortages.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Commonwealth Ministers for Transport and Regional Development and Education, Science and Training seeking the Australian Government's response to this resolution.

The ALGA Board, has considered the matter of skills shortages and has established a working party convened by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). As such, the board has deferred the decision of the formation of a task group with the LGMA until the ALGA working party report has been finalised.

Response:

Letter from Kath Dunham Director Protection Delivery Section, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs    RTF    PDF

Resolution: 13

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Hervey Bay

That delegates of this National General Assembly express concern about the ambiguity established by recent and past drafting of state and federal disability discrimination legislation and related acts and standards, and request that the:

1. Legislation be amended to address trivial, vexatious and misconceived complaints to allow adequate opportunity for those against whom the complaint is made to respond to relevant agencies at an early stage
2. Federal legislation be referred to the Commonwealth Law Reform Commission for review as a matter of urgency
3. Federal Minister direct the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) to report on the problems that the Disability Standards are causing in practice
4. Federal and State Ministers liaise more closely and that there are more regular referrals of cross-jurisdictional complaints in the matters of Disability Discrimination Acts and standards.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs advocating the position outlined in this resolution and has asked the Australian Government to respond.

Response:

Letter from The Hon Philip Ruddock MP, Attorney General   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 14

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Shoalhaven City Council

That delegates of the National General Assembly call on the Federal Coalition Government, the Opposition and all federal politicians to develop a national strategy in partnership with state and local governments and key stake holders to address the issue of sexual assault on children in Australia.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Attorney-General, the Hon Philip Ruddock MP, and the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Mal Brough MP on this matter and has asked the Australian Government to respond.

See also: Shoalhaven City Council media release 3 May 2006 - Shoalhaven City initiative leads to Senate motion (PDF)

Response:

Letter from Senator The Hon Christopher Ellison, Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator for Western Australia Manager of Government Business in the Senate   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 15

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Brisbane City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek:

1. Permanent local government representation on the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) and Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD)
2. Greater recognition of significant efforts of local governments across Australia in responding to the harmful impacts of alcohol and other drug use on communities, families and individuals
3. Greater recognition of the contribution being made by local governments to the objectives of the National Drug Strategy 2004-2009.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has been actively pursuing permanent membership of the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs and continues to advocate the position outlined in this resolution. ALGA is very firmly of the view that local government has a clearly demonstrable and legitimate role, alongside the other spheres of government, in the development and implementation of national drug and alcohol strategies. ALGA will continue to lobby the Australian Government to consider these issues in the development of drug and alcohol policy platforms prior to the next federal election.

Motion: 15.1

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Newcastle City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek:

1. Permanent local government representation on the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) and Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD)
2. Greater recognition of significant efforts of local governments across Australia in responding to the harmful impacts of alcohol and other drug use on communities, families and individuals
3. Greater recognition of the contribution being made by local governments to the objectives of the National Drug Strategy 2004-2009.

Withdrawn

Resolution: 16

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Newcastle City Council

That the delegates of the National General Assembly call on the federal government to address the issue of licences for Australian hospitals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanners and expresses its grave concern for the resultant discrimination against cancer sufferers especially in the regional areas.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbott MP on the issue raised in this resolution and has asked the Australian Government for a response.

Response:

Letter from The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, Leader of the House of Representatives   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 17

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Boroondara, City of

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to alleviate the growth of diabetes and obesity through the targeting of children at risk, in partnership with local governments, through the subsidy of children and young adults participating in sporting and activity opportunities and the provision of new and improved facilities.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, advocating for an effective program to address diabetes and obesity including:

• increased participation in sporting activities
• the provision of new and improved recreational facilities.

Resolution: 18

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Wollondilly Shire Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly request all state and territory governments to consider enacting appropriate legislation for the to the installation of an off-road shared pathway network within all new developments where practicable - residential, commercial, industrial and government. Further:

1. The pathways and routes are to be designed in co-operation with the relevant consenting authority and are to link with an overall Shared Pathway Plan of the consenting authority
2. To provide, at no cost to governments, a meaningful safe alternative transport mode to that of the motor vehicle
3. The pathways are to be at the cost of the developer and not in lieu of any levies, which would remain as they are now.

Carried

Action taken:

The ALGA Board considered that the substance of this resolution is more appropriately addressed at the state/territory level. Accordingly, ALGA has forwarded this resolution forwarded to state and territory associations and invited their comment.

Motion: 19

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Yarra City Council

That delegates of this National Assembly call on the federal government to:

1. Note the publication 'Little Piece of Heaven' published under the Housing is a Human Right Project
2. Endorse the Charter of Housing Rights for Victoria, in particular to recognise in law the human right to housing as a model for adoption throughout Australia
3. Encourage state, territory and local governments and other stakeholders to address and implement recommendations in the Little Piece of Heaven Report.

Lost

Resolution: 20

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Yarra City Council

That delegates of this National Assembly call on the federal government and state government to increase funding under the Support and Accommodation Assistance Program (V) agreement by 15% as recommended in the Support and Accommodation Assistance Program (IV) National Evaluation report.

Carried

Action taken:

Homelessness is an issue of concern for all spheres of government. ALGA has written to the Minister for Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, seeking the Australian Government’s position in relation to this resolution.

Resolution: 21

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Blacktown City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to make a significant injection of funds into the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program to alleviate waiting times for basic services with a strong emphasis on regions with high concentrations of population and need.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has strongly communicated to the Australian Government the critical importance to local government of providing adequate funding for home and community care services, particlarly in regional and rural communities. ALGA will continue to advocate the position outlined in this resolution. For further information, visit the ageing webpage on the ALGA website

Resolution: 22

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Moreland City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek a commitment from the federal government to implement a strategy that:

1. Adequately provides growth funds to the Home and Community Care Program to reflect the level of need for these services, consistent with demographic data and growth projections for the aged population, and recognising that older people prefer to remain at home for as long as possible
2. Substitutes with home care options where there is inadequate provision of residential care according to the provision formula
3. Caters to the requirement for an increase in the proportion of high care beds in the residential aged care provision formula.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA is examining the impact of an ageing population on local government through the implementation of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan 2004-2008. This action plan is the first step in a four year partnership between ALGA and the Australian Government to engage local government in a planned approach to population ageing issues. ALGA has asked the Australian Government for a response in relation to this resolution.

Resolution: 23

Category: Population and ageing

Council: Yarra City Council

That delegates of this National Assembly call on the federal government to:

1. Recognise the critical need for residential and community-based aged care services at the local level
2. Recognise the value of mixed use, density, social connectedness, social diversity and social equity in the introduction of federal regulations for new certification standards for nursing homes in 2008
3. Instigate a positive program to assist older residents maintaining connections with their familiar local community and support
4. Provide a rolling program of funding to address the special needs of maintaining aged care placements in the inner suburban areas of Australian cities
5. Provide a rolling program of funding to address the special needs of maintaining aged care placements in rural and regional Australia.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has asked the Australian Government for a response in relation to this resolution. Further information on what ALGA has been doing in the area of aged care and rural and regional health is available on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 24

Category: Local government financing

Council: Blue Mountains City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly lobby the federal government for financial assistance for councils who have experienced budget shortfalls and the subsequent reduction in services caused by increasing fuel prices.

Carried

Action taken:

The ALGA Board’s primary objective is to secure long term financial security for local government. Accordingly, ALGA will progress this matter in the context of the campaign for a fixed percentage share of Commonwealth taxation revenues that will in turn increase capacity of councils to deal with unexpected expenses.

Resolution: 25

Category: Local government financing

Council: Onkaparinga, City of

That delegates of this National General Assembly strongly urge the federal government to pass some of the 'windfall gains' received from fuel tax revenues due to the increase price of petrol, diesel and other fuel back to the state and territory governments and to local government for the benefit of state and local roads.

Carried

Action taken:

On previous occasions, ALGA has written to the Australian Government regarding this issue and has been advised that it has not received a windfall in fuel tax revenues because of the increase in the fuel prices. In 2001, the Australian Government abandoned the practice of linking fuel excise to inflation.

Pursuing a better deal for local roads remains core business for ALGA and it will continue to advocate, on behalf of local government better funding for roads.

Further information is available is available on the ALGA website in the areas of financing and roads.

Motion: 26

Category: Local government financing

Council: Cobar Shire Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call for immediate action by the federal government to introduce a zone fuel equalisation scheme, to remove the disadvantages that are experienced by rural and remote Australia.

Referred to Board

Action taken:

One of ALGA's core strategic priorities is the provision of fair funding in particular through a fixed share of Commonwealth taxation revenues to local government. It is in this way the ALGA Board believes that local government across Australia will be adequately resourced to manage the business of local government.

Resolution: 27

Category: Local government financing

Council: Parramatta City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly request the federal government to:

1. Work with local government to clarify roles and responsibilities so as to ensure that prospective citizens are given accurate information regarding the status of their applications, the date of their citizenship ceremony and the timing of the arrival of their citizenship certificate
2. Reimburse local government authorities for costs incurred by them in the administration, setup and operation of citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Commonwealth government.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Senator the Hon Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs seeking a response in relation to this resolution.

Motion: 28

Category: Local government financing

Council: Blacktown City Council

That the federal government be requested to provide targeted financial assistance to local government to defray the costs of conducting citizenship ceremonies.

Withdrawn

Resolution: 29

Category: Local government financing

Council: Blacktown City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to adequately fund services to provide appropriate support within the settlement communities for newly arrived refugees and migrants leaving refugee-like situations.

Carried

Action taken:

Reducing the level of cost shifting from the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to local government in all areas of service delivery is core business for ALGA. The impost on local communities to provide emergency support to refugees and settlement services to migrants is another example of this financial cost shifting. ALGA has written to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, seeking the Australian Government’s response to this resolution.

Resolution: 30

Category: Local government financing

Council: Wellington Shire Council

That, in order to better support the Auslink Strategy including R2R and blackspots and to address the increasing gap in funding for roads and bridges, delegates of this National General Assembly call upon the federal government to continue to increase the funding for road infrastructure by allocating at least 20% of fuel excise for this purpose and increasing the amount for national and local government road infrastructure each by at least 1.5% per annum.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA is a member of intergovernmental forums which form part of the structure supporting the Australian Transport (Ministers) Council that have been considering future options for improving the pricing of the road system. ALGA will continue to closely engage with the federal government, and its agencies, on securing enhancements to the AusLink program. Further information can be obtained on the transport webpage on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 31

Category: Local government financing

Council: Local Government Association of Queensland

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek an agreement from the Australian Government to review Auslink with the intent to:

1. Recognise its role in assisting state and local government in planning and funding passenger transport especially in urban areas
2. Increase funding commitment for the National Highway System (NHS) within Australia.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has long been an advocate for additional funding for Australian roads. It is participating in a number of initiatives being conducted under the auspices of the Australian Transport Council, chaired by the Australian Government. These policy initiatives are aimed at improving urban transport systems, better managing congestion and identifying viable non-private car travel options (ie public transport, cycling). ALGA will continue to engage with the Australian Government and its agencies on the need for improved passenger transport and to advocate that the National Highway System be adequately funded. ALGA has welcomed the release by the ALP of their Australia’s Future Cities (PDF) policy discussion paper, which canvasses a range of important urban issues, including taking an holistic approach to the planning, coordination and development of transport infrastructure.

ALGA will make representations to both the Coalition and the ALP on transport issues well in advance of the next federal election. These will be based on the development of a national local government roads and transport strategy to go before the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Alice Springs in July.

ALGA has also written to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Warren Truss MP, bringing this resolution to his attention.

Resolution: 32

Category: Local government financing

Council: Cook Shire Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek an investigation of the issue of exemption from rates on commercially operated land owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ICL), the recovery of outstanding rates on that land and also what constitutes "reasonable time" for the transfer of ILC land.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs seeking the Government’s response to this issue.

Response:

Letter from the Hon Mal Brough MP, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 33

Category: Local government financing

Council: Fairfield City Council

That the current taxation system for fringe benefit tax on passenger fleet vehicles be reviewed with a view to rewarding those organisations utilising vehicles with low emission ratings and high fuel efficiency and/or with vehicles that travel less kilometres and have lower operating costs.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to both the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Assistant Treasurer asking that they consider this proposal.

Resolution: 34

Category: Local government financing

Council: Bankstown City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly support greater recognition of issues impacting on established urban areas such as ageing infrastructure and increasing cultural diversity in urban and regional areas in the calculation and distribution of Financial Assistance Grants, and the direct payment of Financial Assistance Grants by the federal government to local councils.

Carried

Action taken:

Improving the financial capacity of councils through increased Australian Government financial support is core business for ALGA.

ALGA’s current policy is to seek increased Australian Government financial assistance to local government to at least 1% of Commonwealth Taxation Revenue. In the development of this case ALGA believes that all cost factors including ageing infrastructure and increasing cultural diversity in urban and regional areas need to be taken into consideration when determining the quantum of Australian Government financial support to local government.

In relation to the direct payment of financial assistance grants by the Australian Government to local government, ALGA will be consulting with state and territory associations to ensure that any such model takes into account state differences and that this policy would not have unintended consequences.

Resolution: 35

Category: Local government financing

Council: Boroondara, City of

That delegates of this National General Assembly acknowledge the commitment of the federal government to the creation of an Intergovernmental Agreement on Cost Shifting and seek urgent commitment from all spheres of government to the establishment of an agreement that includes a fixed percentage of federal revenue for local government and provides a fair and reasonable outcome for all local governments.

Carried

Action taken:

Negotiating an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Cost Shifting and seeking fairer funding for local government has been of the utmost importance to ALGA. Throughout 2005, ALGA has been heavily involved in negotiations with the Australian, state and territory governments on the IGA and the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council formally considered this matter at their meeting in April 2006.

With regard to a fairer funding deal for local government, ALGA launched its Fair Funding, Fair Treatment, Formal Recognition campaign at the National General Assembly and it intends to continue to actively pursue these issues throughout 2006.

Resolution: 36

Category: Local government financing

Council: Boroondara, City of

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to seek local government input into the terms of reference for the proposed Productivity Commission hearings into local government revenue raising powers and ensure that the terms of reference allow the Productivity Commission to address the need for local governments to have access to a share of a growth tax.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has provided input into the proposed Productivity Commission study into local government's revenue raising capacity through the Department of Transport and Regional Services. In 2006, ALGA made a submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into road and rail freight infrastructure costs and pricing.

Resolution: 37

Category: Environment

Council: Caloundra City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek a commitment and a timeframe for the federal government, through the Minister for Defence, to accept full financial and operational responsibility for the location and removal of unexploded ordinances in contaminated areas of all states and territories.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Defence seeking the Australian Government's response to the position outlined in this resolution.

See also: Resolution 25 2001

Response:

Letter from Senator The Hon Sandy MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Deputy, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate   RTF    PDF

Motion: 38

Category: Environment

Council: Unley, Corporation of the City of

That every encouragement be given to ensure that the growing of cotton using irrigation from the Murray Darling Basin cease by the year 2010, and that the delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal and state governments to negotiate, fund and implement a fair and appropriate exit policy for farmers and producers to cease the growing of this crop by 2010.

Lost

Motion: 38.1

Category: Environment

Council: Unley, Corporation of the City of

That every encouragement be given to ensure that the growing of rice using irrigation from the Murray Darling Basin cease by the year 2010, and that the delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal and state governments to negotiate, fund and implement a fair and appropriate exit policy for farmers and producers to cease the growing of this crop by 2010.

Lost

Resolution: 39

Category: Environment

Council: Municipal Waste Advisory Council

That the delegates of this National General Assembly call on the Commonwealth and state governments to develop a comprehensive approach to ensuring appropriate industry involvement in the management of their products at end of life, based on the following:

1. Overarching objectives for the management of end-of-life products in general
2. A co-regulatory framework for product stewardship
3. A framework within which extended producer responsibility schemes can be introduced and coordinated at a national level
4. Clear guidelines to establish the interaction between the two frameworks.

Carried

Action taken:

Ensuring adequate frameworks are in place is crucial in assisting industries to reduce the amount of packaging products destined for landfill. ALGA notes the Environment Protection and Heritage Council's (EPHC) has decided to progress two separate framework options to ensure appropriate industry involvement in the management of their products at end of life. The co regulatory framework for product stewardship will assist those industries looking for a voluntary system. The extended producer responsibility approach will assist those industries where regulation is required to achieve a reduction in waste products destined for landfill.

ALGA has written to Senator Ian Campbell regarding the need to progress the co-regulatory framework and outlining the importance of progressing both options. ALGA will continue to progress these issues through the EPHC and related sub committees. For further information visit the waste webpage on the ALGA website.

Motion: 40

Category: Environment

Council: Unley, Corporation of the City of

That the delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to legislate for all recyclable material, in particular plastics, to be marked with an appropriate recycling marking(s) by July 2006, and from that date local government, with the assistance of the National General Assembly and other interested groups, campaigns nationally against companies still using non-recyclable materials where a suitable recyclable material is available.

Withdrawn

Resolution: 40.1

Category: Environment

Council: Parramatta City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly support the requirement that all recyclable material, and in particular plastics, be marked with an appropriate recycling marking(s) by July 2006. Equally those products for which there is no acceptable economic method of recycling (eg. many composite products) also be marked with a prominent non-recyclable mark or label by July 2006.

Carried

Action taken:

This proposal is a good means of increasing consumer awareness and providing consumers with a choice when purchasing packaged goods. New labelling of packaging may be an incentive to manufacturers to keep products simple and to use recyclable materials. ALGA supports measures that may reduce the amount of material going to landfill and the proposal is compatible with the objectives of the National Packaging Covenant. ALGA has written to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage outlining this proposal.

For further information visit the waste webpage on the ALGA website.

Response:

Letter from Senator The Hon Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator for Western Australia. See also: Resolution 40.2   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 40.2

Category: Environment

Council: Parramatta City Council

That local government campaigns nationally against companies using non-recyclable packaging materials from July 2006; where a recyclable material is available and in use by such companies' competitors who manufacture similar products. Such a campaign will target offending companies for their continuing non-compliance with community waste minimisation goals and standards.

Carried

Action taken:

Administration of waste and landfill sites places a significant burden on local government. Consequently, ALGA supports initiatives aimed at reducing the amount of product going to landfill. In addition, targets set under the National Packaging Covenant commit signatories to a national recycling target of 65% for packaging and no further increases in packaging waste disposed to landfill by the end of 2010. This proposal would assist signatories to the Covenant to meet their targets.

ALGA will pursue this issue during 2006, campaigning for the use of recyclable packaging material by manufacturers, particularly where recyclable material is available and in use by other companies.

For further information visit the waste webpage on the ALGA website.

Response:

Letter from Mr Tim Rogers, Chair National Packaging Covenant Council   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 41

Category: Environment

Council: Municipal Waste Advisory Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the Commonwealth and state governments to:

1. Clarify the commitment they made through the Environmental Protection and Heritage Council on 1 July 2005 to investigate economic instruments as alternatives to the National Packaging Covenant
2. Ensure that the investigation process demonstrates the following characteristics:
   1. is adequately resourced by virtue of an explicit commitment of funds
   2. has input from key stakeholders, including local government, industry and NGOs
   3. uses transparent and peer reviewed investigation methods
   4. delivers recommendations early enough to allow implementation, if necessary, of a replacement for the Covenant immediately following the 2008 mid-term review.

Carried

Action taken:

The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) has agreed to complete the process of investigating all alternative economic instruments to the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in time to allow an alternative to be adopted should the NPC fail to deliver satisfactory outcomes by the mid term review in 2008. ALGA has written to the Chair of the EPHC, Senator Campbell regarding the resolution and will continue to progress the resolution through the EPHC.

For further information visit the waste webpage on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 42

Category: Environment

Council: Wellington Shire Council

That, in order to encourage the conservation of resources and the reduction of waste disposal costs, local government initiates discussions with the recycling industry with a view to formulating a case to the federal government for a GST moratorium on recycling services and Australian-made products containing at least 75% recycled material.

Carried

Action taken:

This proposal is in line with ALGA policy and the objectives of the National Packaging Covenant to reduce the amount of product going to landfill. A GST moratorium may increase the competitiveness of recycled materials and consequently increase the demand for such goods. ALGA has written to the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer and to the Chief Executive Officer of the Packaging Council of Australia outlining the proposal. ALGA will also pursue this matter through any reviews of the National Packaging Covenant.

For further information visit the waste webpage on the ALGA website.

Response:

Letter from The Hon Peter Dutton MP, The Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer   RTF    PDF

Resolution: 43

Category: Environment

Council: Maroochy Shire Council

That the federal government introduce a national waste collection charge on tobacco companies that do not include biodegradable filters with funds raised being directed to Australian local governments to assist with the clean up of the 7 billion cigarette butts that are discarded into our environment on an annual basis.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA recognises the significant cost of cigarette filters, both in terms of council resources and the environment. At this stage, biodegradable cigarette filters have not been developed for commercial use. ALGA would welcome any such innovations as part of a wider campaign to remove cigarette filters and their toxins from the environment. ALGA will continue to support initiatives that reduce the amount of litter within our community.

For further information visit the waste webpage on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 44

Category: Environment

Council: Gold Coast City Council

That due to the environmental damage caused by cigarette filters, the delegates of this National General Assembly request the federal government to take steps to legislate against the importation or domestic manufacture of cigarettes that do not include biodegradable filters.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 43

Motion: 45

Category: Environment

Council: Flinders Ranges Council

That the delegates of this National General Assembly call on the Commonwealth government to immediately undertake a coordinated control program to reduce the number of Corellas and parrot species causing economic loss and threatening human health across Australia.

Lost

Resolution: 46

Category: Environment

Council: Newcastle City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly ask the Australian Local Government Association to:

1. urge the Australian Government to write to the Japanese Government and the governments of other whaling nations to express our deep concern about Japanese plans to extend its "scientific" whaling program in Australia's Antarctic waters
2. draw the Japanese Government's attention to reports that Japan has asked the International Whaling Commission to approve plans to extend Japan's whaling program to kill 80 each of humpback and fin whales, and to increase the number of minke whales killed from 440 to 850
3. advise the Japanese Government that both the Australian and New Zealand Governments are strongly opposed to this move because it threatens the survival of these beautiful animals which have been hunted close to extinction during the 20th Century
4. inform the Japanese Government and other appropriate governments that both whale watching and related eco tourism have been growing at the local, national and international level and that many Australians and other international visitors including the Japanese have been delighted to participate in whale watching along our coast.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to Senator Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage to inform him of this resolution. As you will be aware the Australian Government has taken a strong stand on this matter in international fora.

Response:

Letter from Senator The Hon Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator for Western Australia   RTF    PDF

Motion: 46.1

Category: Environment

Council: Queensland Local Government Association

That the delegates of this National General Assembly strongly request the federal and state governments to lobby the Japanese Government to end the Japanese Fisheries Agency’s de facto commercial whaling proposal to embark on a new whaling program in the Southern Ocean under the pretext of scientific research and to utilise non-lethal research methods in their research of whales.

Withdrawn

Motion: 46.2

Category: Environment

Council: Gosford City Council

That the delegates of this National General Assembly

1. support of the federal government's initiatives in regard to Japanese commercial whaling operations
2. write to the federal government seeking affirmation of their commitment towards a ban on commercial whaling
3. ask that councils with Japanese Sister Cities write to their Sister Cities requesting the same support
4. write to the Ambassadors of South Korea, Norway, Iceland and Denmark advising them of Australian local government's concerns regarding commercial whaling operations.

Withdrawn

Resolution: 47

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Norwood Payneham and St Peters, City of

That the delegates of this National General Assembly express support for the right of local government councillors to sit on council development assessment panels to assess development applications in accordance with state and council development plans while acting as the democratically elected guardians of the general public interest in good planning and development.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA's representation on the Commonwealth Development Assessment Forum (DAF), reinforced by the 2004 ALGA campaign to protect local government planning powers, has consistently argued the right of democratically elected councillors to guide and manage the direction of the built environment.

It should be noted that ALGA successfully modified the status of the Leading Practice Model for Development Assessment, at the August 2005 Local Government and Planning Ministerial Council meeting to ensure the protection of Council's rights in the development assessment process. ALGA will continue to work with state and territory local government associations, the other spheres of government and industry sector to protect and enhance local government planning responsibilities.

Resolution: 48

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Yarra City Council

That having regard to resolution 38 of National Assembly 2004, delegates of this National Assembly call for national leadership through the Commonwealth supporting state and local governments with the development of a strategically directed and co-ordinated urban policy planning framework building on the Sustainable Cities Report and recommendations of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage and aimed at supporting cities to achieve balanced national development by addressing the following critical issues:

1. Encouraging improved urban planning incorporating the values of connectivity, density, mixed use and adaptability, and the integration of strategic transport systems development with land use planning in all areas of public and private development, by a funding regime similar to the National Competition Policy grant scheme
2. A sustainable public and freight transport system to correct the inefficiencies and environmental detriment caused by growing road congestion, through increased public funding and the implementation of taxation incentives to encourage investment in rail, public and freight transport and related infrastructure projects
3. That funding proposals sought in 1 and 2 above, do not impact on funding to non urban localities.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage informing him of this resolution and seeking the Australian Government's response to the issues raised.

For further information visit the planning webpage on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 49

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Brisbane City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government and state governments to establish building funds specifically for major infrastructure development.

Carried

Action taken:

At the General Assembly, ALGA launched its Fair Funding Fair Treatment Formal Recognition campaign which will be actively pursued throughout 2006.

Through its budget submission, ALGA has lobbied the Australian Government for additional funding for local government infrastructure similar to the Roads to Recovery (R2R) program. ALGA will pursue the issues raised in the context of the broader campaign for fair funding. This campaign includes: increased Australian Government funding to local government to at least one percent of Commonwealth Taxation Revenue as well as seeking additional long term specific purpose funding such as R2R and other relevant initiatives.

Resolution: 50

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Yarra City Council

That delegates of this National Assembly call for national leadership by the Commonwealth, to develop a strategically directed program aimed at addressing the substantial backlogs in road, sewage and drainage infrastructure (both maintenance and development), by means of a rolling funding regime to local government similar to the Roads to Recovery program.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to Resolution 49.

Resolution: 51

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Kentish

That delegates of this National General Assembly act to ensure that secure long term funding, over and above current levels, is provided to local government authorities to enable them to address the issue of renewal and replacement of infrastructure that has arisen as a consequence of changes in social and human needs.

Carried

Action taken:

At the General Assembly, ALGA launched its Fair Funding Fair Treatment Formal Recognition campaign which will be actively pursued throughout 2006.

Resolution: 52

Category: Local government financing

Council: Mount Gambier, City of

That delegates of this National General Assembly write to Austroads, or other relevant agencies, requesting they undertake an extensive investigation into the current practice of telecommunications carriers requiring road authorities to meet all costs associated with the relocation of telecommunications infrastructure when road works are being undertaken with particular reference to:

1. the legislative powers/requirements for the road authority to meet all such costs
2. whether the requirements and demands imposed by telecommunication carriers to relocate infrastructure are indeed reasonable in all instances
3. the costing structure/system used by telecommunication carriers to determine costs of work, and in particular an assessment of how contestable the contracts for relocation works are and what on-costs and other component costs are being applied by telecommunication carriers to the contract rate
4. whether heavy discounting of any cost structure imposition by telecommunication carriers needs to occur that reflects:
1. poor installation/positioning of infrastructure in the past
2. poor previous knowledge of the location by telecommunication carriers of its own infrastructure
3. the age of the infrastructure that needs to be relocated
4. the upgrading and new positioning that is entirely for the sole benefit of telecommunication carriers' own requirements.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA raised the matter at the Austroads Council and with the relevant road agencies.

For more information, please contact David Anderson david.anderson@alga.asn.au, Director Transport Policy or telephone: 02 6122 9432.

Resolution: 53

Category: Local government financing

Council: Penrith City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call upon the federal government to involve councils in the determination of allocation of the new local geographic internet names announced by the federal government to community groups.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on several occasions expressing local government's concerns. In response, the Minister has advised that guidelines for community geographic domain names are being finalised by the body authorised by the Australian Government to distribute the names, .au Domain Administration Limited (auDA). ALGA will continue to pursue this matter with the Minister.

Resolution: 54

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Parramatta City Council

That delegates of this National Assembly support the development of a policy that requires every community in Australia be provided with free wireless broadband services available from every public library or appropriate civic building by the end of 2006; with infrastructure for this national communication program provided by the federal government as its commitment to ensuring equal access to information and knowledge for all Australians.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA is currently a member of the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group that includes representatives from all three spheres of government working together to implement the Broadband Strategy. Through this group, ALGA is hoping to change the eligibility arrangements for key Australian Government programs that currently exclude councils. Further, ALGA is working with the Digital Content sub-committee to develop a strategy for securing broadband access for all local government.

For further information on information technology please visit the ALGA website.

Resolution: 55

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Boroondara, City of

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on the federal government to provide leadership, funding and partnerships among the three spheres of government in Australia, to achieve integrated transport planning, 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

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Warren Truss MP.

This will be the subject of discussion at the 2006 National Local Roads and Transport Congress.

For more information please go to the transport webpage on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 56

Category: Infrastructure

Council: Knox City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly:

1. recognise that alternative transport options are vital for all sectors of the community in the current climate of high fuel prices and that by reducing car dependency in urban areas, additional benefits including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on local roads can be achieved
2. calls on the Commonwealth government to facilitate the development of a comprehensive inter-government agreement involving all three spheres of government, to actively reduce car dependency in urban areas by making sustainable transport options a key focus.

Carried

Action taken:

ALGA has referred this to the ALGA Roads and Transport Committee for consideration within the context of the roads and transport strategy that it is being developed in line with the 2006 National Local Roads and Transport Congress.

For more information please go to the transport webpage on the ALGA website.

Resolution: 57

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Wakefield Regional Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly reaffirm the current policy of having local government recognised in the Australian Constitution.

Carried

Action taken:

At the General Assembly, ALGA launched its Fair Funding Fair Treatment Formal Recognition campaign which will be actively pursued throughout 2006.

Motion: 57.1

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Northern Midlands

That the Australian Local Government Association pursue the opportunity with the Federal Liberal Government for local government to be recognised in the Constitution.

Withdrawn

Motion: 57.2

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Gold Coast City Council

That delegates of this General Assembly request the federal government hold a referendum to recognise local government under the Australian Constitution.

Withdrawn

Motion: 57.3

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Shoalhaven City Council

In recognition that local government is a sphere rather than a tier of government, delegates of this National General Assembly call on the Federal Coalition Government to move for a referendum to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise local government.
As part of this recognition, the federal government is requested to set aside 2% of federal taxation revenue to be awarded to local government authorities in grant form.

Withdrawn

Resolution: 58

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Knox City Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly call upon ALGA to develop a comprehensive strategy in conjunction with state local government associations to ensure constitutional recognition of local government is a key policy consideration for all major political parties at the next federal election.

Carried

Action taken:

Refer to resolution 57.

Resolution: 59

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Wellington

That delegates of this National General Assembly request the federal government to initiate a review of the concept of federalism as it relates to federal, state and local government.

Carried

Action taken:

The Board resolved that ALGA refer this matter to the ALGA Strategic Policy Group to consider in the context of pursuing reforms that improve the way the Federation operates. Current issues on this agenda include: the Intergovernmental Agreement to stop cost shifting, our campaign for constitutional recognition and fair funding and other reforms under the stewardship of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

Please refer to the ALGA website for more information on each of these policy areas.

Motion: 60

Category: Constitutional recognition of local government

Council: Laverton, Shire of

That delegates of this National General Assembly seek to endeavour to have all of the Australian land mass covered by local government jurisdictions prior to local government being recognised by the Australian Constitution.

Lost

Resolution: 61

Category: late

Council: Barossa Council

That delegates of this National General Assembly:

1. acknowledge the need for local government and all agencies involved in any way in emergency management to adopt an all hazards approach to planning, preparedness and recovery for all emergencies, including natural disasters and for the roles of all agencies to be clearly defined
2. agree to support the joint development of the National Strategic Planning Framework for emergency management proposed by the Australian Government.

Carried

Action taken:

The ALGA Working Together to Manage Emergencies Project, funded by the Attorney General's Department, is designed to clarify local government roles and responsibilities nationally in respect emergency management, and to provide advice to assist the joint development of the National Strategic Planning Framework for emergency management proposed by the Australian Government.

ALGA has written to the Attorney-General, the Hon Philip Ruddock, MP to confirm the participation of ALGA in the development of the National Strategic Planning Framework and inform the Minister of this specific resolution.

Resolution: 62

Category: late

Council: Wollongong City Council

That this National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to:

1. Promote the importance of “good practice” community engagement that ensures inclusiveness, appropriateness and accessibility.
2. Work with the ALGA to develop an approach to community engagement consistent with the United Nations Declaration on Community Engagement carried at the Engaging Communities Conference in Brisbane 2005.
3. Work with the ALGA and local authorities to develop a community engagement framework which contains policy and processes that can be implemented in all local government areas.

Carried

Action taken:

A fundamental principle of good governance is the right of citizens and legal residents to actively participate in democratic policy making, evaluation and review. This principle is consistently raised with Commonwealth, state and territory governments during discussions at respective Ministerial Councils, Standing Committees of senior officials and working groups.

Given ALGA's current priorities, the resources required to implement this resolution are currently not available.

ALGA will however, continue to advocate for importance of "good practice" community engagement in all relevant fora.

Resolution: 63

Category: late

Council: Adelaide City Council

That this National General Assembly urge Local Government in cooperation with State and Federal Government to develop a policy and plan of action should the avian flu extend to human-to-human transmission epidemic.

Carried

Action taken:

In 2005, ALGA was advised that the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) was working closely with health experts and state and territory government senior health officials to develop national policy and to coordinate preparedness and response planning for pandemic influenza. This work was being guided by the Interim Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AMPPI).

Importantly the AMPPI is a living document that will be regularly revised and updated to reflect, for example, emerging evidence relating to risk levels, the effectiveness of antiviral medicines and the potential availability of vaccine. In the event of a pandemic, jurisdictional health authorities will have primary responsibility to implement measures to contain the spread of illness and treat cases, both at the borders and within health care systems. Each jurisdiction is developing pandemic plans that link to the AMPPI. It is understood that these state and territory plans will provide the framework for local government action.

The Council of Australian Governments(COAG) agreed on 10 February 2006 to establish a Working Group on Australian Influenza Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness. The Working Group has been tasked with developing the draft National Action Plan for prevention measures, responding to an influenza pandemic and recovery from such a pandemic.

For more information please contact Mr Fenner rolf.fenner@alga.asn.au, ALGA Senior Policy Advisor, or telephone: 02 6122 9443.

Motion: 64

State-specific motion

Category: late

Council: Hornsby Shire Council

That this National General Assembly notes local community concerns over the consultative process and express its concern at the apparent delay in planning for the construction of the link road between the M7 and F3 roads and calls upon the Federal and NSW Governments to actively work together to ensure that planning and community consultation proceeds without further delay.

Lost

Resolution: 65

Category: late

Council: Gosnells

1. That the 2006 National General Assembly of Local Government be held in Darwin to recognise the Year of the Outback.
2. That the Australian Local Government Association adopt the policy of holding the National General Assembly at centres other than Canberra every third year, or other years to recognise special occasions or events, commencing after the 2006 General Assembly.

Carried

Action taken:

The 2007 National General Assembly of Local Government will be held in Darwin, Northern Territory, on 26-30 November.

Motion: 66

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Port Augusta

In view of the recent experience in Port Augusta (SA), the Port Augusta City Council calls for the endorsement of current ALGA Aviation Policy (6.19) and in doing so, the ALGA recognises that regional transport services (Australia wide) are an essential part of regional development, and all efforts should be made to ensure services are not lost.

Action taken:

The Association has, on a number of occasions, made representations to the Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services, calling for a response to the Making Ends Meet Report prepared by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport and Regional Services and tabled in December 2003. The report contained a number of recommendations addressing viability issues for regional air services.

ALGA has written to the Minister, the Hon Warren Truss MP bringing this resolution to his attention and emphasising the importance that local government in rural and remote Australia attach to the provision of reliable and sustainable regional air services.

For more information please visit the Aviation and Rail webpage on the ALGA website.

Motion: 67

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Byron Shire

That delegates of this National General Assembly call on State and Federal Governments to work in partnership with Local Government and make available the level of support required to assess the possible impacts of climate changes including:

1. Risk to coastal communities and preparedness in case of emergency
2. Impact on agriculture
3. Impact on biodiversity

Action taken:

The issue of climate change was identified as a priority in the ALGA 2005 discussion paper Increasing Coastal Councils Capacity to Manage the Natural Resource Base. The Australian Government has commissioned a project No Regrets: Adaptation Actions to Climate Change Options for Local Government which is a scoping report that will be completed in 2006 and will guide future work in this area. In addition, climate change is a priority for the Natural Resources Ministerial Council.

For more information please visit the coasts webpage on the ALGA website.

Motion: 68

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Local Government Association of Northern Territory

Local Government supports Northern Territory communities:

1. Objecting to the site of a radioactive waste facility in the Northern Territory should not be on the basis of political convenience.
2. Wanting a site within Australia to be chosen on proper technical and environmental criteria; and
3. Wanting appropriate community consultation should take place prior to the final decision being made

Motion: 69

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Hornsby Shire Council

The National General Assembly seek a commitment from the Federal Government to implement a strategy that provides adequate financial and social support for members of the refugee community released from mandatory detention on Bridging and Temporary Protection Visas, noting that these people are not afforded access to Centrelink or Medicare benefits or paid employment.

Action taken:

The ALGA Board has written to the Australian Government Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs seeking a response to this motion. Reducing the level of cost shifting from the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to local government in all areas of service delivery is core business for ALGA, including the provision of emergency support services to refugees.

For more information visit the Cost Shifting webpage on the ALGA website.

Response:

Letter from The Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister   RTF    PDF

Motion: 70

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Alice Springs Town Council

That the National General Assembly call on the Australian Government to broaden it’s roll-out of the subsidy of un-sniffable fuel to include all areas of northern Australia.

Action taken:

The ALGA Board has written to the Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing to continue and to support the expansion of this particular policy initiative.

Response:

Letter from The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, Leader of the House of Representatives   RTF    PDF

Motion: 71

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Pine Rivers Council

That the National General Assembly call upon the federal and state governments to legislate to ensure local governments are not subject to litigation resulting from damages claims arising from non-divulgence of information relating to flood data for events greater than the defined flood event.

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer and the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, to highlight the issues raised in this motion and has sought the Australian Government’s response.

Response:

Letter from The Hon Jim Lloyd MP, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads   RTF    PDF

Motion: 72

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Port Augusta City Council

That the National General Assembly acknowledges and supports the work of World Vision; and in particular their “Sponsor a Child Program”. Further, that the ALGA encourage Council’s nationwide to participate in the Program by sponsoring a child for $468 pa.

Action taken:

The Board does not wish to create a precedent by supporting particular charities or community programs. This is a matter for individual councils to consider.

Motion: 73

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Moree Plains Shire Council

That the assembly call on the Commonwealth Government to immediately remove all excise from fuels used for road construction by local government.

Action taken:

The Federal Government in the 2006 Budget announced major changes in the fuel excise arrangements. Under the announced changes to the Fuel Tax Credit System 50% of the effective fuel tax paid on fuel used off-road will be credited to users from 1 July 2008 and 100% from July 2012. Full details can be found at www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes

Motion: 74

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Pine Rivers Shire Council

That the Australian local government association make representation to both federal and state governments in relation to increased provision of aged care services to meet the ageing population.

Action taken:

ALGA is examining the impact of an ageing population on local government at a national level through the implementation of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan 2004-2008. This action plan is the first step in a four year partnership between ALGA and the Australian Government to engage local government in a planned approach to population ageing issues.

Motion: 75

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Pine Rivers Shire Council

That the National General Assembly call upon federal government to consider banning the use of phosphorus based chemicals in household detergents.

Action taken:

ALGA will pursue this matter within the frameworks for action on chemicals established by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC).

Motion: 76

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Ballarat City

That the National General Assembly make representations to the federal government regarding the oppression of the indigenous peoples of West Papua.
We ask that the Australian Government:

1. Investigates –
   1. the claims of militia atrocities in the report by the University of Sydney’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies – "Genocide in West Papua? The role of the Indonesian Security Services Apparatus"
   2. the recent Human Rights Watch report of repression in Papua, and the disturbing signs of a return to intimidation of the local press and criminalization of dissent.
   3. the Franciscans International report on the situation of human rights in Papua to the UNHCR (April 2005)
   4. the declaration of the 3rd Papuan Customary Authority meeting on 4 February 2005 regarding the Special Autonomy Law.
2. Encourages Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations to explore the feasibility of a UN review of the 1969 "Act of Free Choice" in West Papua – a review which has been supported by many concerned people including –
   1. Forty members of the European Parliament
   2. The World Council of Churches
   3. Anglican bishops Desmond Tutu (SA) and Richard Harries (UK).

Action taken:

The ALGA Board resolved not to pursue this matter in the light of ALGA’s core national strategic policy objectives.

Motion: 77

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Bendigo, City of Greater

That the Australian Local Government Association support:

1. Protection of Australia’s GM free status, by requesting that State Governments be asked to
   1. order the immediate cessation of all open field GM trials and such incorporation into state GM moratoria
   2. undertake the immediate decontamination of all current and past open field GM trials.
2. Encouraging state and federal governments to engage local communities in issues surrounding impacts on agriculture and food production including risks associated with:
   1. past, current and future trial sites
   2. liabilities surrounding contamination of non-GE crops and products
   3. current and any proposed regulatory control of GE crops.

Action taken:

The ALGA Board has considered the motion and agreed that no action should be taken on this matter until a considered position on the growing of GM crops can be nationally agreed by all state and territory local government associations. As a result, this matter should be raised at the state level in the first instance.

Motion: 78

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Local Government Association of Tasmania

That the ALGA pursue through its partnership arrangements with Austroads and other key infrastructure bodies the identification of a cost effective resolution to dust generation on unsealed roads.

Action taken:

ALGA will raise this issue with Austroads to be considered in the context of its on-going research program. For further information please visit the Austroads webpage on the ALGA website.

Motion: 79

Category: 'not debated' late

Council: Local Government Association of Tasmania

That this Assembly request the Australian Government to support mandatory and clear country of origin branding for food products to provide consumers with the capacity to identify and purchase local product and to maintain the viability of those communities reliant on the production of local foodstuffs.

Action taken:

ALGA has written to the Australian Government to convey the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s position in respect of this matter. The Australian and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council is currently working through issues in relation to country of origin labelling.

For further information visit the food regulation webpage on the ALGA website.

End