Issue 30, 5 August 2011

Issue 30, 5 August 2011 LG Week Award Winners Announced NSW Council initiatives and projects that empower communities through excellence in communication and reporting were recognised at the Local Government Week Awards Evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. Bluett Awards 2011 The date for submission of Bluett Awards for this year has now closed. QLD Floods Inquiry Interim Report Released The Queensland Floods Inquiry released its Interim Report on Monday 1 August. Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW tel: 02 9242 4000 fax: 02 9242 4111 email: lgsa@lgsa.org.au website: www.lgsa.org.au GPO Box 7003 Sydney 2001 Level 8, 28 Margaret St Sydney NSW 2000 Email subscription Subscribe to receive the Local Government Weekly and media releases directly by email on the LGSA website at: www.lgsa.org.au/subscribe Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 1

Awards Item 1: Award opportunities View the latest Award opportunities for Local Government Conferences and Events Item 2: Upcoming conferences and events View upcoming conferences and events relevant to Local Government General Interest Item 3: LGSA HR Metrics Benchmarking Survey forms available The LGSA invites all councils to contribute to its HR Metrics Benchmarking survey. Item 4: 2011 Local Government Web Network Conference It s now your last week to register for the Local Government Web Network Conference! Item 5: 2011 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Registrations for the 2011 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Working Together are now open. Item 6: Bluett Awards 2011 The date for submission of Bluett Awards for this year has now closed. Item 7: Community Groups awarded for empowering communities Three NSW community groups have each won $2000 in the LGSA Empowering Communities competition, announced at the 2011 Local Government Week (LG Week) Awards evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. Item 8: LiveWire Conference 2011 Registration is now open The LiveWire Network is a group of Local Government professionals with an innovative and forward thinking approach to the Industry. Item 9: LG Week Award Winners Announced NSW Council initiatives and projects that empower communities through excellence in communication and reporting were recognised at the Local Government Week Awards Evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. Economic Development Item 10: Senate Inquiry into Foreign Investment in Rural Land The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee is inquiring into how the Foreign Investment Review Board national interest test is applied to purchases of Australian agricultural land and agri-businesses by foreign entities. Emergency Services Item 11: QLD Floods Inquiry Interim Report Released The Queensland Floods Inquiry released its Interim Report on Monday 1 August. Item 12: Telecommunications Towers in Bush Fire Prone Areas The NSW Rural Fire Service has released a Development Control Practice Note for Telecommunications Towers in Bush Fire Prone areas. Environment Item 13: Buerckner & Stephenson Awards Winners Announced Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 2

The Buerckner & Stephenson Local Government Weed Professional Awards were announced last week at the 16th NSW Weeds Conference in Coffs Harbour. Learning Item 14: Revisiting Change Management and Coaching Skills for Council Leaders in Dubbo Local Government Learning Solutions are bringing two unique training programs, Revisiting Change Management and Coaching Skills for Council Leaders, to the Dubbo area. Item 15: NEW Fall Zero Course August to October 2011 This NEW training program will assist relevant staff to know their responsibilities and to address local needs. Item 16: National Local Government Human Resources Conference An ebrochure covering this premier human resources event has been distributed to all councils in NSW. Item 17: In-house Training Services Leadership programs Effective leadership is a key motivator to people staying with an organisation. Local Government Learning Solutions has a suite of leadership and performance enhancing programs that will develop your leadership skills. Item 18: Learning and Development Network Meeting Local Government Learning Solutions provides a free (quarterly) Learning and Development Network to assist council staff responsible for training to keep up their own professional development. Item 19: Writing Skills Training August to November 2011 Learning Solutions is offering a range of skills workshops to make writing more productive and less stressful. Planning Item 20: Recent Court on the Kur-ring-gai LEP A recent Judical review has declared that the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan (Town Centres) has been made contrary to the provisions of Division 4 of Part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and is therefore of no legal force or effect. Item 21: Local Exclusions Expert Panel is calling for applications to change the Codes SEPP The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has reconvened the Local Exclusions Expert Panel to assess applications by councils to make changes to the Codes SEPP. Item 22: Strategic Regional Land Use Plans The Department of Planning and Infrastructure is engaging with Local Government and other stakeholders to develop Strategic Regional Land Use Plans for key areas of the State. Roads and Transport Item 23: ALGA Roads to Recovery Campaign The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) will be launching Local Government s Roads to Recovery campaign at the 2011 National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Mount Gambier from Wednesday 16 Friday 18 November. In advance of the launch, ALGA is asking all councils to pass a resolution of support for the program. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 3

In the News Item 24: Media from the LGSA View the latest media releases distributed by the LGSA Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 4

Awards Item 1: Award opportunities View the latest Award opportunities for Local Government Bluett Awards 2011 The date for submission of Bluett Awards for this year has now closed. Community Groups awarded for empowering communities Three NSW community groups have each won $2000 in the LGSA Empowering Communities competition, announced at the 2011 Local Government Week (LG Week) Awards evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. Buerckner & Stephenson Awards Winners Announced The Buerckner & Stephenson Local Government Weed Professional Awards were announced last week at the 16th NSW Weeds Conference in Coffs Harbour. LG Week Award Winners Announced NSW Council initiatives and projects that empower communities through excellence in communication and reporting were recognised at the Local Government Week Awards Evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 5

Conferences and Events Item 2: Upcoming conferences and events View upcoming conferences and events relevant to Local Government ALGA Roads to Recovery Campaign The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) will be launching Local Government s Roads to Recovery campaign at the 2011 National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Mount Gambier from Wednesday 16 Friday 18 November. In advance of the launch, ALGA is asking all councils to pass a resolution of support for the program. 2011 Local Government Web Network Conference It s now your last week to register for the Local Government Web Network Conference! 2011 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Registrations for the 2011 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Working Together are now open. LiveWire Conference 2011 Registration is now open The LiveWire Network is a group of Local Government professionals with an innovative and forward thinking approach to the Industry. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 6

General Interest Item 3: LGSA HR Metrics Benchmarking Survey forms available The LGSA invites all councils to contribute to its HR Metrics Benchmarking survey. The inaugural LGSA HR Metrics Benchmarking Survey offers councils a unique opportunity to compare their performance in key HR areas to that of their peers. As reported in LG Weekly 28/11 and 29/11, this project grew out of industry demand and builds on a successful pilot project which was run earlier this year. Going forward, the LGSA HR Metrics Benchmarking Survey will be run annually, aligned with the financial year. Survey forms can now be requested by authorised council officers and should be returned by Friday, 9 September 2011. Benefits of participating: Completed forms due Friday, 9 September For a copy of the survey gregor.ptok@lgsa.org.au Contact Gregor Ptok HR Consultant LG Management Solutions 02 9242 4185 Ref: I98/0017-02 Obtaining solid data for your council as basis for decision-making. Contributing to industry development. Complimentary report for all participants. Reports can be tailored to meet the needs of councils who wish to embark on benchmarking for their particular group. 35% discount on tailored report for those who participate in this inaugural benchmarking survey. Eligibility for year-on-year discounts. The survey The survey form has been designed with significant input by Local Government HR Practitioners. Where possible, data will be used for being reported in other contexts (for example, the workers compensation insurance). All councils are encouraged to participate, even though they may not have data for each individual measures. As long as the minimum requirements outlined on the survey form are met, you will make a contribution to the development of HR Metrics in NSW Local Government and will be eligible for discounts on tailored reports. Reporting results Results will be reported in a number of formats. These will include: Basic reports showing average results. Tailored reports showing a detailed statistical data for each measure, comparing your council s results to those in the same classification, region or ROC. More detail on available reports and pricing are included with the survey form. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 7

General interest Item 4: 2011 Local Government Web Network Conference It s now your last week to register for the Local Government Web Network Conference! We have a fantastic program lined up for you this year, including great case studies from councils such as Parramatta City Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, Broken Hill City Council and Sutherland Shire Council. Conference Program http://lgwebnetwork.org/conferences/2011/program We also have a focus on emergency management and social media with presentations from Jason Dawson from Northland Regional Council in New Zealand talking about the Christchurch Earthquakes and Anthony Baxter from Google discussing crisis mapping. Workshops http://lgwebnetwork.org/conferences/2011/workshops This year our workshops take a real practical focus with Russ Weakley presenting a half day Introduction to CSS3, alongside the Australian Government Information Management Office giving us a rundown on the National Transition Strategy to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Far from glamorous but vitally important in our sector, we'll also be presenting a hands on workshop with NSW State Records on social media and recordkeeping. Don't forget to tell us what you've been up to and sign up to present a 5 minute Lightning Talk! Tell us your story and you could win 4 contented.com licenses for their Online Diploma in Web Content course Register for a Lightning Talk - http://lgwebnetwork.org/node/add/lightning-talks Conference Dates Thursday 18 Friday 19 August Registrations due Friday August 12 Register to attend the conference http://lgwebnetwork.org/conf erences/2011/registration Location Sydney Cost Full conference ticket: Both days inc. dinner and workshops - $770 inc. GST One day conference ticket: Does not inc. dinner or workshops - $440 inc. GST Website http://lgwebnetwork.org/conf erences/2011 Contact Reem Abdelaty 02 9242 4000 lgwebnetwork@lgsa.org.au Ref: R08/0026 RA Don t forget that when you attend the conference you ll be the first to get your hands on a copy of the 2011 issue of Stories magazine! Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 8

General Interest Item 5: 2011 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Registrations for the 2011 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Working Together are now open. The Conference will be the platform for Aboriginal and non-aboriginal councillors and staff to gather to discuss current and emerging issues facing Aboriginal people in NSW. The Conference will feature an array of notable guest speakers including the Aboriginal Sector Development Manager with Museums & Galleries NSW, Steve Miller, who will speak regarding keeping places and beyond; building cultural futures in NSW. The Conference is not limited to elected members or staff of councils, and can be attended by any individual who has an interest in developing and enhancing Aboriginal lifestyle, culture and employment opportunities. Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference Tuesday 13 Thursday 15 September Location Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, Dubbo Registrations & accommodation Bradley@ccem.com.au Further information Lana Willetts Dubbo City Council 02 6801 4451 Ref: R90/0893-05 Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 9

General Interest Item 6: Bluett Awards 2011 The date for submission of Bluett Awards for this year has now closed. The LGSA have received entries from the following NSW Councils: Lake Macquarie Ballina Clarence Valley Willoughby Albury Lithgow Tweed Randwick Hawkesbury Mosman Parramatta Canada Bay Liverpool Tumut Ryde Moree Plains Bankstown Warringah Bega Valley Forbes Wyong Contact Peter Coulton 02 9242 4030 peter.coulton@lgsa.org.au Ref: R90/0266-03 If you believe your Council has lodged an entry and your council is not named on this list, please contact Peter Coulton at the LGSA (see fact box) urgently. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 10

General Interest Item 7: Community Groups awarded for empowering communities Three NSW community groups have each won $2000 in the LGSA Empowering Communities competition, announced at the 2011 Local Government Week (LG Week) Awards evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. LG Week Website www.lgweek.lgsa.org.au Photos www.eventpix.com.au/lgsa Ref: R10/0006 The competition run by the LGSA and sponsors Essential Energy, aims to help celebrate this year s LG Week theme of Empowering Communities by offering three awards to residents, community groups and businesses to put towards a project or service that will make a difference to their council area. Congratulations to the Empowering Communities winners for 2011: Winner: Council / Community Group Category Eurobodalla Shire Libraries: Healthy + Sustainable Community Charging Stations The Eurobodalla Shire Libraries, located in Eurobodalla Shire, have noticed the growing need for people to charge their electronic devices. Human-powered bike energy generators will provide an attractive solution that meets the needs of our community and at the same time champions a healthy and sustainable message. Winner: Business Category Waterfall Way Designs: Buy Local Marketplace Buy Local Marketplace is an online business directory for local buying where businesses create a free listing for themselves. Consumers are then educated about where their spending dollars go in the local community. This program is situated in the Armidale Dumaresq Council area. Winner: Residential Category Karabar Housing Tenant Group: Empowerment the path away from poverty Local residents in the Queanbeyan City Council area have formed the Karabar Housing Tenants Group as a way to address local issues and help empower residents to try and escape the poverty cycle. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 11

General Interest Item 8: LiveWire Conference 2011 Registration is now open The LiveWire Network is a group of Local Government professionals with an innovative and forward thinking approach to the Industry. The two day Conference will allow Local Government professionals to be able to build leadership capacity, gain valuable skills, learn how to influence positive change and network with other like-minded professionals. This year s LiveWire Conference features a great lineup of speakers, including keynote Ita Buttrose and a host of leading professionals: Paul Anderson (GM, Eurobodalla Shire Council). Benny Callaghan (CEO, School for Social Entrepreneurs). Melissa Gibbs (Deputy Director, ACELG). John Ravlic (CEO, LGMA National). Margarita Peker (Communications Specialist, Klick). Todd Heslin (Executive Director, APATHCO). Alan Jones (Creative Director, The New Agency). Alia Karaman (Manager Strategy, Auburn City Council). Adam Marshall (Mayor, Gunnedah Shire Council). John Montgomery (Managing Director, Urban Cultures). LiveWire Conference Wednesday 28 - Thursday 29 September Location Novotel, Wollongong Cost $349 inclusive of conference and cocktail reception. Registration Open Online information http://livewirenetwork.com.au/ Further information 02 4227 7467 livewire@livewirenetwork.com.au Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/livewirenet work Ref: R11/0004 SS Zoe Pattison (Business Excellence Coordinator, Port Stephens Council). Mark Searle (CEO, City of Marion). Ashley Jarquin (Senior Strategic Issues Officer, RailCorp). Stuart Waters (Director, Twyfords). Ben Palmer (CEO, Genos). Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 12

General Interest Item 9: LG Week Award Winners Announced NSW Council initiatives and projects that empower communities through excellence in communication and reporting were recognised at the Local Government Week Awards Evening in Sydney on Wednesday 3 August. LG Week Website www.lgweek.lgsa.org.au Photos www.eventpix.com.au/lgsa Ref: R10/0006 The RH Dougherty Awards are the highest accolade a NSW council can receive in the area of communications, with over150 councils eligible for the coveted trophies. The 2011 winners are: Awards for Excellence in Communication Division A: population less than 30,000 Winner: Kempsey Shire Council - "Meet the Boss" Highly Commended: Corowa Shire Council - "Festival for Fun for Kids" Division B: population 30,000-100,000 Winner: Tweed Shire Council - Engagement Campaign for Tweed Community Strategic Plan Highly Commended: Hawkesbury City Council - Hawkesbury Macquarie 2010 Celebrations Division C: population over 100,000 Winner: Lake Macquarie City Council - Future of Waste Highly Commended: Warringah Council - Talk of the Town 2010: Warringah's Housing Future - Let's solve the puzzle Division D: ROCS and County Councils Highly Commended: Shore Regional Organisation of Councils (SHOROC) - Shaping Our Future Awards for Reporting to your Community Division A: population less than 30,000 Highly Commended: Broken Hill City Council - How a strategic media partnership can benefit Council and Community Highly Commended: Moree Plains Shire Council - Moree Plains Shire Council Annual Reports 2010 Division B: population 30,000-100,000 Winner: Hurstville City Council - Dragonfiles Division C: population over 100,000 Winner: Blacktown City Council - 2011 Blacktown City Community Calendar Highly Commended: Penrith City Council - Penrith City Council Customer Contact Card Division D: ROCS and County Councils Highly Commended: Lockhart Shire Council - Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2009-2010 - Lockhart Shire Council (submitting council) Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution This award acknowledges high achieving communications and events staff within councils. Winner: Tweed Shire Council, Ms Tiffany Stodart Other Awards presented at the LG Week Awards Evening include Local Government Procurement's Robert Wilson OAM Award, the Office of Communities' National Youth Week 2011 Awards, the Heart Foundation's Healthy Community Awards, and the Cancer Council's Alive and Well Partnership Awards. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 13

Economic Development Item 10: Senate Inquiry into Foreign Investment in Rural Land The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee is inquiring into how the Foreign Investment Review Board national interest test is applied to purchases of Australian agricultural land and agri-businesses by foreign entities. The Examination of the Foreign Investment Review Board National Interest Test Terms of Reference are: An examination of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) National Interest Test (the test), including: 1. How the test was applied to purchases of Australian agricultural land by foreign companies, foreign sovereign funds and other entities in the past 12 months. 2. How the test was applied to purchases of Australian agri-businesses by foreign companies, foreign sovereign funds and other entities in the past 12 months. 3. The role of the Government, regulators and receivers, including their obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and/or the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975, including the role of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, in upholding the test. 4. The global food task and Australia s food security in the context of sovereignty. Submissions due Friday 2 September Report due for release Wednesday 30 November Online information http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/co mmittee/rat_ctte/firb_2011/index.htm Feedback to Liz Gemes Policy Officer Emergency Services & Rural Affairs, LGSA liz.gemes@lgsa.org.au Further information Senate Standing Committee: Committee Secretary 02 6277 3511 rat.sen@aph.gov.au Ref: R90/1160 LG 5. The role of the foreign sovereign funds in acquiring Australian sovereign Assets. 6. How similar national interest tests are applied to the purchase of agricultural land and agri-businesses in countries comparable to Australia. 7. Any other related matters. In conducting this inquiry, the committee should examine ways of improving the transparency of decisions made by the FIRB under the test and all other rules which govern its operation. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 14

Emergency Services Item 11: QLD Floods Inquiry Interim Report Released The Queensland Floods Inquiry released its Interim Report on Monday 1 August. The report examines a range of issues relating to flood preparedness, and makes 175 recommendations focused on changes which can be implemented before the next wet season. Many of the 175 recommendations involve Local Government; some of the recommendations involving Local Government are listed below: Online information http://www.floodcommission.qld.go v.au/home Further information Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry 1300 309 634 info@floodcommission.qld.gov.au Ref: R90/0753 LG 3.2 Risk management is fundamentally important to disaster management. The Queensland Government should, before the next wet season, ensure that the state-wide natural hazard risk assessment is completed and its results provided to Local Governments. 3.13 Before the next wet season, Local Governments susceptible to flooding should conduct community education programs which provide local information about (at least) the following topics: The measures households should take to prepare for flooding. The roles and functions of the SES and details of how to contact and join it. Whom to contact if assistance is needed during a flood. Contact details for emergency services in the area. The types of warnings that are used in the area, what they mean and what to do in the event of a warning. Where and how to obtain information before, during and after a disaster. What is likely to happen during a disaster (for example, power outages and road closures). Evacuation. Measures available for groups who require particular assistance (for example, the elderly, ill and people with a disability). 4.10 Councils, with the assistance of the Bureau of Meteorology, should examine the feasibility of and priorities for installing additional river height and rainfall gauges in areas of identified need. 4.12 The Queensland Government should consider assisting less well-resourced councils to fund the installation of an automated local evaluation in real time system (ALERT system) where a case is made for its adoption. 4.13 Councils should ensure that residents and businesses can clearly understand the impact of predicted flood levels on their property. This may include one or more of the following methods: Information on rates notices about flooding at individual properties. Geospatial mapping, available to the public, that depicts inundation at certain river heights. Flood markers. Flood flag maps and floodwise property reports. Colour coded maps. Information that relates gauge heights with the level of flooding to be expected at a property. 4.27 The Queensland Government should work with the New South Wales Government to coordinate road condition reporting procedures to inform local councils and road users of interstate road conditions in a variety of different ways. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 15

5.1 When a Local Government cannot effectively manage its response to a disaster, disaster management personnel from Local Governments in a position to assist should be deployed to help the local disaster management group. 5.3 To ensure effective co-ordination in larger-scale disasters, deployment of personnel (and other resources) between Local Governments should be facilitated through the Council to Council (C2C) program. 5.4 The C2C program should be incorporated into the state disaster management arrangements and operate within the structure of the state disaster co-ordination centre. 5.5 The state disaster management group, Emergency Management Queensland and the Local Government Association of Queensland should do further work before the next wet season to ensure that during a disaster: The C2C program meets requests for assistance as efficiently as possible. Local Governments and other prospective participants understand how the C2C program works. 5.44 During floods, councils should as quickly as possible provide people in the relevant areas with advice as to the location of and routes to evacuation centres. 5.55 All councils should consider entering a memorandum of understanding for evacuation centres with the Australian Red Cross which clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of the parties in planning and responding to evacuation requirements in a disaster. 5.62 In areas susceptible to flooding, councils should identify facilities housing people who may require assistance to evacuate. Councils should work with the operators of these facilities to ensure they have appropriate evacuation plans and that they are aware of the council s disaster management arrangements. 5.78 Local Governments should investigate the feasibility of permitting local landowners to carry out temporary repairs on flood-damaged public roads to allow access to their properties. 5.79 Local Governments and the Queensland Government should work with their New South Wales counterparts to set up procedures for co-ordinating emergency responses in the region of the Queensland/New South Wales border. The final report is due by Friday 24 February 2012, and will examine a range of issues in the Inquiry's terms of reference, with a particular focus on insurance and land planning. The LGSA supports sensible improvements for flood protection of our communities and will pursue to work with the NSW State Emergency Service and other relevant agencies regarding the interim report recommendations and their application in NSW. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 16

Emergency Services Item 12: Telecommunications Towers in Bush Fire Prone Areas The NSW Rural Fire Service has released a Development Control Practice Note for Telecommunications Towers in Bush Fire Prone areas. Telecommunications Towers in Bush Fire Prone Areas are critical infrastructure for fire fighting communications, providing warnings, information and communication channels for people in bush fire prone areas during bush fire emergencies. Online information http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_co ntent.cfm?cat_id=904 Further information RFS: 02 8741 5555 or development.assessment@rfs.nsw. gov.au Ref: R90/1033 LG The Development Control Practice Note 1/11 Telecommunications Towers in Bush Fire Prone Areas provides guidance to land managers on bush fire protection measures for towers. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 17

Environment Item 13: Buerckner & Stephenson Awards Winners Announced The Buerckner & Stephenson Local Government Weed Professional Awards were announced last week at the 16th NSW Weeds Conference in Coffs Harbour. The Awards were initiated in 2007 to acknowledge the work of NSW Weed Officers in their outstanding contribution towards protecting NSW from the impacts of weeds. The Awards were named in honour of Parkes Shire Council Weed Officers, Mal Buerckner and Ian Stephenson who were tragically killed on the job in a helicopter accident in 2006, along with the pilot Shane Thrupp. The Buerckner Award For outstanding contribution to on ground control of weeds in NSW. Contact Geoff Hudson LGSA 02 9242 4095 geoff.hudson@lgsa.org.au Ref: R90/0143 GH The winner of the 2011 Buerckner Award is Chris Clausen, Senior Weeds Officer, Clarence Valley Council. Chris has been involved in weed control for over 12 years where he has developed a positive, calm and highly professional approach to his work. His initiative and willingness to tackle any problem, and his ability to calmly negotiate conflict has won him the trust and respect of colleagues and landholders. Other nominees: Maria Edmonds, Weed Officer, Cessnock City Council. Stephen McLeod, Environmental Projects Coordinator, Maitland City Council. Brett Paddon, Noxious Weeds Officer, Far North Coast Weeds. Leslie Tanner, Chief Weeds Officer, Inverell Shire Council. The Stephenson Award For outstanding contribution to planning and coordinating weed management programs in NSW. The 2011 Stephenson Award winner is Leslie Tanner, Chief Weeds Officer, Inverell Shire Council. Les has been involved in weed control for over 50 years, starting work with the Prickly Pear Destruction Commission at Mudgee in 1959. Les was also nominated for the Buerckner Award, illustrating the breadth of his recent contributions. He has an infinite knowledge of his trade and is always willing to pass on information and assist those needing his help. He is well respected in the industry both by his peers and by landholders in his region. His commitment and contribution to weed management over his long career are unparalleled. Other nominees: Robert Ferguson, Chair, Western Riverina Noxious Weeds Advisory Group. Mark Daly, IT Manager, Liverpool Plains Shire Council. Mike Whitney, Weeds Inspector, Liverpool Plains Shire Council. Kim Hignell, Vegetation and Pest Mgt Co-ordinator, Lake Macquarie Council. Stephen McLeod, Environmental Projects Coordinator, Maitland City Council. Peter Schweitzer, Noxious Weed Officer, Far North Coast Weeds. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 18

Learning Item 14: Revisiting Change Management and Coaching Skills for Council Leaders in Dubbo Local Government Learning Solutions are bringing two unique training programs, Revisiting Change Management and Coaching Skills for Council Leaders, to the Dubbo area. We realise that many councils are going through restructures, and/or significant change driven by legislation and technology. The Revisiting Change Management workshop has been designed to give people leaders a refresher which helps them to handle resistance more effectively, as well as understand what drives change and what strategies are best to lead it. Participants will be exposed to a number of ready to use change models and strategies, and during the workshop they will develop a model of change management that is suitable to their area of council. The Coaching Skills for Leaders program is a wonderful complement to the change program. Coaching is a key skill required of anyone who leads others but so few of our leaders have a defined process to follow when trying to influence others to change, or to up-skill a colleague, or to get more productivity out of their colleagues. Anyone attending these programs, particularly indoor and outdoor leaders, will be skilled in using a clear process when coaching others. Revisiting Change Management Tuesday 30 August Coaching Skills for Council Leaders Wednesday 31 August Location Dubbo NSW Cost $550.00 inc. GST (or $440 per day including GST if both programs are booked) Registrations http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/ html/152-courses-for-staff.asp Contact Jennifer Fanning Learning Solutions 02 9242 4181 learning@lgsa.org.au Ref: I98/0012 DR Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 19

Learning Item 15: NEW Fall Zero Course August to October 2011 This NEW training program will assist relevant staff to know their responsibilities and to address local needs. Local Government is responsible for the bulk of the public domain and it faces many challenges in providing safe, equitable and dignified access to cope with community needs. This workshop is designed to help Local Government and community groups focus on recent initiatives that will assist in addressing these needs and reduce the incidence of accidents in the public domain as a result. Who should attend? Engineers, Planners, Architects, Policy Makers, Community Workers, Safety Officers, members of Access Committees and anyone involved in providing access to buildings or open areas of the environment, for people of all ages and abilities. Content: Course dates and venues Monday 22 August Wagga Wagga Monday 12 September Dubbo Monday 17 October Lismore Cost $550 inc. GST for one day workshops. Registrations http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/42 1-public-staff-course-registrationform.asp?intSiteID=1 Contact Jennifer Fanning Learning Solutions 02 9242 4181 learning@lgsa.org.au Ref: I98/0012 DR The new Disability (Access to Premises Buildings) Standards, referenced in the Building Code of Australia from 1 May 2011, including Financial Hardship provisions. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, including Council s mandatory responsibilities. The United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. The Australian Road Research Board s Guidelines for Local Government on Safe Systems and Vision Zero including roadway and footway design. Fall Zero the identification of hazards in the public way, an explanation of why and for whom they are hazards, and discussion on possible solutions for their removal. An understanding of the needs of all pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities. Best practice in the provision of public facilities. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 20

Learning Item 16: National Local Government Human Resources Conference An ebrochure covering this premier human resources event has been distributed to all councils in NSW. The Conference theme is future focussed, titled HR s World of Tomorrow. Any Leader who is interested in staffing issues, and needs to be updated about the latest in employment trends, is encouraged to attend. Our keynote speakers and topics include: Dates and Location Monday 7 Wednesday 9 November, Jupiters Conference Centre, Gold Coast Conference Fee $990 early bird fee until 10 October (full conference fee is $1210 inclusive of GST, and $2420 for non government delegates). We are also offering a 50% discount to HR students. Work, Health and Safety Harmonisation Professor Ron McCallum, 2011 Senior Australian of the Year. Ron is well known to HR staff around Australia and will engage and inform you about the new Registrations https://lgsa.wufoo.com/forms/registrat legislation. ion-national-hr-conference/ Looking ahead HR issues of the future who better to present this session that Nigel Ward, CEO Accommodation at Jupiters of Workplace Relations at ABL Lawyers. 1800 074 344 (or 07 5592 8130) and The use and abuse of social media from a HR and quote that you are attending National training perspective Pete Williams, Deloitte Digital LG HR Conference. If booking via the Peter is known as an inspirational nerd come Jupiters web site: and see why. http://www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au There will also be a panel session called Dealing with please quote booking code NAT071111 natural disasters. Clint Weber from Lockyer Valley Contact Regional Council (one of the councils so badly affected Darryl Rubiolo by the recent flood disaster in Queensland), and David Learning Solutions Whittingham who is one of the crisis counsellors 02 9242 4182 working with Queensland councils and communities, learning@lgsa.org.au will present the panel session. Ref: I98/0012 DR Participants will have a choice of four out of twelve MasterClass workshops on Day Two of the Conference. These will include topics on organisational development skills, what would engineers know about attracting and training staff, strategy, people and performance for the HR Manager, where is recruitment heading, a workplace health and safety harmonisation, IR and employment law updates, and council case studies on organisational culture inventories and managing chronic illness in the workplace. This Conference is a great opportunity to network with your peers from other states as well as keep with the latest trends and learn new skills. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 21

Learning Item 17: In-house Training Services Leadership programs Effective leadership is a key motivator to people staying with an organisation. Local Government Learning Solutions has a suite of leadership and performance enhancing programs that will develop your leadership skills. When the best leader s work is done, the people say: We did it ourselves - Lao Tzu. Councils can gain significant savings by having public training workshops customised to their individual needs and supplied in-house. Not only can we tailor Further information http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/ 153-in-house-training-services.asp Contact Judy Archer Learning Solutions 02 9242 4182 learning@lgsa.org.au Ref: I98/0012 DR the content of each individual workshop for you, we can also mix and match topics from different workshops or design new topic content to meet your specific requirements. Leadership skills programs, available to be conducted on your premises: MasterClass Executive Development Program This two day development program is designed specifically for General Manager, Directors and Senior Managers, and will expose you to concepts which will help you meet the challenges facing the industry today. Revisiting Change Management Middle and Senior Managers will not only explore nine change management models on this workshop but also find ways to handle overt and covert resistance. Revisiting Leadership Middle and Senior Managers on this practical workshop will revisit many models of leadership and will be introduced to some new ones which can be applied immediately. Leading and Managing Effectively This four day program (delivered in modules of two days) is aimed at middle to lower level managers and covers issues such as handling difficult staff, motivation, coaching, delegating and managing priorities. Developing High Performance Teams This practical workshop can be a team leader s only program, an employees program, or aimed at a particular team which may not be productive. The Manager as Coach A key leadership skill is coaching and every Leader needs to develop skills in this area. Outdoor Leadership A highly practical one or two day program to introduce outdoor gangers and team leaders to their leadership responsibilities. Pathways to Leadership If you have identified some up and coming leaders amongst your employees, or some newly appointed leaders, then this one or two day program will assist them to understand the concepts of leadership that will ease their step up into a higher role. Performance Management This practical one day workshop will introduce leaders to the major concepts of managing performance. The Supervisor Series - Module topics include understanding the supervisor s roles, delegation, understanding team roles, giving feedback, and maintaining performance. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 22

Learning Item 18: Learning and Development Network Meeting Local Government Learning Solutions provides a free (quarterly) Learning and Development Network to assist council staff responsible for training to keep up their own professional development. This meeting is highly recommended as a professional development activity for anyone with training responsibilities in council. Certificates of Attendance will be awarded to attendees to use as evidence of your continuing professional development. The meeting will include: Launch of the Long Term Financial Planning DVD Darryl Rubiolo, Manager Learning Solutions will launch this DVD that has been designed specifically as a learning resource to support senior council staff and councillors in managing long term financial planning issues. Date 9.30am 3.00pm, Monday 22 August Location The Bowlers Club, 99 York Street, Sydney Registrations due Wednesday 17 August Contact Chrissie Gordon Wells Learning Solutions 02 92424081 learning@lgsa.org.au Ref: I98/0012 DR Personal Safety and Conflict Management - Neil Warwick, Managing Director of Maybo Australia, a leading international specialist consultancy dealing with client conflict, will take us through some of the essential components of managing conflict including primary, secondary and tertiary responses, duty of care responsibilities and the law on self defence. Interactive Technology - Nick Showler (Hitachi) will present Hitachi Digital Presentation Solutions and will demonstrate their interactive technology and how this can be used to enhance training, meetings, and presentations. Drug and Alcohol Awareness for Supervisors - Judy Archer, Senior Learning and Development Consultant, will take us through some activities designed to increase your knowledge about this important area and its impacts in the workplace. Emergency in the classroom! Carole Webb will present a short interactive session that is sure to get you thinking. Council Reports share your training stories with other networkers. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 23

Learning Item 19: Writing Skills Training August to November 2011 Learning Solutions is offering a range of skills workshops to make writing more productive and less stressful. We all struggle with writing reports, answering complaints, making correspondence user friendly and getting outcomes out of our emails and other mail. Writing skills training is the solution! These courses are all Local Government oriented. The venues/dates are: English Grammar and Punctuation Sydney, Wednesday 16 November Improve Your Business Writing Sydney, Monday and Tuesday 22-23 August Lismore, Wednesday and Thursday 2-3 November Report Writing Sydney, Friday 19 August Dubbo, Friday 2 September Writing Effective Minutes Sydney, Friday 26 August Writing in Plain English Sydney, Tuesday 30 August Writing Powerful Proposals and Grant Applications Sydney, Thursday 27 October Introduction to Writing Policy and Procedures Sydney, Thursday 1 September Cost $550 inc. GST for one day workshops $990 inc. ST for 2 day events Registrations http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/ 421-public-staff-courseregistration-form.asp?intSiteID=1 Contact Jennifer Fanning Learning Solutions 02 9242 4181 learning@lgsa.org.au Ref: I98/0012 DR Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 24

Planning Item 20: Recent Court on the Kur-ring-gai LEP A recent Judical review has declared that the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan (Town Centres) has been made contrary to the provisions of Division 4 of Part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and is therefore of no legal force or effect. A recent Land and Environment Court case brought by the Friends of Turramurra Inc against the Minister for Planning, argued that the Kur-ring-gai LEP had not been properly prepared and that the Panel and the Minister had contravened the Environmental Planning Land and Environment Court website http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/a ction/pjudg?jgmtid=153639 Contact Jenny Dennis Senior Policy Officer Planning: jennifer.dennis@lgsa.org.au Ref: R90/0490 JD and Assessment Act 1979. It was argued that the LEP had not been properly certified under Section 65 by the Panel, which had been given delegated authority by the Director General, and that the LEP had been advertised contrary to the Act. Although the Judge agreed that the LEP has not been technically signed off correctly by the Panel and that the process that a section 65 certification required more attention, the Judge did not support the view that the LEP had been incorrectly advertised or was presented in a manner that was misleading or confusing to the resident. Nevertheless, the Judge did find that the LEP was considered to be null and void on the grounds that; the level of changes made to the Draft LEP after being on public exhibition were so substantially different to the Draft LEP that was finally gazetted, it warranted re-advertising under the Act. The changes made to the Draft LEP that were questioned by the Judge, were made by the Department of Planning to the school and public utility sites to meet the Standard provisions of the LEP Template. Other changes that warranted re-advertising were changes to sites that were indicated to have high biodiversity value. The decision did not debate the issues informing the up-zoning of the six centres or the proposed density of those centres. As such it does not comment on the planning policy undergirding the changes. The Judgment instead focuses on the process of finalizing an LEP from exhibition to gazettal and what level of changes may requires an LEP to be re-advertised. This decision may require the Department of Planning to review the practice of when requesting changes to LEPs after the exhibition period. This is a must read for all council planners currently processing a Draft LEP. Your views on the implications of this case are important to the LGSA and may assist other councils. Please send through your comments to Jenny Dennis (see fact box). Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 25

Planning Item 21: Local Exclusions Expert Panel is calling for applications to change the Codes SEPP The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has reconvened the Local Exclusions Expert Panel to assess applications by councils to make changes to the Codes SEPP. The Local Exclusions Expert Panel has been set up to assess council applications to vary development types and requests for the exclusion of certain areas from the Codes SEPP. Nominations due End of August 2011 Online information http://housingcode.planning.nsw. gov.au Ref: R09/0014 JD The Panel may allow council to apply to vary the Codes SEPP having regard to the local context. This process was supported by the previous Minister for Planning in response to advocacy work by the LGSA. All councils have an opportunity to nominate relevant inclusions and exclusions to be considered by the Panel. Nevertheless, all council nominations to amend the Codes SEPP as it applies to individual local council areas or precincts within these areas, must be justified on planning grounds. The Department has provided information for councils on how to make a nomination and the criteria that will be used in assessing such nominations. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 26

Planning Item 22: Strategic Regional Land Use Plans The Department of Planning and Infrastructure is engaging with Local Government and other stakeholders to develop Strategic Regional Land Use Plans for key areas of the State. As part of the Government s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy which was released in May 2011, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure has embarked on the task of developing Strategic Regional Land Use Plans for the following key areas: Upper Hunter (including Gloucester). New England North West (including Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains). Central West. Southern Highlands. News items on planning issues http://planningnetwork.lgsa.org.au Further Information http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/strat egicplanning/coalandgasstrategy/tabi d/495/language/en-au/default.aspx Strategic Regional Land Use Policy http://lockthegate.org.au/documents/ doc-258-strategic-regional-land-usepolicy---document.pdf http://www.nsw.gov.au/news/nswgovernment-adopts-rigorous-strategicapproach-regional-land-use-planning Ref: R08/0002 JP The aim of the Strategic Regional Land Use Plans is to ensure balanced and sustainable management of competing land uses in each region of the State, with a tailored approach to land use planning in each area. The Government s Policy is to adopt a triple bottom line assessment of the environmental, social and economic values in regional areas to inform decisions about the best way to use land and identify the environmental, social and economic values that need to be protected. The Government has acknowledged that this will involve trade-offs between competing land uses, but that the Plans will provide more certainty for all stakeholders. The Government s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy commits to ensuring local input into regional strategic plans. The first plans to be delivered are focusing on areas that are experiencing significant activity in the coal and coal seam gas industries. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure is currently consulting Local Government and other stakeholders to develop draft plans for these areas, which are expected to be placed on public exhibition in draft form in late 2011/early 2012. The Department has conducted workshops in the North West/New England and Upper Hunter regions to listen to Local Government. Councillors, mayors, general managers, planners, environmental and sustainability officers, and other staff from all councils across these regions have attended workshops at Tamworth (Wednesday 13 July) and Muswellbrook (Thursday 21 July). Officers from State agencies, including Primary Industries, the Office of Environment and Heritage, and Premier and Cabinet also participated. Departmental officers have also met with the general managers and mayors of some councils prior to these workshops. In addition to the Local Government workshops, the Department is receiving advice from a Stakeholder Reference Group originally established to assist in developing the Coal and Gas Strategy. Local Government is represented on this group via the Association of Mining Related Councils, and other stakeholders represent key agricultural, industrial and conservation groups. Local Government Weekly 30/11 5 August 2011 Page 27