Local Government Association Conference

The LGA Conference was held in Broken Hill from Saturday 25th October to Wednesday 29th October 2008.



I travelled to Broken Hill in my Prius, car-sharing with the two Greens Councillors from Lake Macquarie and a Greens supporter.

It was a long journey but well worth it to lobby fellow Councillors for those issues that are important to Newcastle, to network about issues of common concern and to discuss how things are done elsewhere.

The conference covered a range of motions from the member Councils (less than previous years but it was an election year!) including these motions from Newcastle which were successful:

23 - Newcastle Impact of Climate Change on Coastal and Estuarine Development
Newcastle City Council calls on the New South Wales and Federal Governments to determine and adopt a State-wide standard for Sea Level Rise to allow Council to have consistent planning levels for development assessment and strategic planning for coastal and estuarine areas in New South Wales.

The Local Government & Shires Association calls on the New South Wales State Government to make the State-wide standard for Sea Level Rise policy across the State.

48 - Shoalhaven & Newcastle Combined Motion Proposed Amendment of Local Government Act to Extend Alcohol Prohibition from Reserves to Roads and Car Parks
That the Local Government Association seek amendments to the Local Government Act to extend the prohibition of Alcohol Prohibited Zones to include nominated public spaces. The New South Wales Local Government Association write to the Minister for Local Government requesting that urgent consideration be given to:

1 Reviewing the provisions and penalties of both Alcohol Free Areas and Alcohol Free Zones to ensure that the legislation provides an effective and workable tool for Police to manage consumption of alcohol in streets and parks.

2 Particular attention be given in the review to increasing the penalties for consuming alcohol in an Alcohol Free Zone and Alcohol Free Area in line with penalties currently imposed for consuming alcohol on public transport.

3 Particular attention be given in the review to removing the requirement to warn a person who is consuming alcohol in an Alcohol Free Zone prior to alcohol being confiscated and a fine imposed.

161 - Newcastle *Rating and Annual Charges Structure
The New South Wales Local Government Association writes to the Minister and the Department of Local Government requesting an urgent review and increase in the pensioner subsidy which is currently set at $250 (shared equally between State and Councils).

Councils draw attention to the yearly impact on Council's budget, in a time of rate capping and serious under funding of infrastructure.

The New South Wales Local Government Association calls on the State Government to make an amendment to the existing legislation to allow a lower Stormwater Management Service Charge to be levied on land categorised as business where the land has a large site area but relatively minor areas of impervious material. Examples of such are golf courses, bowling clubs and racecourses. This would allow a different charging structure to be used for these property types from that implemented for significant stormwater producers such as heavy industry and major commercial businesses.

The New South Wales Local Government Association calls on the State Government to support an increase in the mandatory pension rebate granted in accordance with s575. The maximum amount granted annually is indexed by the same amount determined by the Minister in respect of rate pegging.

The New South Wales Local Government Association also supports an increase in the amount of subsidy currently paid to Councils.

The New South Wales Local Government Association moves that the pension subsidy be increased, effective for the 2009/2010 rating cycle, from 55% to 100%.

Eligible pensioners are not the responsibility of Local Government, and as such should not have any impact on a Council's expenditure.

Executive Note: This is existing Local Government Association policy or subject to ongoing work and appropriate representations.

165 - Newcastle *Section 94A Contribution
The Local Government Association calls on the Minister for Planning to ensure that the Department of Planning enters into meaningful dialogue with Local Councils on these issues in the future to ensure that the Community receives the full benefit accruing from new development.

Note from Council: Newcastle Council notes the decision on the amount of developer contribution for the redevelopment of the former Royal Newcastle Hospital site has been made by the New South Wales Government without any consultation with Newcastle City Council. Newcastle Council notes the decision by the New South Wales Government has cost the Community of Newcastle in the order of $1million in lost developer contributions for urgently needed civic improvements across the City Centre.

Executive Note: This is existing Local Government Association policy or subject to ongoing work and appropriate representations.

166 - Newcastle *Part 3A and Part 4 Private Certifiers
1 The Local Government and Shires Association write to the Premier and Minister for Planning to oppose in the strongest possible terms, his decision to allow private certifiers, under part 3A of the EP&A Act, to approve subdivision construction plans, carry out inspections and subdivision “sign offs” without any involvement from Councils.

2 The Local Government and Shires Association calls on the Minister to reconsider his stand on this matter.

Executive Note: This is existing Local Government Association policy or subject to ongoing work and appropriate representations.

Unfortunately this motion was narrowly not supported by the conference:

76 - Newcastle *Bus Shelters
1 The Local Government Association write to the Premier and the Minister for Transport, objecting to his statement that “the provision of bus shelters and bus seats is recognised across the State as the responsibility of Local Government”, and asks the Minister to indicate who recognises this?

2 The Local Government Association writes to the Minister for Transport, and the Minister for Local Government, to ask them to specify where in the NSW Local Government Act or any other State statute or regulation is it stated that:
• the provision and/or maintenance of bus shelters and seats; and
• the future replacement of shelters and seats provided in the past by State Transit, are statutory responsibilities of Local Government.

3 The Local Government Association calls on the Minister for Transport to provide evidence for his claim that State Transit and private bus operators have “no ability” to fund roadside infrastructure, other than bus stops and timetable displays, “because they are expected to operate commercially”.

4 The Local Government Association inform the Ministers that the expectation that Local Government should provide shelters and seats and fund replacements for those presently maintained by State Transit is yet another example of cost shifting and, therefore, unacceptable to Councils.

Other motions supported were:

5 - Lake Macquarie Support for a Two Tier System of Government
That the Local Government Association support a review into the Australian Constitution that examines the elimination of State Governments with the aim of having a two tier system of Government; that being the Federal Government supplemented by a system of regional Governments and the associated financial arrangements to support the new system.

22 - Lake Macquarie Sea Level Rise
That the Local Government Association lobby the NSW Government to establish a projected sea level rise figure of 0.91m consistent with upper level Department of Environment and Climate Change predictions, as the basis for coastal Councils to proceed with preparedness measures including risk assessment, policy development, community empowerment, and planning and development decisions.

23 - Newcastle Impact of Climate Change on Coastal and Estuarine Development
Newcastle City Council calls on the New South Wales and Federal Governments to determine and adopt a State-wide standard for Sea Level Rise to allow Council to have consistent planning levels for development assessment and strategic planning for coastal and estuarine areas in New South Wales.
The Local Government & Shires Association calls on the New South Wales State Government to make the State-wide standard for Sea Level Rise policy across the State.

24 - Lake Macquarie Coastline Management Manual
That the Local Government Association request that the NSW Government review and finalise its current review of the Coastline Management Manual

25 - Lake Macquarie NSW Coastal Council
That the Local Government Association request that the NSW Government re-establish the NSW Coastal Council.

40 - Gosford *Coastal Oil Exploration And/Or Mining of the Central Coast Region
That the Local Government Association make representations to the State Government requesting that Gosford City Council be included in the decision making process regarding any licences pertaining to the exploration or mining for oil off the sea basin area on the Central Coast of NSW.

L6 - The Executive Australian Government commitment on climate change
That the Australian Government be urged to:
• not merely meet, but instead substantially beat its Kyoto target of 108% of 1990 baseline greenhouse gas emission levels by 2012;
• introduce and implement (as early as possible in its first term) policies and programs designed to minimise the national carbon footprint as well as the necessary supporting provisions for an emissions trading scheme, fuel and building efficiency standards, clean energy production and related taxation reform;
• make firm commitments to stringent national greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2020 and each subsequent decade thereafter in order to achieve the stated 2050 target;
• be prepared to go beyond the stated reduction target of 60% by 2050 if the science and international agreements (and in particular the Bali roadmap discussions) so dictate; and
• develop and negotiate domestic, regional and international agreements (even bilateral agreements) to accelerate the process of implementing strong and comprehensive global action.

L23 – Leichhardt Bicycle Advanced Storage Boxes
That the Local Government Association:
• Notes a lack of adequate State Government support for bicycle facilities throughout NSW;
• Calls on the NSW Government to redress this inadequate support for bicycle facilities particularly in matters such as instructing the Roads and Traffic Authority to proceed with the installation of bicycle advanced storage boxes at signalised intersections.

GPT rail ultimatum threatens Federal funding, say Greens

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
23 October 2008

GPT’s anti-rail campaign could jeopardise Newcastle’s chance for Federal government urban renewal funding, according to the Newcastle Greens.

“The Federal government’s recently announced Major Cities program offers Newcastle an opportunity to unite to create an exciting and sustainable future for the city, incorporating a landscaped and permeable rail line as a key part of the city’s revitalisation,” Newcastle Greens spokesperson Cr Michael Osborne said.

“Like other community-based groups, The Greens have long argued that Newcastle’s rail service should be actively promoted, and that the rail corridor to Newcastle station should be extensively landscaped to improve its visual appearance, with at-grade crossings at strategic locations to provide more connectivity and access between the city and the waterfront.

“This community vision is totally aligned with the objectives of the federal government’s Major Cities program, which is about infrastructure, urban renewal and sustainability. But the GPT plan – which would remove valuable existing public transport infrastructure, and replace it with an unsustainable alternative – simply does not meet these criteria,” Cr Osborne said.

“There is nothing ‘green’ about GPT’s proposed ‘green corridor’ plan, except for the colour of the paving paint they might use to cover the rail corridor. Their plan would condemn Newcastle to an environmentally unsustainable, unviable, car-dependent transport system that would increase the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and hurt socially disadvantaged people,” Cr Osborne said.

“Cities that are serious about sustainability and urban renewal do not cut passenger rail services,” Cr Osborne said. “This is even borne out by GPT’s own examples of Vancouver and San Diego, which the company have used very misleadingly.” (eg, see YouTube)

“We encourage GPT to join in this community vision for the future of the city, and to find a way of making a profit that is in keeping with the local community’s wish to retain the rail line, and with its own stated corporate commitment to ‘create environments which enrich people’s lives and in doing so, improve the social and ecological capital of the communities we touch’.” (GPT website)

Cr Osborne also called on GPT to immediately release the technical data and reports behind its numerous claims about the viability of its proposed alternative transport system.

“A number of GPT’s claims have already been exposed as false or misleading, and many of their public assertions about the viability of their proposed transport alternative are highly dubious. On their Corporate Responsibility website, GPT claims that they see it as their social responsibility to share their knowledge, and that their website is their key mechanism for knowledge diffusion. However, GPT has not yet briefed the general Newcastle community on their cut-the-rail proposal, and none of their support documentation has yet been posted on their website,” Cr Osborne said.

“All we’ve had so far from GPT is glossy pictures and slick videos. The Newcastle community deserves a chance to examine the rigour and accuracy of GPT’s claims.

Thank you

Corporate sponsors were thanked for their contribution to our community at a special function at Fort Scratchley on Wednesday 22 October.

The following people were invited.

Council meeting 21 October 2008

The Newcastle Show Day Holiday Part 1

At the Council meeting on 21 October 2008, Council agreed that:

Council endorses the request from the Newcastle Agriculture, Horticulture & Industrial Association, and in accordance with normal practice, makes application to the NSW Department of Industrial Relations for the proclamation of a public holiday within the Newcastle City Council area on Friday 27th March 2009 for the Newcastle Show.

(Moved Cr Osborne, seconded Cr Cook)

Council also agreed that Cr Osborne, Cr Jackson and Cr Luke would be Council's delegates to attend the 2008 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Constitutional Summit in Melbourne.

Protecting our coastline

NOTICE OF MOTION: PROTECTION OF THE NEWCASTLE COASTLINE AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE IMPACTS OF OFFSHORE COAL GASIFICATION

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

Noting that:

a. Council is obliged to represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers (Local Government Act 1993, Section 232)

b. Since the closure of the BHP steelworks, tourism has become an important part of Newcastle’s economy, with our “pristine beaches” being one of the drawcards (Newcastle City Council website)

Newcastle City Council:

1. Opposes the coal gasification process off the Newcastle coastline.

2. Makes a formal submission to both the NSW government and Federal government who are jointly handling the exploration licence application, calling for:

i) the environmental impact of both the exploration activity and the potential mining activity associated with this application to be fully assessed before any exploration licence application is considered;

ii) the rejection of the application based on current information and the risk to the marine environment.

iii) The prohibition of coal exploration off the Newcastle coastline

3. Actively engages with the Newcastle community on the impacts of such offshore mining proposals and supports any appropriate community campaign or event related to this issue.

4. Sends a copy of this resolution to the relevant local State and Federal MPs and neighbouring councils.

Background:

1. The company Energie Future Pty Ltd has applied to explore for seabed coal deposits in an almost 6,000 km2 zone off the NSW coast stretching from Stockton Bight to the Illawarra.

2. The environmental impact of coal exploration on the ocean floor is potentially huge - geotechnical studies, seismic testing and drilling could disrupt whale migration and marine life breeding cycles.

3. The potential of pollution not only through emissions, leaks and spillage but also visually, can be measured not only in environmental cost but economic as a major tourist drawcard of Newcastle, our beautiful coastline, stands to be affected.

4. Affected councils along the coast as well as many Sydney councils have or are planning to move similar motions, including a motion carried unanimously by Gosford City Council.

5. Should the company proceed with mining, they will drill into the seabed, ignite the coal in-situ and convert it to syngas, using a highly experimental process called offshore underground coal gasification, where the environmental impact could be:

• enormous vibrations and shockwaves, seabed floor damage and sediment disturbances, causing damage to marine ecosystems.
• the constant risk of spills and leaks from shipping and construction activities,
• pollution and degradation of our coastal waters and beaches,
• threat of visual pollution if the company constructed drilling platforms or transfer and storage terminals near the shore. The exploration licence comes within 5 kilometres of the coast.

6. The Government should not allow a mining company to risk our coastline for a speculative profit driven mining venture.

7. The coal industry promotes underground coal gasification as a ‘clean green source of energy’, but in truth, if it works in the ocean it would likely be a highly energy intensive and destructive mining method that pollutes the sea, harms marine life, scares off whales and produces CO2 as a waste product.

8. In NSW exploration is merely the first stage of full-scale mining, and if the mining company finds coal resources in the seabed they will seek to mine there at any cost to our environment.

9. Council can exercise leadership in environmental responsibility by actively opposing the proposal, encouraging community engagement, issuing media releases, streamlining applications for use of community centres, beaches, parks or other public spaces as required by community groups organising opposition.