Really?

Post by Michael Osborne, Greens representative.

Greens commit to referendum for local government

The Australian Greens will move for an amendment to section 96 of the Constitution - the section which sets out that the Commonwealth may grant financial assistance to the states on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit - to add the words ‘and local government'.

Addressing the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly today Senator Brown said that recognising local government in the Constitution is ALP policy and was a promise made by Mr. Rudd in the 2007 election campaign.

"But there's been no action," said Senator Brown.

"At the start of the next period of Government, the Greens will present a bill to the Senate for this referendum.

"Previous attempts, in 1974 and 1988, to have the status of local government recognised through a referendum failed because of the confusing nature of the questions put to the Australian voters."

Newcastle: 150 years of local government

Newcastle is celebrating 150 years of local government. On 7 June 1859 the Governor General and Governor-in-Chief, Sir William Thomas Denison, proclaimed the city and suburbs of Newcastle to be a Municipality. The proclamation was published in the Government Gazette on 8 June 1859. Newcastle’s first Mayor, James Hannell, was elected at the inaugural meeting of the newly established Council, held at the Court House on the corner of Hunter and Bolton Streets on 24 July 1859.

Tonight, we held an Extraordinary Council Meeting in recognition of 150 years of Local Government in Newcastle. Here's a copy of some of the words from tonight's meeting.

On 7 June 1859, less than twenty years after limited self-government was granted to New South Wales and the transportation of convicts ended, Newcastle Borough Council was one of the first local councils created in the state.

The boundaries of the area covered what is now the city centre east of Auckland Street, and served a population of 2400. Only property owners were allowed to vote so when the first Council elections took place only a few hundred citizens participated. It wasn’t until 1927 that all residents were able to cast a vote in the local government elections held every three years, and voting was made compulsory in 1947. Women had been granted the right to vote in 1906 if they were property owners.

When Council first met there were no formed roads, no street lights, water, gas or electricity, no piped water or sewerage. The next decade saw road and drains and gas street lighting and plans for markets and municipal buildings developed. Communications to the town improved with the opening of a telegraph office, new post office and in 1889 a direct rail line to Sydney via the new Hawkesbury Bridge.

Bullock drays travelled to the surrounding mining villages such as Merewether, Lambton, Hamilton and Wallsend, the factories in Wickham and farms and orchards in Mayfield and Waratah. Each village petitioned for their own council in the 1870s and 1880s.

Over the following decades of the 19th century the town and the port grew and Council was given control over large acreages of open space as its boundaries expanded and it struggled to provide the basic amenities for a burgeoning population. By the turn of the twentieth century its number of residents passed that of Maitland.

Council first met in the old court house (now the site of the old Post Office) and later in the municipal building in Hunter Street. The first designated Council chambers were built in Watt Street in 1884, the building now occupied by the United Services Club.

Throughout the 20th century the State Government brought in legislation that changed Newcastle council area boundaries as well as the roles and responsibilities of all local councils in planning, service provision and environmental issues.

Since its inception Newcastle Council like others throughout the state has played a major part in the management and eradication of infectious diseases through its public health measures and immunisation programs. Cholera, typhoid, diphtheria and polio are no longer feared as the great threat to life and the well-being of the community they once presented.

In the midst of the economic downturn during the 1920s the city fathers showed great faith in the future of the city and committed to building the City Hall and Civic Theatre.

Major services and facilities provided by Council that have served the Newcastle community well include the ocean baths and suburban pools, the most popular library lending service in the state, art gallery, and the significant Blackbutt Reserve which was the initiative of the then eight councils that bordered New Lambton in the 1930s. It was at this time that ten smaller Councils and parts of Lake Macquare joined Newcastle after almost twenty years of enquiries and conferences to become Greater Newcastle Council in 1938.

Electricity supply, abattoirs and fruit and vegetable markets are all activities that were started and have since moved from Newcastle Council’s responsibility to a regional one. More recently Newcastle City Council (a city since 1947) has worked with neighbouring councils to develop environment protection, airport, recreation, and open space amenities and regional plans for future development.

Newcastle City Council moves through the 21st century confident in the future and the ability of its community to deal with critical issues such as natural disasters, environmental and economic challenges, as well as support for the economic drivers of education and health services.

Newcastle expands...

At the Council meeting tonight, Newcastle Council resolved to pursue a "boundary adjustment" whereby Newcastle gives 87 hectares of land to Lake Macquarie and receives approximately 300 hectares.

RESOLVED: (COUNCILLORS M OSBORNE/S SHARPE)

Council resolve to:
a. Proceed with the proposed local government boundary adjustment as outlined in Attachment A.
b. Prepare a joint submission with Lake Macquarie City Council for consideration by the Department of Local Government.

Not a bad deal!

The new boundary will follow natural catchment boundaries of Hexham Swamp and follows the F3 freeway, the Newcastle Link Road and a proposed RTA road from the Link Road to Glendale Drive.



Now let's talk about the natural catchment boundaries of Throsby Creek (and Kotara South, parts of Highfields and Charlestown)!

Summary of properties across our suburbs

Council managed parks and reserves

Local Government overburdened by State Govt

When the State Government passed the Local Government Act back in 1993, they included an interesting section 22 titled "Other functions":

A council has the functions conferred or imposed on it by or under any other Act or law.

Well the burden imposed by the State Government has increased and increased since 1993. Here's the current list of pieces of legislation (more than 130) that Local Government is required to be complied with (let me know if I've left one out!).

• Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997
• Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth)
• Airports Act 1996 (Cth)
• Annual Holiday Act 1994
• Anti-Discrimination Act 1977
• Australian Land Transport Development Act 1988 (Cth)
• Cabramatta Park Act 1992
• Charitable Fundraising Act 1991
• Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987
• Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998
• Civil Liability Act 2002
• Coastal Protection Act 1979
• Commercial Arbitration Act 1984
• Commons Management Act 1989
• Community Land Development Act 1989
• Community Land Management Act 1989
• Community Welfare Act 1987
• Companion Animals Act 1998
• Constitution Act 1902
• Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
• Contracts Review Act 1980
• Conversion of Cemeteries Act 1974
• Conveyancing Act 1919
• Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)
• Crimes Act 1900
• Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999
• Criminal Procedures Act 1986
• Crown Lands Act 1989
• Defamation Act 2005
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Dividing Fences Act 1991
• Duties Act 1997
• Election Funding & Disclosures Act 1981
• Electricity Supply Act 1995
• Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth)
• Energy, and Utilities Administration Act 1987
• Environmental Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
• Essential Services Act 1988
• Evidence Act 1995
• Fair Trading Act 1987
• Fire Brigades Act 1989
• Fisheries Management Act 1994
• Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957
• Food Act 2003
• Freedom of Information Act 1989
• Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 (Cth)
• Gas Supply Act 1996
• Geographical Names Act 1966
• Growth Centres (Development Corporation) Act 1974
• Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002
• Heritage Act 1977
• Home Building Act 1989
• Housing Act 2001
• Housing Assistance Act 1996 (Cth)
• Impounding Act 1993
• Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)
• Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988
• Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992
• Industrial Relations Act 1996
• Interpretation Act 1987
• Land Acquisition (Just Terms) Compensation Act 1991
• Land Development Contribution Management Act 1970
• Land and Environment Court Act 1979
• Law Enforcement (Powers & Responsibility) Act 2002
• Library Act 1939
• Liquor Act 2007
• Local Government Act 1993
• Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 (Cth)
• Local Government and Other Authorities (Superannuation) Act 1927
• Local Government and Planning Legislation Amendment (Political Donations) Act 2008
• Long Service Leave Act 1955
• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
• Native Vegetation Act 2003
• Noxious Weeds Act 1993
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
• Ombudsman Act 1974
• Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912
• Payroll Tax Act 2007
• Pesticides Act 1978
• Pipelines Act 1967
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
• Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998
• Protected Disclosures Act 1994
• Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991
• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
• Public Health Act 1991
• Public Works Act 1912
• Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
• Real Property Act 1900
• Recreation Vehicles Act 1983
• Registered Clubs Act 1976
• Residential Parks Act 1998
• Restraint of Trade Act 1976
• Roads Act 1993
• Road Transport (General) Act 2005
• Rural Fires Act 1997
• Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)
• Security Industry Act 1997
• Shops and Industries Act 1972
• Smoke Free Environment Act 2007
• Soil Conservation Act 1938
• Spam Act (Cth)
• State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989
• State Emergency Service Act 1989
• State Records Act 1998
• Strata Schemes (Freehold Development) Act 1986
• Strata Schemes (Leasehold Development) Act 1986
• Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Act 1975
• Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth)
• Surveying Act 2002
• Swimming Pools Act 1992
• Sydney Water Act 1994
• Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998
• Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
• Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)
• Training Guarantee (Administration) Act 1990 (Cth)
• Transport Administration Act 1988
• Trees (Dispute Between Neighbours) Act 2006
• Unclaimed Money Act 1995
• Valuation of Land Act 1916
• Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001
• Water Act 1912
• Water Management Act 2000
• Workers Compensation Act 1987
• Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth)
• Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998
• Workplace Surveillance Act 2005

Your elected Council...

Newcastle City Council was formed in April 1938 with the merger of Adamstown, Carrington, Hamilton, Lambton. Merewether, Newcastle, New Lambton, Stockton, Wallsend, Waratah and Wickham Councils.

Newcastle is divided into 4 wards for Council elections, with each ward electing 3 Councillors. The Lord Mayor is elected on a separate ballot for the entire four-year term of Council. So your elected Council has 12 Councillors and the Lord Mayor. The next local government election is in September 2012. I was elected in March 2003.

The full list of Councillors are...

Councillor John Tate - Lord Mayor
190 Croudace Street
NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS NSW 2305
Phone: 4974 2233
Fax: 4974 2202
Mobile: 0407 017 154
Email: jtate@ncc.nsw.gov.au

Ward 1

Michael Osborne (Greens)
36 Margaret Street
Tighes Hill NSW 2297
Mobile: 0439 442 984
Email: ncc-mosborne@hunterlink.net.au

Aaron Buman (Independent)
54 Gipps Street
CARRINGTON NSW 2294
Mobile: 0411 248 934
Fax: 4940 0721
Email: aaronbuman@smartchat.net.au

Sharon Claydon (ALP)
PO Box 258
Newcastle NSW 2300
Mobile: 0427 622 067
Email: sharon.claydon@pacific.net.au

Ward Two

Tim Crakanthorp (ALP)
22 Jenner Parade
Hamilton South NSW 2303
Mobile: 0427 622 115
Fax: 02 4962 3118
Email: tim.crakanthorp@pacific.net.au

Brad Luke (Liberal Party)
3 Kempster Road
Merewether NSW 2291
Mobile: 0427 622 089
Email: brad.luke@pacific.net.au

Scott Sharpe (Independent)
4 Alice Street
Merewether NSW 2291
Mobile: 0427 622 149
Email: scott.sharpe@pacific.net.au

Ward Three

Dr Graham Boyd (Independent)
PO Box 541
The Junction NSW 2291
Mobile: 0427 622 046
Email: graham.boyd@pacific.net.au

Mike King (Independent)
69 Joslin Street
Kotara NSW 2289
Mobile: 0427 622 224
Email: mike.king@pacific.net.au

Nuatali Nelmes (ALP)
c/- NCC
PO Box 489
Newcastle 2300
Mobile: 0431 662 652
Email: nuatali.nelmes@pacific.net.au

Ward Four

Mike Jackson (ALP)
17 Bottlebrush Boulevard
Fletcher NSW 2287
Mobile: 0401 089 864
Email: mike.jackson@pacific.net.au

Shayne Connell (Independent)
15 Tallowwood Crescent
Fletcher NSW 2287
Mobile: 0427 622 139
Email: shayne.connell@pacific.net.au

Bob Cook (Independent)
136 Tyrrell Street
The Hill NSW 2300
Mobile: 0419 241 731
Email: bobcook@pacific.net.au

Council's response to GM outburst

Last night Newcastle City Council unanimously resolved the following regarding the General Manager's outburst:

1 Having obtained from the General Manager an explanation of her actions in this matter and on the basis of its legal advice Council:

(a) is satisfied that by making certain statements attributed to her in the Newcastle Herald on Saturday 5 May 2007, the General Manager has acted in breach of clause 11.3 of her contract of employment - terms of the said clause 11.3 are attached as a Appendix A; and

(b) expresses its disappointment and serious concern about the General Manager’s breach of her contract of employment and the resulting negative publicity for Council and warns the General Manager against any further breaches in her dealings with the media.

2 Council acknowledges the General Manager has expressed regret about her comments and the negative impact those comments have had on Council.

3 Council further directs the General Manager to develop, for Council's consideration, a draft Policy on “Public Comment by Council officials on Council Affairs” and as an interim measure, pending the General Manager’s further report, the Council proposes to adopt the draft Policy on those matters as prepared by its solicitors.

4 Council further notes that in accordance with the terms of her contract of employment, the General Manager’s annual performance review will be conducted in July 2007 (with an experienced facilitator as allowed by the contract, preferably appointed by the Local Government & Shires Association) which Council sees as an opportunity to address some of the issues referred to by the General Manager in recent statements.

5 Council reaffirms its commitment to continue building a professional and constructive partnership with the General Manager and Council’s Strategic Management Team.

Appendix A

Clause 11.3 of the General Manager’s Contract of Employment:

11.3 The employee covenants that in all dealings with the media the employee will use their best endeavours to ensure positive publicity for the Council in accordance with Council’s communication policy.

The General Manager's outburst

The Newcastle Herald, Saturday 5 May 2007

The Council administration

Council has about 1,000 employees and an annual budget of around $150 million.

Council is responsible for looking after public facilities and providing community services. Newcastle City Council provides more than 150 services such as:

Town planning
Construction and maintenance of local roads, streets and bridges
Preservation of historic places
Food and public health services
Waste management and recycling
Supervision of building and development control
Parking control
Maintenance of parks, golf courses, sporting fields, pools and beach facilities
Provision and servicing of libraries, community centres, theatres and art galleries
Pet registration and control
Tourism services
Promotion of economic development
Child care facilities
Fire prevention enforcement and many more

The administration is located in the "mushroom" building at 282 King Street, Newcastle NSW 2300. The phone is 02 4974 2000 and the email address is mail@ncc.nsw.gov.au

Your elected Council

Newcastle City Council was formed in April 1938 with the merger of Adamstown, Carrington, Hamilton, Lambton. Merewether, Newcastle, New Lambton, Stockton, Wallsend, Waratah and Wickham Councils.

Newcastle is divided into 4 wards for Council elections, with each ward electing 3 Councillors. The Lord Mayor is elected on a separate ballot for the entire four-year term of Council. So your elected Council has 12 Councillors and the Lord Mayor. The next local government election is in September 2008. I was elected in March 2003.

The full list of Councillors are...
Councillor Dr Cassandra Arnold - Ward 4
109 Marmong Street
MARMONG POINT NSW 2284
Phone: 4958 9958
Fax: 4950 8709
Mobile: 0409 446 121
Email: ncc-carnold@pacific.net.au

Councillor Aaron Buman - Ward 1
54 Gipps Street
CARRINGTON NSW 2294
Phone: 4962 4753
Fax: 4940 0721
Mobile: 0411 248 934
Email: aaronbuman@smartchat.net.au

Councillor Marilyn Eade - Ward 1
45 Parry Street
COOKS HILL NSW 2300
Phone: 4929 3198
Fax: 4929 6249
Mobile: 0411 644 742
Email: ncc-meade@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Barbara Gaudry - Ward 2
15 Cram Street
MEREWETHER NSW 2291
Phone: 4969 4625
Fax: 4969 1487
Mobile: 0413 754 136
Email: ncc-bgaudry@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Sonia Hornery - Ward 4
45 Robert Street,
WALLSEND NSW 2287
Fax: 4955 8982
Mobile: 0411 874 667
Email: ncc-shornery@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Ian McKenzie - Ward 1
24 Nevill Street
MAYFIELD NSW 2304
Phone: 4960 3066
Fax: 4960 3033
Mobile: 0414 682 001
Email: ianmck@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Gwen Jackson - Ward 4
35 Galway Bay Drive
ASHTONFIELD NSW 2323
Phone: 4934 4072
Fax: 4936 6621
Mobile: 0408 446 111
Email: ncc-gjackson@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Helene O'Neill - Ward 2
23 Randall Parade
ADAMSTOWN HEIGHTS NSW 2289
Fax: 4957 9737
Mobile: 0417 446 343
Email: ncc-honeill@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Michael Osborne - Ward 2
36 Margaret Street
TIGHES HILL NSW
Phone: 4940 8149
Fax: 4940 8143
Mobile: 0439 442 984
Email: ncc-mosborne@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Keith Parsons - Ward 3
1/161 Scott Street
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300
Phone: 4926 5301
Fax: 4927 1457
Mobile: 0408 446 022
Email: ncc-kparsons@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Paul Scobie - Ward 3
40 Queens Road
NEW LAMBTON NSW 2305
Phone: 4957 0458
Fax: 4957 2196
Mobile: 0413 754 073
Email: djps@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor Barry Scully - Ward 3
136 Springfield Avenue
KOTARA NSW 2289
Phone: 4957 5200
Fax: 4957 6821
Mobile: 0413 753 806
Email: ncc-bscully@hunterlink.net.au

Councillor John Tate - Lord Mayor
190 Croudace Street
NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS NSW 2305
Phone: 4974 2233
Fax: 4974 2202
Mobile: 0407 017 154
Email: jtate@ncc.nsw.gov.au

Newcastle City Council Area

Newcastle City Council covers an area of 183 square kilometres and has a population of more than 145,000.

The Council area includes the suburbs of Adamstown, Adamstown Heights, Beresfield, Birmingham Gardens, Broadmeadow, Carrington, Cooks Hill, Elermore Vale, Fletcher, Georgetown, Hamilton, Hexham, Islington, Jesmond, Kotara, Lambton, Maryland, Maryville, Mayfield, Merewether, Merewether Heights, Minmi, New Lambton, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, Rankin Park, Shortland, Stockton, Tarro, Tighes Hill, Wallsend, Waratah and Wickham.

Newcastle's Acknowledgement

"Newcastle City Council acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples.

We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing relationship with the land, and that they are proud survivors of more than two hundred years of dispossession.

Council reiterates its commitment to address disadvantages and attain justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this community."