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| Local Government News |
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| 29 october 2021 |
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| New Pest Species in WA - Information Session |
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| WALGA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will hold a joint sector-focused information session on the the Polyphagus shot-hole borer (PSHB) on Friday, 5 November at 9:00am. |
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The Department is responding to increasing detections of a PSHB, following its first ever in-Australia detection in East Fremantle in August.
Establishment of this pest in WA would have significant impact on amenity trees, native vegetation and industry. Considering the significant efforts by Local Government into increasing urban tree canopy cover, it is important to prevent spread of this new pest.
The session will include information on how the pest can impact Local Government, what it means to be placed in a Quarantine Area and how Local Government can help with response to the current situation.
Local Government Officers working in areas of environmental health, waste management, parks and garden and communications are encouraged attend this webinar on Friday, 5 November, 9:00am to 10:30am.
Click here to register. |
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| For more information, email the Environment Team. |
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| Development Assessment Panel Dashboard Updated |
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| WALGA’s Development Assessment Panel Dashboard has been updated to include all decisions made in the 2020/21 financial year. |
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The dashboard is interactive and allows users to interrogate data by a number of filters, including by Local Government, application type, proposal type and year. It is used to inform WALGA’s ongoing advocacy around DAPs, highlight problems with the current system, and identify opportunities for improvement.
To access the dashboard, click here. |
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| For more information, email the Planning and Building Team. |
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| Bushfire Mitigation Burning |
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| Local Governments’ specified bushfire mitigation burning activities will be covered by the Biodiversity Conservation (Exemptions) Amendment Order 2021 (Amendment Order) under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). |
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Under the BC Act, burning that occurs on native vegetation that takes or disturbs threatened species (flora and fauna) and/or modifies the occurrence of a threatened ecological community (TEC) would normally require formal authorisation under certain conditions.
The controlled burns on a specific area must occur at intervals greater than six years. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has produced a series of fire management guidelines to minimise impacts on key threatened species and TECs.
WALGA will organise a webinar in the near future, hosting officers from DBCA to explain the new Amendment Order. |
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| For more information, email A/Manager, Environment Policy Garry Middle or call 9213 2049. |
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| Statewide Sector Vaccination Promotion #LGsRollUp |
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| WALGA, together with other State Associations, will be promoting a Statewide sector promotion of COVID-19 vaccinations. For WA, this will occur on Friday, 12 November. |
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Whilst specific impacts of impending mandated vaccination requirements are yet to be determined, Local Governments can continue to support and encourage all employees and local community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
WALGA is encouraging all Local Governments to coincide supporting communications across social media platforms on Friday, 12 November to gain greater impact across communities in WA. Recommended activities include photo opportunities at local vaccination facilities or use of existing Facebook filters on individual profiles.
In the metropolitan area, WALGA will host a photo opportunity to coincide with the New Councillors Seminar being held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre , which is also a vaccination clinic. Those wishing to participate are asked to please gather outside RiverView Room 5 at 3:00pm to join seminar attendees. |
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| For more information, including opportunities for Members in regional areas to participate, view the item in the COVID-19 Update newsletter here. |
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| CouncilConnect |
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| The CouncilConnect program provides more than 150 internet/intranet applications to over 90 WALGA Members. |
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During the last operating quarter, there were 3.8 million page views across all websites. Under the centralised hosting contract maintained by WALGA, more than 1.5 terabytes of data is stored with over 18 terabytes of data transferred between the platform and its users in the last quarter.
Recent enhancements and updates have been made to increase the functionality of the website CMS and modules including events, website search and road reporting.
A new module has been developed recently for tourism trails and a Councillor Portal solution providing a private network built for the exclusive use of Elected Members is also a relatively new service offer. |
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| For more information, click here or email Market Creations Agency General Manager Sharon Watson. |
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| State Government Survey on Non-Metropolitan Sport and Recreation |
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| The State Government is keen to learn about non-metropolitan sports priorities. |
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An online survey has been developed for Local Governments to provide information on the current participation, barriers and needs to inform State Government Ministers on future regional planning for sport and recreation.
The sector has identified that sport plays an important role in regional areas and this survey provides an opportunity for further input into State Government policy.
To provide input, complete the survey by COB Wednesday, 3 November. |
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| For more information, email WALGA Principal, Policy and Advocacy Kelly McManus. |
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| Financial Fundamentals Training |
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| Throughout November, WALGA Training has two two-day training courses tailored specifically to Local Government Officers to increase their knowledge of the Local Government financial management, reporting and budgeting process. |
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Financial Fundamentals - Budgeting
Monday & Tuesday, 8 & 9 November
Financial Fundamentals – Monthly Annual Reporting
Monday & Tuesday, 22 & 23 November |
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| To register, click on the above links or email the Training team or call 9213 2088. |
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| Vacancies on Boards and Committees |
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| The Association is pleased to announce the following vacancies: |
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- Keep Australia Beautiful Council WA (Elected Members and Local Government Officers)
- Metropolitan Member and Deputy Member
- Non-Metropolitan Member and Deputy Member
- Public Library Working Group – Readvertised (Elected Members and Local Government Officers from a Tier 2 Non-Metropolitan Local Government with a population between 1000 and 10,000).
Nominees are required to submit a completed nomination form, statement addressing the selection criteria and short curriculum vitae (two pages maximum) before the close of nominations 5:00pm, Friday, 5 November.
Nomination forms are available here. |
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| For more information, email Governance Support Officer, Chantelle O’Brien or call 9213 2013. |
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| Waterwise Program Offers |
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| Local Governments are encouraged to promote a number of Waterwise offers to eligible communities.
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The Water Corporation has announced several Waterwise offers and rebates for Perth metro and regional towns across WA to help communities save water.
Offers include water efficient showerheads, rainwater tank rebates and free irrigation and plumbing services.
There are 64 Local Governments taking part in the Waterwise Council Program. This Program provides free waterwise education resources for schools and the community as well as access to Council and community water use data. |
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| For more information or to check eligibility, visit the Water Corporation’s website for Waterwise Council Program information and community Waterwise Program offers.
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| Australia Day Community Events Grants |
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| Local Governments can apply for the Australia Day 2022 Community Events Grants, which provide funding of up to $30,000. |
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Up to $20,000 is available to deliver events that use the National Australia Day Council's campaign branding of ‘Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. We’re all part of the story.’
Applicants that collaborate with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and communities to incorporate activities that reflect and respect the history will be eligible to apply for an additional $10,000.
To support applicants, the National Australia Day Council will host a series of briefing sessions and webinars, commencing with an introductory briefing session on Wednesday, 3 November at 11:00am.
To attend the briefing, click here.
Grant applications close at 5:00pm, Friday, 19 November. To view the guidelines, click here. To apply, click here. |
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| For more information, email the National Australia Day Council Grant Team. |
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| WALGA |
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ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade,
West Leederville, WA 6007
PO Box 1544, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9213 2000 | Fax: (08) 9213 2077
Email: info@walga.asn.au
www.walga.asn.au |
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| © Copyright Western Australian Local Government Association 2014 |
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