Weekly column from Council Courier e-newsletter by CEO Greg Hallam, Friday 3 June 2016.
At the forefront of policy development – that's where the LGAQ is this week.
Just yesterday President Margaret attended the launch of the QCoast2100 program with Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles and Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland at Redcliffe Jetty.
The launch was an important step along the way for what is a vitally important project for the state’s 20-plus coastal councils.
Serious money is on offer to help councils plan for and propose mitigation projects for climate change in their patch.
It’s not an esoteric or political argument about the causes of climate change, rather the well-worn local government approach of how do we practically deal with a real problem and growing threat in our backyard.
It was especially pleasing because the LGAQ had argued for such a program prior to the last state election and secured the funding for its member councils. A great example of cradle-to-grave advocacy by your Association.
The formal invites went out for next month’s Civic Leaders Summit for mayors, deputy mayors and CEOs on the Gold Coast mid-July. As you would expect the program is cutting edge and challenging with a tailor made program to test our civic leaders’ mettle and preparedness for the four years ahead. This event will be presented by a veritable who’s-who of academia, politics, the media, All Black World Cup winning coaches … the list goes on.
Meanwhile, this week we finalised the program for the Future Cities Conference in Brisbane in August and it's a cracker with all the red hot big ticket policy issues on the program - game changing private sector infrastructure investment; road user pricing; Smart Communities and Smart Services (aka new technologies for delivering old infrastructure challenges); and improving mobility, resilience and the overall health in our cities. Better still we have three leading international speakers to talk to delegates about their hands-on experience in their own countries.
One thing you can guarantee over the next four years is that the LGAQ will not be looking in the rear view mirror. Rather we are full throttle going forward on embracing positive change and all the opportunities it brings for our sphere of government.
Finally, let’s spare a thought for the mayor, CEO and staff of Gympie Regional Council who were allegedly assaulted in their offices on Tuesday morning. Being a civic leader is a tough job but no one, no matter how public they are, should be subject to such abuse or violence.
On a much better note, glasses up to Barcaldine Regional Council for producing Australia’s best water. It’s no secret in local government circles that Barcy produces a top drop. Cheers!