Creating better communities is the fundamental purpose of local government. Commonwealth and state governments should recognise and support local government fully in its role in the planning and coordination, and where appropriate delivery, of community and health services at the local level.
Local government is concerned regarding our ageing population and seeks leadership from the federal government in developing discussion and debate to consider national population issues affecting Australia's future.
Local government's contribution to planning, coordination and provision of services will vary from area to area depending upon local circumstances and needs. Local government recognises the need for efficient and effective provision of services which are flexible, culturally appropriate and equitable. It will foster strong community participation in service planning and implementation.
Maintaining local government participation in the provision of community services is dependent upon adequate ongoing finance; clear delineation of the responsibilities of each sphere of government, the community and private sectors; and proper consultation on policies, programs and financial arrangements.
Commonwealth, state and territory governments should assist local government to deliver better services for local communities through:
increased funding to match and facilitate devolution of responsibilities
cooperative planning tailored to local needs in order to generate better integrated programs
broad-banding of programs to focus on agreed outcomes rather than individual projects
negotiated contractual agreements covering funding, objectives, roles and responsibilities
policy and organisational frameworks, service/client outcomes and accountability arrangements
Governments should cooperate in the formulation of meaningful quality-of-life indicators as a basis for a more integrated approach to service planning and delivery.
Local government is deeply concerned at both the short and, potentially more severe, long-term impacts on local communities of recent cuts in federal funding to a range of community services, particularly child care. The federal government cannot expect local councils to make good emerging shortfalls in service provision at current funding levels.
Local government has an important role to play in cooperation with Commonwealth, state and territory governments to ensure that communities have access to secure, affordable and appropriate housing. This role is set out in ALGA's National Local Government Housing Policy. The Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement should include local government.
Local government acknowledges work done to date on the National Homelessness Strategy and the consultation with local government. It seeks to work with the federal government in future to develop appropriate strategies on homelessness and substance misuse in public places.
Local government's responsibilities in land use, statutory and strategic planning, and infrastructure provision and maintenance provide the basis for the efficient and effective provision of housing by all key players, as well as for integrating the provision of housing with that of transport and other essential community services. In addition, many councils are themselves providers of housing, individually or through joint ventures.
Accordingly, local government needs to be fully involved in the formulation of regional, state and national housing policies and programs, and in the negotiation of relevant intergovernmental agreements.
Maintenance of adequate housing assistance for low income householders is essential, and local government is concerned by proposals for inappropriate market-based approaches. The federal government should continue to provide capital funding for the provision of public housing.
Local government supports the provision of adaptable housing (AS 4299) as a means of addressing the needs of an ageing population. Adaptable housing standards should be included in the Building Code of Australia.
Local government urges the federal government to make provision through the national Taxation system incentives to facilitate private investments in the supply of affordable rental housing for households on low incomes.
Local government supports ongoing reforms in the delivery of health and related community services. These reforms must be based on an appreciation of both community and individual needs, and should seek to ensure the health and wellbeing of all citizens as well as promote healthy community lifestyles.
Local government is actively involved in a diverse range of health and health related matters. As the link between environment and health has become more evident, councils have developed a more holistic approach to environmental and public health. Commonwealth, state and territory governments should also recognise the need for a more fully integrated approach. This involves building stronger links between the various forms of health and community care, public health, health promotion, community safety, leisure, sport and recreation, cultural development and environmental management.
Local government seeks appropriate political and officer representation at intergovernmental for a making decisions on health and health related matters which impact on local government.
Local government recognises the priority need to progress improvement of environmental health standards in indigenous communities, and call upon the federal government to provide adequate resource to address this issue including:
increases funding to employ indigenous environmental health officers/workers at a professional level to prevent sickness
to work towards healthy community environments as outlined in the National Environmental Health Strategy
Local government calls upon the Commonwealth and state governments to recognise and support the role of local government in all aspects of food regulation reform.
Local governments are committed to minimising the harm drugs cause in our communities by devising local drug strategies and call on the state and federal governments to assist financially and in other ways with this task and its implementation.
Local government supports the development of quality sporting, recreation and leisure facilities, programs and services to meet local community needs. It recognises the value of such services in enhancing not only quality of life but also the nation's health.
Local government is ideally placed to make the most effective use of Commonwealth funding assistance for recreation, sport, leisure and cultural facilities and programs. Continued Commonwealth support is essential if growing community needs are to be met. This should include a grants program for regional facilities and assistance for new, developing communities to construct sport and recreational facilities during their establishment years.
Local government calls upon the Commonwealth government to recognise its obligation to contribute to community level sport and recreation infrastructure. Commonwealth funding to community level sport and recreation should occur on a planed and coordinated basis which includes significant input from local government.
Local government provides considerable financial and community resource support for a wide range of essential community services. The importance of this contribution needs to be properly recognised by Commonwealth, state and territory governments.
Local government seeks to have its role in the Home and Community Care program (or any successor) strengthened, and to participate in inter-government negotiations concerning the program's future.
Local government calls upon the Federal and state government to address the inadequacy of aged care funding to
meet current need and future growth by developing planing and funding models with other peak bodies which:
address the quantum of aged care funding
incorporate preventative home and community based strategies to support people as they age
allocate funding according to socio-demographic, local and special need
consider the nexus between home based and residential care in the global allocation of funds to each state and the distribution of funds to local areas
amend the HACC program guidelines such that community transport funding be provided to residents of hostels/aged care homes or the like
Over recent years local government has accepted significantly increased responsibilities for the development and provision of family and children's services in local communities. These responsibilities cannot be sustained without adequate financial support.
ALGA has adopted a policy on local government and families in the community which incorporates:
a set of national principles
an action plan for individual councils wanting to develop 'Family Friendly' policies and services
Local government acknowledges the valuable role of young people in our society and will wherever possible support and foster community organisations and programs focussing on youth.
Local government recognises the rights of people with disabilities and will continue to take appropriate measures to address their needs.
Local government appreciates that people with disabilities make a significant contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of local communities, and will seek to remove barriers to their further involvement.
Through integrated strategic and social planning, local government will seek to achieve equitable access to services and facilities for people with disabilities. It will take all reasonable steps to comply with the provisions of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
Local government calls upon the Commonwealth to increase funding for disadvantaged members of the community and for their carers including:
increasing funding for respite care
increasing funding for housing and support packages for people with disabilities
Federal government considers increase funding for respite care, in particular for carers of people with mental illness
to facilitate equity, access and integration to children with high ongoing support needs in licensed child care facilities, including additional staff working with children with special needs when they enter mainstream programs
Local government has a longstanding role in providing cultural activities and facilities in local communities. It recognises the importance of cultural development and environmental design in building creative, innovative and livable communities, as well as in fostering local identity.
Local government aims to build effective partnerships with other stakeholders in local cultural development. It will also develop mechanisms to encourage the integration of cultural planning with economic, physical, social and environmental planning streams.
Local government through its libraries has a role in collecting, documenting and preserving local heritage materials which contribute to and record Australia's national identity.
State and territory financial assistance should be expanded to promote broadly-based cultural development.
Local government involvement in cultural development is based upon the following principles:
local government recognises that culture encompasses our diverse heritage and avenues of expression in the environment, leisure, work and daily life, architecture, arts, history, language and education that people use to express their fundamental character and aspirations
acknowledges that quality of life in communities can be improved through integrated cultural planning and development
supports the preservation, development and promotion of cultural services to provide personal, community and civic development
recognises cultural services include provision of libraries, museums, art galleries and performing arts centres, employment and provision of assistance to professional cultural workers, encouragement and promotion or development and implementation of cultural activities, and preservation of unique cultural activities
recognises cultural activities encompass the visual, performing and literary arts, social events and activities, educational activities leading to the development of cultural skills and knowledge, festivals, celebrations, commemorative events, community and urban planning and design, public art and cultural planning
recognises strategic cultural planning is a key initiative enabling local communities to respond to changing social, recreational, leisure and economic needs, and to address the increasing demand for cultural resources
recognises and respects cultural diversity by developing and promoting a range of cultural activities
recognises the rights of individuals and communities to determine their own cultural identity by promoting consultation and encouraging participation
supports conservation of cultural heritage and promotes innovation and creativity, recognising that the maintenance of a dynamic balance between the preservation of the old and the evolution of the new is the hallmark of a rich and productive culture
aims to increase its involvement in the support of local, regional and community museums and to achieve better communication with its state and Commonwealth funding partners in order to ensure that communities receive the best museum facilities and services available
Local government has a leading role in providing access to information for effective citizen participation. Local libraries and community centres are well placed to ensure that communities benefit from new technologies and information sources, and federal financial assistance should be made available to improve library facilities and information services.
Modern electronic information technology must be used to help ensure affordable access to information by all groups in the community, and thus to strengthen local communities. Again, this requires appropriate federal policies and financial support to ensure provision of essential infrastructure and services, particularly in rural and remote areas and for disadvantaged groups. Online access should be provided for all public libraries.
Councils and libraries will be encouraged to develop information technology and access policies at local and regional levels which are sensitive to the needs and interests of their communities, supported by appropriate systems and training for staff and users.
Specifically, local government seeks to ensure that all people in their communities are able to obtain access to Open Learning and to information from all spheres of government including information about their local community.
Local government supports the provision by cable television services of a free community access channel to meet local community information needs.
Local government will seek to promote tolerant and just communities and to foster harmonious relations amongst Australia's diverse peoples. It will continue to respect and encourage cultural diversity, aiming to capture the benefits of that diversity for local communities while at the same time promoting national identity and community cohesion.
Local government calls on the federal government to maintain effective human rights legislation, provide adequate funding for its implementation, and encourage the states and territories to maintain complimentary legislation administered through independent bodies.
Councils have a responsibility to address differing service needs, including cultural and ethnic differences both within and between communities through planning, consultation and community participation in decision making, advocacy and service delivery.
Local government will continue to promote the principles of access and equity in service provision and ensure that the needs of residents of non-English speaking backgrounds and indigenous Australians are addressed.
The federal government should assist councils to develop appropriate information in community languages and staff training programs aimed at addressing the needs of clients of non-English speaking and indigenous backgrounds.
Local government supports the extension of SBS television and radio to all parts of Australia.
Local government has a key role in facilitating community-based safety and crime prevention strategies. This role should be supported by other governments and agencies and that the establishment of relevant data, and information on effective strategies be freely exchanged between jurisdictions.
Local planning, development and service provision by all spheres of government should take into account community safety issues.
Local government's efforts will focus on:
Local government calls upon Commonwealth and state government to fully accept their responsibility to provide sufficient police resources for the adequate protection of city, suburban and regional communities and so avoid the increasingly common practice of levying extra charges on ratepayers to pay for private security services necessitated by lack of police patrols.
Local government welcomes the very significant contribution made by the volunteer workforce to improve the quality of life of communities by assisting in the provision of community programs. Local government encourages the use of volunteers to complement or expand, but not in substitution for, remunerated services.
Local government acknowledges that use of volunteers encourages:
Local government congratulates the federal government on its support for the Canberra Commission report calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, and endorses the Abolition 2000 proposal.
Local government is opposed the transportation of any high level nuclear waste through community without the consent of the affected local government authorities.
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