Archive for May 1st, 2007

2007 LGMA National Congress

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 1st of May, 2007

I have just returned from the 2007 Local Government Manager’s National Congress in Hobart. This year’s conference was themed the Power to make a difference and the Passion to lead, reinforced through the focal points of People, Process and Place, to reflect the foundations of local government.

Case studies identified a number of best practice examples that have responded to the increasing pressures of cost shifting, expectations and emerging skills shortages. The issues of skills shortages are particularly pressing and there is a need for younger people, whether as staff or elected councillors, to become involved within local government to inject new perspectives and ideas to ensure that councils remain able to meet future challenges.

The challenges facing local government, such as genuine triple bottom sustainability, through measuring environmental, social and economic impacts are matters largely new to councils and require a different approach. A new perspective on such challenges will ensure the future viability of local government within Australia.

Maroondah Journal: Councils ‘no’ to nuclear

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 1st of May, 2007

As a Councillor for Maroondah I joined Eastern Metropolitan MP Brian Tee and a number of councillors from Whitehorse, Manningham and Knox to demand that nuclear plants would not be built within the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

“While Australia must be encouraged to discuss our future energy needs, it is imperative that the Federal Government further fosters renewable energy sources before considering nuclear power.”

Australia lags behind much of the developed world in the usage of renewable energy The usage of renewable energy, which currently only contributes about 5.9% of Australia’s energy supply, should be encouraged prior to proceeding down the path of the potential unknowns associated with nuclear power.