Old infrastructure revived as new cultural assets

Tourism and community groups lobbying for greater re-use of heritage assets welcome the NSW Government’s opening up of disused sections of St James Station.  

4 October, 2018

New resource to help councils on accessible play spaces

The NSW Government is overhauling its design guidelines for public spaces to make playgrounds across the state more inclusive.

1 October, 2018

Saving history: museums take regional heritage online

A network of local museums is collaborating to preserve valuable heritage collections online as part of a national initiative.

7 September, 2018

Council museums in ‘precarious funding environment’

Local government has found itself responsible for Australia’s growing array of local museums and a new analysis highlights many are struggling with staffing and resourcing.

16 July, 2018

Council leverages Commonwealth Games to deliver economic boost

CASE STUDY: Sunshine Coast’s strategy to capitalise on the neighbouring sporting event has brought economic, social and cultural benefits.

27 April, 2018

Concerns over unsafe working conditions in prisons

A state-wide strike last week highlighted overcrowding within NSW prisons, the need to address recidivism, and a shortage of support services, an expert says.

20 April, 2018

School ovals open for holidays as concerns of sportsground shortage mount

More than 80 public schools in NSW have opened their gates during the school holidays to allow community groups to use their playgrounds, ovals and courts, the State Government has announced.

16 April, 2018

Noticeboard: Melbourne City Council approves Southbank plan

Also this issue: Inner West Council welcomes $22.5m Parramatta Road projects; Freemantle Council progresses with major revamp of Kings Square; and WA’s Kent Street Weir reopens after $4.8m revamp.

12 March, 2018

Libraries need to evolve digitally, says new report

Nearly 90 percent of Australia’s library users think online library services are important, but only 61 percent are satisfied with the online experience they are receiving from libraries. That compares with 85 percent of the users are happy with the physical experience of a library. The finding comes in a new report from the University […]

26 February, 2018

Heyfield named Australia’s strongest community

The Commercial Hotel in Heyfield The small Gippsland town of Heyfield, 200 km east of Melbourne, has been named Australia’s ‘Strongest and Most Resilient Community’. The award was given as part of the 2017 national Power to the People Conference, organised by the the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. “The […]

8 January, 2018

That was the year that was – Goodbye to 2017

The diversity of the stories we cover in Government News never ceases to amaze. We try to stay away from the politics – that gets enough coverage in the mainstream media – which means we often look at topics that don’t get a lot of coverage elsewhere. We thought one way of taking a perspective […]

18 December, 2017

Tasmania must sell its assets, says leading economist

Saul Eslake – ‘Sell the farm’ The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has released a major report that recommends selling or leasing the State’s government business enterprises (GBEs) and other state owned companies. The report was written by leading economist Saul Eslake, himself a Tasmanian. “Selling or leasing one or more of TasNetworks, […]

11 December, 2017

Lake Macquarie and Ryde win council awards

Lake Macquarie City Council has won the inaugural Local Council of the Year Award at the 2017 NSW Sports Awards for excellence and innovation in the promotion of sport and active recreation. Lake Macquarie’s Acting Manager Community Planning, Wes Hain, said his council recognises the significant role quality sport and recreation facilities play in building […]

30 November, 2017

NSW councils underperforming on gender balance (and how to fix it)

NSW local government is performing well. In most areas. But it is lacking in its participation rate of females, particularly in management. This had potentially dangerous consequences for the future workforce capacity. Every private and public sector organisation should be asking itself whether its workforce is fit for the future. Many leaders are formulating more […]

27 November, 2017