Government’s $80,000 procurement contract threshold in focus

Inquiry hears the Department of Finance should carry out a more detailed investigation into whether there is “systematic flouting” of the procurement rules.

12 March, 2018

Australia can learn from France’s unique approach to regenerating inner cities

Three initiatives from France show that a single development agency financed with public money can provide clear leadership, which is essential to completing major projects, write Sebastien Darchen and Gwendal Simon.

12 March, 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

Call for local solutions on housing and heatwave risk

The energy sector should collaborate with state and local governments to develop solutions that alleviate demand during heatwaves given ‘peak pricing’ is likely to negatively impact vulnerable residents, experts say.

12 March, 2018

‘Tough decision’ on council about restoring community confidence

The Western Australian Government’s “high-profile intervention” in the ongoing issues with the City of Perth is appropriate and necessary, says a local government expert.

8 March, 2018

Grassroots action to boost women’s numbers in government

Among a series of events marking International Women’s Day yesterday were calls for initiatives to boost women’s representation in elected and executive positions.

8 March, 2018

New editor for Government News

The Intermedia Group has announced the appointment of Darragh O’Keeffe as editor of Government News ahead of a major revamp of the publication.

8 March, 2018

State minister welcomes council’s swoop on bikes

Local councils calling for state government legislation to address ongoing issues with dockless share bikes in NSW look set to be left handling the issue.

8 March, 2018

Governments agree on major Western Sydney deal

The Federal and NSW Governments, together with eight local councils of Western Sydney, have signed the Western Sydney City Deal, a 20-year agreement between the three levels of government.

5 March, 2018

NSW lacks coherent plan on cyber security: audit

The NSW Auditor-General has called on the State Government to ramp up cyber security after she found most agencies had untested response procedures, poor reporting of incidents and questionable staff training.

5 March, 2018

Call for governments to collaborate on climate in cities

Local governments and city councils must work closer with scientists and innovators to tackle the impacts of climate change in major cities, an Australian expert says.

5 March, 2018

$6 billion Snowy purchase agreed

After nearly a year of negotiations, the Commonwealth Government has reached an agreement with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments to take full ownership of Snowy Hydro, as the first step to its proposed Snowy 2.0 project. Under the deal, flagged in the 2017 Federal Budget, NSW will get $4.154 billion and Victoria $2.077 […]

1 March, 2018

Public sector least prepared for cyber attacks

Governments at all levels are much less prepared for cyber attacks than organisations in the commercial sector. Security software vendor CyberArk has released its ‘Global Advanced Threat Landscape Report 2018’. Its 11th annual study of cyber security and organisation’s response to it. Responses are broken down by industry sector, giving a clear view of how […]

1 March, 2018

It’s IHAP day in NSW – and ashes for Blacktown

NSW’s controversial new planning laws come into operation today (1 March 2018), and not everybody is happy. At the centre of the new system are Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels (IHAPs), which will take over the planning process from councils for all developments between $5 million and $30 million. Each council is to appoint its […]

1 March, 2018