Australian Council of Local Government

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14 November 2008

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot will attend the upcoming inaugural meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government in Canberra on Tuesday (Nov 18) and participate in a special session entitled: Improving wellbeing in our communities.

The Australian Council of Local Government is expecting more than 400 mayors and local government representatives at Parliament House.

“Local government plays a very important role in delivering a range of health and community services in Australian communities,” Mrs Elliot said.

In fact, local government provides 2,694 nursing home places in Australia. In addition it provides 2,422 community care places.

State	Nursing home beds
Victoria	887
NSW/ACT	760
South Australia/NT	429
Western Australia	400
Tasmania	16
Total	2,694

The Australian Government provides record funding to aged and community care. Over the next four years, it will invest more than $41.6 billion.

“The Rudd Labor Government wants to improve our nation’s health. Council programs and services are well placed to deliver necessary services.

“This meeting will provide a great opportunity for the visiting mayors to share their ideas and concerns. This dialogue will help ensure that local government is a strong part of this Government’s nation building agenda.

“All Australian communities have their own unique needs. Mayors at the summit will represent some of the most remote parts of the country, metropolitan areas and coastal communities.

“I am confident that Australia’s mayors will showcase a number of innovative and constructive projects being run by councils.

“I look forward to meeting with many of them and building on the partnership between the Rudd Labor Government and local governments from around the country,” Mrs Elliot said.
Break-out sessions are expected to include:

• Improving engagement of local and federal governments, including Constitutional recognition;
• Investing in local, regional and national infrastructure;
• Making our major cities more liveable, productive and sustainable;
• Working towards more efficient and sustainable local government;
• Strengthening regional economies, including broadband and communications;
• Adapting to our changing local environments;
• Partnering to improve housing affordability, including more effective planning and development processes;
• Facilitating social inclusion in our communities;
• Improving wellbeing in our communities; and
• Closing the gap: Indigenous engagement in local communities.