One of Western Australia's biggest building assessment programs has begun with thousands of social housing properties to undergo review. The $12.8 million Building Condition Assessment...

Queenscliffe transport strategy gains pace

24/01/2022

Boronia shops open for facelift

24/01/2022

Townsville to live-stream Aus Day flag raising

24/01/2022

SA Govt issues breach notice to hacked payroll provider

23/01/2022

SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

News

Pontin new MidCoast Mayor

13/01/2022

Councillor Claire Pontin has been elected as the new Mayor of MidCoast Council, following a Mayoral election at today’s Council meeting. There were three nominations...

News

Changing of guard for Queanbeyan Council

13/01/2022

Councillor Kenrick Winchester has been elected Mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, marking a changing of the guard for the council, which has been led...

News

Fourth Mayoral role for Ian Tiley

12/01/2022

Councillors Ian Tiley and Greg Clancy have been elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Clarence Valley at the first meeting of the newly...

Sustainability

Lismore vouchers go to waste

Lismore City Council has increased the number of free waste vouchers available to residents for January and February to help the community dispose of...

Victoria fires up e-scooter trial

Environment 21/01/2022

More Victorians will soon be able to rent and ride e-scooters as part of a State Government program to understand how the devices can...

$37m committed to Columboola solar farm

Environment 20/01/2022

$37 million will be invested by the Australian Government to support the construction of the Blue Grass Solar Farm in Columboola, south east Queensland. Blue...

Fleet

Environment

Victoria fires up e-scooter trial

More Victorians will soon be able to rent and ride e-scooters as part of a State Government program to understand how the devices can...

Rio Tinto buys 4 battery-electric trains for Pilbara

Environment 11/01/2022

Rio Tinto has announced it will purchase four battery-electric trains for use in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as part of the company’s...

Toowoomba fires up move to renewable fleet

Fleet 17/12/2021

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has sparked a potential move towards electric and hydrogen vehicles and a rollout of more electric charging infrastructure in the...

Celebrating 85 years of innovation with Interflow

Fleet

Kia Niro Hybrid to drive uptake of sustainability in the community

UPCOMING EVENTS

15febAll Day16Women in Local Government Leadership WorkshopOnline Event Organized By: Liquid Learning

Event Details

This interactive and dynamic workshop will allow you to:
● Understanding and managing public expectations and leading in a political environment
● Influential communication, stakeholder and community engagement skills
● Negotiate diversity and inclusion biases, enablers and blockers
● Strategic career progression in Local Government

Local Government is a vibrant and diverse tier of the Australian Public Service. The challenges of leading in this complex and rewarding sector are unique – operating in a political environment, working under close public scrutiny, engaging with community groups, and negotiating career steps within and across Councils.

For existing and emerging women leaders in Local Government, advancing into executive-level leadership positions requires courage, self-confidence and a resilient mindset. You must have the ability to overcome an array of obstacles you may face throughout your career.

This workshop will equip you with the tools and knowledge to build confidence in your abilities as a leader, and negotiate the day-to-day challenges of Local Government. This hands-on, two-day interactive program has been designed with both current and emerging leaders in mind. I aims to equip participants with a practical leadership plan they can use to navigate a successful career and advance to senior levels.

Group Discounts:
10% off Standard Rate Team of 3 – 4
20% off Standard Rate Team of 5 – 7
25% off Standard Rate Team of 8 +

Click here to learn more or call +612 8239 9711 to talk to our friendly Liquid Learning
representatives.

Time

february 15 (Tuesday) - 16 (Wednesday)

Location

Online

Organizer

Liquid Learning

Learn More

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22marAll Day23Tools and Skills for Policy PractitionersBrisbane Event Organized By: Policy Skills

Event Details

2 Day Workshop – In Person Places Available

Interactive learning suitable for practitioners at all levels. Learn from experts with years of policy experience at all levels.

Co-author of the highly-acclaimed and longstanding Australia Policy Handbook, Peter Bridgman leads a two-day immersion in policy advice and production. Along with experienced policy professional, Nonie Malone, this is a workshop delivered by practitioners, not academics, and tailored to the work on your desk right now.

Topics Covered:

Develop new policy skills and build on your existing skills
Understand why developing policy advice is hard
Come away with new tools and frameworks to improve your analysis
Navigate the complex policy environment
Distinguish the elements of good policy and learn from policy failure
Know how to engage stakeholders effectively
See how policy practitioners lead and manage policy
Develop confidence in planning and execution for effective implementation and evaluation
Explore the interface between research, evidence, analysis, implementation and evaluation
Know how to balance control and flexibility to deal with uncertainty

Download the PDF Brochure for full course details.

Course Outline

Day One: Policy in Context

Policy Issues
- What is “public policy” and why is it important?
- How do issues become policy issues?
- Prioritising competing policy issues
Policy analysis
- How do we analyse policy issues?
- Analytical tools and concepts
- Innovative thinking
How to make a difference: policy instruments
- What tools do we have to make a difference?
- Which tools are the right ones?
- Understand legislation: when to use it and when not to use it
Policy players
- Methods for effective stakeholder communication
- Ministers and Cabinet / Council
- The role of the policy analyst
- Managing up essentials: influential communication and action

Day Two: Policy in Action

Coordinating policy action inside government
- Consultation with other agencies
- The role and influence of central agencies
Policy decision making
- Policies that make sense to decision makers
- Framing policy arguments
Implementation and evaluation challenges
- Implementation as success and failure
- How do we know if our policies achieved the desired result?
Integrating policy lessons
- Essentials for good policy making
- Dealing with uncertainty and time pressures
- Project management for policy and programs
- Managing in: maintaining and upgrading your own and your team’s policy capability

Time

march 22 (Tuesday) - 23 (Wednesday)

Location

Brisbane

Organizer

Policy SkillsPolicy Skills is a collaborative operation of Peter Bridgman, Australia’s most-recognised policy leader and Nonie Malone, a highly experienced policy manager. We present public offer programs delivered by ourselves and other policy area specialists. PO Box 5418 West End QLD 4101

Learn More

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30marAll Day31SMB DigitalICC Sydney Event Organized By: Hannover Fairs Australia

Event Details

SMB DIGITAL powered by CEBIT AUSTRALIA is a forum for business owners to better understand how they can utilise new technology to fortify their organisation for the future.

Digital transformation holds the key to better efficiency, opportunity and profitability for your organisation. SMB Digital showcases the latest technology solutions and ideas that will help to future proof your business.

What will I learn?

The SMB Digital program will focus on core functions of business that can be improved with technology – making your business more efficient, effective, productive and profitable.

Featuring expert industry speakers, the program will explore six broad core themes:

Data management
Digital transformation
Finance software & technology
HR software & technology
Marketing platforms & automation
Security

Sessions will drill down into the specifics on how technology and tech solutions can help improve your business in these areas. The program will explore topics such as how SMBs can make the most of their data, cyber safety skills, steps to take when approaching a digital transformation, effectively utilising CRM platforms to drive customer growth & retention, how to use tech for recruitment and onboarding in a virtual environment… and much more.

Time

march 30 (Wednesday) - 31 (Thursday)

Location

ICC Sydney

14 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000

Organizer

Hannover Fairs AustraliaHannover Fairs Australia is part of Deutsche Messe AG and has operated in Australia since 2000.

Learn More

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12aprAll Day28IPWEAQ Professional Development OpportunitiesBrisbane Event Organized By: IPWEA

01mayAll Day01junIPWEAQ Professional Development OpportunitiesBrisbane Event Organized By: IPWEA

03mayAll Day04WRITING FOR POLICY RESULTSBrisbane Event Organized By: Policy Skills

Event Details

2 Day Workshop

Another two-day immersion, delivered by experienced policy professional, Nonie Malone, and awarded government writing educator, Sandra Hogan, this workshop will hone your skills so you and your decision-makers have confidence in your written communications.

Topics Covered:

Know the critical importance of writing in the policy development process
Understand how to use policy documents to reach and influence decision-makers
Know how to navigate the complex policy environment
Distinguish the elements of good policy writing and learn by doing
Know how to engage internal and external stakeholders effectively
See how policy documents influence and embody policy
Develop confidence in planning and creating policy documents
Know how to communicate accurately, briefly and comprehensively

Download the PDF Brochure for full course details.

Course Outline

Day One: Policy writing in context and action

1. Policy writing ideals and reality

Exploration of writing experiences
What goes wrong in policy writing?
What is needed to produce good work?

2. Essential writing to support the stages of the policy cycle

Overview of the nature of policy and the policy cycle
Policy documents and their purposes

3. Identifying and reaching the right audience

Identify the target and incidental audiences for each type of document
What strategies do you need to meet the needs of the particular audience?

4. Briefing note and correspondence writing tools & skills

What gets in the way of writing a good brief or letter and what to do about it
What content do you need and how do you organise it?
Getting your point across

5. Communicating clearly #1 – why grammar & punctuation count

Taking the pain out of grammar & punctuation (group exercise)

Day Two: Influencing through policy writing

1. Plain English tools & skills

How to recognise and avoid jargon and obfuscation
When and how should technical language be used
The language of policy
How to communicate the complex simply

2. Convincing decision-makers

What do decision-makers want and need?
How to argue for the best course of action
How to write recommendations that lead to decisions

3. Cabinet submissions, discussion (green) papers, white papers

What are these documents for?
What makes a good cabinet submission?
Complexity made simple – planning and creating Cabinet submissions

4. Communicating clearly #2

Sentence by sentence – writing for clarity
Presentation without words

5. Managing for efficiency and effectiveness as a policy writer

How to find strategies and resources to help you reach ideals
How to foster conditions in your agency to facilitate your writing
Personal skills for policy influence.

Time

may 3 (Tuesday) - 4 (Wednesday)

Location

Brisbane

Organizer

Learn More

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17mayAll Day18DEVELOPING & COMMUNICATING SOUND ORGANISATIONAL POLICY & PROCEDURESBrisbane Event Organized By: Policy Skills

Event Details

2 Day Workshop – In person and remote places available

Interactive learning for practitioners responsible for writing and implementing the policies and procedures used by organisations, businesses and management committees.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the function of policy for organisations and their oversight bodies
Identify the policies and procedures needed for your organisation
Understand the stages of the policy-development process
Know how to engage approvers, implementers and those affected to test and deliver what is needed and to facilitate approvals by decision-makers
Know how to write policies and procedures that are clear and concise
Understand the features of a good organisational system for policy, procedure and guideline development
Know how to facilitate smooth implementation
Know how to plan for long-term management and evaluation

Download the PDF Brochure for full course details.

Course Overview

Day One: Planning organisational policy and procedures

1. Policy issues

What is policy? (From public policy to organisational policy)
Policies vs procedures
Policy as smoke screen or aspiration

2. Organisational policy

Why do you need policies and procedures?
What makes policies and procedures work?
What does good policy look like?
Your organisation: What do you have? What do you need?
Managing policy development in a changing organisational environment

3. Policy approvers, responsible officers and users

What do policy approvers, responsible officers and users want and need?
Providing what they need: the briefing note and board paper
Encouraging engagement and buy-in

4. What does good policy look like?

Common threads and organisational differences
Understanding successful policy
Defining policy scope (and avoiding policy creep)
Developing a policy framework
Developing a policy template

Day Two: Writing and implementing organisational policy and procedures

5. Developing content for policies and procedures

Research and needs analysis
Engaging stakeholders
Consulting across the organisation
Checklists – friend or foe

6. Writing for clarity and purpose

Working with your template
Achieving the right style and tone
Writing in plain English
Writing strategies

7. Implementation and communication

Achieving sign-off and agreement
Integrating policy across the organisation
Encouraging uptake
Making policies findable and searchable
Making policy part of everyday business
Policy as part of workplace induction

8. Evaluation and long-term management

Guiding and training authors
Policy coherence and internal consistency
Registering, revising and reviewing policies
Evaluating policy and procedures
Everything you still want to know

Time

may 17 (Tuesday) - 18 (Wednesday)

Location

Brisbane

Organizer

Learn More

Calendar GoogleCal

18mayAll Day19National Roads & Traffic Expo 2021International Convention Centre Sydney Event Organized By: Terrapinn

Security

News

Cameras to focus on school crossing safety

All traffic at school crossings in the Mitchell Shire will now be recorded by cameras in an initiative to keep local students, parents, crossing...

LGAQ calls for council officer bodycam

News 14/01/2022

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) wants council regulatory officers to be given the legal right to use body-worn cameras and other surveillance...

Speed camera trial for Byron

News 05/12/2021

New speed radar signs are being trialled across the NSW Byron Shire as part of a Summer Road Safety campaign funded by Transport for NSW...

Infrastructure

GPS upgrade putting robots to work

The time it takes to complete major road infrastructure projects will be considerably reduced as a result of significant satellite GPS upgrades under a...

Heritage boost for Mount Gambier

Infrastructure 23/01/2022

City of Mount Gambier Council has announced it will provide $20,000 to owners of local heritage-listed properties following the endorsement of 19 applications for...

Ballarat slam dunks new basketball centre

Infrastructure 21/01/2022

City of Ballarat council has taken a big step forward in its bid to be Australia’s regional centre for 3x3 basketball with the completion...

Technology

Cyber Security & Software

SA Govt issues breach notice to hacked payroll provider

Digital Transformation

WA to trial hands-free crossing

Environment

SA reveals new green energy project

HEALTH

Health

Ross River virus detected at Mildura

Mildura Rural City Council’s mosquito monitoring program has detected Ross River virus in samples taken from the city's water pumping station. The Victorian Department of...

LGNSW backs call for boost to regional COVID-19 effort

COVID-19 11/01/2022

Hume health and wellbeing draft plan released

Health 23/12/2021

Green light for Mosman COVID testing clinic

Health 22/12/2021

Southern Downs opposed to exclusion of unvaccinated

COVID-19 13/12/2021

Procurement

News

Tenders open for Townsville library

The relocation of Thuringowa Library to its new home at Riverway has reached a new milestone with Townsville City Council calling for tenders to...

Contractor named for landmark $60m Northern hub

Contracts 21/12/2021

DA submitted for former Penrith Council chambers

Assets 17/12/2021

Tender for Wendouree West Recreation Reserve awarded

Contracts 16/12/2021

Work begins on Emu Plains police cottage revamp

Contracts 15/12/2021

Finance

Cyber Security & Software

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NEWS

SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

Sustainability

Fleet

SPONSORED CONTENT

UPCOMING EVENTS

Event Details

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

2 Day Workshop – In Person Places Available

Topics Covered:

Download the PDF Brochure for full course details.

Course Outline

Day One: Policy in Context

Day Two: Policy in Action

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

What will I learn?

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

2 Day Workshop

Topics Covered:

Download the PDF Brochure for full course details.

Course Outline

Day One: Policy writing in context and action

Day Two: Influencing through policy writing

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

2 Day Workshop – In person and remote places available

Learning Objectives:

Download the PDF Brochure for full course details.

Course Overview

Day One: Planning organisational policy and procedures

Day Two: Writing and implementing organisational policy and procedures

Time

Location

Learn More

Event Details

Time

Location

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Security

Infrastructure

Technology

HEALTH

Procurement

Human Resources

Education

Finance