Correspondence Agenda

CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION

1. 1011887 * 01-10-26 Queensland Health - Townsville Public Health Unit

Invitation - Workshop designed to promote awareness of the Active, Healthy Communities Project to local governments in North Queensland.

2. 1012029 * 01-06-04 Queensland Rail (QR) - Brisbane

Queensland Rail Regional Flood Recovery Update.

3. 1012992 * 01-10-25 Association & Communications Events Australia & New Zealand - ACE Events

7th Annual Australian Roads Summit 2011 - Brisbane - 9-10 March 2011.

4. 1012997 * 01-10-25 Hon Desley Boyle MP - Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Advice regarding Volunteering Initiative being organised through Volunteer Queensland.

5. 1013410 * 01-10-29 Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Inc

Burdekin Machinery Preservations Inc. Request for support - Application for funding - Queensland Gambling Community Fund.

6. 1013426 * 03-03-05 Australian Rural Road Group Inc

Expression of support during recent flooding.

7. 1013429 * 01-10-25 Triple Zero Awareness Work Group

Request for assistance and support to raise awareness of Triple Zero (000).

8. 1013683 * 01-07-08 Australian Local Government Association - ALGA

2011 National General Assembly of Local Government - Call for Motions. 9. 1013740 * 01-07-08 & 01-05-03 Local Government Association of Queensland Ltd - LGAQ

LGAQ Circular - 2011-024 - Cost Recovery Fees.

10. 1013946 * 02-02-08A Hon Jan McLucas - Labor Senator for Queensland

Media Release - Grants to make Local Communities more accessible for People with Disability.

11. 1014212 * 02-02-08A Hon Jan McLucas - Labor Senator for Queensland

Media Release - Rebuilding After the Floods - 27 January 2011.

12. 1014347 * 03-08-11M & 05-03-01 Copperstring

Briefing Paper - CopperString Update - Application for Infrastructure Facility of Significance.

13. 1014408 * 01-07-08 Local Government Association of Queensland Ltd - LGAQ

LGAQ Circular - 2011-025 - Healthy Communities Fact Sheet: National Health Reform and Medicare.

14. 1014521 * 03-03-10 Hon Desley Boyle MP - Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

$400 million advance to relieve financial pressures on Councils.

15. 1014525 * 02-02-08A Hon Jan McLucas - Labor Senator for Queensland

Supporting the Queensland Tourism Industry.

16. 1015194 * 02-04-06 Queensland Ombudsman - Parliamentary Commissioner for Administrative Investigations

New Queensland Ombudsman - Phil Clarke. 17. 1015195 * 03-03-10 Hon Desley Boyle MP - Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Approved Grant - Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery - Tropical Cyclones Olga, Neville, Ului and Paul.

18. 1015248 * 01-07-08 Local Government Association of Queensland Ltd - LGAQ

LGAQ Circular - 2011-045 - ALGA National General Assembly 2011.

From: McLaughlin, Lyn [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, 21 January 2011 9:52:32 AM To: Schultz, Dianne Subject: FW: 7th Annual Australian Roads Summit 2011 - REGISTER NOW!!!

From: Peter Spanos [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 20 January 2011 1:33 PM To: McLaughlin, Lyn Subject: 7th Annual Australian Roads Summit 2011 - REGISTER NOW!!!

Dear Lyn,

If you wouldn't mind, could you please review the attached PDF for the 7th Annual Australian Roads Summit 2011 to be held at The Sebel & Citigate King George Square on 9th & 10th March, 2011 in Brisbane.

I'm contacting to invite you and your colleagues to consider attending this fantastic Event that is tailored for all people who are involved in this sector.

Some of the Speakers featuring are follows:

The Hon. Craig Wallace MP, Minister for Main Roads, Queensland The Hon. Patrick Conlon, Minister for Transport, South Australia Lyn O’Connell, Deputy Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Transport Gary Liddle, Chief Executive, VicRoads Menno Henneveld, Managing Director, Main Roads Western Australia Craig Laslett, CEO, Leighton Contractors Ken Mathers, Chief Executive Officer, Linking Melbourne Authority Peter Strachan, CEO, Translink Transit Authority

***You & your colleagues are entitled to a Discount that expires on 11th February, 2011 that can only be obtained by me directly! This includes GROUP DISCOUNTS as well!***

I hope to hear from you soon regarding your interests.

PETER SPANOS | general manager – delegate sales ph: 02 8908 8515 | fx: 02 8908 8556 | mob: 0412 227 074 Description: Description: cid:[email protected]

From: McLaughlin, Lyn [[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, 25 January 2011 9:01:22 PM To: Schultz, Dianne CC: Holt, Ken Subject: FW: MEDIA RELEASE: Grants to make local communities more accessible for people with disability

From: Thomas, Kate (Sen J. McLucas) [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Information from Senator Jan McLucas Sent: Monday, 24 January 2011 2:12 PM To: undisclosed-recipients Subject: MEDIA RELEASE: Grants to make local communities more accessible for people with disability

Good Afternoon, Please find the following information that might be of interest to you or your council. Applications for grants of up to $100,000 open today to local councils to make their communities more accessible for people with disability. Applications Close on 25 February 2011, for more information visit www.fahcsia.gov.au.

Regards,

Kate Thomas Mon l Tue Office of Senator the Hon Jan McLucas Labor Senator for Queensland Ph I 4031 6009 Fax I 4031 6167

Corner of Shields & Grafton Streets PO Box 2733 Cairns QLD 4870

MEDIA RELEASE

Picture (Device Independent Bitmap)

SENATOR JAN MCLUCAS Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers

Grants to make local communities more accessible for people with disability

Applications for grants of up to $100,000 open today to local councils to make their communities more accessible for people with disability.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, is encouraging local councils to apply for grants available under the Australian Government’s new $5 million Accessible Communities program.

The small infrastructure grants, which are open to individual councils or consortia of councils, will help improve the accessibility of public buildings and facilities for people with disability, so they can participate fully in the community.

This includes making improvements such as access ramps, lifts, hoists and accessible public toilets to community infrastructure including playgrounds, swimming pools, libraries and town halls.

“People with disability and their carers deserve the same opportunities as other Australians in their local community.

“These grants will give local councils financial assistance to upgrade their public buildings and facilities so people with disability and their carers can participate in the local community.”

The Accessible Communities program delivers on a Gillard Labor Government election commitment and is part of an $11 million accessibility package to support the Government’s National Disability Strategy.

The Strategy will set a 10-year reform plan for all governments to address the barriers faced by Australians with disability and encourage greater social inclusion.

Applications for grants close on 25 February 2011. The grants must be matched by applicants with an equal or greater amount of funding.

More information on the program, including application forms and guidelines, can be found at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au. From: Yee, Debbie (Sen J. McLucas) [[email protected]] on behalf of Information from Senator Jan McLucas Sent: Thursday, 27 January 2011 12:12:18 PM To: undisclosed-recipients Subject: PRIME MINISTER - MEDIA RELEASE AND FACTSHEETS - REBUILDING AFTER THE FLOODS - 27 JANUARY 2011

Good afternoon

Please find following information which may be of interest to you or your organisation. The Government has announced funds to re-build the flood affected regions across Australia will be found through spending cuts and a one year – progressive levy from high income earners.

Kind regards Debbie Yee Wed | Thurs | Fri Office of the Hon Senator Jan McLucas Labor Senator for Queensland | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Tel: 07 4031 6009 | Fax: 07 4031 6167  Corner of Shields & Grafton Streets PO Box 2733 Cairns QLD 4870

 PLEASE CONSIDER OUR ENVIRONMENT BEFORE PRINTING THIS EMAIL.

PRIME MINISTER

REBUILDING AFTER THE FLOODS

The Prime Minister today announced the Gillard Labor Government’s response to the immense national challenge of rebuilding flood-affected regions across Australia.

Preliminary estimates, following consultation with the Queensland Government, indicate that the Government will need to invest $5.6 billion in rebuilding flood-affected regions, with the vast majority going on rebuilding essential infrastructure.

Two-thirds of that funding will be delivered through spending cuts.

The other third will be provided by a modest one-year progressive levy that won’t be paid by people directly affected by the floods or by low-income earners.

The Government will deliver the funding through the following measures:

 $2.8 billion in spending cuts, including removing industry assistance and cutting back other green programs by abolishing the Green Car Innovation Fund and the Cleaner Car Rebate Scheme and making other cuts.  $1 billion in delaying some infrastructure projects – which will free up funds and skilled workers at a time of skilled labour shortages around the country.  $1.8 billion through a progressive levy on people earning over $50,000. This will only apply to income above the $50,000 threshold. For example, someone earning $60,000 a year will pay less than a dollar a week, while someone on average annual adult full-time total earnings of $68,125 will pay $1.74 a week. Anyone directly affected by the floods will not have to pay the levy at all.

Every cent raised through these measures will go directly to flood-affected regions across Australia.

The Government recognises many Australians have already donated to people affected by the floods to help them with personal costs. That is a great contribution, but entirely separate from the job of rebuilding essential infrastructure in flood-affected regions – which is what today’s announcement, including the progressive levy, is focused on.

To ensure recovery and rebuilding can start as soon as possible, and to provide certainty to the Queensland Government and Queensland local authorities, the Australian Government has agreed to make an advance payment of $2 billion to Queensland. The decisions the Government has taken have been necessary to meet the scale of this disaster while keeping the economy strong.

The Government will rebuild Queensland while delivering the budget surplus as promised in 2012-13.

It is important to note that estimates of the impact of the floods are preliminary, and do not take into account what is expected to be a hit to government revenues as tax receipts fall in the aftermath of the floods.

Where the funding is going

The vast majority of the $5.6 billion will be invested in rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the floods.

After discussions with the Queensland Government, preliminary estimates of the infrastructure repair costs under existing arrangements for the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) are around $5 billion, of which the Australian Government will provide close to three quarters (around $3.9 billion).

There are also anticipated to be significant but smaller costs arising from flooding in other states.

The Government has also committed significant funding to provide for urgent assistance for those affected by flooding, in line with standard arrangements for natural disasters. This is estimated to include around $600 million for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and $120 million for the Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy.

Levy

The Government will introduce a modest one-year levy to help pay for the rebuilding effort. The levy will not be paid by those affected by the floods, will not be paid by lower income earners, and will apply only in the 2011-12 financial year.

The levy is based on an individual’s ability to pay:

 Anyone earning under $50,000 will not pay the levy.  People earning between $50,000 and $100,000 will pay 0.5 per cent of taxable income in excess of $50,000.  People earning over $100,000 will pay 0.5 per cent of taxable income in excess of $50,000 and 1 per cent of taxable income in excess of $100,000.

As examples:

 Someone earning $60,000 a year will pay 96 cents per week.  Someone on average annual adult full-time total earnings of $68,125 will pay $1.74 a week.  Someone earning $100,000 a year will pay $4.81 per week.

The levy will be paid through tax taken out of regular pay, in the same way the Medicare levy is paid.

To make sure those affected by the floods do not have to pay the levy, anyone who received an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment for a flood event in 2010-11 will be exempt from the levy.

Spending cuts

The Government will make $2.8 billion in spending cuts, with the funding to go towards the recovery and reconstruction effort, including:

 Not proceeding with the Cleaner Car Rebate Scheme  Abolishing the Green Car Innovation Fund  Reducing and deferring spending on the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships and Solar Flagships programs and the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute  Abolishing the Capital Development Pool from 1 January 2012  Discontinuing funding for the Australian Learning and Teaching Council  Reducing the National Rent Affordability Scheme dwelling target  Redirecting funds from the Priority Regional Infrastructure Program and Building Better Regional Cities Program  Capping annual claims under the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Vehicle Scheme  Capping funding for the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme – Solar Hot Water Rebate  Not proceeding with Round 2 of the Green Start Program  Capping funding for the Solar Homes and Communities Plan  Withdraw funding to the O-Bahn City Access project.

Infrastructure

The strong Australian economy means that Australia faces very real skills shortages. This pressure on skilled labour will increase in the face of the major rebuilding effort in Queensland.

To make room for this demand the Government will defer $1 billion worth of infrastructure projects, freeing up builders, carpenters, electricians and other skilled workers to rebuild essential infrastructure in flood-affected regions.

Around $325 million of deferred projects have already been agreed with the Queensland Government, with the remainder to be discussed with the relevant state and territory governments (see Attachment 4). Skills and the rebuilding task

As Australia rebuilds, this will create additional demand for skills and workers. To assist employers in flood-affected areas fill positions and get on with the job of rebuilding, the Government will:

• Establish a special team within the Department of Immigration to deliver employer- sponsored temporary visas (457 visas) within five days (where applications are ‘decision ready’) for employers genuinely involved in Queensland flood reconstruction work; and • Double the number of places in the job seeker relocation pilot program to help job- seekers move to take up employment opportunities.

The 457 visa program is demand-driven. These measures simply make it faster for employers to get the workers they need to rebuild. All workers seeking a 457 visa will still be subject to strict skills tests. The recent floods across Australia pose a unique challenge.

This is likely to be the biggest natural disaster in Australia’s history in economic terms – an extraordinary event requiring an extraordinary response.

In times of crisis Australians see what needs to be done and we do it.

Australians have pulled together in the face of crisis in the last few weeks, and will continue to pull together in the difficult months of rebuilding that lie ahead.

Please find attached five factsheets containing further information.

CANBERRA 27 JANUARY 2011

PRESS OFFICE (02) 6277 7744

______

IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the message from your computer system. ______

From: Holt, Ken [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, 28 January 2011 3:01:06 PM To: Email Registration Subject: FW: Message from Desley Boyle

Ken Holt Chief Executive Officer Burdekin Shire Council  07 47839811  07 47839999  PO Box 974 Ayr Q 4807  www.burdekin.qld.gov.au  [email protected]

 Please consider the environment and refrain from printing this mail note... thanks

From: Lachlan Mckenzie [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, 28 January 2011 14:33 To: undisclosed-recipients Subject: Message from Desley Boyle

Dear Mayors and CEOs

Some good news!

Regards

Desley Boyle MP Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Member for Cairns

Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships The Honourable Desley Boyle 28/01/2011

$400 million advance to relieve financial pressure on Councils

Local Government Minster Desley Boyle said a $400 million advance on disaster relief grants was just the shot in arm flood-affected Councils need right now.

The Treasurer announced the $400 million advance on Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding enabling Councils to put in claims on their estimated damages bill.

"The NDRRA advance differs from the usual NDRRA process where Councils would have to complete their repairs before they submit a claim for reimbursement," Ms Boyle said.

"Instead, we have put in place a special process enabling Councils to access funding to start the work which takes some pressure off their cash flow," she said.

"So rather than taking months if not a year or more to be fully reimbursed for repairing public assets, flood-affected Councils can access some in advance. "This is huge incentive to get on and get the job done.

"It means local jobs will continue to be supported and r epairing Council-owned roads and essential community infrastructure will remain a priority.

"It means our towns and communities in flood-ravaged areas will get back on their feet sooner and their businesses can return to normal."

Other initiatives to support local governments already announced include establishing a one-stop hub where Councils can go to access expertise and labour to get repairs underway rather than having to source the skills themselves.

In addition, Ms Boyle earlier announced the Office of Local Government was reviewing previously announced programs and upcoming deadlines to see where any changes might help relieve pressure on Councils facing the huge task of rebuilding.

"I encourage any Councils unable to meet their requirements to contact my department," said the Minister.

The long-standing NDRRA program is jointly funded by the State and Australian Governments, with the federal government responsible for meeting u p to 75% of these costs.

Media Contact: Minister Boyle's Office - 3227 8819

From: Yee, Debbie (Sen J. McLucas) [[email protected]] on behalf of Information from Senator Jan McLucas Sent: Friday, 28 January 2011 12:11:53 PM To: undisclosed-recipients Subject: JOINT MEDIA RELEASE - Supporting the Queensland Tourism Industry

Good afternoon,

Please find following information which may be of interest to you or your organisation.

The Gillard Government, in partnership with the Queensland Government, today announced it will create a $10 million Tourism Industry Support Package to provide a vital boost for the many families and small businesses that depend on Queensland’s reputation as one of the world’s most attractive tourism destinations.

 PLEASE CONSIDER OUR ENVIRONMENT BEFORE PRINTING THIS EMAIL.

THE HON WAYNE SWAN MP

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TREASURER

THE HON MARTIN FERGUSON AM MP MINISTER FOR RESOURCES AND ENERGY

ANDREW FRASER MP TREASURER OF QUEENSLAND

*** JOINT MEDIA RELEASE ***

SUPPORTING THE QUEENSLAND TOURISM INDUSTRY

As recovery efforts ramp up in Queensland, we’ll continue working hard to send a clear message to all potential visitors that Queensland’s tourism industry remains open for business.

Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said tourism is vital to the Queensland economy, contributing over $9 billion per annum, with 51 million visitors last year.

“So many jobs and the livelihoods of so many Queenslanders depend on getting the message out that the Sunshine State is well and truly open for business,” Mr Swan said.

The support package, funded $5 million each by the Gillard Government and the Queensland Government, will include a domestic marketing campaign to assure all Australians that many of Queensland’s most iconic destinations are largely unaffected by the floods.

The campaign will include a partnership with a television network to produce a Queensland prime- time holiday special for the national market, as well as specialised in-programme content and celebrity endorsements.

Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, who is currently in the United States promoting Australia’s tourism industry, said that in addition to providing direct support for the relief effort through donations of time and money, people can also show their support for Queensland businesses by holidaying in Australia.

This marketing will further grow Queensland’s rich tourism profile, which was showcased to the world through the Oprah Winfrey Show.

“These destinations continue to welcome visitors and it is important during this challenging time that we encourage people to holiday in Australia. Businesses in flood-affected areas will be relying on tourism to help them get back on their feet and help keep people in jobs,” Mr Ferguson said.

Queensland Treasurer, Andrew Fraser, said tourism businesses in Cairns, Port Douglas, the Whitsundays, Townsville, Mackay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Fraser Coast are open and trading.

“We need to take decisive action now to address the significant drop-off we’ve seen in visitor bookings due to the false perception that the whole state has faced flood damage,” Mr Fraser said.

The package will also incorporate other tourism industry support measures, including industry development, to capitalise on what was learnt from the floods regarding managing expectations and reputations of those unaffected areas which experienced lost trade.

This will fast-track elements of the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy relating to industry resilience. To oversight implementation, a joint body is being set up including Tourism Queensland, the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, and Tourism Australia.

28 January 2011 BRISBANE

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