10 WA motions passed as WALGA supports its Members at the ALGA National General Assembly

Shire of Ashburton

This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to:

1. Commit to appropriate funding mechanisms for the establishment of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) processing facilities, nationally; as an undertaking to co-partner with local governments and their regional associations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, closing the loop on a priority waste stream and progressing healthy soils initiatives; and
2. Investigate not only grants as a funding mechanism, but also interest free and/or low interest investment partnerships with the Local Government sector and their regional associations, to fast-track the establishment of infrastructure that improves circular waste processing within Australia.

This National Assembly calls on the Australian Government to encourage State and Territory Governments to implement a blanket ban on the use of dark coloured roofing materials to alleviate the urban heat island effect (UHI), particularly in newer suburbs.

The UHI effect is a phenomenon that occurs when built-up areas, like cities and towns, are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings. This is due to the increased heat absorption by materials commonly used in construction, such as asphalt, steel, and concrete. 

The UHI effect can cause significant problems, including increased demand for energy resources for cooling, air pollution, and decreased water quality and heat stress in humans. Exposure to excessive heat has wide ranging physiological impacts for all humans, often amplifying existing conditions and resulting in premature death and disability.

Dark roofs, which are often chosen for their aesthetic appeal, tend to absorb and retain heat, increasing the (UHI) effect, while high-density housing that is being developed in Greenfields sites reduces green spaces reducing the natural cooling provided by vegetation. 

In most cases, darker roofs will absorb more heat than a lighter roof. This means that having a black roof on a home can require much more energy consumption to cool the house, particularly in the hot Australian summer. This can not only increase energy bills but also increase carbon emissions if the energy being used is being produced from fossil fuels. Exceptions to the rule might be in places like southern states such as Tasmania.

In summary, the UHI can be reduced by using lighter surfaces to reflect heat rather than absorb it. Lighter roofs can help reduce temperatures in built-up areas and make them more comfortable for residents. 

Reducing the UHI can also help Australia to reach its emissions targets by reducing the energy consumption when energy is produced by fossil fuels.

1. Establishment of Community Arts and Cultural Facilities Fund for the development, renewal and maintenance of arts and cultural infrastructure;
2. Capacity building for community arts organisations; and 
3. Creation of an innovation fund for re-orienting core services.

This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to . . .

1. Research, design, and develop a national Graduate program to attract talent for critical capability areas in the government sector.
2. Engage with the sector to gather Graduate or Skills demands and understand if there is interest in a national Graduate program. 
3. Develop costings and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the sector for approval. 
4. Implement a Graduate Coordinator to manage the Graduate recruitment, onboarding, training programs, rotations, mentoring, coaching and transition to ongoing employment. 
5. Establish opportunities to offer and provide graduates to the sector that can support the supply of future talent and skills needs for the Industry.