policy Living and Learning in Japan - lgat.tas.gov.au Government being two-tiered, ... ageing...

LGAT News March 20126

policy

Living and Learning in Japan“None of us are as smart as all of us”DR KATRENA STEPHENSON, POLICY DIRECTORLocal Government Association of Tasmania

From 6-16 November 2011, I was fortunate to be able to participate in the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) Local Government Exchange Seminar in Japan. There were nine participants from Australia and New Zealand.

CLAIR is a Local Government membership organisation, established in 1988, with headquarters in Tokyo and offices in Beijing, London, New York, Paris, Seoul, Singapore and Sydney. CLAIR services include:

• Supportingsistercityarrangements;

• AssistingJapaneseLocalGovernmentstobecomedirectly involved in foreign aid and development assistance;

• AdministeringtheJETprogram(assistantlanguageteachersinschools);

• HelpingJapaneseLocalGovernmentsandcommunitiesadapttoincreasingculturaldiversity;

• Conductingresearchintobestpracticelocalgovernanceandregionaldevelopment;

• PromotinginternationalunderstandingofJapananditsfiscalandgovernmentstructuresatalocallevel;

• ProvidingprofessionaldevelopmentcoursestofosterinternationallyawareLocalGovernmentleaders;and

• SupportingRegionalInternationalExchangeAssociations.

JapanhasaunitarysystemofGovernment.ThereisCentralGovernmentandLocalGovernment(asoutlined in the Local Autonomy Act), with Local

Government being two-tiered, comprising prefectures (47)andmunicipalities.LocalGovernmentAssembliesare formed through election and there is direct election of Governors and Mayors. Local governments have morefunctions(broadanddiverse)thancentralgovernment and these include welfare, health and education. Some demarcation takes place between the various tiers – for instance, municipalities are responsible for basic healthcare provision while the prefectures administer hospitals. Roads are designated National Expressways,NationalHighways,PrefecturalRoadsandMunicipalRoads.ElectedGovernorsandMayorsactasChiefExecutive.CentralGovernmentcollectedfunds are, in part, redistributed to Local Government andsupplementedbylocaltaxation.Overthreemillionpeople are employed in Local Government.

TheissuesbeingfacedbyLocalGovernmentinJapanhave some similarity to those faced by Tasmanian councils including pressures on financial sustainability, a rapidly ageing population, the need to work more cooperatively across municipal and prefecture boundaries, a decreasing population and workforce pressures.

The CLAIR seminar commenced in Tokyo with lectures on CLAIR and Local Government more generally, as well asanintroductiontoJapanesecultureandindustry.WethentravelledtoOkayamaPrefecturetolearnaboutissuesfacing that area. Tourism, economic development and social welfare projects were visited and a home stay was undertakentoexperience‘real’Japaneseculturefirsthand.

policy

Above: Korakuen Park is one of the top three parks in Japan and a feature of Okayama city

Left: The Ginza shopping precinct in Tokyo – home to Gucci, Tiffany and Prada


7March 2012 LGAT News

policy

7

policy

OkayamaPrefecturehasapopulation of over 1.9 million inanareaof7,113squarekm.Thereare27cities,townsandvillages,withOkayama-shibeingthelargest.RenownareasincludetheKourakuenGardens(oneofthetopthreegardensinJapan),theYubaraOnsen(orhotsprings),theKurshikiBikanandKatsayumaHistoricalPrecincts,andtheSetoOhashiBridge.ThePrefecturalbudget is around $8 billion AUD annually.

Two projects that I found of particular interest in OkayamawereInujimaIslandandTakenokoHouse.

Inujima(dogisland)isasmallislandoffOkayamaintheSeto Inland Sea that, like nearby Naoshima Island, has become known as a site for modern art in recent years. Before turning to modern art, Inujima served mostly as an industrial site. During the feudal age it produced granite blocks for castle construction and in the early 20thCentury,acopperrefinerywassupposedtobringprosperityandpeopletotheisland.However,copperpricesplummetedwithintenyearsoftherefinery’sopening and led to its premature closure and a drop in theisland’spopulationfrom3,000toonly40persons,withthemajorityagedover60years.

In2008,therefineryruinswereconvertedintotheInujimaArtProjectSeirensho(seirenshoisJapaneseforrefinery)by tastefully incorporating an art gallery into the ruins, mostly underground, and by using local materials such as graniteanddiscardedbricksfromtherefinery(i.e.basedontheconceptofusingtheexistingtocreatetheyet-to-be).The building also employs a sophisticated water purification system that makes use of the power of plants. The project truly embraces the concept of a recycling-based society as a model for a new type of regional revitalisation through industrial heritage, architecture, art and the environment. There is now a significant focus onpromotingInujimaasatouristdestination(seewww.tokyotokyo.biz/2011/07/inujima-island-japan.htmlorwww.japan-guide.com/e/e5725.html).Itwas interesting to consider how some Tasmanian timber towns might similarly transition to tourism.

TakenokoHouseisasocialinclusionprojectdevelopedinanareawithahighproportionofnuclearfamilies.Oneprogram puts young mothers and their toddlers in touch with the elderly using day services. The key difference is the interaction between mothers and seniors. They have found that children benefit from the contact with a large group of adults, particularly in relation to learning greetings and gaining a positive sense of self. Mothers benefit from being able to seek child rearing advice from the elder persons when there is a geographical distance between them and their own family, or they feel unable to ask their own parents. Finally, the seniors appear to benefitin‘vigour’fromtheinteractionwiththechildren.CLAIR participants took part in one session and it certainly seemedtobetoeveryone’senjoymentandworkedonacost recovery basis which was able to set low participation fees for all involved.

Ithoroughlyenjoyedtheexperiencefromstarttofinish.Asafirst-timevisitortoJapan,Iwassurpriseditdidn’tfeel more crowded, at how safe it felt and how clean and orderly everything was. In addition to being able toexperienceanumberofdifferentfacetsofJapan,tolearn about their Local Government and really appreciate the cultural differences, it was great to meet and talk with my Australian and New Zealand colleagues to discuss matters in common and different approaches taken.WealsohadtheopportunitytoprovidefeedbacktoourJapanesecounterpartsonthingswehadlearnedand things they might learn from us.

Above: The food in Japan was as tasty as it was beautiful

Left: Children, parents and seniors all taking part in singing games at Takenoko House

1,000 paper cranes are threaded together as prayers for a lost loved one and hung at temples around Japan


policy

Trial Environmental Dispute Mediation Service Now Available!KATE HISCOCK, SENIOR POLICY OFFICERLocal Government Association of Tasmania

Council Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) manage many disputes between parties over environmental issues such as music and motorbike noise, smoke from wood fires and backyard burning, other air pollution sources, and water contamination. Often these disputes do not have an obvious regulatory or planning solution, making it difficult and time-consuming for EHOs to offer an appropriate response.

Many of these environmental disputes have arisen from, orbeenexacerbatedby,abreakdownincommunicationbetween parties. In such situations, there may be a role for mediation. Mediation is a confidential process designedtoallowtwoormorepersonstoexploreissuesof concern that they wish to resolve and ideally agree on steps to take to reduce the conflict.

As a result of a partnership between the Local Government AssociationofTasmania(LGAT)andtheEnvironmentProtectionAuthority(EPA)Board,ajointlyfundedtrialofanenvironmental dispute mediation service commenced on 1February2012.EHOsatLGATmembercouncilsarenowable to refer appropriate environmental disputes to the trial mediation service. The service is free and will be available forapproximately12months.

The mediation service is provided by the Tasmanian company GetYes Solutions, and will be delivered statewide. GetYes Solutions will work with council EHOstodeterminethesuitabilityofcasesformediation. Supporting and referral documentation forEHOshavebeendevelopedbyLGATandtheEPA,andareavailableonGetYesSolutions’website.Community members wanting to access the service need to contact their LGAT member council and ask to speaktoanEHO.

The Association encourages all member councils to make use of this service. The trial will provide significant insight into the use of mediation procedures as an early step in dealing with environmental nuisance complaints and the impacts thismayhaveonEHOworkloads.GetYesSolutionswillprovideregularreportstoLGATandtheEPABoardon progress, and statistical data such as the type of complaint, the number of complaints and successful cases. A final report will be produced which will include an overall evaluation of the trial.

For information about the trial service, visit the GetYes Solutions website at www.getyes.com.au, or the LGAT website at www.lgat.tas.gov.au.

Level 1 & 2 Defensive Driving 4WD & Recovery Courses On-site Workshops/Seminars Toolbox Safe Driving Sessions

Motor Safe Tasmania provides relevant & modern driver education & training for all Tasmanian drivers. We realise most people think they’re good drivers... so we make good drivers better, with smarter & safer thinking & behaviour. Attending one of our courses not only creates safer drivers but is a great way to reward staff and save your business money in the long term.

134 Davey Street Hobart T: 6224 4134 E: [email protected] www.motorsafetas.com.au

policy



policy

JOHNSTONE McGEE & GANDY incorporating Dale P Luck & Associates

Celebrating 50 years in business in 2010 JMG is Tasmania’s longest established totally Tasmanian owned multi-discipline Engineering and Planning practice; also this year Dale P. Luck & Associates has joined forces with JMG at our new Launceston office to expand our capacity and capabilities.

For further information visit www.jmg.net.au or phone Ian Johnston on (03) 6231 2555

Engineering Commercial and Retail Buildings Roads and Bridges Hydraulic Infrastructure Maintenance Management Sustainable Developments Risk Management Green Star & NABERS Accreditation Business Continuity Management Hospital & Health Care Education & Research Industry Mining Sports

Facilities

Planning Strategic and Land Use Planning Statutory and Legal Planning Development Planning and

Submissions Infrastructure Planning Health and Aged Care Planning Planning Appeals Master Planning Town Planning Community Consultation and

Mediation

Environmental Environment Impact Assessment and

approvals Environment Management System

and Audits Natural Resource Management Community and stakeholder

consultation Site Assessment and Remediation Overview Sustainability

“Creating value for our clients and opportunity for our people”

Established in 1960, JMG is Tasmania’s longest established totally Tasmanian owned multi-discipline Engineering and Planning practice. With 60 staff between Hobart and Launceston we are able to provide Engineering, Planning and Environmental Services on projects to meet the needs of Tasmania throughout the state, in all market sectors, from investigation, feasibility studies, design and documentation, pursuing approvals, through to the administration and management of contracts.

“Your Vision is Our Mission”





Facilities



Mediation






Environment Impact AssessmentsEnvironment Management SystemsCertified EMS Auditing (ISO 14001)Environmental Management PlansConstruction EMP’sStormwater and Waste ManagementWaste Water Design and ReportsClimate Change Action PlansGreenhouse Gas ComplianceContaminated Site AssessmentsNoise, Air, Water Quality Management

Community and Stakeholder Consultation





Facilities



Mediation










Facilities



Mediation










Facilities



Mediation










Facilities



Mediation






Anything but conventional.With 15 meeting rooms catering for two to 1600 guests, an auditorium, boardrooms and exhibition venues as well as extensive complimentary car parking, Wrest Point is clearly the premier conference and event location in Tasmania. When you consider our unique location, our versatile refurbished facilities, our gourmet cuisine and our superior level of service, you’ll realise no-one can make your event as successful as we can.

For enquiries or to view the facilities call (03) 6221 1715,

email [email protected] or visit the website

www.wrestpoint.com.au/conference

19232


policy

The Environmental

Scorekeeper

Do you have immediate access to uncomplicated data and easy-to-read reports that independently show the energy, water, fleet, waste and greenhouse performance of your Council… right down to individual properties?

Do you know how your properties rate versus the best in Australia and overseas?

Can you access information that shows what the best Councils and managers are doing to be the best?

Is your energy, water and fleet utility data being captured, ‘cleaned’ and managed professionally and independently?

Do you have access to a team of professionals that work with you to achieve real environmental improvement and savings?

Does your Council have an environmental ‘culture’ where everyone is accountable for energy, water and greenhouse performance… not just asset managers and environment staff?

Do you have all of the above in place for a fixed annual fee… as low as $950 per year?

Are you a Planet Footprint Council?To find out more visit www.planetfootprint.com

www.planetfootprint.com


policy

Household Chemical Cleanout Success

BEN MOONEY, HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM COORDINATORLocal Government Association of Tasmania

Over the last two years, the Pilot Household Hazardous Waste Program has successfully delivered an opportunity for Tasmanians to safely dispose of household chemicals. The benefits include safer homes, a cleaner environment, less hazardous material going to landfill, a greater public awareness of household chemicals and a better understanding of how to coordinate a statewide free drop-off program.

Duringtwoyears,theprogramoffered30drop-offdaysacross24localcounciljurisdictions,with1,942peoplesurrendering52,499kgofmaterial.Thefirstofits kind in Tasmania, the jointly funded State and Local GovernmentHouseholdHazardousWasteprojecthasdemonstrated the benefits of combined funding of statewide waste projects. All participants should be proud of their efforts in following instructions for packing and conduct on the day as no environmental incidents werereportedoverthe30daysofoperation.

Chemicals accepted at drop-off sites included all garden, kitchen and garage chemicals, fuels, oils, lubricants, paints, thinner, solvents, poisons and many more. Majorcategoriesofhigh-volume,low-toxicitymaterialconsistedofwaterandsolvent-basedpaint(55.8%),leadacidbatteries(10.8%),flammableliquids(e.g.fuels)(5.9%),gasbottles(5.3%).Substantialquantitiesofseriouslyhazardoushigh-toxicitymaterialsuchastoxicpesticides(3,260kg),toxicorganics(1,392.5kg),

cyanides(42kg),arsenicbasedcompounds(33.5kg),were surrendered.

A recent two-year review of the program has delivered the following recommendations:

• Continuetemporaryfullandhalf-daydrop-offs,thenumber dependant on funding.

• Continuebrochuremailouts,combinedwithotherlow-cost options.

• Explorefuturefundingoptions,suchasviaawastelevy, private and public stakeholders.

• EncourageLocalGovernmentcollectionoflow-toxicitymaterial.

• Buildonexistingcouncil,contractorandstakeholderrelationships.

The program is well-positioned to continue to meet theneedsoftheTasmaniancommunityinthenexttwo years but will require further discussion of future funding, governance, project management and drop-off models.

I encourage everyone to take advantage of this free service to rid your homes of hazardous chemicals. The nextcollectiondayswillbelaterthisyearandarelikelyto focus on major population centres in the South, North andNorth-West.Wearelookingforwardtocontinuingthe positive momentum gained thus far and to increasing the quantities of material removed from homes across Tasmania.

policy


policy Living and Learning in Japan - lgat.tas.gov.au Government being two-tiered, ... ageing...

Documents

Transcript of policy Living and Learning in Japan - lgat.tas.gov.au Government being two-tiered, ... ageing...