Proposed Motions For Submission To Alga National General Assembly 2025

That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 17 March 2025 regarding motions to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) 2025 and:  

A. Approve the following motion (refer Attachment 1), initiated by Cr Finzel, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: 

"This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to provide a review to improve the efficiency and impact of the Waste Reduction Act 2020 in addressing the current and future circular economy needs, resource recovery and waste challenges to address how the Act operates to inform and take action at local government levels to respond to the needs of developing critical circular economy markets, including the viability of soil remediation within the Circular Economy to address social and environmental best sustainable practice as priority for local solutions to contribute to healthier communities, sustainable development, housing, and responsible resource management. Bioremediation and phytoremediation are both innovative, nature-based solutions for soil decontamination, fostering targets to effectively deliver place-based solutions for environmental and financial sustainability."  

B. Approve the following motion (refer Attachment 2), initiated by Cr Lorentson, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: 

"This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to Commit to undertaking a feasibility study of implementing a policy similar to the European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment and Reuse framework as part of Australia’s efforts to achieve Zero Pollution goals."

C. Approve the following motion (refer Attachment 3), initiated by Cr Lorentson, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: 

"This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to collaborate with local governments to mandate road user agreements with industry, ensuring fair cost distribution among road users, including those responsible for increased freight loads that damage local government roads."

D. Approve the following motion (refer Attachment 4), initiated by Cr Lorentson, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: 

"The National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to support the policy of Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMA, QLD) and the Australian Senior Active Doctors Association (ASADA) by:

1. Amending the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to establish a new registration category under AHPRA for senior doctors wishing to volunteer before retirement.

2. Waiving or significantly reducing registration fees and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for this category.

3. Providing indemnity insurance for senior doctor volunteers at minimal cost.

4. Establishing an Australian Medical Reserve to address workforce shortages during emergencies."

E. Approve the following motion (refer Attachment 5), initiated by Cr Finzel, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: 

"This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to undertake a comprehensive review into the end of waste criteria for resource recovery products against the specification for materials used in Federal, State and Local Infrastructure projects."

F. Approve Cr Lorentson and Cr Finzel to attend and present the motions at the National General Assembly, should they wish to attend.

Carried unanimously.