Hocking booked for National Local Roads and Transport Congress

National
Bushfire Recovery Agency deputy coordinator Andrew Hocking will head an
impressive array of speakers at ALGA’s National Local Roads and Transport
Congress in November.

After being forced to cancel its annual National General Assembly for Local Government because of Covid-19, ALGA has expanded the National Local Roads and Transport Congress to encompass natural disaster impacts, recovery and resilience, and the coronavirus pandemic.

Major-General
Hocking was posted to the NBRA in January and has visited many fire-affected
communities since then, listening to their experiences and helping them get the
Commonwealth support they need.

During the Congress, he will recount some of the many recovery journeys now underway – and discuss how the experiences of impacted local communities are helping build disaster resilience and ensuring future disaster responses are quick, targeted, and effective.

The Congress has been expanded to two full days (16-17 November) to give delegates time to examine other issues impacting on Local Government, with proceedings livestreamed for delegates unable to attend in person.

Other speakers include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Michael McCormack, and Federal MP for Ballarat Catherine King, the shadow minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development.

Patty
Kinnersly, the chief executive of Our Watch – which developed a violence
prevention toolkit for local government with help from five councils in
Victoria, Queensland, SA, WA and NSW – will discuss the need for all
governments to remain vigilant about violence against women, particularly
during the pandemic.

Economist
Nicki Hutley will share her expertise in applying economic modelling and
analysis to address issues like affordable housing, precinct planning and urban
renewal, while Dr Neryl East will show local government leaders how to communicate
with influence, including during natural disaster events.

Register now for ALGA’s Special Local Roads and Transport Congress: Roads, Regions, Resilience.