Bushfires Royal Commission
This edition of enews follows the release of the Bushfires Royal Commission as the Interim Report was released late yesterday.
My observations here are based on my experience as a Mayor of a bushfire-affected area and as a representative of the sector.
The recommendations are welcomed as a way forward to make Victoria a safer place in times where there is an ever-increasing risk of bushfires as a consequence of climate change. While the coordinated response to the Interim Report will be led by the State Government there is much that local Government can do, and has been doing, to help communities to plan and prepare for the coming fire season.
Many of us have already begun planning for the Community Bushfire Awareness Week which will start on 11th October as a way to help prepare our vulnerable communities.
With this Interim Report, it is helpful to receive clarity on some of the key issues such as the ‘stay or go’ policy and early warning systems. Councils will be keenly waiting for the State Government’s response which will be delivered by the end of the month.
We will be seeking further clarity on issues such as; what criteria a Neighbour-hood Safer Place may need to meet; details on the Township Protection Plans; advice on what are the 50 towns that have been designated at higher risk around the state for the upcoming season.
It is worth noting that some of the more contentious issues such as roadside clearing will be considered in the final report that will be delivered by July 31 next year.
3 New VLGA Positions
As a result of our successful growth over the last few months, the VLGA is looking to recruit the following positions:
1) Local Government Policy and Projects Officer (30 hours per week)
2) Local Government Learning and Development Officer (Full-time)&
3) Human Rights Policy and Project Officer (20 hours per week).
Applications for these positions close on August 28th.
If you, or someone you know might be interested in these Positions, you can find Position Descriptions and Application information on the right hand side of the front page of our website at http://www.vlga.org.au/ For more information, contact our Director Public Affairs and Organisational Development, Liana Thompson via email liana@vlga.org.au
Special VLGA Workshop – Residential Amenity Impacts of Licensed Premises .... more than just NOISE?
Come along to this workshop to hear how in a recent landmark VCAT decision, the Tribunal set out a test to assess the cumulative impacts of licensed premises in a relevant area.
Presented in association with Maddocks Lawyers, Issues include:
• operating hours and patron numbers
• the incidence of violence, property damage and anti-social behaviour, and
• the density, mix and type of licensed premises
This workshop will feature Mimi Marcus, Senior Associate from Maddocks, who acted for Yarra City Council at VCAT, followed by a panel discussion.
Please pass notice of this event onto Councillors and Senior Planning Staff who might be interested in this topic.
When: - Friday 11th September, 2009, 2-4pm
Venue: - VLGA Meeting Room, Rea 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
RSVPs: - 03 9349 7999 or vlga@vlga.org.au
For details of this and other events, go to our Upcoming Events Calendar on the right hand side of the front page of our website at http://www.vlga.org.au/
Conflict Of Interest Review – Next Steps
As stated in my last enews, staff and I recently met with the Minister for Local Government, Richard Wynne, to discuss a number of issues including Conflict Of Interest, Workcover coverage for Councillors, and Bushfires.
We have sent a letter to the sector in regards to this meeting, outlining our commitment to participating in the promised review of the Conflict Of Interest Legislation, starting in November. If you have not seen this letter, email the office and we will send you a copy via vlga@vlga.org.au
Role of VLGA Member Council Delegates
We are currently sending all of our 56 Member Council Delegates a detailed letter explaining the role and expectations of VLGA Delegates, and improved ways that we will be communicating with them. As our eyes and ears in the sector, we will make sure our communications are convenient, given their steep workloads.
For further information, contact me at ruth@vlga.org.au
VLGA ‘Service Offer’
Having now visited over 64 of the 79 Councils, it has been good to get feedback on what VLGA services people are aware of. So, in the next week or so we will be writing to our Member Local Governments to explain the services we offer and outline the ways we are committed to assisting member councils.
Regards
Cr Ruth McGowan
Interim President
0431 664 693 or ruth@vlga.org.au
No comments:
Post a Comment