Is there a week that passes without a planning issue hitting the headlines?
Last week objectors’ fees, this week, the DACs legislation may return to the Upper House with recommendations from the Disputes Committee. The Upper House may pass the DACs Bill with amendments, or it may be used as a trigger for an early election by being rejected again by the Upper House.
We will continue to impress upon the Minister for Planning and opposition parties that issues of costs, the independence of the DAC Chair and the substitution of a state government decision for a Council decision are of great concern to Councils and communities.
This week’s e-news highlights areas – planning included – in which the VLGA, councils and the community are advocating and working together to build stronger communities, and to promote participation and fairness.
And for tomorrow, 15th September, we wish you a happy International Day of Democracy – as noted by Amnesty International.
Participation a Right, Not a ‘Free Market Pricing Mechanism’
Our continued advocacy to protect the role and independence of councils, and to fight for the right of citizens to participate in local decision-making, continued last week.
On Thursday, we issued a Media Release Pricing Planning Objections Not The Way To Go in which we expressed concern at any proposal to charge objectors for opposing developments at VCAT. Thanks to many of our councillor and community members who immediately indicated strong support for our position.
It was encouraging to see the Premier swiftly throw cold water on this proposal, as reported in the media on Friday.
The VLGA will continue to advocate for other reforms that would make decision making more efficient to help fix planning delays.
As I said last week, there is still ‘unfinished business’ from several earlier State Government reviews to address bottlenecks in the planning system. There are fairer means of addressing bottlenecks. These include higher planning application fees for more complex applications, providing more resources to VCAT, as well as recognising and addressing the serious shortfall of planning staff in Local Governments – particularly in rural areas.
Let’s not forget that this State Government came to power recognising that Victorians value, and will fight for, their right to participate in planning and other decisions.
The VLGA values your support for our continued advocacy to protect and strengthen this participation.
Response to Climate Change Green Paper
Late this week, we will send you a link to our draft response to the Climate Change Green paper. We will welcome your feedback in time for the 30th September due date. Many member Councils have made submissions to this important discussion paper and we invite you to forward to us your submissions or your key priorities or areas of concern.
2009-2013 VLGA Strategic Plan Adopted
Following several months of consultation with VLGA members, the Board recently adopted a Strategic Plan up until 2013. We would like to thank many of our members who provided feedback during these consultations.
One of the VLGA’s greatest strengths is our ability to respond in a timely and flexible way to emerging issues. As well as including our ongoing priorities and outcomes, for the first time our Strategic Plan also provides guidance on how we can respond to emerging issues to best pursue members’ interests.
Our final 2009-2013 Strategic Plan will be available to view on our website shortly.
VLGA Working Groups - Councillor & Officer Vacancies
The VLGA has received a large number of Expressions of Interest for our Affordable Housing Working Group, and our Local Government and Community Childcare Alliance from our community chapter members.
To finalise membership of these two groups, we are now asking for EoI’s from Councillors and Officer representatives from our member councils.
If you have an interest in, and would like to help guide our ‘bottom-up’ policy development forums, please contact our Acting CEO Darren Ray at darren@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7901 for more information.
2009 Human Rights Survey of Local Governments
The 2009 Online Survey by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission will measure council progress on incorporating the Human Rights and Responsibilities Charter over time.
VEOHRC is conscious of the need to maintain consistency in order to gather comparative data on the progress of councils.
So, as well as featuring many of the same questions as last year, this year’s survey is also designed to link with council initiatives, as well as the VLGA’s Human Rights ‘Milestones Project’. The VLGA Project seeks to develop a more coordinated approach across all councils towards human rights implementation and the development of indicators to measure progress.
Access the Online Survey
For more information about the survey, contact Stephanie Cauchi on 03 9281 7113 or email at stephanie.cauchi@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Stay tuned for more information on the VLGA’s Human Rights ‘Milestones Project’, and how councils and the community are working together on this important issue.
New Social Enterprise Online Information Hub Launched
The VLGA’s partner for the recent launch of reports and practical tools to promote community enterprises, Social Traders, has launched its new website. This website will be a leading resource for social enterprise practitioners and supporters.
Social Traders' website provides:
* Information about Social Traders
* Social enterprise information sheets and case studies
* The latest social enterprise news and events
* Social enterprise related policy and research initiatives
* Information on social impact measurement and social procurement
* Social enterprise resources and tools
* Community discussion forums to share experience and insights on social enterprise issues
Events
For details of the following and other events, go to the VLGA’s Upcoming Events Calendar, which can be accessed from the front page of our website
VLGA Leading Edge Forum – Thursday 8th October at Wodonga City Council
Another reminder that we will explore the challenges and opportunities of financial sustainability for smaller Rural Shires, in Wodonga from 6pm on Thursday 8th October.
This LEF will be webcast live. Speaker details will be forwarded to you shortly.
If you would like to attend, please email us at vlga@vlga.org.au or ring our office on 03 9349 7999.
Thriving or Just Surviving in Our Cities: Urban Challenges for this Century
Future Leaders in partnership with Melbourne Conversations is presenting this free event tonight Monday 14 September, at Federation Square’s BMW Edge.
Melbourne Conversations is the City of Melbourne's program of free talks. Supporters include ICLEI and Readings Books.
Speakers include Mr Rob Adams AM (Director City Design and Urban Environment at the City of Melbourne), Mr Jeb Brugmann (a leading Canadian practitioner and thinker on strategy and the process of innovation), Ms Patricia Faulkner AO (National Partner-in-Charge for Health at KPMG), and Dr Catherine Oke (City of Melbourne Councillor).
They will discuss how the experiences and future planning of cities might solve some of the pressing issues and contribute to the quality of life for all citizens. 6-7.30pm, Mon 14 Sept, Location: BMW Edge, Federation Square
I trust this e-news finds you well.
Regards,
Cr Rose Iser
VLGA President
rose@vlga.org.au or 0414 959 427
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