While many Victorians were cold and wet at the Grand Final at the weekend, and many BBQs would have been washed out, the rains have been very welcome. As our Annual Tour to all Victorian Councils draws to a close (we have now visited 70 Councils this year), we are hearing some relief and optimism about the spring rainfall to date.
That said, parts of Australia still experienced the lowest August rainfall on record and Victoria is likely to experience a warmer than normal spring according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Victoria’s response to climate change must be effective in order to protect and assist rural and urban communities from the impact of weather variations, extreme events, sea-level rises and bushfires.
Victoria will have local government voices at Copenhagen in December – further information can be obtained from ICLEI. ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is coordinating a world-wide effort to ensure the work and experiences of cities and local governments are recognised in the new UN climate agreement; see Climate Mayors
There is also a Copenhagen Climate Change forum on Monday 12 October 2009, 3.30pm-5.00pm, at the Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne on the implications for cities and local government, featuring a keynote address by Mr Gino Van Begin, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and Regional Director for Europe, as well as high-level briefings on behalf of the Australian negotiating team for Copenhagen and the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.
VLGA Response to State Government’s Climate Change Green Paper
I need to remind everyone that today is the last day to send in your comments on our draft Submission. We emailed a draft copy of the VLGA’s submission to you last week. If you would like to comment, contact Liana Thompson via email at liana@vlga.org.au or by phone on 03 9349 7902.
Leading Edge Forum in Wodonga - Financial Sustainability & Rural Shires: Challenges & Opportunities
Thursday 8th October, 6.30-9.15pm
104 Hovell Street, Wodonga
6.30pm Drinks, Networking & Finger Food
7.00-9.15pm Leading Edge Forum
LEF speakers are:
Gavin Cator, Wodonga City Council CEO & Former LGPro President
Roseanne Kava, Gannawarra Shire Council CEO
Kevin Hannagan, Strathbogie Shire Council CEO & LGPro Vice-President
Cr Rose Iser, VLGA President
Please contact the VLGA office to RSVP for this event by Thursday 1st October.
This Leading Edge Forum will be web-cast live via our website.
Mayor and Councillor Allowances to increase automatically by 2.5% from 1st December, 2009
During our Councillor Remuneration campaign in 2008, we argued strongly for allowances for Mayors and Councillors to be automatically and independently adjusted by the State Services Authority (SSA). The SSA also adjusts senior executive salaries for the State Public Service.
Although politicians’ salaries are a controversial topic this week, there is no doubt that Councillors are paid well below a commensurate award rate. Understandably, some Councils, particularly small rural Councils, are conscious of the cost of their salaries. We will continue to argue for subsidies for these Councils to cover basic costs such as Councillor allowances.
The VLGA argued for automatic adjustments, as well as for the equivalent of 9% ‘superannuation’ contribution. We did this because we should never again face the situation where allowances go backwards, in real terms.
Under 73B(5) a Council must increase the councillor and mayoral allowances in accordance with this notice. Accordingly the adjustment factor applies to the level of Mayoral and Councillor allowances determined at a Council’s last review under section 74(1).
Details of the 2.5% Increases are included below. The adjusted range limits, levels and amounts take effect on 1st December 2009.
Section 73B Local Government Act 1989
In accordance with section 73B(4)(a) the adjustment factor is 2.5%. Under section 73B(4)(b) notice is hereby given of the following limits and ranges:
Category 1: Councillors $ 6,970–$16,605; Mayors up to $49,610
Category 2: Councillors $ 8,610–$20,705; Mayors up to $64,062
Category 3: Councillors $10,353–$24,805; Mayors up to $79,233
Section 26A(3) City of Melbourne Act 2001
Under section 26A(3) the new allowance amounts are:
Lord Mayor: $151,598
Deputy Lord Mayor: $ 62,013
Councillors: $ 34,440
Farewell but not Goodbye to Timor-Leste Consul General Abel Guterres
As some of you may have learned, the VLGA’s close friend and Timor-Leste Consul General Abel Guterres ends his duties in Sydney at the end of September 2009. Abel will return to Dili where he will head the Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until January next year. Ms. Ines da Costa Moreira, Consul, will take charge of the affairs of the Consulate General in Sydney till the arrival of the new Consul General.
In his email to friends around the country, Abel said:
“To all my great friends involved in the Friendship Relationships around Australia led by the VLGA I express my sincere appreciation to all your efforts since the year 2000 to the Friendship Relationship between Australia and Timor-Leste which has made a success story.”
As ever, Abel’s humility is notable, for without his efforts the Friendship Relationships would never have started. We will of course stay in close contact with Abel, and acknowledge his efforts in contributing to the rebuilding of Timor-Leste.
We also welcome the recent involvement of the MAV in promoting and assisting with training for local government officials in Timor-Leste. We look forward to seeing more partners join the VLGA in our ongoing efforts to provide support for the birth of local democracy in Timor-Leste.
Board members wanted for new Cemetery Trusts
The State Government has announced its intention to restructure 10 large cemetery trusts in the metropolitan area, and create two new major metropolitan cemetery trusts to be known as the Greater Metropolitan Cemetery Trust and the Southern Metropolitan Cemetery Trust. These will be paid part-time Governor in Council appointments.
The new major cemetery trusts will need board members with a mix of skills and expertise in areas such as corporate governance, finance, law, business, management and community service. Experience on public company, community or statutory authority boards, and/or knowledge of public sector accountability frameworks is desirable.
The Government wishes to ensure that they attract a significant number of qualified women applicants in view of the Government's target for 50% women membership of the boards of public bodies.
The VLGA encourages experienced councillors and community members apply.
Further information including guidelines for applicants, application forms and terms and conditions of appointment can be downloaded from here
Prospective applicants can contact Sarah Poon at the Public Health Branch of DHS on 03 9096 0356 for further information.
VLGA’s Women’s Policy Working Group
The second meeting of our Women’s Policy Working Group will be held on Wednesday 14th October from 12.30-2pm at VLGA office.
The core group warmly welcomes the participation of any VLGA member who wishes to contribute. The agenda for the meeting includes drafting our plan for the National Year of Women in Local Government in 2010 and planning ahead to increase women’s participation following the elections in 2012, following the very successful Leading Edge Forum held in September.
Enquiries to Linda Bennett at the VLGA on 03 9349 7904.
Anti-Poverty Week Events:
Equal Societies Do It Better
Everyone interested in social justice issues will value this forum on Thursday 15th October at the City of Port Phillip. With David Imber as MC, the Forum will include a range of presentations, panels and separate topic discussions to canvass ways that people are working together to address inequality and improve the lives of everyone in the community.
For details of the Forum and a Registration Form, go to our Upcoming Events Calendar on our website
Cheap and Healthy Meals in Minutes
Brimbank City Council is running a series of interactive workshops for the community during Anti-Poverty Week 2009 where you will discover how to eat well on a budget, why meals that you prepare at home are better value than fast foods and how to prepare healthy meals quickly and easily. Sessions are open for all to attend at no charge and are supported by the Food for All Program.
For session details contact Council’s Community Planning and Development Department on 03 9249 4000.
Other Anti-Poverty Week events from 11th-17th October can be found here
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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