So much has been happening, and is about to happen, so I ask you to bear with the length of this eNews.
This week is Fire Awareness Week in Victoria. Councils now have interim guidelines for Neighbourhood Safe Places (NSPs), a new Warning Policy with messages to leave if the fire danger is declared Code Red, a more stream-lined approach to relief centres and further measures that have been circulated to Councils via the MAV.
As communities focus on preparing for this year’s bushfire season, we are aware that there are unanswered questions:
* Can communication strategies regarding fire activity be clarified asap given that not all aspects of the National Early Warning system will be ready this summer, and contractual agreement with commercial stations is still being sought regarding broadcasting fire messages?
* To what extent has the 10/30 vegetation removal policy been married with the Fire Warning Policy to ensure that residents have realistic expectations about their capacity to defend their homes?
* Will messages regarding heat waves be forthcoming from DHS to assist Councils prepare for the heat associated with the fire season?
* Will further funding be forthcoming to Councils required to implement new State bushfire related policies?
Councils, communities, the State Government and the MAV have been working extremely hard to be prepared for the start of the fire season. The VLGA will continue to support our members, and to work and advocate on behalf of communities where gaps are evident.
Rural Victoria
Did you know that for the $1100 spent on average per person in metro councils, small rural councils have to spend on average $1700? This is because of the high costs of delivering services across large geographic areas.
Last Thursday, we held our LEF on Financial Sustainability of Rural Shires in Wodonga. Clear from the presentations by three rural CEOs was the need for State and Federal Governments to take the financial sustainability of small rural councils very seriously.
All the statistics point to the high costs of serving rural communities. Grants formulae and infrastructure initiatives must support small rural councils.
The Local Government Reform Fund announced by the Prime Minister on Friday must support small rural councils to address infrastructure maintenance and asset management. The VLGA will advocate to the State Government to request that such projects be prioritised.
As we complete our submission to the Provincial Victoria Directions for the Next Decade Discussion Paper, we will put some rockets behind our campaign for better support for small rural councils. More on this soon.
WorkCover
At our meeting with Minister Wynne last week, we heard that the Minister is willing to consider including WorkCover for councillors as early as November except that the Minister needs to hear from many voices in the sector that we want WorkCover. At the moment, the VLGA is the only voice advocating for WorkCover for councillors.
There are some residual issues to address including the logistical issues of defining who can administer claims (in the absence of a clear employer) and how to manage return to work programs. However, clear guidelines and understanding how WorkCover is applied to MPs should address concerns.
Improving the working conditions of councillors by making WorkCover available is a fair and reasonable request. It also makes the job more attractive resulting in more community members taking an interest and putting up their hands.
We will be providing further information on this soon as we need to urgently demonstrate to the Minister that the sector supports the move and that it is worth working through the logistics.
Essential Services Commission (ESC) - Performance benchmarking for councils
An inquiry into the use of the ESC to set Performance Benchmarks for councils is being undertaken. We have provided feedback on the Terms of Reference for the inquiry. We have raised questions about the use of ESC to set indicators and benchmarks and the potential role for councillors in responding to performance reviews of councils.
The inquiry appears to be set up as consultative so we will be able to provide opportunities for plenty of member feedback as further information is forthcoming. Importantly, at our meeting with the Minister, he categorically ruled out linking the ESC performance indicators with any form of rate-pegging.
Conflict of Interest Review
Loud criticism of the way the new legislation has been managed has resulted in a review to be conducted before next April. We will let you know as soon as we are aware of the details of the review process and opportunities for submissions.
Local Government Human Rights Survey – responses due in a week
Please check that your council has completed its mandatory response to the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission’s 2009 Human Rights Survey. This survey can be directly accessed via the front page of our website
Human Rights Matters Locally
Last week, Brian Tee the Parliamentary Secretary for Justice visited the VLGA to officially launch the ‘Human Rights Matters Locally’ report together with the Assessment Table and Assessment Tools.
The VLGA in partnership with the Australian Centre for Human Rights Education have worked together to develop tools to support local governments to implement the Human Rights and Responsibilities Charter and to become ‘Human Rights Local Governments’.
The project was funded by the Victorian Government through the Department of Justice. All tools and the final report is available on our website and for further information, you can contact our Human Rights Policy & Project Officer, Gary Jungwirth on 9349 7986 or gary@vlga.org.au.
The next stage of the project is to work with 5 local governments in using the self-assessment and milestone tools and then to refine the tools so that all 79 local governments can benefit from the project and meet their responsibilities under the Victorian Human Rights Charter.
Funding to improve women’s participation in Local Government
As part of the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government, the Federal Government will provide $490,000 for a range of projects to help improve the participation of women in the nation’s councils and shires.
Data shows that less than 30 per cent of councillors are women; 20 per cent of senior management roles are filled by women; and only 7 per cent of council Chief Executive Officers are women.
The VLGA continues its work in this area through our Women’s Policy Working Group and our coalition with MAV as well as the Charter for Women’s Participation in Local Government. We welcome the Federal Government’s attention to this issue.
Applications open for $220M in community infrastructure
Round Two of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) has now opened.
Local governments will be able to access the $220 million as follows:
> $100 million to be shared between all councils and shires, based upon a submission of eligible projects. Submissions close on 20 November 2009;
> $120 million for larger Strategic Projects allocated on a competitive basis. Applications for this competitive funding are due by 15 January 2010.
In response to calls from the sector, rural councils and peak bodies including the VLGA, the Government has reduced the threshold for larger Strategic Projects to a minimum of $1 million, in order to provide local governments with greater flexibility.
The new Guidelines and other supporting information for Round Two of the Program are available here
Events
Land Use and Food Security Launch
Did you know that up to 25% of our fresh food is being grown in and around our urban areas?
The VLGA and VicHealth invite you to the launch of the Final Report: Land Use & Community Food Security in Victoria: Implications and Responses for the Future. The purpose of the Project is to build the capacity of local governments and others to integrate community food security into land-use planning objectives.
This coming Wednesday 14 October from 8.15am-11.30am
Rear Meeting Room 1
60 Leicester Street
Carlton
Planning Minister Justin Madden will launch the final report, and the keynote speaker is Ms Jeanette Longfield MBE from Sustain (UK).
RSVP to Valeria on 03 9349 7999 or vlga@vlga.org.au
Hume workshops – Surviving on Low Incomes
Hume City Council is holding a series of workshops on Surviving on Low Incomes in Broadmeadows, Sunbury, Roxburgh Park and Tullamarine on 13th and 14th Oct. For more information call 9205 2200 or email dalals@hume.vic.govau or see www.hume.vic.gov.au
For details of other Anti-Poverty Week Events, go to our Upcoming Events Calendar at www.vlga.org.au or the Anti-Poverty Week website
Water, fire & heat: summer is coming – free event from Future Leaders and Melbourne conversations
20 October at 6.00pm-7.30pm
BMW Edge, Federation Square
The speakers will discuss the many challenges in managing the crisis we are facing with our water supplies, potential fires and heat this summer. The first half of 2009 was the driest on record for Melbourne.
Speakers include Dr Michael Cathcart, Prof. Tom Griffiths, Ms Marnie Ireland, Prof Ian Lowe AO, and the moderator will be Mr Peter Mares.
www.futureleaders.com.au
SecondBite Volunteer recruitment drive!
SecondBite is a dynamic not-for-profit organisation committed to making a positive difference by sourcing fresh nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to people who are homeless, living in disadvantaged circumstances or experiencing food security issues within the community.
Volunteers are needed to act as Ambassadors of Flemington’s ‘Green Fields’ program to help the Victorian Racing Club present a cleaner, greener event. Volunteers will help promote smarter waste disposal practices, hand out rubbish bags to patrons across the three different locations and spread the word and mission of SecondBite.
Thirty volunteers are needed from 8am to 1.30pm on Saturday 31st October, Tuesday 3rd November, Thursday 5th November, and Saturday 7th November. General admission entry is offered to the carnival after your volunteer session.
To register your interest, please contact Keryn by email at keryn@secondbite.org or by telephone on (03) 9376 3800 for more information.
I trust this eNews finds you well!
Regards
Cr Rose Iser
President
0414 959 427 or rose@vlga.org.au
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