One of my favourites is an inscription in the sand at New Brighton, NSW, reading “There is no planet B”.
As we near a legislative regime in Australia and global decision making in Copenhagen, strong leadership, sensible solutions, substantial investment and community action on climate change is needed more than ever.
WorkCover
This week is WorkSafe week – making it a good time for us to continue discussions to extend WorkCover to councillors. We have received overwhelmingly positive responses from councillors to our request for feedback last week.
Councillors from at least 30 councils have contacted us expressing in principle support for the extension of WorkCover to councillors.
The MAV has released a Member’s Brief outlining some issues. We are now seeking a joint discussion involving VLGA, MAV, LGPro and Local Government Victoria so that we can work together to respond to issues raised and provide clear feedback to Minister Wynne as soon as possible to ensure that any logistical issues are satisfactorily resolved.
AGM – Thursday 5th November, 7pm
Please join us for our AGM and Leading Edge Forum featuring Adam Valvasori, Values Manager of Body Shop Australia.
Adam recently attended The Climate Project conference where he received exclusive training from Al Gore. During the past two years at the Body Shop, he has led campaigns against domestic violence, respect for Indigenous Australians, animal welfare, child sex trafficking, HIV and AIDS, human rights and climate change.
At the VLGA Annual General Meeting, two proposed changes to the VLGA Constitution will be considered:
1. Removal of CEO’s ex-officio position on the Board
2. Co-option power for casual vacancy in Office Bearer position
Details
Thursday 5th November 2009
6.30pm Dinner and Drinks
7.00-8.05pm Annual General Meeting
8.05pm Leading Edge Forum
VLGA, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Please RSVP to 03 9349 7999 or vlga@vlga.org.au
Mayors on Bikes: Cold – steep – heroic!
Under dark ominous rain clouds, thirty riders set off from Federation square to Fairfield Boathouse discussing the good, bad and ugly cycling routes along the way.
Highlights included an update on the bike lanes to be introduced in East Melbourne, experiencing the Gipps Street steps, and hearing that these may soon be replaced with something more suitable for a City Trail (like a ramp!) and the 90 steps at Chandler Highway which are a clear obstacle for anything on wheels – prams, wheelchairs and bikes.
Seeing and discussing the issues was an important step in our continued advocacy for improvements for safe and accessible walking and cycling paths.
And the rain held off until we arrived at Fairfield!
Productivity Commission’s Report on Gambling
As many of you would know, last week’s release of the Productivity Commission’s report into gambling followed a decision by the Council of Australian Governments to provide an update on developments since the Commission's 1999 report.
A copy of the overview and recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s report can be found here.
The VLGA and our Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) continues to be concerned about the impacts of gambling on problem gamblers and local communities. It is pleasing to see the Productivity Commission agree with us that of particular concern are pokies where most harms arise.
Stay tuned for upcoming campaigns in this space.
Council Code of Conduct
All councils are required to adopt their Codes of Conduct by the end of November. These can, of course, be reviewed over the next three years.
The VLGA has been working with councils to shape Codes that provide clear parameters for good governance. While the time is running out to adopt a new Code, we are recommending that councils adopt a simple draft that meets your legislative obligations, and then enter a more substantive discussion early next year – an approach that appears to be being followed by many.
We have also been developing periodic ‘Good Governance Grabs’ and our latest ‘grab’ on Dispute Resolution can be accessed from the Councillor and Officer Resources section of our website.
Development Assessment Committees
Many community members and councillors are feeling frustrated about the amendments to the Development Assessment Committees (DACs) legislation that will mean it is likely to pass the Upper House. The amendments have only gone a small way in resolving the concerns about the mechanisms for the development assessment committees.
Interestingly, in NSW, eight councils are reported to be refusing to participate in the analogous system of joint regional planning panels to be used to assess works over $10M, by refusing to nominate councillors to sit on the panels.
Victorian councils affected by the current DACs legislation have long argued that council should not have to fund VCAT costs where DAC decisions are appealed. NSW councils have been similarly concerned, and interestingly the NSW Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, “has promised the government would fund any such case where the council members were outvoted by the government appointed members.” (Refuseniks see flaws in planning panels, The Australian Financial Review, 7 October 2009)
Childcare Working Group
As you may know, the VLGA’s Local Government and Community Childcare Alliance includes a range of councillors, officers and community members working together to progress policy directions that support accessible, affordable and quality childcare and promote the role of local governments in the delivery of services for children in our communities.
Should you be interested in joining the Working Group, please contact myself as Chair of the Alliance or Cr Stefanie Perri, Policy & Project Officer on 9349 7980 or stefanie@vlga.org.au
Mayoral Chain and Delegates Dinner
A reminder to VLGA Delegates & Mayoral Chain Members that you are invited to join us at a special dinner this Wednesday 28 October. This dinner will give you the chance to get to know your fellow VLGA Delegates from other councils, the Board, as well as many current and former Mayors.
Details
6.30pm-9.30pm, Wednesday 28 October, 2009
Santino’s Terrace, 166 Lygon St, Carlton (Melways ref: 2B F10)
Please RSVP immediately to Sarah Colgan via email sarahcolgan@vlga.org.au or phone 03 9349 7983
2009 Annual Stegley Lecture
This year’s Stegley Lecture on 11th November on the Hawthorn Campus of Swinburne University will feature a conversation between VLGA Life Member, Mike Hill and the VLGA’s Governance Patron, Hayden Raysmith.
From 1973 to 2001 the Stegley Foundation was one of Australia’s most progressive philanthropic organisations. Before winding up in 2001, it made a final grant to enable this Centre to hold an annual lecture exploring the theme of philanthropy and social change.
Hayden and Mike will discuss supporting partnerships between local governments and their communities and explore how this approach can work in a contemporary context. Areas to be explored will include: environmental sustainability; social justice; and engagement and participation in local affairs by excluded or minority groups.
For further details, please see the invitation loaded on our Upcoming Events Calendar.
RSVP by Monday 9th November to Carolyn Oates coates@swin.edu.au
Congratulations to the local governments who were successful in receiving federal funding via the Jobs Fund for their projects that will see more bike paths, bike lanes and bicycle parking facilities pop up across the State, while also supporting job creation.
For more information, visit the Jobs Fund website.
I trust this eNews finds you well!
Regards
Cr Rose Iser
President
0414 959 427 or rose@vlga.org.au
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