A new CEO... a new website... Romsey decision... GAIC... WorkCover... there is never a dull moment in local government or at the VLGA! I hope you enjoy reading the updates below. If there are issues or events you would like me to discuss in eNews, please let me know.
New VLGA CEO starts today
Maree McPherson, the new CEO of the VLGA takes up her post on Monday 16 November. Maree brings a wealth of experience from all levels of government community and we very much look forward to her leadership over the next few years. You can contact Maree at maree@vlga.org.au or on 03 9349 7901.
Tribute to Liana Thompson
We would also like to pay tribute to Liana Thompson who is not with the organisation at present. Liana stepped into the breach to help the VLGA during the last challenging year and has made a wonderful contribution.
Liana is a founding member and inaugural President of the VLGA and we would not be where we are now without her participation. Liana is highly regarded by everyone who knows her and she will undoubtedly continue to make a major contribution to the local government sector in whatever role she chooses.
Launch of the new VLGA website
We are very excited to announce that the new and improved VLGA website goes live today. We look forward to providing members and the public with a contemporary, comprehensive gateway to relevant VLGA and sector information.
Specific features of the new site include:
* seven key menu items on the homepage, each with a drop-down menu for ease of navigation
* up-to-date information contained in PDF format
* a scrolling ‘latest news and events’ function on the homepage
* a breadcrumb mapping system so visitors know where they are in the site
* online membership and event registration forms
* online staff contact forms
We hope you find the new website intuitive with user-friendly navigation. Further developments to the new website are yet to come and your feedback is greatly welcomed.
I would like to thank Mintleaf Studio and the VLGA staff for their hard work in successfully completing this enormous project.
VCAT supports community view: No pokies for Romsey!
Romsey has put itself on the map of community action with a win by Macedon Ranges Shire Council at VCAT last week. Justice Bell refused an application to install 30 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) at the Romsey Hotel. This follows Macedon Ranges’ firm stance after their win in the Supreme Court last March and cements the ‘no detriment test’ as a threshold for approving EGMs.
Under that test, a venue must show the net economic and social impact of the EGMs would not be detrimental to the wellbeing of the community. Macedon Ranges Shire demonstrated detriment mainly through community surveys over many years where strong opposition from the community was clear.
VCAT also confirmed a clear role of local government in the decision making process because of the statutory responsibility local government has in planning for community wellbeing through the Health Act and the Public Health and Wellbeing Act under which councils must protect, improve and promote public health and wellbeing.
The ruling held ‘wellbeing’ to be a broad concept and included the social consequences of problem gambling as well as the fears and views of the local community. But Macedon Ranges Shire Council is now preparing for a High Court challenge to this win. The VLGA joins the many voices congratulating Macedon Ranges on their persistence. We will be supporting you all the way to the High Court.
We intend to hold a forum to let you know what this means for your council and community and will provide details shortly. You can find the VCAT decision link here
Planning: Coalition of Concerned Councillors
The Mayors of Stonnington, Yarra, Banyule, Bayside, Whitehorse, Glen Eira and Boroondara formed the Coalition earlier this year to defend, protect and restore people’s rights to have a say in how their communities develop where the rights of residents are being eroded and diminished.
Mayor Wegman of Boroondara writes: “The various pieces of recent legislation...take powers and, potentially, assets away from councils thereby reducing our capacity to effectively represent our residents. Consider for example the Priority Development Zones, the Development Assessment Committees, Amendment VC56 to the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme, Extended Clearway Times, the Land Valuation Amendment Bill, aspects of the Planning and Environment Act Review, the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Bill and Fast-tracking/Ministerial Call-ins of development applications. All have either negative or the potential for negative impacts on the community's right to have a say in how their community develops.”
If you would like to receive more information and/or join the CCC, you can contact Mayor Jack Wegman on Jack.Wegman@boroondara.vic.gov.au
The Coalition of Concerned Councillors is also on Facebook – you can see their bulletin by adding the group as a ‘friend’.
Urban Growth Boundaries
Minister Madden introduced the legislation into Parliament last Wednesday along with maps showing transport links, grasslands and new outer suburbs. Legislation to introduce the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) was also introduced.
The extension area will include approximately 24,500 hectares of developable land – land to build at least 134,000 new homes. It also sets out the alignment for the Outer Metropolitan Ring/E6 Transport Corridor.
The VLGA continues to be concerned about boundary expansions. We would prefer to see a full exploration of undeveloped or under-developed areas within existing suburbs with existing infrastructure. Appropriate development on identified land within Melbourne promotes greater sustainability. Extensive changes to growth boundaries present many problems including displacement of agricultural land impacting our future food security.
Getting the balance right is the challenge – at the moment we are seeing boundary expansions as well as a non-consultative approach to over-development in inner Melbourne. Engaging communities in finding the right areas for greater density is the key.
While the Minister argues that the GAIC will apply to those who profit from subdividing and developing the land brought into the UGB, Taxed Out Inc. and many expert groups including the Housing Industry Association and the Planning Institute of Australia have concerns and problems with the GAIC. You can follow the issue on the Taxed Out Inc. website which also has links to all of the maps, media and legislation; or see www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning.
WorkCover for Councillors
We will soon know whether the WorkCover scheme will be extended to include councillors. Thank you for all of your feedback and many, many letters.
Thank you also to those who raised concerns and queries. We have compiled all concerns and have proposed ways of managing these. We have forwarded this to Minister Wynne on your behalf. If you would like any further information, please let me know: rose@vlga.org.au
White Ribbon Campaign - Darebin survey
A reminder that responses to Darebin’s ‘local government engagement in the White Ribbon Campaign’ survey need to be submitted by this coming Wednesday 18 November.
Please click on the survey link or copy and paste it into your browser: http://survey.darebin.vic.gov.au?SURVEY=darebin8
You can also contact Kellie Nagle at preventing.violence@darebin.vic.gov.au or phone 03 8470 8552.
National Year of Women in Local Government
2010 is the National Year of Women in Local Government. VLGA fully supports the three principles of the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter for gender equity, inviting diversity and encouraging the active citizenship of women.
We know that mayoral terms offer many opportunities to bring these principles to life in local governments and communities. Despite women making up more than 50% of our communities, less than 30% of councillors and 25% of mayors are female. In anticipation of the 2010 year, VLGA encourages women councillors who can help turn the Charter principles into reality in their communities to consider their own candidacy for Mayoralties, or support other colleagues in doing so.
So you want to be Mayor?
The VLGA offers member councillors the following confidential advice and support:
* One-on-one discussions concerning the factors to be taken into account when making your decision, and steps to take. These discussions can happen by telephone or in person.
* A two hour facilitated free workshop for all councillors in your council to independently facilitate a 'what we need in the next Mayor’ checklist.
Both of these free member services can also be provided to non-member councillors and councils, for a small fee.
If you are successful in being elected as Mayor, put the following weekend aside in your diary to attend our unique Essential Mayor's Weekend in Kalorama, midday Friday 29th to midday Sunday 31st January 2010.
Congratulations to Local Area Access Program Grant recipients
Congratulations to the ten Victorian councils who will share in a $2 million fund to improve access to walking, cycling and public transport through the state government's TravelSmart and Local Area Access Program (LAAP). These grant programs are designed to assist local governments in implementing projects that encourage residents to think twice before using their car. One project recipient, the Murrindindi Shire Council, will see an investment in two shared paths in Kinglake and Flowerdale, providing vital bushfire recovery support. For more information, visit the grant page on the DOT website.
VicHealth launches Victoria Walks!
Victoria Walks promotes a vision of vibrant, supportive and strong neighbourhoods where people can and do choose to walk wherever possible.
VicHealth has a series of quirky, online videos to inspire people to walk for everyday purposes:
* check out the first quirky 90-second video here
* and register to receive the next 4 episodes (you can win a 3G iPhone or other great prizes)
For more information about Victoria Walks contact Charmaine Chew on cchew@victoriawalks.org.au or see the Victoria Walks website
Bicycle Victoria releases its annual BiXIE report
BiXIE is Bicycle Victoria’s annual index of bike infrastructure spending by local government authorities. It shows which local governments are meeting the desired threshold expenditure on bike facilities, and which are falling short. See the report at the Thinking Transport website.
Essential Services Commission
The Commission has released its first newsletter for the Local Government Performance Monitoring Framework. This newsletter is part of the Commission’s extensive consultative program, and aims to keep stakeholders up to date with key issues and milestones relevant to the development of the framework. The newsletter will appear on the Commission's website tomorrow.
VLGA End-of-Year Drinks – 3 December
Please join Minister Wynne and the VLGA Board and staff for end-of-year drinks. The format will be quite informal with refreshments and a light meal being served. I do hope you are available and able to attend.
Details:
Thursday 3 December
6.30-8.30pm
VLGA Rear Meeting Room
60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Please RSVP for catering purposes to vlga@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7999
Events
What will we leave behind? Sustainable living now and forever
Tuesday 17 November, 6.00-7.30pm (doors open 5.30pm)
BMW Edge, Federation Square, Cnr Swanston & Flinders Sts, Melbourne
The speakers will discuss economic, social, cultural and environmental developments for present generations whilst securing and strengthening the life chances of future generations.
Speakers: Professor Peter Doherty AC, Professor Spencer Zifcak, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Ms Larissa Brown
Moderator: Mr Peter Mares
Future Leaders in partnership with Melbourne Conversations is presenting this event. Melbourne Conversations is the City of Melbourne's program of free talks. This event is supported by Readings.
Hamer Oration in Good Government – Fiddling While Australia Burns: Will this be History’s Judgement of Our Governments’ Response to Climate Change?
Tuesday 24 November, 6.00pm for 6.30pm start
Copland Theatre, the Economics and Commerce Building at the University of Melbourne
Speakers include David Karoly, Amanda McKenzie and Tim Colebatch
See the University of Melbourne website for more details.
“Are we there yet?”
Saturday 28 November, 4.30-6pm
New Council Chambers Room, Trades Hall, Lygon St, Carlton
Launching a Year of Re-commitment to Addressing the Unfinished Business of Reconciliation
Speakers: Tom Calma, Muriel Bamblett, Richard Frankland
Free entry, donations welcome at the door
RSVP for tickets to antar@antarvictoria.org.au
ANTaR Victoria forum Sponsored by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)
Regards
Cr Rose Iser
VLGA President
0414 959 427
rose@vlga.org.au
No comments:
Post a Comment