International Women’s Day is approaching, Monday 8 March, and, as you know, we are celebrating the Year of Women in Local Government during 2010. Some fast facts:
* of 620 councillors in Victoria, only 183 or 29.5% are women
* there are only 16 female Mayors (20%) in 2010
* there are only 20% of women in management roles amongst local government officers
As I pop children into bed, pack school bags, hang out washing, thank partner for cleaning kitchen, then sit down to work, it is obvious that we all juggle demands to be effective councillors. More work is needed to remove barriers that prevent people from standing for council and achieving equal representation across gender, age and cultural difference.
Your Opinions: Women in Local Government
This week, Dr Andi Diamond, CEO City of Yarra, writes as one of only 10 female local government CEOs in Victoria. Her article (a speech recently delivered) is titled Is ambition a dirty word?:
“A quick scan (Google) of article and book titles illustrates how we as women continue to search for ways to legitimise our aspirations as well as justifying our leadership: “Blindsided Ambition: Diagnosing a crisis in young women's lives”; “Will she fit in: What is holding women back?”; “Women on Corporate Boards makes good business sense”; “ What keeps women from the top”; “The girls guide to being a boss (without being a bitch)”; and “Valuable lessons, smart suggestions and true stories for succeeding as the chick in charge”.
And these are meant to be titles that inspire us, that recognise women’s aspiration, careers and leadership. We clearly have a long way to go. It’s no wonder we still are asking if ambition is a dirty word for women. This question in itself is reflective of a much bigger question and that is, does gender matter?
Time to debunk a myth: whilst we still get preoccupied with gender differences in leadership styles the majority of findings indicate that there are more similarities than differences between male and female leaders.”
See Dr Diamond’s full article on our website.
Next week we’ll hear from some elected representatives on this issue.
We welcome your comments.
VCAT Review
Some of you may have already seen the Media Release we issued late last week in regards to the Report of the VCAT President, Justice Bell. We are struck by how frank and honest Justice Bell’s Report is in acknowledging the problems many of our local government and community members have had with VCAT.
See our full media release which warns that fast tracked large developments need more time for proper assessment by councils before being able to be fast-tracked at VCAT.
For a full copy of the Report, go to www.vcatreview.com.au to read Justice Bell’s 78 recommendations about improving VCAT.
See the media release from the State Government announcing two immediate reforms – a priority list for developments over $5M and new fee waiver guidelines.
Submission to the Planning and Environment Act Review
Thank you to many member local governments who sent a copy of their submissions through, and for the comments on our draft submission.
Please see our final submission here.
Grants for events in responsible Gambling Awareness Week, 17-23 May
You can apply for a $500 matched grant if you run an event for Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (17-23 May). The VLGA sought an extension to expressions of interest which are now due 15 March. Details on how to apply and the grant can be found via this link.
A brief for local governments on RGAW can be found here.
Please let the VLGA know if you are holding an event!
The EPA invites comment on regional draft noise guidelines
Live in a regional or rural area and concerned about industry noise?
EPA Victoria invites industry, local government and the community to comment on new draft industry noise guidelines. Two new draft guidelines are open for comment, Noise from industry in regional Victoria (NIRV), to replace EPA’s existing country noise guidelines, and Industry noise and statutory approvals, which will support planning and other approvals around industrial noise. The guidelines do not cover sources such as domestic noise, wind farms or traffic on road and rail corridors. EPA invites comments from industry, government and the community. View the guidelines.
Victorian Government Release SmartRoads Operating Plans
The State Government has released its SmartRoads strategy – see the media release.
SmartRoads is a planning tool which uses complex economic modelling to designate which modes of transport have priority on particular roads. This is designed to improve the efficiency of the metropolitan road network, reducing delays and congestion for commuters and maximise existing road space. SmartRoads will be used to guide planning into the future and encourage smarter road sharing.
A comprehensive list of Operating Plans for each metropolitan Council area is available via the VicRoads website by clicking on the blue underline link, along with an overview video. Updates on SmartRoads will be posted on Thinking Transport as they come to hand. See the ‘SmartRoads Connecting Communities’ brochure on our website for further details.
Conflict of Interest Submission
You can find our final submission on our website. This has been an incredibly detailed and challenging issue to tackle, and we appreciate all of the feedback and comments we have received. While it is a bit glib to say that we would all benefit from a simpler and clearer set of rules, the issue of conflicts of interest is most likely one that will continue for some time. The VLGA will continue to be a strong voice for councillors and local government officers.
We look forward to talking with the Minister and his department about the results of the review process and potential legislative amendments.
Financial sustainability of small rural local governments
I have written to rural local governments indicating that the VLGA has mounted a campaign on behalf of those struggling to fund the gap between expenditure and income.
Northern Grampians Shire Council resolved at its Meeting of 25 February 2010: ‘That the Council work collaboratively with other financially disadvantaged Councils to manage the risks arising from funding shortages and to seek funding entitlements for all council obligations.’ We encourage other councils to consider similar resolutions and inform us of these. Please contact me for further information on rose@vlga.org.au.
WorkCover for Councillors
Thank you to all those who responded so quickly last year to enable us to demonstrate to Ministers Wynne and Holding and the shadow spokesperson for local government, Jeanette Powell, that there was widespread community and local governments support for councillors to be covered by WorkCover. As we advised you in December last year, and following an invitation to us from Minister Wynne the VLGA will be part of stakeholder negotiations to bed down this legislation and to ensure that regulations and guidelines to support its introduction are reflective of these stakeholder discussions.
Congratulations from VLGA Training...you have won a 2 night stay at the Hotel Windsor
Thanks to all the councillors, officers and community members who completed our Online Training Needs Assessment Survey. The information we have been able to gather will be instrumental in finalising the types, locations and prices of our training. Congratulations to Anna Quirk from Casey who has won 2 nights accommodation at the Windsor Hotel for participating in the survey. If you would like more information about training, contact Darren Ray on 03 9349 7902 or darren@vlga.org.au.
Local and Public Drug Use Resources
The issue of public drug use and the role that local governments and communities have in addressing these issues is seldom far from the media’s attention.
Two new resources have been published that we wanted to highlight as they show ways that local communities can be part of the solutions to problems associated with public and local drug use.
The first is the Resource Guide for Planning Effective Community Drug Prevention.
The second is the Local Solutions for Public Drug Use resource (regarding use of drugs in public) and the Local Solutions Compendium.
Please share these resources with your fellow community members, councillors and officers.
2010 National Awards for Local Government
Nominations have now opened for the 2010 National Awards for Local Government. These awards now reward local governments for the innovative and important work they do in supporting local communities. This year, the National Awards recognise local governments’ efforts in delivering local infrastructure, collaborating with neighbouring councils, improving their asset and financial management planning and building their capacity to serve communities.
Award categories include: Excellence in Alcohol Management; Infrastructure Development; Innovation in Natural Resource Management; Leading Community Climate Change Action; Strength in Diversity; Strengthening Indigenous Communities; Youth Engagement; Asset and Financial Management; Regional Collaborations’ Urban Planning Reforms; Women in Local Government. For further information on the National Awards for Local Government contact the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government on free call 1800 065 113, or visit the Department's website.
pt4me2 website now live
The pt4me2 website has been launched. pt4me2, which stands for 'Public Transport for me Too', is a communication tool for the community to have a say about public transport in Melbourne.
The website offers multiple methods for users to express their opinions, including:
* The pt4me2 blog - for people to publically share their experiences of public transport and their ideas for making it better
* The pt4me2 myspace page, Twitter feed and a Facebook page
* The pt4me2 YouTube - for videos created by the public about public transport
pt4me2 is a project of the Metropolitan Transport Forum which represents 18 municipalities across Melbourne on transport issues.
Public Transport Survey: What moves you, what moves your vote?
The VLGA and 18 local governments are members of the MTF which is politically independent and exists solely to work for better public transport.
Visit www.pt4me2.org.au to have your say about Melbourne's public transport. The results will be presented to all the major political parties in May. Results will also be sorted into postcodes and the data will be available for local governments.
Events
Liveable and Just Toolkit Launch
In response to the outcomes and recommendations of climate change workshops conducted across Victoria, the Liveable & Just Toolkit has been developed to assist councils to integrate social and equity issues into efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Melbourne launch
Tuesday 2 March, 9.30am-12noon
VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton 3053
Register here
Regional launch
Tuesday 9 March, 10.30am-1pm
Mansfield Shire Council, 33 Highett Street, Mansfield 3722
Register here
Leading Edge Forum: 2010 State & Federal Elections: will you be heard or drowned out?
Thursday 4 March, 6.30-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This election year will be different from any other! It’s a chance for your council to lobby on issues important to you. We want to help! Come along to the Leading Edge Forum on Thursday 4 March where expert speakers will be available to offer important insights to assist your campaign to ‘cut through’.
Details:
Thursday 4 March
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
6.30pm Finger-food and refreshments
7pm LEF commences
Registrations for all LEFs can now be made via our website and current LEF information can be found here.
Celebrate International Women’s Day with international students
Friday 5 March, 11.30am-2.00pm
State Library, Swanston Street to march to Parliament
The Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition is celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day with a March for Harmony led by female international students. Everyone is invited to show their solidarity with international students. Female international students have a different story to tell about their life in this country. This is their day, the day they can be heard and acknowledged for the optimism, resilience and talent they bring to this country. There will be a colourful march of hundreds of women around the Melbourne CBD.
Clean Up Australia Day
Sunday March 7
Check out the website to find cleanup sites in your area.
Women’s Planning Network – International Women’s Day breakfast
Wednesday 10 March, 7.30-9am
Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne
This year’s breakfast will be held at Parliament House with Jenny Mikakos, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning as our special guest speaker and also include the presentation of the 2010 Rising Star Scholarship.
Cost: WPN Members and Students: $25; Non Members: $30
Places are limited so please obtain a registration form by emailing admin@wpn.org.au or calling 9347 4622 by Friday 5 March.
Sally Isaac International Women’s Day breakfast
Wednesday 10 March
Reading Room, Fitzroy Library
The City of Yarra will host an International Women’s Day breakfast in Fitzroy Library’s Reading Room on Wednesday 10 March. The event celebrates Sally’s memory and her legacy. It marks the enormous contribution that many women make to public life and their community. The event will also raise funds for the Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by family and friends of Sally, to create educational opportunities for young women who make a significant contribution to a range of disciplines. Check our website for more details.
Local Government Planning for a Sustainable Future
Monday 15 March 2010
Quay West Melbourne, 26 Southgate Avenue, Southgate
Presented by Peter Aughton, this workshop will introduce Local Government decision makers to practical and participative planning tools that can be readily applied in their communities.
To register, contact Jill Moor on 9835 8900 or email registrations@pics.com.au
Ride2School
Put this date in your diary and be part of the action on National Ride2School Day on Wednesday 17 March, 2010.
To see the active travel rates amongst students in your council for Term 4, 2009, see the website.
ALGWA Conference - WomenCan!
18-19 March 2010
City of Melbourne, Yarra Room, Melbourne Town Hall
This year’s Australian Local Government Women’s Association conference has some wonderful, inspiring speakers attracting a fantastic response from people wishing to attend both the dinner on Thursday 18 March and conference on Friday 19 March, in this, the Year of Women in Local Government. Speakers include Professor Graham Sansom, Mary Barry, CEO of the SES Victoria, Marcia Griffin, a past recipient of the Telstra Women of the Year and founder of Griffin & Row, Melissa Fyfe, state political writer for the Melbourne Age, Melissa Wealands, President of the Women’s Planning Network, and Senator Judith Troeth. For a further list of speakers, to view the program or to register, visit www.algwa.com.au.
Regards
Cr Rose Iser
VLGA President
0414 959 427
rose@vlga.org.au
No comments:
Post a Comment