Ministerial Forum
I was delighted this week to attend the Local Government Ministerial Forum dinner with Ministers Wynne, Allan and Morand, along with CEOs and Mayors from all local governments. Maree McPherson, VLGA CEO and I received requests from attendees to gather feedback about the day’s events and forward suggestions to the Minister for future forums. I welcome your comments on this.
The VLGA received strong and supportive feedback from members I spoke to in the evening. It was great to speak with Minister Wynne and MAV President Cr Bill McArthur about the VLGA and its principles in general.
I was delighted this week to attend the Local Government Ministerial Forum dinner with Ministers Wynne, Allan and Morand, along with CEOs and Mayors from all local governments. Maree McPherson, VLGA CEO and I received requests from attendees to gather feedback about the day’s events and forward suggestions to the Minister for future forums. I welcome your comments on this.
The VLGA received strong and supportive feedback from members I spoke to in the evening. It was great to speak with Minister Wynne and MAV President Cr Bill McArthur about the VLGA and its principles in general.
Pokies and problem gambling
Over 25 members of the VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) met last Wednesday and received a report from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation about tighter timelines for local governments to make submissions on applications for new pokie venues or transfers of existing machines. LGWGOG also considered advocacy issues for the State and Federal Elections. At the VLGA we are continuing our strong advocacy to minimise the harmful effects of pokies for problem gamblers because we know this is a growing matter of concern for our local government and community members. Feel free to contact Darren Ray at darren@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7902 to discuss further or share your ideas.
Essential Services Commission
Essential Services Commission
As you may know, the City of Melbourne and several other local governments will be joint signatories to a submission on the ESC’s Performance Monitoring Framework. I also note that the MAV has come out calling for this process to be halted. Next week’s eNews will detail the VLGA’s position on the joint signatories submission, which is currently being carefully considered by the VLGA board. The VLGA has consistently expressed that compliance and duplication costs need further consideration. I’d be pleased to hear your views - feel free to contact me via heinz@vlga.org.au or 0438 006 656.
Victorian government celebrates 2010 Year of Women in Local Government
The VLGA congratulates all local governments who are taking steps to improve the participation and visibility of women on their councils, in their organisations and in reaching out to engage women in the community. Keep it up – we are here to support you in this work to assure our collective community futures for the 21st century and beyond. To hear more about the VLGA’s important work in this area contact Linda Bennett, VLGA Women’s Policy Officer, linda@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7904.
The annual Local Government Ministerial Forum hosted by Minister for Local Government the Hon. Richard Wynne and Cabinet colleagues, was opened this year by a celebration of and information session about women in local government. The State-wide data about women’s participation as councillors, CEOs and senior managers is alarming. However, it is heartening to hear Victorian Ministers for Local Government and Women’s Affairs talk of their deep interest in supporting local governments to reach out to women. To read more, go here.
Transport and Social Inclusion
Consultation on the Hoddle St upgrade: The Hoddle Street planning is now underway and this is a chance to voice your opinion on the possibilities.
Hoddle Street/Punt Road is Melbourne’s main north-south route and polls have indicated that it is drivers’ least favourite thoroughfare. Peak hour traffic east bound and west bound along Johnston Street, Victoria Street, Bridge Road and Swan Street is also held up at the intersection with Hoddle Street. To participate in the forum and to have your say, go to www.hoddlestreetstudy.com.au. Or you can email VicRoads at hoddlestudy@roads.vic.gov.au, or visit Collingwood Town Hall or Melbourne Town Hall to fill in a feedback form.
Social Inclusion Principals for Transport Engineers seminar
Friday 14 May 2010, 9am-12pm
Department of Transport Theatrette, 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne
This seminar is relevant to all who work in the transport field, providing unique access to expert presenters who will provide an overview of the social implications of transport planning and specific examples of how to respond.
Presenters include:
* Professor Graham Currie – Monash University Institute of Transport Studies
* Emily Simatos – Victorian Department of Transport
* Kate Colvin – Victorian Council of Social Services
Thanks to Victorian Department of Transport assistance, this seminar is FREE for all attendees. Bookings are essential, and close Friday 7 May 2010.
Registration forms are available via this link. To book places or for further information, contact Gordon Young, VLGA Local Government Transport Facilitator at gordon@vlga.org.au or (03) 9349 7943.
Friday 14 May 2010, 9am-12pm
Department of Transport Theatrette, 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne
This seminar is relevant to all who work in the transport field, providing unique access to expert presenters who will provide an overview of the social implications of transport planning and specific examples of how to respond.
Presenters include:
* Professor Graham Currie – Monash University Institute of Transport Studies
* Emily Simatos – Victorian Department of Transport
* Kate Colvin – Victorian Council of Social Services
Thanks to Victorian Department of Transport assistance, this seminar is FREE for all attendees. Bookings are essential, and close Friday 7 May 2010.
Registration forms are available via this link. To book places or for further information, contact Gordon Young, VLGA Local Government Transport Facilitator at gordon@vlga.org.au or (03) 9349 7943.
Creating Better Places Round 6 Urban Improvement Grants
Monday 3 May 2010
Treasury Theatre, Treasury Reserve, Ground Floor, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne
The State Government allocated $17.9 million over six years to the Creating Better Places Program. This program supports Melbourne 2030 initiatives by funding innovative urban improvement projects on:
(a) Principal and Major Activity Centres in metropolitan Melbourne; and
(b) Eligible towns and cities in networked corridor identified in Melbourne 2030.
The Creating Better Places Program will implement Melbourne 2030 objectives by co-funding councils for place managers and projects that will result in physical improvements within activity centres in metropolitan Melbourne and regional cities and towns along the networked cities corridors. The closing date for applications is 10 June 2010.
Monday 3 May 2010
Treasury Theatre, Treasury Reserve, Ground Floor, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne
The State Government allocated $17.9 million over six years to the Creating Better Places Program. This program supports Melbourne 2030 initiatives by funding innovative urban improvement projects on:
(a) Principal and Major Activity Centres in metropolitan Melbourne; and
(b) Eligible towns and cities in networked corridor identified in Melbourne 2030.
The Creating Better Places Program will implement Melbourne 2030 objectives by co-funding councils for place managers and projects that will result in physical improvements within activity centres in metropolitan Melbourne and regional cities and towns along the networked cities corridors. The closing date for applications is 10 June 2010.
You are invited to an information forum to launch the Creating Better Places Round 6 Urban Improvement Grants and to obtain further information about the program. Please RSVP to kathryn.tolliday@dpcd.vic.gov.au to register your attendance.
Mayoral Chain and VLGA Delegates Function
Thursday 6 May 2010, 6.00pm-9.00pm
VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Calling all VLGA Delegates and Mayoral Chain members for a night of networking, fingerfood, drinks and learning as you hear from Tanya Makin of The Presentation Group on Not Another ****** Presentation.
Numbers are strictly limited, so if you are a VLGA Delegate and/or Mayoral Chain member and have not yet RSVP’d, please do so as soon as possible. Register here or contact Sarah Colgan by Thursday 29 April at sarah@vlga.org.au or on 03 9349 7983.
Thursday 6 May 2010, 6.00pm-9.00pm
VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Calling all VLGA Delegates and Mayoral Chain members for a night of networking, fingerfood, drinks and learning as you hear from Tanya Makin of The Presentation Group on Not Another ****** Presentation.
Numbers are strictly limited, so if you are a VLGA Delegate and/or Mayoral Chain member and have not yet RSVP’d, please do so as soon as possible. Register here or contact Sarah Colgan by Thursday 29 April at sarah@vlga.org.au or on 03 9349 7983.
Local Government Forum – Fostering Strong Communities: Bridging the Academic-Practitioner Divide
Friday 7 May 2010, 10am-3pm
RMIT University Hamilton Campus, 200 Ballarat Road, Hamilton
$50 per person (includes lunch)
A range of practitioners and academics share their perspectives on how to tackle community development and planning, including organisational change, the gap between community and community development, and governance. Guest speakers have extensive experience, across academia and local government.
Regards
Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au
Friday 7 May 2010, 10am-3pm
RMIT University Hamilton Campus, 200 Ballarat Road, Hamilton
$50 per person (includes lunch)
A range of practitioners and academics share their perspectives on how to tackle community development and planning, including organisational change, the gap between community and community development, and governance. Guest speakers have extensive experience, across academia and local government.
For more information, access the flyer and registration form under the Additional Articles and Resources heading on the President's eNews page of the VLGA website. Registrations close Wednesday 5 May, 2010.
Regards
Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au
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