The great debate is only a few days away, and I hope to see many of you at Thursday night’s Leading Edge Forum, Community input in planning decisions - help or hindrance debate at the VLGA. There are only a few places left, so register here.The past week has been very busy with board meetings, resource committees and our climate change advisory committee. I am always heartened by the commitment of our members and staff. The climate change advisory committee has been the highlight of my week because we had an inspiring debate about food security and how this challenge relates to broader issues of climate change, social equity and human rights. The VLGA has been active in this area since 2005, and we are trying to address the absence of whole-of-government policy on integrated planning for public health and wellbeing and community resilience. Watch this space – there’s some exciting work being planned.Now open – online survey on housing strategies We encourage councillors and officers to participate in this brief 10 minute online survey. Members have requested we find out how local governments are setting and implementing housing and/or affordable housing policies. We will publish an overview of the results, including links to initiatives, information and networks. We are still welcoming new members to our Advisory Group – and could do with more councillors. Find the online survey here. For more information contact Dr Rebecca Barlow at rebecca@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7941. Pokies auction results … further analysis now availableAs well as data released by the State Government, our Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) has received further analysis on the level of change between existing venues; potential applications by certain venues for increases in gaming machines; potential new gaming venues; and the amount payable by gaming venues for the entitlements purchased. Further information here. Social Inclusion Principles for Transport Engineers SeminarWe were delighted with the attendance of over 50 planners, engineers and others from local and state government departments and consultancies who came together to discuss the social implications of transport. Our thanks to partners including Engineers Australia and the Department of Transport. Presentations and handouts developed specifically for local governments are now on our Thinking Transport website. Also, a reminder that our online survey to assist local governments implement sustainable transport networks is still open, and can be found here. Further information from Gordon Young at gordon@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7943.Watch this spaceThreat to Local Government Language Services Program?For years the State Government has helped local governments meet the costs of essential interpreting and translating services. Local governments with over 200 residents with low English proficiency have chosen between a direct grant and a line of credit provided by VITS Language Link. 2009-10 funding came with Minister Wynne’s indication that this would be the final year of the current funding arrangements. We believe the State Government should continue this support and we are conveying member concerns and the need for information about future funding arrangements. Minister Wynne has requested Local Government Victoria work with other areas of government to determine future support. We’ll keep you posted.VLGA events for your diaryLocal governments preventing violence against women workshopTuesday 15 June 2010, 10am-3.30pmVLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonOur 15 June workshop is for councillors and officers who want to build relationships and support change. Hear how to get prevention of violence against women high on your local government agenda and make useful connections. Places are limited so register here. For further information contact Linda Bennett at linda@vlga.org.au or on (03) 9349 7904.Other upcoming eventsKeep Australia Beautiful Victoria Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches Awards Night – tickets now on sale Friday 18 June 2010, 6.30pm-11.00pmAtlantic Room, Central Pier, DocklandsWinners from each award category will be announced, along with Dame Phyllis Frost recipients and the prestigious Sustainable City of the Year and Clean Beach of the Year. Connect with a diverse group of like-minded people and decision makers from the sustainability sector. Further information on our Events Calendar or here. To purchase tickets for the KABV Awards Night contact Joanna Meyer on (03) 8626 8750 or email kabv@sustainability.vic.gov.au.Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au
“Democracy’s reliance on some version of the collective wisdom”, James Surowiecki writes in his 2004 book The Wisdom of Crowds, “would make it an excellent decision making system.” He goes on to explain that drawing on the community’s collective wisdom promotes good policy and the public good. Collective wisdom depends on good relationships which, in turn, rely on meaningful communication. One of the hallmarks of democracy is open, transparent representation and decision-making. The challenge is: how can we make sure that we are reflecting the views of those we represent? I have been reflecting on the question of feedback from, and dialogue with, our members for some time. While I agree that our weekly newsletter is an important instrument for staying in touch with our membership, there are ways of improving the conversation. We are currently exploring a number of options for more effective feedback mechanisms through our website and are looking at ongoing improvements. In the meantime, we have decided to make a start and set up a profile on Facebook. So if you are on Facebook, why not join us for comments, blogs and discussions. Many of our local government and community organisation members are tackling the pros and cons of a social media presence. There is little doubt that Facebook and other tools will increasingly be used to gather quick member feedback, and at the VLGA we are aware that this needs to be done sensitively and sensibly. If you use Facebook, please join the VLGA on Facebook and participate in our dynamic discussions and updates.Could you do with a little help to realise local transport projects?Through the VLGA’s Local Government Transport Facilitation Project we are keen to know what you need and the best ways we can assist. Our online Local Government Transport Barrier and Capability survey is designed to assist local governments to implement sustainable transport networks by determining the resources and people-power available in each local government. It will also help us identify gaps in information and resources holding local governments back and assist the VLGA on how we can best assist local governments to achieve these outcomes. Please encourage staff working on transport projects to fill in this survey here to help us maintain our services and provide valuable advice about your needs so in turn we can advise the Victorian Government on transport priorities for your communities. For more information please email Gordon Young at gordon@vlga.org.au or phone (03) 9349 7943.Is the 2010 Victorian Senior of the Year living in your community?The hunt is on again for nominations for this year’s Victorian Senior of the Year awards. Nominations open 17 May and close 23 July. Seniors over 60 who are Australian citizens, reside in Victoria, and who have made an exceptional achievement or contribution to the community can be nominated for an award in four categories: the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year; the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victorian Senior Achiever Awards; the ‘Go for your Life’ Award; and the Veteran Community Award. Please nominate any outstanding seniors who you consider worthy of these awards. For more information please phone Marta Zyznowska at DPCD on (03) 9208 3190 or email marta.zyznowska@dpcd.vic.gov.au.Sorry Day, Wednesday 26 May – a time to reflect on past wrongs and how we can help right themTake a few moments right now or on Wednesday 26 May to check out how you can act now.Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) calls for a year of recommitment to reconciliation. Ten years ago, hundreds of thousands of Australians walked across bridges in support of reconciliation. We have much to be proud of in looking back over the past ten years, but injustice and disadvantage continue to affect Indigenous Australians. What next?The National Sorry Day Committee has a 10 year campaign – 2007 to 2017 – inviting all Australians to adopt one of the Bringing Them Home Report's 54 recommendations. So far only two have been adopted. Help to bring about its full implementation by the year 2017.VicHealth Food for All ProgramThe Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) invites expressions of interest from individuals and organisations to apply for funding to undertake the dissemination of Food for All (FFA) resources. Expressions of interest are due by 5pm on 7 June. VicHealth has recently developed resources including micro-movies and information sheets to illustrate learnings from the five-year FFA program, a food security program led by Victorian local governments which focused on improving access to healthy foods by people living in disadvantaged communities. The full expression of interest and additional information can be found here. For further information, phone Fiona Florakx (VicHealth Senior Project Officer, Environments for Health) on (03) 9667 1334 or email to fflorakx@vichealth.vic.gov.au.Watch this space Smoke Free PoliciesThe VLGA is pleased to be represented on the recently formed advisory group established by the Heart Foundation and Quit Victoria to encourage the up-take of smoke-free policies in outdoor settings in local government areas, based on a model successfully pioneered by the Heart Foundation and Cancer Council in New South Wales. We’ll keep you updated on this project. We acknowledge that each local government needs to decide what is appropriate for their community, and we will be seeking your views in the near future. In the meantime if you’d like more information please email Cr Stefanie Perri at stefanie@vlga.org.au or phone (03) 9349 7980.VLGA events for your diaryThe Great Debate: Community Input in Planning Decisions, Help or Hindrance?Thursday 3 June 2010, 6-9pmVLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonPlaces are filling fast for our great debate! Debate moderator – and VLGA Founding Member and Inaugural President – Liana Thompson will preside over the debate.
Arguing that community input in planning decisions is helpful will be VLGA President Cr Heinz Kreutz, ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake and Melbourne Uni Urban Planning Lecturer Dr Clare Mouat. Debating that community input can be a hindrance will be PIA (Vic) President David Vorchheimer, MGS Architects Director Rob McGauran and UDIA (Vic) Executive Director Tony De Domenico. If you haven’t already registered for this not-to-be-missed event, register here before it’s too late.Local Government Preventing Violence Against WomenTuesday 15 June 2010, 10am-3.30pmVLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonThis VLGA event is a practical workshop for local government officers about how to build relationships and work with councillors to support change. Unravel the mysteries of getting prevention of violence against women high on your local government agenda. Our panel will include an experienced councillor, a CEO and a senior corporate manager, and participants will have the chance to make some useful connections and learn from the experts. More information here or phone Linda Bennett on (03) 9349 7904 or email to linda@vlga.org.au. Registration form can be downloaded here.Other upcoming eventsThe Royal Children’s Hospital’s Safety CentreFriday 28 May 2010, 9am-12.30pmThe Royal Children’s Hospital – Ella Latham Meeting Room, 1st FloorRCH invites you to SAFE PLAY – The Risk of Injury through Play vs. Child Obesity. Registration/tea & coffee 9.00am (9.30am sharp start). Please RSVP to (03) 9345 5085 or email to safety.centre@rch.org.au.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au
“Stealing people’s problems means stealing their choices.” (Charles Handy, 1999),One of the most rewarding aspects of my years as a councillor and elected representative of my local community has been the realisation that the residents I represent are extremely capable. There are genuine experts when it comes to shaping and explaining their needs, their neighbourhood and their amenity. They are skeptical of distant experts making decisions on their behalf, because it offends their sense of civic pride and local identity. In recent weeks as President of our VLGA, my appreciation of our members has grown considerably, and I want to thank you for your feedback and input.This week’s overriding theme seems to be engagement and consultation. We had meetings with the Minister for Local Government, Richard Wynne and the Minister for Gambling, Tony Robinson, and advocated strongly for our members on the VCEC draft report on Streamlining Local Government Regulations and WorkCover. We have also received further clarification on VCAT’s Major Case List. The more closely I become involved in advocacy and engagement for our members, the more I am convinced that we have a duty to get the other levels of government to understand the importance of the ‘principle of subsidiarity’, i.e. that those members of our community closest to the issues that affect them are best equipped to provide input and seek solutions. In other words, if the responsibility is ours (the community’s), then it should not be delegated away to another, more powerful level of government, at least not as long as we are capable and prepared to engage. This, of course, goes to the heart of good governance and good democracy, ideals the VLGA is very committed to. Democracy is not something people – politicians and residents – simply ‘get’. It has to be fought for. And if we don’t actively engage, we can’t expect good democracy.2010 is an important year in that the elections will shape the future prospects and opportunities for our communities for the next four years. It is a key responsibility of the VLGA to ensure that we convey the views of our members to other levels of government and make sure that the views are heard. This requires a measured approach and a degree of diplomacy. I am increasingly confident that we are finally finding the right balance between courageous representation and considered input based on quality feedback and research. This, I feel, is well reflected in the documents we drafted and released in the past week.Feedback needed on draft report into local government regulationBy the time you see this eNews, you may have heard media reporting on the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission’s Draft Overview and Recommendations from their Inquiry into Streamlining Local Government Regulation. You can also read a copy of their full Draft Report. On Friday I issued a Media Release with some preliminary views. I encourage you to read this as well as the VCEC documents. We will gather member views and ask delegates in member local governments to ensure that comments are made in response to VCEC’s draft recommendations, which close on 22 June. Further information: contact Darren Ray darren@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7902. Practical and ‘real’ WorkCover guidelines The VLGA recently had a productive meeting with Local Government Victoria (LGV), WorkSafe and LGPro to provide formal feedback on a draft list of Councillor Duties of Office that will form part of a Guideline that explains duties to be covered under WorkCover legislation. Our feedback will be passed further onto WorkSafe, LGV and Local Government Minister Richard Wynne. WorkSafe Minister Tim Holding, after considering advice from WorkSafe and feedback from these and other discussions, will issue a final Guideline. Thank you to Board members and members of the Councillor Working Conditions Advisory Group for providing quick and considered feedback to us on the draft Duties of Office. VLGA Training ‘Introduction to the Victorian Land Use Planning System’This flexible, self paced on-line course, designed for councillors, local government staff and community members, facilitates sequential building of your knowledge with opportunities to assess your understanding to assist you to perform a more meaningful role in planning-related matters. Further information here or at www.learningseat.com/public/vlga.Pilot programs to help prevent violence against womenAiming to prevent violence against women, the Victorian government has committed $14 million over four years through its A Right to Respect program. The VLGA understands funded pilot community projects in local government clusters will be one aspect of this support. For further information and updates sign up for DPCD’s special email list – Kirsten.campbell@dpcd.vic.gov.au. You can also sign up for the Local Government Networking and Capacity Building Project to Prevent Violence Against Women based at Darebin to discover what other local governments are doing in this area, or contact Linda Bennett at the VLGA at Linda@vlga.org.au.Urban Improvement Grants and Expert Assistance ProgramAt the recent launch of the Urban Improvement Grants the VLGA learnt about this sixth round of funding and further assistance through the Expert Assistance Program – all available now. We’re pleased to share our notes with you here. Through the Urban Improvement Grants - Round 6, grants of between $20,000 and $300,000 are available in three grant categories. The Expert Assistance Program provides metropolitan local governments with specialist expert and technical advice to finalise and implement structure plans for activity centres. VCAT provides more guidance on ‘Major Cases List’The VLGA welcomed reforms proposed by former VCAT President Justice Bell earlier this year. VCAT’s new Major Cases List, for planning developments worth over $5 million to speed up decision making in the Planning and Environment List by deciding cases within 16 weeks of applications being lodged with the Tribunal, is one of these reforms. A recently released Practice Note provides new important guidance and information beyond the VCAT Media Release which we provided a link to in the 3 May edition of my eNews, when the Major Cases List was initially introduced. VLGA websiteWe’ve recently updated our website. To ensure your computer is displaying our refreshed version, please remember to hit your refresh button or clear your cache when you next visit us on the World Wide Web.Watch this spacePokies auction … who got what?We are being inundated with requests for information about which clubs and pubs have been successful in their auction bids. Following a meeting with Gaming Minister Tony Robinson last Thursday, we have learnt that more statistics on bidders in each Local Government Area will be released next week. Further data, particularly by venue, will be forthcoming over the next month or so. Our Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) is receiving all the intelligence we can gather and we will pass this on to members. For more information, or to be added to the LGWGOG mailing list, contact Darren Ray darren@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7902.VLGA events for your diaryVLGA’s Timor-Leste Working Group invites you to a special forum for ‘Friendship Groups and Local Government’ Monday 24 May 2010, 5pm-8.30pm VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonThis forum will include an address from our special guest speaker from East Timor, Padre Adriano Ola, and a discussion to get your feedback and help the VLGA determine its role regarding a proposed conference in Timor-Leste in August this year. More information.The Great Debate: community input in planning decisions – help or hindrance?Thursday 3 June 2010, 6-9pmVLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonJoin us at the June Leading Edge Forum at the VLGA from 6pm for finger-food and drinks, followed by a great debate from 7pm with high profile speakers tackling this topical debate for councillors, council staff and community members. I am really looking forward to this and am preparing my plea for the community and its right to have a say (I may even speak about the ‘subsidiarity principle’). I look forward to the arguments from those who believe that the community input can sometime be hindrances. I’m sure we’ll have lot of fun on the night.Further information and registrations.Other upcoming eventsVictorian Transport Infrastructure Conference1-2 June 2010Crown Promenade HotelThis conference will include presentations from leading government and industry specialists who’ll explore the design, planning, construction, implementation, maintenance and management of current key Victorian transport projects. I’ll also be speaking on how the community and local/State government are working together to implement the Victorian Transport Plan. My experience on the Metropolitan Transport Forum and involvement in community advocacy campaign should come in handy.Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au
Late addition: Age publishes correction (11/5) on VLGA President
Following is a letter to the editor at The Age from me, correcting an article the day before about who the VLGA President is.
FORMER Victorian Local Governance Association President Rose Iser resigned from our board prior to her preselection for the state seat of Essendon (''Greens plan challenge to Madden'', The Age, 10/5). It is VLGA policy that presidents and vice presidents must stand aside from our board if they are preselected at either a federal or a state election. They must resign if they are subsequently elected. Few peak bodies have such a high governance expectation. We believe that to transparently represent local governments and communities, we must be non-partisan in all that we do. Heinz Kreutz, President, Victorian Local Governance Association, Melbourne
We work in the dark, we do what we can. We give what we have.Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task.The rest is the madness of art.(Henry James, The Middle Years; 1893)It’s been a long time since I read Henry James and when I stumbled across this passage recently with my students I was struck by how relevant his words still are more than a hundred years after they were crafted. In my relatively new role as VLGA President I am gradually catching up with our members. Although we have a very diverse membership with at times diverging views, our passion, and how we make that passion our task and responsibility, is truly impressive.While the first two items in this edition of my eNews contain important updates on sector reforms, some of the remaining items deal with people who have had associations with the sector and the VLGA, and whose passion has benefited us all.It strikes me that we are often too busy to remember many of the good people and reflect on their good deeds done to benefit local governments and communities. I hope you will take the time to read these brief items of interest. WorkCover for councillors … continuedFollowing amendments to the Accident Compensation Act 1985, the VLGA continues to advocate for the successful implementation of WorkCover with a current focus on outstanding implementation issues, such as the concern of some member CEOs and local governments that the implementation date of 1 July is very soon and concerns over who the claim manager should be. We’d like you feedback on these matters and ask that you please refer this email to your CEO for a reply. Please contact Darren Ray at Darren@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7902 to provide your feedback. To participate in the VLGA’s Councillor Working Conditions Working Group that looks at these kinds of issues and improvements for councillors, please contact Cr Stefanie Perri at stefanie@vlga.org.au. More information.Essential Services Commission (ESC) Final Submission on Monitoring Local Government PerformanceThe VLGA has forwarded its Final Submission to the ESC. This included the joint submission that we co-signed along with the Ararat Rural City, Bayside, Frankston, Glen Eira, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton Shire, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra City Councils. Our brief and easy to read final submission reflects many of the original comments we made in our earlier submission in December last year. To discuss our approach to this issue further please contact me or CEO Maree McPherson at maree@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7901. New Timor-Leste Ambassador to AustraliaThe VLGA is delighted with the announcement of the appointment of Abel Guterres as Timor-Leste's new Ambassador to Australia. Abel is a long term friend and supporter of the VLGA, and we look forward to our continuing relationship. In swearing in Abel Guterres as Ambassador His Excellency the President of East Timor Dr Ramos Horta praised Abel's role in the development of friendship groups and friendship schools. Former Nillumbik Shire Chief appointed CEO/Regional Director of ICLEI OceaniaThe VLGA congratulates Bill Forrest, former CEO of Nillumbik Shire Council, on his appointment as CEO/Regional Director of ICLEI Oceania, the regional office of the international, not-for-profit organisation ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and we look forward to working with Bill and ICLEI. More information. Sally Isaac Women in Local Government Leadership AwardsSally Isaac was a remarkable young woman and former member of staff at the VLGA and the City of Yarra. Sally had an incredible impact on the lives of many. LGPro have established the Sally Isaac Women in Local Government Leadership Award to recognise Sally’s contribution, foster young women leaders in local government and encourage young people to consider local government as a ‘career of choice’. Nominate someone you know who has exceptional leadership skills. More information.Important meetings this weekWe continue our highly successful Annual Tour visits to all local governments this week with a visit to East Gippsland, after visiting Ballarat and Glen Eira last week. These meetings are critical for the VLGA to hear first hand the individual and shared concerns of local governments on their home ground.We also have regular meetings with other key stakeholders including peak bodies, departments and Ministers. This week we will meet with Minister Tony Robinson about responsible gambling measures, and with LGV and Minister Wynne’s staff about conflict of interest and other issues affecting local communities and local governments. If you have any views you would like to share with us, please email me at heinz@vlga.org.au. We value our close relationships with other key peak bodies and government departments. After meeting with Local Government Victoria and LGPro last week, this week we will meet with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to talk about how to progress human rights in local communities and local governments. Again, if you have any views you would like to share with us, please email me at heinz@vlga.org.au.
VLGA events for your diaryVLGA’s Timor-Leste Working Group invites you to a special forum for ‘Friendship Groups and Local Government’Monday 24 May 2010, 5pm-8.30pm VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonThis forum will include an address from our special guest speaker from East Timor, Padre Adriano Ola, and a discussion to get your feedback to assist the VLGA determine its role regarding a proposed conference in Timor-Leste in August this year. More information.June LEF – The Great Debate: community input in planning decisions - help or hindrance?Thursday 3 June 2010, 6pm-9pmVLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, CarltonWe have six top-notch debaters for this forum, so please join us for the ‘Great Debate’ at the VLGA from 6pm for finger-food and drinks, followed by a great debate starting at 7pm with debaters tackling this topical issue that affects communities and local governments. We expect a capacity audience so make sure you register quickly! Register onlineDownload flyer and participant biographiesWatch this spaceVLGA joins Responsible Service of Gaming Training Working GroupThe VLGA’s request to participate in the Responsible Service of Gaming (RSG) Training Working Group of the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council has been confirmed, with the initial meeting expected in early June. Stay tuned for updates.Good Governance GrabsIf you have not had time to read our latest good governance grab on Pre-apprehension (Winky Pop), follow the links to see this and earlier editions of our Good Governance Grabs. We will continue to produce these to help you perform your officer and councillor roles. Other upcoming eventsCan Governments Ever Act Collaboratively?Tuesday 18 May 2010, 12noon-1pmBrotherhood of St Laurence, 67 Brunswick Street, FitzroyThe Brotherhood of St Laurence Research & Policy Centre invites you to attend a free lunchtime seminar at the Brotherhood, in Father Tucker's Room, with Professor Peter Shergold AC, Macquarie Group Foundation Professor at the Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales, on whether the contractual relationship of governments and community organisations is marked by asymmetric power. This seminar will ask how citizens and community organisations can become part of a networked governance that acts as a foundation for participatory democracy. To find more information or to RSVP, go to the Brotherhood’s What’s on page.Cr Heinz KreutzPresident0438 006 656 heinz@vlga.org.au
Passing of Cr Kevin Gibbins
The VLGA is saddened to hear of the passing of Cr Kevin Gibbins on 9 April 2010 and offers its condolences to Cr Gibbins’ family, friends, colleagues and the community of Greater Bendigo. Cr Gibbins successfully led the induction of the new Council as Mayor in 2009 and served as a councillor at the Greater Bendigo City Council for 8 years. He supported rural communities, advocated for local employment, health services and sport and recreation and will be remembered for his significant contribution to the City of Greater Bendigo.
Speedier VCAT decisions on major developments
Today VCAT introduces its Major Case List for planning developments worth over $5 million to speed up decision making in the Planning and Environment List by deciding cases within 16 weeks of applications being lodged with the Tribunal. Further information.
Feedback on ESC draft report due this week
Submissions on the Essential Services Commission’s Local Government Performance Monitoring Framework Draft Report are due this Friday. The VLGA shares the concerns expressed by many local governments and will co-sign the submission of the City of Melbourne and several other metropolitan local governments. Additionally, we will focus on concerns received from rural and regional councils and the sector wide need to streamline reporting without unnecessarily placing additional pressure on local government’s precious resources, through our own submission. Submissions can be sent electronically to localgovernment@esc.vic.gov.au or mailed to: Essential Services Commission, Level 2, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne Vic 3000. Further information.
Another small step forward for Human Rights
The VLGA welcomes the Federal Government’s Human Rights Framework’s mechanisms for legislation to be scrutinised for human rights impacts, the consolidation of federal discrimination and human rights legislation into one act, the commitment to revisit a national human rights act in four years and resources for community education and information. The VLGA will continue its work in this area and regards the next four years as a great opportunity for all communities to ‘up the ante’ and work together towards a national human rights act. Further information.
VLGA event for your diary
The Great Debate: community input in planning decisions, help or hindrance?
Thursday 3 June 2010, 6-9pm
VLGA Rear Meeting Rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Join us at the June Leading Edge Forum at the VLGA from 6pm for dinner and drinks, followed by a great debate with high profile speakers tackling this topical debate for councillors, council staff and community members from 7pm. Further information or Register here.
Better funding for rural local governments
Media reports are suggesting that changes to the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund will deliver greater flexibility, clarity in planning for more people and extra money to create jobs, improve transport links and boost access to essential services like education and heath. The VLGA, together with Regional Cities Victoria, has lobbied for these changes for years and as recently as our latest State Budget submission. The VLGA’s endorsement of this as a key state election activity last week will ensure our work in this area continues. Soon we’ll meet with Mayors and CEOs from rural local governments to progress this further. If you’d like to discuss further please contact me at heinz@vlga.org.au or 0438 006 656.
WorkCover for councillors… almost there
Meetings with the VLGA and MAV are now being scheduled to finalise implementation issues around WorkCover. The VLGA Councillor Working Conditions Working Group has championed our long-standing project and continues to consider its implementation. Current considerations include Local Government Victoria’s draft and whether an independent manager of claims is preferable to management by individual councils. Please contact Darren Ray at darren@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7902 to provide your feedback. To participate in the VLGA’s Councillor Working Conditions Working Group please contact Cr Stefanie Perri at stefanie@vlga.org.au.
Building on Diversity Conference
Wednesday 23 June 2010, Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre
Showcasing multicultural service excellence and strengthening partnerships by bringing stakeholders including multicultural organisations and relevant government departments together. Further information.
Regards
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au
