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.
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
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
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