Issues covered in this 12 July edition include:
• NAIDOC Week a success
• More flexible federal funding of community infrastructure
• Climate proofing 1 Million Homes with a focus on middle to low income households
• Auditor General’s inquiry into Transport Connections Program
• Run Melbourne Challenge
• Watch this space - ensuring higher participation of voters in elections
• VLGA Events for your diary:
Ensuring higher participation by voters in elections
• Other events:
Local government leaders preventing violence against women conference
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For many, the main focus of last week was on human rights, both federally and at the local level. While nationally the discussion was precipitated by the Prime Minister’s comments about asylum seekers and boat people, locally the VLGA was instrumental in organising a human rights symposium and launching a resource kit for local government. The topic of human rights has always intrigued me, and I share this interest with many of our members who feel strongly about issues such as respect, social inclusion, equality, dignity and freedom, the central ingredients of human rights. While some communities and local governments are real leaders, others still need to catch up and accept that the level of government closest to the community has a key role to play in the implementation and monitoring of human rights. I felt privileged when last Wednesday I was able to open the ‘human rights implementation in local government’ symposium, jointly hosted by the VLGA and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). The symposium was attended by an enthusiastic and passionate group of over 90 participants including mayors, councillors, local government officers, and representatives from government and non-government organisations. It was an opportunity to hear about and share some of the strategies, successes, opportunities and challenges in the development of a culture of human rights through the work of local government. I also launched the Human Rights Matter Locally toolkit. This toolkit offers step by step guidelines to ensure your local government’s policies comply with the legal obligations of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. The toolkit also helps your council go beyond mere compliance to build a culture of human rights in the community. Participants at the symposium were provided with a hard copy of the toolkit and it is now available for you to download from the VLGA website here. As a result of a request at yesterday’s symposium, the VLGA will form a Local Government Human Rights Network so that information on human rights and local government can be shared across the sector. I would also urge councillors to ask their CEO to provide them with a copy of your response to the annual VEOHRC survey of local governments. I believe it is important for as many councillors as possible to see your response and progress.
NAIDOC Week a success
Last week many local governments and community organisations marked NAIDOC Week with celebrations and events held across Victoria to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is encouraging to see that NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week was a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. To find out more about the origins of NAIDOC Week, visit NAIDOC history. The VLGA is currently assisting the Community and Social Planners Network (CASPN) to hold a special conference for local governments entitled After Sorry What Next, and we will provide further details to you shortly. For more information on our indigenous work, contact our CEO Maree McPherson via email at maree@vlga.org.au or via telephone at (03) 9349 7901.
More flexible federal funding of community infrastructure
The Federal Government has opened applications and released funding amounts for all local governments under Round Three of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP). This round will provide $100 million to be shared between all local governments across Australia for local community infrastructure priorities. As advocated by the VLGA, Round Three provides greater flexibility to local communities, with changes made to allow city councils and shires to nominate:
• projects on behalf of local community organisations
• projects as part of a group of councils; and
• environmental protection and climate change infrastructure projects.
Local governments can submit eligible local priorities until Friday July 30 2010, so if you are an elected councillor or community member make sure this opportunity is made known to your local government. The new Guidelines and other supporting information for Round Three of the Program are available here.
Climate proofing 1 Million Homes with a focus on middle to low income households
It would be great to see some members at the launch of Environment Victoria’s One Million Homes Campaign this coming Wednesday! The VLGA Board has endorsed the VLGA as a partner, joining an impressive alliance of environmental and social welfare organizations. We are coming together to call on all political parties at this state election year to commit to climate-proof One Million Homes – half of Victoria’s existing homes – with a comprehensive and flexible package of energy and water efficiency measures over the next five years aimed at middle to low income households. This is a key interest for the VLGA, as our focus is on the social and equity impacts of climate change. This Wednesday’s launch will be a very quick one, so you can arrive at 8am for an 8.30am start and the launch will finish at 9.30am. It is in the Rear Meeting Room, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton. To find out more about the proposed program and how your organisation can join the alliance, please come along to our breakfast briefing. RSVP to Josie Lee via email at josie.lee@environmentvictoria.org.au or via telephone at (03) 9341 8118.
Auditor General’s inquiry into Transport Connections Program
Last week we met with staff from the Auditor General’s Office to provide feedback from the sector on the Transport Connections Program. This Program has been universally welcomed by local governments and has led to on the ground improvements in transport options – especially in rural areas. We passed on the desire of our members that this Program continue and funding be offered by the State Government on a much longer term basis, as improvements take time to achieve. For more information on our feedback to the Auditor General’s office or if you need more information on the VLGA’s Local Government Transport Project, contact Gordon Young via email at Gordon@vlga.org.au or via telephone at (03) 9349 7943.
Run Melbourne Challenge
VLGA CEO Maree McPherson is participating in the Run Melbourne Challenge this Sunday to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation, the only national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. To support Maree’s efforts to raise money for this great cause, please make your online tax deductible donation on her webpage here. Good luck Maree!
Watch this space
Ensuring higher participation of voters in elections
Last week’s eNews explained the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC) new CALD outreach services and how these will ensure eligible Victorians have the opportunity to vote regardless of background, age or ability by providing a range of in-language and easy English materials and free services. The VLGA supports this work and will facilitate a forum with the VEC on August 11 to discuss how your local government and community can participate in a range of programs with the VEC to help your CALD communities understand how democracy works and assist your local CALD residents to enrol to vote. This forum is appropriate for councillors, relevant council officers and your local outreach agencies and organisations that work with your CALD communities. Save the date and extend the invitation to others in your local government and community who could benefit from this forum. Details for your diary are as follows - Thursday August 11, 10am to 2.30pm at the VLGA 60 Leicester St Carlton. Stay tuned for more details.
VLGA events for your diary
Ensuring higher participation by voters in elections
Thursday 11 August 2010, 10am – 2.30pm, VLGA Office, 60 Leicester St Carlton.
Facilitated by the VLGA for councillors, council officers and community organisations who want to learn more about partnership opportunities with the VEC to ensure all communities, regardless of background, age or ability have the opportunity to vote. Save the date and invite others in your council and community to do the same.
Other events
Local government leaders preventing violence against women conference
26 August from 10am – 4.30pm, MCG, Melbourne.
Local government leaders will come together to discuss how local governments can prevent violence against women and foster safe and inclusive environments for all. Mayors, their delegated councillors and other senior decision makers and officers who are critical contributors to actions on strategic plans are especially welcome. For further information or to register go here.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656 or heinz@vlga.org.au
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