eBulletin from the VLGA’s CEO Maree McPherson
Given we are currently in the caretaker period for the VLGA Board Elections this eBulletin will come from me. I trust that you all had some down-time with family and friends over the holiday period and are raring to go. It’s hard to believe a whole month has already passed this year, and we’re all hitting the ground running! More and more councils and community organisations are starting their briefing sessions earlier than in past years, which is surely a reflection of our huge workloads.
VLGA’s Governance Patron awarded in Australia Day Honours
All of us at the VLGA send our sincere congratulations to Hayden Raysmith AM, who was honoured in the Australia Day Honours with a Member of the Order of Australia, for service to the community through leadership roles in philanthropic, social policy and not-for-profit organisations. Hayden was appointed Governance Patron of the VLGA in October 2006. Hayden has a long list of achievements to his credit in the government, academic and community sectors, including vital strategic and executive services to the VLGA between 1996 and 1999.
Good on you Hayden! It’s an honour for us to have our Governance Patron recognised in this way.
Board Candidate Forum statements recorded
Speaking of the VLGA Board Elections, given our record high number of candidates, last Thursday night we held a very successful ‘meet the candidates forum’ at the VLGA which was also webcast live. If you were not able to make it on the night and would like to see what the Board candidates had to say, you can view the recorded webcast here.
Essential Mayors’ Weekend & New Minister
We held a very successful Essential Mayors' Weekend in Torquay just over a week ago and I would like to thank our staff for their efforts to make this one of our most memorable events. The goodwill and camaraderie that exists in our sector is inspiring. The growing awareness of our individual challenges in the city and country, along with our shared issues was evident in discussions held over the weekend about the challenges facing communities in Queensland and Victoria. Member councils have asked us to do what we can to support our local governments, and the new Board will be saying more about this in the coming weeks. We were delighted to hear from the new Minister for Local Government, The Hon Jeanette Powell, who spoke on a range of issues of importance including flood recovery, funding and the infrastructure gap, and conflict of interest amongst others.
March Leading Edge Forum: Affordable Housing and Local Government
Thursday 3 March
We will send details of our March Leading Edge Forum to you all soon, but in the meantime, pencil this evening event (on Thursday 3 March from 6pm) in your diaries. We will have a range of speakers talking about inclusionary zoning, what local governments are doing in this policy space, and our respective roles and relationships with other levels of government. You can RSVP online here or email us.
Federal Government Inquiry into Pre-Commitment for Pokies
The VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) did a joint submission supporting mandatory pre-commitment with the InterChurch Gambling Taskforce, and the submission can be viewed here. As inquiry hearings were being held in Melbourne last week, the Federal Government released legal advice supporting its power to act, and to work with the states and territories and industry to introduce key reforms which address the harm from problem gambling, including a full pre-commitment scheme for poker machines. Their legal advice can be found here. This year is likely to be a big one for gambling reforms at the state and federal levels, and the VLGA will be closely involved in these reforms, including discussions with the new Minister Michael O’Brien. Our LGWGOG meetings are held every two months and the next meeting is Wednesday 16 February at 9am at the VLGA. For further information contact Darren Ray via email or phone (03) 9349 7902.
Growing Food Locally – Supporting Residents to Grow and Harvest Food
Many local governments are now implementing their Municipal Public Health Plans or Health and Wellbeing Plans, including policies and strategies to improve people’s access to healthy food or addressing food security as a key priority. Encouraging and supporting local residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables can produce many benefits beyond increasing their access to healthy affordable food. Many local governments are also increasing the locations and opportunities to grow food locally, which is a great way for them to be proactive. Making land available to build gardens in popular community hubs such as community houses, kindergartens and council-owned community open spaces can be considered. Land audits, edible streetscapes, supporting opportunities for community members to learn about gardening, and supporting food swaps are all opportunities for action. Funded and produced by VicHealth, this week’s latest Food for All micro-movie, with a running time of less than 4 minutes, outlines why this is an important way for local governments to help address local food security issues. For information about how the VLGA can support you to incorporate the Food for All 10 Ways for local government to act into your work, email Leah Galvin.
2011 Premier’s Sustainability Awards
Now in its ninth year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards is Victoria’s most prestigious environmental awards ceremony. The Awards provide your organisation with an excellent opportunity to receive public recognition for leadership. Local governments and community organisations can apply to have their work rewarded. There is also a Premier’s Recognition Award – which is presented to an organisation that has shown particular determination in overcoming difficult obstacles, showcasing exemplary leadership and innovation in sustainability. This award is chosen by the Premier to be the stand-out winner from the eight categories. Download your entry kit today. Sustainability Victoria will also hold Information Sessions on 17 February and 14 March, with further details available here. Be quick – submissions close on 1 April 2011.
Survey on Volunteering
Are you a volunteer or do you work with an organisation that involves volunteers in its management, operations or service delivery? The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is developing resources to help volunteers, and organisations that work with volunteers, to understand their rights and obligations under Victorian Equal Opportunity law and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. To make sure we understand the issues facing volunteers and organisations, VEOHRC is asking people involved with volunteering to complete their Volunteer Survey. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete but your input will help VEOHRC build a clear picture of the issues affecting volunteers and organisations, and what you need from them. If you are a volunteer, or an organisation that works with volunteers, and would like information about the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, or the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act and how they could be relevant to you, please call VEOHRC’s free information service on 1300 292 153, email them or visit their website.
Some truth about energy prices
With support for a federal carbon tax growing, including from the State Government, some are observing that the information campaigns are similar to those that were run over 40 years ago to reflect the true public health costs of cigarette smoking on our economy. We’ve come across a very informative 5-minute video put together by the Australian Conservation Foundation spelling out the truth about increases in energy prices, in an attempt to dispel myths about the impact of renewable energy and climate policies. The Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) has also put together some information about Victorian electricity prices which can be found on their blog.
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