As often as we hear the term ‘sector reform’, we also hear claims that every change, whether small or large, will change the face of how local governments provide services and how governments work with communities to make decisions affecting local areas. I am not going to over-hype two imminent reforms including a new Performance Monitoring Framework for local governments (replacing the existing and very limited Customer Satisfaction Surveys); and a new approach to land use planning partnerships between state and local governments. Having said this, I believe it is very important for our members to be involved in consultations and updates on these two reforms so that you inform the VLGA’s advocacy. While most of us have the school and/or Easter holiday breaks on our minds, I would encourage you to attend our next Leading Edge Forum on Thursday 5 May (see below). I’d love to hear your views on the critical issues you believe require our attention in relation to ‘sector reform’, so feel free to call me on 0407 364 509 or drop me an email. I look forward to seeing you around the traps, and stay safe during the holiday breaks. We will not send you an eNews on Easter Monday, but resume our normal weekly schedule on 2 May. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Special member consultation and update: local government performance and land use planning reforms
Join us at the May Leading Edge Forum (from 6pm on Thursday 5 May) for two important issues likely to heavily impact on local governments and communities.
1. VLGA directions on planning issues and the new State Government
Join our President and CEO to hear about recent meetings with the State Government, outcomes from a recent VLGA Member council forum, and plans the VLGA has to advocate for significant land use planning reforms that will improve a genuine partnership between governments and our communities.
2. Performance Monitoring Framework for local governments: next steps?
Join the Essential Service Commission’s (ESC) Chairperson Dr Ron Ben-David and Director Andrew Chow for a consultation on whether the indicators arising from the pilot report are the best possible indicators. Other questions to be discussed include:
* whether there are better ways to present the data, and
* how the ESC can improve their data gathering and reporting processes.
More information, including an update and a copy of our Joint Submission to the ESC’s inquiry in 2010, can be downloaded from our website. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Sustainable funding for local governments
It was heartening to see in the Autumn 2011 Business Excellence magazine that the Victorian Employees Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) has called for a review of funding for rural local governments including arrangements and options to improve infrastructure and service delivery standards while enhancing their longer term financial sustainability. VECCI also added this topic to their Pre-Budget Submission to the State Government. Of course, financial sustainability is not just an issue concerning rural local governments. Nor are solutions solely in the hands of state and local governments. It was also reported last week that the Nillumbik Shire and Banyule City Councils want a fairer share of the State Government’s annual general purpose grant. Nillumbik Mayor Helen Coleman said that Nillumbik had been losing money from the grant since 2003, which in real terms amounted to $5.6 million in lost revenue over the past six years. Cr Coleman said Nillumbik made a presentation to the government as part of the lead-up to the state budget, which will be released on 3 May. ‘‘While Nillumbik’s relatively low grant is due to the high socio-economic status of our residents, Council told the [Victoria Grants] Commission that the formula fails to recognise that Nillumbik has Victoria’s highest ratio of residents to rateable properties, which is 50 per cent more than the state average,’’ Cr Coleman said. Neighbouring Banyule Council has also made a list of requests for the budget, including an end to cost-shifting, the practice of local governments funding services normally run by the state government. Banyule Mayor Peter McKenna said that Banyule also wanted more VicRoads funding spent in the area. ‘‘This includes actions such as vegetation maintenance and addressing road safety issues,’’ Cr McKenna said. The issue of sustainable finances is one the VLGA has been working on for some time, and it’s great to see VECCI's support and individual local governments articulating what the local impacts are for them. We hope to convince the State Government to undertake a strategic inquiry into these issues, where we will reinforce our view that financial sustainability is not about carving up the pie, but adding to it.
Successful Timor-Leste forum held last week
The VLGA’s Timor-Leste Advisory Group (TLAG) hosted a highly stimulating and interesting forum on Micro-Finance in Timor-Leste at the Brunswick Town Hall last Wednesday night. The guest speaker who came from Sydney especially for the forum was Guy Winship, CEO of Good Return, a not for profit organisation with backing from Westpac that promotes micro-finance to overseas nations including Timor-Leste. Small loans (often in the range of $200 to $400) are made by individuals via their credit cards or Paypal to an individual needing the loan to begin or expand a small enterprise. There are many opportunities for friendship groups and their supporters to be able to assist small enterprise through this organisation. The TLAG will continue dialogue with Good Return. For further information on Good Return see www.goodreturn.org. The forum was webcast live and the VLGA thanks those who watched it and who sent in questions during the webcast. The presentation including the power point and a short video will soon be available from the VLGA website, so stay tuned.
Feedback regarding bottle shops and local government planning powers
A number of members have commented on last week’s eNews article concerning the State Government’s decision to give local governments a say over bottle shops which were previously exempt from the usual planning processes. As well as the VLGA welcoming the changes, health groups including the Australian Drug Foundation, Cancer Council Victoria, Heart Foundation, Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre, and of course VicHealth also warmly welcomed the changes. Some of the facts contained in their joint Media Release make for interesting reading, including:
• Research shows that with every additional liquor shop, the rates of assault, domestic violence and chronic disease go up. This is particularly problematic because we know that most (75%) of the alcohol sold in Victoria comes from bottle shops or liquor barns, rather than pubs and clubs, and
• The number of packaged liquor outlets in Victoria has more than doubled in the last two decades. Studies in Melbourne have shown that with a greater number of bottle shops, the surrounding community sees a rise in rates of street violence, domestic violence, and alcohol-related chronic disease.
See a full copy of the joint Media Release.
More members doing their bit to prevent violence against women
In addition to the updates provided in previous editions of our eNews, and following the VLGA Board’s communiqué to members, this week we would like to offer our congratulations to Darebin City Council for an inspiring and very readable 2006-2011 Achievements Report, reflecting local government leadership roles in preventing violence against women. Have a look at the report here: there will be something in there that your local government can copy, adapt or borrow, whether you are just starting the journey or further along the prevention path.
Is your Council working to create a healthy community?
Entries are now open for the Heart Foundation Healthy Community Awards 2011
Previously known as the Local Government Awards, these new look awards recognise local governments implementing a variety of initiatives that improve heart health and councils' ongoing commitment to creating healthy communities.Entries are now open for the Heart Foundation Healthy Community Awards 2011
Award recipients have the opportunity to:
• Receive monetary prizes and a framed award
• Be recognised as an innovative leader in local government
• Be featured in promotional material
• Be recognised for improving the health and wellbeing of the local community
• Promote the benefits of residing or working in their local government area
For more information visit our website at www.heartfoundation.org.au/lga. Entries close 27 May 2011.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
“Being Deputy Mayor”
Wednesday 4 May, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering a new development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2011. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors. The role can vary from simply deputising for the Mayor when they are unavailable, to sharing some of the team-building, strategy and other responsibilities with the Mayor. This session will include ample time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your council. It is a unique opportunity to learn from others performing the same role, share and reflect on your own experiences, hear about strategies from others, and plan for the rest of your term. For further information please contact Cr Philip Schier via email or via telephone (03) 9349 7999, or register here.
Food Security in Victoria: Research to Practice
Wednesday 18 May, 10am-3.30pm
VicHealth – Ground Floor, 15-31 Pelham St, Carlton South
With food insecurity rates steadily increasing in Victoria and more councils including Food Security as a key issue in their Health and Wellbeing Plans, this information-rich forum will quickly get you up to speed on emerging research and useful tools and approaches.
Following on from the very successful National Sustainable Food Summit on 5-6 April in Melbourne we believe it is timely to bring together Community and Social Planners and other Food Security practitioners to profile current relevant research, approaches and tools useful to addressing food security barriers at a local level. Hear from a group of experts, including academics, peak bodies and practitioners about what works and what evidence should inform our thinking, advocacy and practice.
Please feel free to pass this invitation on to others who may have an interest in food security. To register, email the VLGA. If you have any questions please contact Leah Galvin, Food for All Project Officer at the VLGA, by email or on 9349 7999.
Other events
2011 ALGWA State Conference & Annual General Meeting
Friday 13 May, 9.30am-4pm (Dinner, 6pm til late)
Ballarat Town Hall
ALGWA Victoria is holding their State Conference in Ballarat. Download the registration form and program from the ALGWA website. To obtain more information, you can contact Cr Cheryl Bromfield on 0448 024 755 or by email. The VLGA is pleased to promote the conference to our members.
