An overriding theme of this week’s eNews is that local governments and local communities expect the new State Government to talk with us in meaningful ways, before they move to act on significant governance and structural reforms. Recognition of local government as a distinct tier of government in the Victorian Constitution must be more than just window-dressing. But we will need strong political will to ensure that our partnership is a genuine one. While historically it has been too easy for state governments to take a punitive rather than capacity-building approach to us, we are hopeful that this will stop. I urge you to read the VLGA’s submission and cover letter regarding the direct election of the Greater Geelong City Council’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor (see below). There are other concerns emerging, such as the call of two rural communities for partial secession, which you can also read more about below. I look forward to seeing you out and about. If you’d like to contact me, call me on 0407 364 509 or drop me an email. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
VLGA submission on direct election of Geelong Mayor and Deputy
The VLGA acknowledges that there are strong views held within Council and the wider community, for and against the direct election of the Greater Geelong City Council's Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor. Although this was an election commitment, we believe there should first be an inquiry into the issues around direct election and its impact on democratic participation and governance. You can access a full copy of our submission via our website. Finally, as the Discussion Paper issued by the State Government is not focussed on the substantive issue of whether such a reform is a good idea for the sector and the community, the VLGA will be writing a letter to the Minister in the coming days which we will share with members next week.
June Leading Edge Forum: Local government leaders connecting with Aboriginal communities
Please join us during National Reconciliation Week and:* hear from Victorian and inter-state Indigenous leaders about the roles and opportunities for Victorian local governments to contribute to bridging the gap and advancing Reconciliation
* discuss positive examples and promote discussion about relationships between local government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities
This Leading Edge Forum is specifically designed for elected councillors and mayors, and follows a similar forum we held in November last year with the Community and Social Planners Network (CASPN) designed for local government officers and community groups. Officers and community members are also welcome. We have an excellent range of speakers to leave us all inspired about simple things we can do as elected leaders to advance reconciliation in our local communities. For more information see the flyer here and register here.
Calls for secession in two rural local governments
The VLGA understands the frustrations in local communities about the infrastructure challenges facing them which seem to be the major motivating factors behind some recent calls for secession. But these issues are very complex ones, as we referred to in last week’s eNews, and as were outlined in a recent Strathbogie media release. Similar calls are now occurring in Latrobe and the Traralgon community. We would strongly urge the State Government not to redraw any local government boundaries in a reactive or ad hoc manner. Of course the task for the VLGA and our members is to better inform local communities of the infrastructure challenges we all face. The view that redrawing municipal boundaries will get rid of the size or nature of the infrastructure challenge also needs to be challenged. While calls for secession are easy to make, the harder task for all of us is to convince local communities that they have a common interest in supporting the calls by our members to address the sustainable funding of local government, which impacts directly on local liveability.
VLGA CEO supports St Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Our CEO, Maree McPherson, will be joining other Victorian and national CEOs at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in June. Maree joins Kathy Alexander, CEO of the City of Melbourne; Chris Buckingham from Destination Melbourne Ltd; and David Rennick from Maddocks this year, and is encouraging member local government and other CEOs to be part of the event. The VLGA works on a range of contemporary social justice issues affecting local governments and their communities, such as diverse and affordable housing, and for this reason Maree is supporting the 2011 CEO Sleepout. Find more information on the event here, and make a donation here. If your CEO is also participating, let us know via email and we will publicise this.
Going Smokefree Outdoors: a guide for sporting clubs
Sport is about lots of things, most of them positive: team playing, self-improvement, discipline, fitness and fun. Sport clubs and associations have a significant influence in their community by fostering a family friendly environment and displaying positive images of a healthy lifestyle, particularly to the junior members. Being smokefree is one of the healthiest messages you can create. Prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas not only reduces people's exposure to second-hand smoke, but it also helps to make smoking less visible and less socially acceptable. Quit has therefore developed Going smokefree outdoors - a guide for sporting clubs. In this kit you'll find all the information you need to present, discuss and implement the change to going smokefree outdoors with your club committee, members and peers.
Further VLGA feedback on pre-commitment and pokies
As mentioned in last week’s eNews, the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry has released its report on gambling reform including pre-commitment on pokies. Key recommendations include:
* All high-intensity machines to have a mandatory pre-commitment scheme by 2014
* Differentiation between large and small venues (the latter defined as less than 15 machines and given until 2018 to comply)
* Pre-commitment cards with pre-set spending and time limits that can be modified but not increased, once set
* A ‘lock out’ when the limit is reached with measures to prevent machine or venue-‘hopping’
* The establishment of a national independent regulatory body to oversee the reforms
It is clear that the Inquiry has made a number of compromises to address concerns held in smaller (especially rural) communities, and this is to be understood. In particular, the following three recommendations are of note:
* Recommendation 39
The committee recommends that the definition of a small venue be 15 machines or less but that it also take into consideration revenue per machine.
* Recommendation 40
The committee recommends that small venues, particularly those in regional and rural areas, be allowed until 2018 to implement mandatory pre-commitment.
* Recommendation 41
The committee recommends the COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform investigate establishing an industry transition fund to assist small venues to diversify their revenue stream away from gambling, cover a shortfall in a community service or enable low intensity machines. The criteria for access to the fund would be developed in consultation with industry.
The VLGA is particularly keen that recommendation 39 is protected in any legislation that comes forward. Not linking the revenue per machine to the venue size could have the effect of high intensity (ie. high loss) machines remaining in or moving to smaller rural communities who cannot afford such losses. If you would like more information or would like to attend our Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG), contact Darren Ray, Director Policy & Public Affairs via email or phone (03) 9349 7902.
Consultation on draft ‘Conflict of Interest: A Guide for Councillors’
We would like to thank all the councillors who responded to our request for feedback. The VLGA has forwarded a submission to LGV, based on the feedback and our own observations. Our view is that overall it represents an improvement on the previous 79-page version and there are some useful new features. However, the VLGA remains concerned about the scope and onerousness of the legislation and will continue to advocate around this issue.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
‘Liveable and Just’ Workshop, Ballarat: Helping local governments build community resilience to climate-related challenges
Thursday 19 MayBallarat Town Hall, Sturt St
There are still places available for the four remaining rural and regional Liveable and Just Workshops conducted by the VLGA, supported by mecu Ltd, and each hosted by a VLGA member local government. Join us for an entertaining and practical event, and learn how our Liveable and Just Toolkit can help you build community resilience in the face of complex climate-related challenges.
Dates and locations for subsequent sessions (all sessions run 9.30am-4pm) are:
Wodonga - Thursday 26 May, Wodonga TAFE, 87 McKoy St, West Wodonga
Mildura - Friday 3 June, Alfred Deakin Centre, 180 Deakin Ave (cnr 12th St)
Traralgon - Friday 17 June, Quality Inn Latrobe Convention Centre, Princes Hwy, Traralgon
Download the flyer and registration form. For more information contact Cr Philip Schier, VLGA Policy & Project Officer, via email or telephone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
Walk the Block: step away from your desks
Tuesday 17 May
In and around your office!
Did you know that 73% of Victorian workers report inadequate physical activity, that is, less than 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day? Victoria Walks is aiming to combat workplace physical inactivity by developing the Walk the Block event. The aim is simple: to get people away from their desks and onto their feet. It will be a fun and lively event that brings together employees from corporate and community organisations, government departments and other workplaces across Victoria to ‘walk your block’ on Tuesday 17 May. The event has been developed by Victoria Walks to promote four simple workplace walking ideas:
* ‘In your stride’ – quick and easy tips to keep staff moving at work
* Walking meetings – step out for active and productive conversations
* Walkabout inductions – for new staff to learn what is close by
* Walking groups – regular walks for fit and friendly workplaces
Resources for each of these initiatives will be sent to workplaces so that walking can easily be incorporated into your own local working culture. To register your workplace or find out more, download the flyer from our website.
Learning about Aboriginal culture: Framlingham Tour
Saturday-Sunday, 28-29 May 2011
Interested in doing something adventurous, rewarding and affordable for Reconciliation Week this year? The Framlingham Aboriginal Community has organised an overnight tour to the Community (north-east of Warrnambool) on 28 and 29 May. This special tour is supported by the friendship between Brunswick Neighbourhood House (BHN) and the Framlingham Community. Car-pooling may be available through the Brunswick Neighbourhood House. See more information on the VLGA website or contact BHN Coordinator Mick Fitzgerald via email or phone (03) 9386 9418.
Communities in Control Conference 2011: Let’s get moving, today, together
Australia's not going to reform itself
Monday-Tuesday, 30-31 MayAustralia's not going to reform itself
Melbourne
The least expensive, most attended community conference in Australia with over 1300 attendees that work for or with community organisations. Learn who's who
Hear from some of Australia's best thinkers and speakers (and doers) - people like Simon McKeon, 2011 Australian of the Year; Miriam Lyons, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Development and Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination. Great speakers and great minds creating new agendas. See the full Conference Program and register online.
ALGWA Diamond Celebration Dinner
Sunday 19 June
Old Parliament House
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) celebrates its sixtieth birthday this year, and to mark the milestone there will be a special dinner at Old Parliament House during the ALGA national congress. Among those attending the dinner are Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, Governor-General; Cr Genia McCaffery, ALGA National President; the Hon Kate Ellis, Minister for Women’s Affairs; the Hon Anna Burke MP; Senator Judith Troeth; Senator Michaelia Cash; and Professor Graham Sansom, Australian Centre of Excellence in Local Government. For dinner details and registration go to the ALGWA website.
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