VLGA President’s Message
As we noted in last week’s eNews, the submissions to the consultation on the directly elected mayor for Greater Geelong have been made public. Reading the submissions tends to reinforce the VLGA’s position that a rigorous review of the pros and cons of directly elected mayors is required. It seems obvious that, at best, there are various levels of understanding as to the implications on the local government system of a directly elected mayor (and deputy mayor). The republic debate has demonstrated that if people are asked whether they want to elect the head of state/mayor or have the occupant chosen by politicians, they are likely to support direct election. However, there is little indication in most of the submissions that people have been exposed to the fundamental issues involved in the debate around directly elected mayors.
The VLGA is very keen that the fundamental issues be addressed – particularly if the directly elected mayor concept is going to be put into place by the State Government more broadly across the sector. We are devoting our Leading Edge Forum on 4 August to this issue, with presentations of interstate and local experiences as well as analysis of the issues. In the meantime, we are continuing to monitor this issue closely and are advocating that the State Government investigates the issues properly, with appropriate consultation, before making a final decision on Greater Geelong.
On another note, last Thursday night the VLGA’s CEO Maree McPherson joined more than 160 colleagues who ‘slept rough’ at Etihad Stadium in the 2011 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, to raise funds for homelessness services. Kitted out with only sleeping bags, pillows and cardboard for insulation, CEOs and business leaders raised more than $492,000 through their efforts in gaining sponsorship for their night in the cold. The VLGA congratulates Cr Alison Clarke, Mayor City of Yarra; Kathy Alexander, CEO City of Melbourne; and Chris Buckingham, CEO Destination Melbourne. Donations can still be made until 31 July and to sponsor Maree go here.
I will be in Canberra this week at the National General Assembly and the ALGWA 60th birthday celebrations. I look forward to seeing some of you there – please come and say hello. 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
Anti-Corruption Commission for Victoria
Thank you to all those local governments who responded to our invitation to consider the Consultation Paper on the Anti-Corruption Commission. The VLGA has made a submission; we intend to continue monitoring this very important development and keep members informed and seek their views.
Social Procurement: A Guide for Victorian Local Government
In October 2010, Local Government Victoria (LGV) released Social Procurement: A Guide for Victorian Local Government to assist local governments in their efforts to procure with positive social impacts. Alongside the release of the Guide, LGV has worked in partnership with the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Community Development Group, the Department of Human Services and Social Traders to develop an Expert Support Program: Social Procurement in Practice for Victorian councils. The Expert Support Program offers local governments free access to support and expertise to successfully implement a social procurement project or initiative. Eight local governments are currently participating in the program:
* Benalla Rural City Council
* Brimbank City Council
* Darebin City Council
* Glenelg Shire Council
* Hume City Council
* Maribyrnong City Council
* Moonee Valley City Council
* Whittlesea City Council
The aims of the Expert Support Program are to:
* assist councils in building a business case for social procurement
* build upon current initiatives enhancing triple bottom line procurement
* develop measures and evaluation mechanisms for social procurement
* demonstrate good practice tools, templates and case studies to the broader sector
* build social procurement into Victorian Government place-based program
* create frameworks to implement social procurement across councils
* identify and assess future social procurement opportunities
The following tools and templates will be available sector-wide in September 2011:
* a ‘how-to’ toolkit to implement social procurement initiatives, including model social procurement clauses and provisions for tenders and contracts
* a social procurement environment and opportunities mapping methodology
* a Social Procurement Engagement and Awareness Strategy
For further information on the program contact Amanda Minniti via email or phone (03) 9651 7043.
Strategic Review of Sustainability Victoria – Local Government Forum
Last week, we reported on the announcement of a strategic review of Sustainability Victoria. Interested people can participate in a public forum, provide a written submission, or complete an online survey. Public forums will be held in Mildura, Geelong, Castlemaine, Warrnambool, Horsham, Traralgon, Box Hill, Dandenong, Melbourne CBD, Shepparton and Brunswick. See the Sustainability Victoria website for the Terms of Reference for the review and dates for the public forums. In addition, a specific local government forum will be held on Wednesday 6 July from 9.30am at the Telstra Conference Centre, Conference Rooms 1 & 2, 242 Exhibition St (corner Lonsdale) in the Melbourne CBD. This forum will be independently facilitated and will focus on the questions asked in the review discussion paper. It is essential to register for this event.
Low Carbon Future Community Conversation in Latrobe
Our CEO, Maree McPherson attended this event last Wednesday evening at Monash University Gippsland. The community conversation was hosted by Latrobe City, Monash University Gippsland and Regional Development Australia (RDA). The keynote speaker, Prof Ross Garnaut, addressed more than 250 local people and was joined by a panel including John Parker from the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, Charlie Spiers from Clean Coal Victoria, Prof Mark Sandeman from the Gippsland campus of Monash, and Richard Elkington, Chair of RDA Gippsland. The event was facilitated by ABC Gippsland radio’s Gerard Callinan. Read more and hear the audio of Prof Garnaut’s presentation.
New series of Climate Change fact sheets
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has released a series of fact sheets: the Global action – facts and fiction fact sheets demonstrate that Australia is not acting alone or in front of the rest of the world when it comes to action on climate change; the Climate change impacts in Victoria fact sheet provides details on the potential impacts and costs of climate change for Victoria, and demonstrates some of Australia’s key vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change. Fact sheets for other Australian states and territories can be also be downloaded.
New protections for volunteers
On 1 August 2011 the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 will bring new protections for volunteers against sexual harassment. For all organisations that engage volunteers, this change will have practical implications for the way volunteering is coordinated. Volunteering Victoria has created an Information Pack to help organisations understand and meet their new responsibilities towards volunteers. Many of the 1.25 million Victorians who volunteer play a crucial role in the workforce of VLGA member organisations and stakeholders.
Growth for the affordable housing sector
The VLGA understands that the Housing Registrar is set to release its latest report on the Victorian registered housing sector and regulatory activity. Registered housing agencies are a critical part of delivering affordable housing to vulnerable Victorians, and around 18 per cent of all public and social housing is now managed by the not-for-profit sector. According the Registrar’s website, “the report highlights the growth and contribution of Victoria’s registered housing sector in meeting the housing needs of low-income Victorians. A snapshot of the state’s regulated affordable housing sector for 2009-10 is provided in the report.” There are now 40 registered housing agencies in Victoria, and some of them undertake major projects such as Common Ground in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The report includes examples of innovation. The full report is available online; for a hard copy of the report, contact Katrina Pantazopolous at the Housing Registrar on 9651 1421.
Moving road freight to rail – good examples in regional Victoria
The $9 million Iluka Resources Mineral Separation Plant in Hamilton has started construction and attracted praise from Transport Minister, Terry Mulder, with an injection of $4 million from the Victorian Government. With freight movement growing at exponential rates across Australia, the VLGA welcomes regional infrastructure projects to enable freight to be transferred from our roads to rail. The Iluka project will enable the replacement of up to 20,000 truck movements a year of B-Double trucks on local roads in towns including Hopetoun, Warracknabeal, Horsham, Cavendish and Hamilton. The cost of managing local roads impacted by freight movements through rural communities is one affecting many local governments. The Australian Rural Roads Group (ARRG) has recently submitted on this matter and others to the COAG Road Reform Plan. The ARRG represents 114 rural Councils which each produce over $100 million of agricultural product (based on 2006 figures). This group of councils produces 48% ($17.9 billion) of Australia’s total agricultural product; includes only 6.9% of Australia’s population; and has 24% of all roads in Australia by length (194,413 kilometres).
More on smoking in outdoor spaces
Just prior to World No Tobacco Day a few weeks ago, the VLGA provided information about several local governments who have taken innovative actions on smoking in outdoor public spaces. Recently, in this interesting article in The Age, the Victorian Health Minister David Davis confirmed he will be examining options for statewide bans.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
VLGA July Leading Edge Forum
Local government: a reflection of our diverse communities?
Thursday 7 July, 6-9pm
VLGA, Carlton
True or false? Local government in Victoria:
· Employer of choice for diverse applicants?
· A reflection of diverse communities?
· Responding to worsening skills gaps?
Come along to the July LEF and be at the leading edge of challenges and debates in our sector and communities. Hear about the latest research and case studies, and from a panel of peak body representatives. Guest Speaker is Professor Santina Bertone, Associate Dean Research, Swinburne University Faculty of Business and Enterprise. Santina, who has led the Workplace Studies Centre for over a decade, has published 87 articles on workforce, immigration and industrial relations. A longstanding executive member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Santina held other community and government board roles, and was awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal in 2008. Download the flyer and register online here, or call the VLGA on (03) 9349 7999.
Other events
Bridging the Gap Seminar
11 & 12 July 2011
Melbourne Business School
The Bridging the Gap Seminar is an opportunity to gain insights into Yol?u culture and discover solutions to the problems faced in Indigenous communities today. Richard Trudgen explores the reasons Indigenous people and other ethnic minorities are suffering, and provides the communication and cross-cultural skills essential to working with Indigenous and minority groups. You will walk away with the knowledge that you can create change. By using a model developed with the Yol?u people of Arnhem Land – a model that allows the people to build their future and enables you to have more effective interactions with Indigenous people – you can be part of the solution and know how together we can help close the gap.
Four Degrees or More? Australia in a hot world
12-14 July
University of Melbourne
Hosted by the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, Melbourne Energy Institute and the Monash Sustainability Institute, Four Degrees or More? Australia in a hot world explores the unintended consequences of current domestic and international climate policies. It invites us to imagine the social, economic and ecological implications of catastrophic global warming for Australia and its region. The international community has agreed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, yet the Copenhagen pledges to cut emissions will, if honoured collectively, result in average warming of 4 degrees or more. So what might Australia look like then? This conference will draw on the best available science, and bring together internationally and nationally renowned scientists and academics, to reflect on the likely social, ecological, economic and political implications of catastrophic warming for Australia and its region. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet AM MP, will be speaking along with Prof Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Chair of the German Government’s Advisory Council on Global Change and the Chief Government Advisor on Climate and Related Issues during Germany’s EU Council Presidency and G8 Presidency.
17th Asia Pacific Youth Conference
18-24 July
Phillip Island
One hundred and thirty people from fifteen countries will gather at Phillip Island for the 17th Asia Pacific Youth Conference (APYC) in July. The conference aims to develop visionary, humble leadership, create trust through dialogue and respond to needs across the region. Young leaders will come together from 17 Asia-Pacific countries and from many faith backgrounds to exchange experiences, learn new ideas and develop action plans on how they can work together. The theme is Action for Global Change through Personal Transformation. In the 2004 APYC a dialogue of forgiveness and reconciliation began between Cambodian and Vietnamese young people building bridges of trust. Their program has continued for five years with exchange visits and training programs. Now a similar initiative has begun between Cambodians and Thais in response to the border conflict these countries are currently experiencing. The conference is open to all between 18-35 years of age who want to take leadership or link in with networks of people who want to learn more about what they can do to make a difference. Initiatives of Change is proud to be hosting this event in partnership with Bass Shire Council and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
VCOSS Congress 2011
Friday 5 August
RACV Club, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne
The social and political landscape is changing in Victoria and beyond. What does this mean for disadvantaged people and communities, and for the community sector itself?
The VCOSS Congress 2011 will explore the opportunities and risks that political change presents to long-term social challenges, and ways to achieve real structural change. To take advantage of early bird registration rates, register before 4 July.
Sustainability in the Public Sector: Changing Environments, Changing Cultures
Tuesday 9 August, 12-2.30pm
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Workplace culture is one of the key factors impacting sustainability objectives. This seminar presents four speakers with direct experience of inducing workplace behaviour change. From new buildings and communities to new organisational structures and cultures, this seminar will show how large organisations can contribute to long term environmental sustainability. Dr Kate Auty, Commissioner, Environmental Sustainability Victoria presents the outcomes from her report on Organisations’ Structures, Sustainability and Environment Management Systems; Chris Blake, Executive General Manager, People & Community, Australia Post speaks on managing complex organisation-wide change at Australia Post; Dr Kathy Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, City of Melbourne, discusses COM Green, a sustainability initiative led by staff; Romilly Madew, Chief Executive Officer, Green Building Council Australia, presents national & international case studies of sustainability communities and their long term benefits. NOT free – click here to register.
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