We are receiving a steady stream of registrations for our upcoming Essential Councillor Retreat from 18-19 November, but as numbers are limited make sure to get the details and register today by going here. As usual, October and November are shaping up to be among the busiest event months of the year, so we have kept our news items brief this week to enable you to look at the fantastic range of events on offer. Last week we reminded you that, so far, only seven metropolitan and 15 regional and rural local governments have completed the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission’s annual survey. The online survey closes on 7 October, so I encourage you to follow this up to ensure that there is a response from your council. Numbers are rising for our next Leading Edge Forum this coming Thursday 6 October on population growth, infrastructure and the environment so make sure you RSVP to us soon online or call (03) 9349 7999. Also last week, we were advised that the Essential Services Commission (ESC) Performance Framework for local government will not proceed for the 2010-11 report. I understand that the Minister is reviewing benchmarking of local governments in her agenda for this term of government. While we await further information, I would like to acknowledge the ESC for the consultative approach their officers took to the process. I look forward to seeing you around and about. In the meantime please don’t hesitate to give me a call to discuss issues of interest to you on 0407 364 509, or drop me a line. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Making human rights real – Traralgon and Wangaratta workshops
Learn more about human rights and how to translate them into the work of your organisation.
The Australian Centre for Human Rights Education at RMIT, the VLGA and VCOSS are hosting a series of free participatory workshops across Victoria to facilitate people's understanding of human rights and to develop a human rights approach to service delivery and policy development in locally based organisations. The workshops are funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department as part of a project to identifying the importance of human rights education. The workshops are designed for both the community and local government sectors – for management, service delivery workers, board members, councillors, advocates and members of vulnerable groups – and use case studies to highlight human rights and how to support human rights for people in local communities. The next workshops will be held in:
* Traralgon on Tuesday 11 October, 10am-2pm at the Traralgon Business Centre, 55 Grey Street Traralgon, and
* Wangaratta on Tuesday 18 October, 10am-1pm at the Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker St, Wangaratta
* Wangaratta on Tuesday 18 October, 10am-1pm at the Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker St, Wangaratta
To register for the Traralgon and Wangaratta workshops, please phone Michelle at VCOSS on 03 9654 5050 or register online for the workshop closest to you. For further information, contact the VLGA’s Human Rights Policy & Project Officer Gary Jungwirth via email or phone (03) 9349 7999.
John Jago Good Governance Award 2011
The John Jago Good Governance Award is awarded annually to a VLGA member local government or community group (or groupings), whose governance and leadership practices have led to improved public participation in decision-making. Applications for the 2011 Award are now invited. There is a two stage process and 1st stage applications should be submitted to the VLGA by Friday 28 October 2011. Applications can be emailed or sent as hard copy. A letter is being sent to member councils to invite applications. Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Ron Exiner, Director Governance, on 9349 7999 or email.
Baseline survey of Australia’s community recycling enterprises
While community recycling enterprises deliver economic, social and environmental outcomes, little is known about this sector of local activity. CRN in partnership with the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies are undertaking a national study to identify the community recycling sector. This includes an online survey of enterprises, which aims to identify community recycling enterprises in Australia and indicate their size, structure and impacts. If you are a community recycling enterprise (or know of one) and would like to be included in the study, please email to CREonline or contact Craig Furneaux, Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies on (07) 3138 1186 or via email.
Victoria’s top towns vie for tidiest titles
The finalists for this year’s Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards were announced on Tuesday 30 August. This year KABV received 188 initiatives from 53 individual entrants from all levels of the community such as local governments, local community groups, schools and individuals. Beechworth, Hastings, Horsham, Inverloch, Mornington and Wangaratta are all in the running for the Tidy Town of the Year award. The other categories include finalists from right across Victoria. This year’s Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities categories focus on community leadership, young leaders, water conservation, environmental innovation and protection, zero waste, cultural heritage and community government partnerships. The Tidy Towns finalists will all come together from 21-22 October for the Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards Weekend to be held in Rutherglen – the 2010 Tidy Town of the Year. Events over the weekend will include a Civic Welcome from Indigo Shire, the Green Living Fair with Valhalla Wines, the awards ceremony on Saturday night and a farewell breakfast on Sunday morning. Tickets to the KABV Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards Weekend are now on sale.
Pokies research and differential rates for pokies venues
At the next Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) meeting, 9-11am on Wednesday 19 October, we will hear a presentation on the University of Ballarat’s initial research findings of the social and economic impacts of pokies on communities. We will also hold a panel discussion on differential rates and what the experience has been in the sector to date. If you would like to attend the next LGWGOG meeting to hear these presentations, please RSVP via email or phone (03) 9349 7999. For further information contact Darren Ray, Director Policy & Public Affairs via email or phone (03) 9349 7902.
VLGA CEO appointed to committee to strengthen Aboriginal participation
Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs, Jeanette Powell, has announced the members of the steering committee for the Local Government Aboriginal Partnership Project, including VLGA CEO Maree McPherson. Minister Powell said she was “delighted that leaders from local government and the Aboriginal community have come together in a partnership aimed at strengthening relationships and driving positive change for Aboriginal people.” There are three key objectives of the project:* To support local governments in their active engagement with Aboriginal communities
* To support Aboriginal communities as they strengthen their links with local
* government
* To encourage partnership between the two levels of government around Aboriginal issues
Other members of the steering committee include Ian Hamm (Co-Chair), Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria; John Watson (Co-Chair), Executive Director, Local Government Victoria; Rob Spence, CEO, Municipal Association of Victoria; David Preiss, CEO, Local Government Professionals; Keith Gove, Co-Chair, Reconciliation Victoria; Gina Hanson, Aboriginal Affairs Taskforce; Dr Andi Diamond, CEO, Yarra City Council; Paul Buckley, CEO, Latrobe City Council; Cr Geoff Dobson, Mayor, Greater Shepparton City Council; Cr Ken Saunders, Glenelg Shire Councillor; Denise Lovett, Chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council; Jason King, CEO, Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative; Tim Kanoa, State Coordinator, Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council; and Rebecca Lannen, Manager Indigenous Co-ordination Centre, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs. For more information contact our CEO Maree McPherson via email or on (03) 9349 7901.
Young Victorians invited to get 'Involved'
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith has invited young Victorians to apply to join the new Youth Ministerial Advisory Committee called Involve. The Involve committee will include two people from every Victorian region; one representative aged 12-17 and one aged 18-25. Applications close on 31 October, and we encourage you to nominate young people and/or pass this on to interested people. For more information, see the Youth Central website.
5StarSustainability tool for local government
Twenty-five local governments have now registered to use the 5StarSustainability online tool to measure how environmentally sustainable their local government is. Free to use, the tool looks at nine major categories of local government activities and allows users to assess progress on their sustainability journey. The tool looks at activity which is above business as usual, so even one star is a good result. Certification is also available.
Social media and local government – ACELG online survey
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) is working to capture a snapshot of how Australian local government is using social media. On 4 October a short online survey questionnaire will be sent to every local government in Australia requesting the CEO, GM or relevant person in the organisation to share their views and experiences about using social media. ACELG encourages every local government, from metro right through to remote, to take the ten minutes to share their attitudes and experiences with regard to social media, including issues and concerns they might have. Survey results will feed into an ACELG Issues Paper, which aims to assist with building capacity and understanding in the local government sector when it comes to using social media. Both the national survey and the Issues Paper will be completed by the end of this year.
Events for your diary
VLGA events
October Leading Edge Forum – Future population, infrastructure and sustainability in local communities: rethinking the debates
Thursday 6 October, 6-9pmVLGA, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Join us on Thursday night for this special 2011 Planning Month event. If you cannot attend in person, watch live and online from 7pm. Are we managing the issue or is it managing us? Is more leadership and coordination needed? Hear a range of economic, planning and environment experts reflect on the current population, planning and growth debates. Speakers include James Lamour-Reid, Committee Member, Planning Institute Australia; Brian Haratsis, Managing Director and Chief Economist, Macroplan; and Matt Ruchel, Executive Director, Victorian National Parks Association. Download the LEF flyer and register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Mayors on Bikes 2011
Wednesday 12 October, 10am-1.30pm
Kingston City Council
Coinciding with Ride to Work Day, Mayors on Bikes provides a useful informal networking and information sharing event that is invaluable to any mayor interested in transport and planning issues. Join us to explore a viable sustainable transport option. This year’s Mayors on Bikes event is kindly hosted by the City of Kingston and involves mayors, other representatives from local governments, and State Government authorities to join together in a leisurely bike ride along the Patterson River Trail, Wells Road shared path, Edithvale Road and Long Beach Trail. The ride will highlight some of the recent shared path and other upgrades, as well as the future challenges being faced by Kingston and shared by other local governments. Following the bike ride, there will be opportunity for networking over refreshments and to hear from key agencies as they discuss how local governments can work with them to bring about change in a consultative and collaborative manner. See our Mayors on Bikes event page for more information including the program, and to register.
VLGA Annual General Meeting
Thursday 3 November, 6pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Pencil this date into your diary and join us to reflect on the challenges and the achievements of the last year. We will formally present our financial statements and Annual Report, and award a life membership at the AGM. Invitations will be sent shortly. For more information contact the VLGA’s Member Resources Officer, Sarah Colgan, via email or on (03) 9349 7983.
Essential Councillor Retreat: making the 4th year count!
Friday 18 – Saturday 19 November
Peppers The Sands Resort Torquay
Numbers are limited and there is an early bird discount for those who get in quickly (closes 14 October). You can download the program and registration form from our website.
Other events
Food-sensitive planning in urban design (FSPUD) forum
Thursday 6 October, 1.45-5.00pm
Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Cnr Bell Street & St Georges Road, Preston
The Heart Foundation invites you to a forum to learn more about the resource, Food-sensitive planning and urban design: a conceptual framework for achieving a sustainable and healthy food system. Guest speakers include Associate Professor Trevor Budge AM, La Trobe University; Jenny Donovan, Inclusive Design; Dr Lukar Thornton, Deakin University; and Kirsten Larsen, Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), Melbourne University. This forum will be of interest to planners, architects, urban designers, engineers, public health professionals, policy makers, community members and elected representatives. It will explore the critical need to consider food in urban land use and development and how that might be achieved. Admission is free and RSVPs are required via email. For a copy of the FSPUD resource, go here. This event is an initiative of the Heart Foundation and is being delivered in partnership with the VLGA, and is funded by VicHealth.2011 Roadsafe Conference: reducing road trauma
Thursday 6 – Friday 7 October
Quality Hotel, Wangaratta Gateway, Wangaratta
Topics this year include involving the community; targeting the needs; behavioural change; and ‘beyond 2011’. The 2011 Roadsafe Conference will bring people together with a strong focus on ‘Reducing Road Trauma’. After the conference, stay on for the weekend and enjoy many of the region’s highlights of natural beauty and surroundings, road trails, wine and gourmet food.
6th Annual Community Newspapers Association of Victoria Conference
Friday 7 – Saturday 8 October
Geelong Conference Centre, Adams Court, Eastern Park Gardens
The Community Newspapers Association of Victoria (CNAV) is the peak body representing community newspapers in the state, with a current membership of around 60 members. CNAV defines a community newspaper as a newspaper or newsletter that is owned by the community. This could mean a newsletter produced by a community house or a newspaper that is produced by a group of volunteers for a town or community group. CNAV actively works with its members to enhance the capacity and standing of community newspapers, to enable them to fully realise their vital role in communities. To join CNAV at their 6th Annual Conference in Geelong, visit http://cnav.org.au/.
Bike Futures Conference 2011
Wednesday 12 – Friday 14 October
Etihad Stadium, 740 Bourke Street, Melbourne
This three-day conference is presented by the Bicycle Network and hosted by Bicycle Victoria, and brings together national and local leaders, planners, designers and builders. For further information on the conference and for registration details, go to the Bike Futures Conference website. With the transport crisis a long-term reality for Australian cities, there has never been a better time to improve liveability by embracing the benefits of bicycling, according to Harry Barber, CEO of Bicycle Victoria. Now in its third year, Bike Futures has become the key annual professional development for national and local leaders, planners, designers and builders to use bike transport and recreation to advance their communities. Bike Futures 2011 will discuss how to take the next steps from providing bike infrastructure – essential for mobility – to changing the ways cities work. It will bring together world leading experts as well as some of Australia’s leading practitioners on how to best respond to the issues confronting communities as they embrace the bicycle revolution. Workshop themes for the three days will include: innovative and human design, linking local initiatives with the bigger picture, shared paths and shared spaces, cycle tourism and how Vancouver BC has become the world’s most liveable city. The conference brings together ideas, solutions and practical strategies to meet the challenges provided by the bike riding boom.
Bike cultures: celebrating riding in Melbourne
Wednesday 12 October, 5.30pm
BMW Edge Federation Square, Melbourne
How will Cadel Evan’s ride FOR work effect our ride TO work? Can athletic and utility cycling co-exist or do fixie hipsters and cycle chic rule the lanes? Compare San Francisco’s bike culture with ours. Forget the arguments around lanes, laws and helmets for a night and roll up for a celebration of our increasing love affair with bikes and riding. Speakers include Anthony Aisenberg, Ride to Work Coordinator, Bicycle Network Victoria; Pip Carroll, Creative Producer of The Squeaky Wheel; Timothy Papandreou, San Francisco's Municipal Transit Agency, Deputy Director Sustainable Streets-Long Range Planning and Policy; Kathy Watt OAM, Olympic Gold & Silver medallist for Cycling; and the event will be MC’d by Peter Mares, Journalist and Presenter, The National Interest ABC Radio National. The event is kindly supported by The 5th World Summit on Arts and Culture, ABC Radio National, and Bicycle Network Victoria. Melbourne Conversations is a series of free public discussions presented by the City of Melbourne:
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson/conversations/Pages/conversations.aspx.
Local government forum: alternative water supplies for public open space
Friday 14 October, 9.30-11.30am
Sustainability Victoria, Level 28, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Sustainability Victoria invites you to the latest of its quarterly forums for local government officers and managers. Open spaces, such as parks, sports-grounds and streetscapes, are a vital part of our community infrastructure. Rainfall amounts have varied considerably over the past years. As a result, councils and the water industry are now looking into new ways of sourcing water that will reduce dependence on mains supply and maintain the quality of these spaces. This forum explores a strategic approach to planning for alternative water supplies, along with a leading practice examples from local government. Presentations will include:
* Geoff Connellan, G & M Connellan Consultants: Strategies for sustainable irrigated open space using alternative water supplies
* Steve Bumstead, Yarra Valley Water: Alternative water supply options and the community cost model
* Jason Summers, Hume City Council: Using reclaimed stormwater for sustainable irrigation
RSVP by 5pm on Tuesday 11 October via email to Nick Bailey or phone (03) 8626 8824.
The Long Walk Women's Luncheon 2011
Friday 14 October, 11.30am
Peninsula at Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Join the VLGA who is also donating a seat to this event that will celebrate Indigenous women’s achievements over lunch with great entertainment and conversation. The Long Walk is a charity inspired by Michael Long’s walk to Canberra to get the lives of Australia’s Indigenous people back on the national agenda. Special Guests include Rosalie Kunoth-Monks; Fay Ball; The Sunshine Sisters (Emma Donovan, Jessie Lloyd and Deline Briscoe) and the MC Pauline Whyman. You can book a table of 10 for the luncheon, and individuals and businesses are encouraged to donate seats to Indigenous women with limited funds. Please indicate donated seats by writing ‘donated seat’ as the guest name in the booking form. Seats (at $110 each) will be donated to FVPLS Victoria to distribute. Funds raised through the Women’s Luncheon will contribute to The Long Walk’s Indigenous Cultural Exchange in 2012. Please register online.
Climate Change Adaptation Conference
Thursday-Friday 13-14 October
Melbourne Town Hall
3 Pillars Network presents the Climate Change Adaptation National Congress in partnership with NCCARF & CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship & Net Balance. A two-day interactive forum exploring the policy, strategies and business models needed to enable a climate resilient future for Australia. Keynote speakers include Rear Admiral D. Titley, Oceanographer and Navigator of the US Navy, and Dr Graeme Pearman, Monash University. The Congress is intended for organisations at all stages of adaptation planning. Using a participative process, sessions are designed to engage the collective expertise of all attendees – drawing on Australian and International experts across a range of disciplines to help bridge ‘knowledge gaps’ and inform new ideas. Visit www.climateadaptation.com.au for more details.
ALGWA's diamond birthday!
Saturday 15 October, 2-4pm
Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association celebrates its 60th birthday on 15 October 2011. Join ALGWA in celebrating 60 years of supporting women elected to, and working in, the local government sector, where the winner of the 2011 ALGWA Bursary award will also be announced. Special guest speaker will be former Hawthorn Mayor and Councillor Jane Nathan. Jane was also a commissioner and MAV treasurer. She is currently a member of the Underwood Ministerial Advisory Committee reviewing the planning system, is President of Australian Population Institute, and was the first female committee member of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
All are welcome, including former members. Cost $35. Further details please contact the Secretary Cr Helen Harris.
Creating a platform for action on rural and regional safety
Wednesday 19 October
Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat
The Ballarat Community Safety Advisory Committee invites you to this inaugural conference. The aim of the conference is to present current evidence and practice of community safety issues affecting Victorian rural and regional areas. Themes include Alcohol Related Harm; Driver/Cyclist Interaction; Women’s Violence Prevention; and Urban Design. For more information and to register online visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au. Registrations close Friday 14 October.
Public-private partnership in planning and management of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
Wednesday 19 October, 5.45pm-6.45pm
Condell Room, 1st Floor of the Melbourne Town Hall
Free public lecture hosted jointly by the City of Melbourne and SGS Economics & Planning and featuring Dr Seth A. Grossman, of Rutgers University-Newark, New Jersey. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are distinctive, formalised partnerships between the public and private sectors operating as units of sub-government at the local level. There are more than 650 BIDs in the USA, and an estimated 1,500 worldwide. BIDs are special districts designed to bring together public, private and civic actors to achieve comprehensive community revitalisation, economic development and quality of life improvements in primary business and mixed use areas. Such partnerships appear to allow the public sector to enjoy more vigorous entrepreneurship, while allowing the private sector to utilize public authority and public processes to achieve economic and community revitalization. BIDs are unique because they are authorised by local ordinance, but tend to be managed by private and non-profit entities that function as publically oriented public-private partnerships. This presentation explores how BIDs dissolve public-private dichotomies to create new hybrid capacities for mutually beneficial community and business development. Registration (for catering purposes) by Friday 14 October to Rebecca Stroud via email or (03) 8616 0331. Inquiries on program to Nigel Flannigan.
Crisis and opportunity: the changing face of environmental health
Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 October
Comfort Inn Country Plaza, Halls Gap
Presented by Environmental Health Australia (Vic) Inc., and supported by the Department of Health, Northern Grampians Shire and Macpherson+Kelley Lawyers, this 2nd Annual Professional Development Symposium will feature a range of workshops, site tours and social functions specifically aimed at local government Environmental Health Officers, Local Laws Officers, Health Planners and others. One of the workshops will feature the VLGA’s Food Security Policy Officer, Leah Galvin, speaking on ‘the relevance of addressing food security as an opportunity prior to crisis’ along with Meagan Ward, of the Grampians and Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership. You can download the conference program and conference registration.
‘Excite, Engage, Evolve’ Australasian Conference for Public Participation
Thursday 20 – Friday 21 October
Sydney Masonic Centre
Whether you’re new to the field, a seasoned practitioner, a councillor, or a senior executive keen to learn more, these popular events are a valuable chance to gain cutting-edge knowledge and skills. Aimed at communities, governments and the private sector, this year’s dynamic, interactive program is packed with opportunities to:
* hear from inspiring leaders in the field
* learn the latest techniques from the world’s leading thinkers
* join practicing peers to share ideas and creative approaches
* celebrate and recognise some shining examples of best practice
* share the secrets of quality community engagement outcomes
Speakers include some of the world’s recognised trailblazers in public participation, including internationally renowned social researcher Mark McCrindle, ABC broadcaster and facilitator Julie McCrossin, and highly regarded researchers and thinkers, Professors Lyn Carson (University of Western Sydney) and John Gastil (University of Washington). The winners of the IAP2’s Core Values Awards (both Australasian and International) will be presented at a special Gala Dinner on 20 October. For more information and to register, go here.
2011 Thriving Neighbourhoods Conference
Tuesday-Wednesday 25-26 October
St Kilda Town Hall
Thriving Neighbourhoods (TN) is a conference series that explores the impact of the built and natural environments on communities’ health, wellbeing and productivity. The VLGA is a major conference supporter and VLGA members are entitled to a $100-discount off the registration fees. The 2011 conference focuses on the role of local governments in creating liveable, sustainable and healthy communities: how they engage stakeholders including the property, planning, parks and recreation, health, and other government sectors. The conference will take these diverse groups out of their silos and work collaboratively to create a living environment where residents are healthy and productive. The VLGA is making a financial contribution to bring Paul Hawken to the conference. Paul is a renowned author whose works have transformed businesses’ thinking about their impact on the environment, will be in Melbourne to address the conference. In The Ecology of Commerce, he argues for ‘full-cost accounting’: taking account of social, environmental and economic costs to truly gauge the impact of a business decision. The program and registration details can be found at http://thrivingneighbourhoods2011.org. TN is hosted by ICLEI – Local governments for Sustainability, a non-profit movement of local governments aimed at building capacity of councils to implement long-term local actions to achieve sustainable development. The City of Port Phillip is ICLEI’s principal partner.
North East Branch ALGWA ‘Think women for local government 2012’ Forum
Saturday 12 November, 1pm-4pm
Strathbogie Shire Civic Centre, Bury Street, Euroa
To be opened by Hon Jeanette Powell MP, this forum will share information and support the North East Local Government Women’s Association in encouraging women candidates for the local government elections in 2012. Enquiries and RSVP to Cr Marg Attley, North East ALGWA President, on 0400 256 035 or email; or to Cr Colleen Furlanetto, North East ALGWA (interim) Secretary, on 0427 537 522 or email.
Community power conference: Australian communities taking charge of their energy use
Monday 14 – Tuesday 15 November
Capital Theatre, View Street, Bendigo
Are you looking for practical, achievable ways to reduce the impact of electricity price rises in your community? This conference aims to showcase how regional Australian communities are developing innovative energy projects; helping to reduce local economic shocks; and can take practical action to hedge against rising energy prices. The Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, in its third biennial conference on renewable energy, is partnering with the Central Victoria Solar City project, part of the Australian Government’s Solar Cities program, and the City of Greater Bendigo, to deliver an exciting exploration of current energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies and actions being taken by Australian communities. For more information and to register, go here.Monday 14 – Tuesday 15 November
Capital Theatre, View Street, Bendigo
9th Annual Victorian Transport Infrastructure Conference
Tuesday 15 – Wednesday 16 November
Melbourne
As an endorsing partner, the VLGA has secured a massive 50% discount for our members to this conference. With a strong focus on issues relevant to local governments, guest presenters include Ballarat and Melbourne CEOs Anthony Schinck and Dr Kathy Alexander. There are three easy ways for VLGA members to register: on the internet; by telephone (02) 9080 4307; or via email. Make sure you quote the following exclusive VLGA event code: P11M41 with your booking. For more information and to see the program, go here. To stay connected to this conference, follow it on LinkedIn, Twitter (#victransport), the Informa blog, or Youtube.
5th ‘State of Australian Cities’ National Conference
Tuesday 29 November – Friday 2 December
University of Melbourne, Parkville
Australia’s society and economy are dominated by its cities and regions, and the future of Australia’s environment is also linked to urban sustainability. The State of Australian Cities is a national forum, held biennially, to share scholarship directed at the complex and multidimensional issues facing us as an urban nation. Australian cities are highly ranked internationally for their liveability, and have continued to grow strongly through a global financial crisis. Yet we are confronted with significant challenges. These challenges should not blind us to opportunities. For the first time in two decades, the Federal Government is talking about the need to address the infrastructure gap in cities. A growing body of urban researchers is interested in the policy implications of their work, while policy-makers are increasingly turning to the developing evidence base. Unlikely coalitions are springing up to address intertwined social, economic, environmental, governance, and infrastructure issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment