People may be interested to read two VEC Representation Review reports that were released this week. They cover Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong City Councils, and both recommend to the Minister that the ward structures be changed from single to multi-member. On the subject of electoral matters, for anyone considering standing for local government in October, there are still a few places left for the Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections workshops on 21 or 28 April. It is not too late to register, however you will need to get your registration in as soon as possible. There are also still a couple of places left in the Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course on 30 April or 3 May. This course will tell you everything you want to know about assessing the social and other impacts of pokies and their context and history. See below in the Keeping you up to date and VLGA Events sections for program and registration details for both of these valuable training opportunities. I hope that those of you who had a school holiday break enjoyed a peaceful and restful time. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call on 0407 364 509, or drop me a line via email. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections
This full-day training program has been specifically designed for anybody considering standing for election in October 2012. Everything you need to know about successful campaigning and what you need to do between now and Election Day. There will be two opportunities to attend this training program – either Saturday 21 April or Saturday 28 April. Note that the program is identical for both days.
Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course Everything you ever wanted to know about assessing the social and other impacts of pokies, and the context and history of pokies. This is the most comprehensive training program ever put together in Victoria and includes practical case studies, tools and guides to assist local governments with understanding and undertaking gaming and planning processes. Designed for statutory and strategic planners, social and community planners, social researchers, health professionals and consultants, as well as councillors, this short course includes a comprehensive, ‘step by step’ Training Manual. There will be two opportunities to attend this full-day training program (please choose one) – either Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May.
Inquiry into the prevention and treatment of problem gambling
The VLGA has submitted to the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform’s Inquiry into the prevention and treatment of problem gambling, and you can download our submission and others from the Parliamentary website. The major recommendations made in the VLGA’s submission included that the Federal Government: * commit to addressing primary prevention methods and invests money for measures to prevent problem gambling, with a focus on particularly social connectedness, community strengthening and providing alternatives. * consider gaming machine product safety improvements and gaming venue regulations. * explore issues of underage gambling, marketing and online gambling liberalisation in full before decisions are made on how to proceed in this area. Online gambling is of concern to the VLGA and we note that there is growing commentary on this issue. This article, Rise in online gambling puts punters at risk, from The Conversation by Editor Justin Norrie may be of interest to members.
Observer Mission to Timor-Leste for Presidential Elections
VLGA Vice President Richard Brown (also Chair of the VLGA Timor-Leste Advisory Group) and Gary Jungwirth, Timor-Leste Project Officer, were among the International Observers attending the first round of the Presidential election in Timor-Leste. Richard and Gary were part of the Australian Timor-Leste Friendship Network group. Among other local government representatives were Mayor Henry McLaughlin and Gaynor Atkins from the Shire of Macedon Ranges and Cr Alison Clarke from the City of Yarra. Many friendship groups were also represented. The overall impression of the election is that they were well organised and free and fair. There will be a second round election this week between the top two candidates from the first round; namely Lu-Olo President of the Fretilin Party and Taur Matan Rual former head of the Military. The incumbent President, José Ramos-Horta, was third in the ballot and so his presidential term will conclude in May. The VLGA looks forward to forming a close working relationship with the new President. Many friendship groups will also be attending as observers for the Parliamentary elections that will be held on 7 July.
Aboriginal Heritage Act Review – feedback wanted
Since September 2011, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria has been leading a Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act (2006). There has been widespread consultation with over 80 submissions to the review so far. A social and economic impact assessment of the Act has also been prepared. An Issues and Options Paper has been developed in response to key issues raised in the review so far. As a response, the VLGA will be drafting a submission to the review and would like to invite contributions and feedback from members and stakeholders. To submit comments and feedback, contact Jieh-Yung Lo on 9349 7980 or via email. Responses to the issues and options paper will be accepted until 24 May 2012.
Funding support for biochar facility in Melbourne
The VLGA welcomes news that the Victorian Government has offered PacPyro $4.5 million to develop a commercial scale biochar and bio-energy facility in Melbourne. This exciting technology has the potential to be carbon negative, and could be used to divert municipal green waste away from landfill, thereby reducing methane production.
New NFP compliance support centre website
The new Not for Profit Compliance Support Centre website is now live. The website is designed to assist not-for-profit organisations and will save time spent searching for information about compliance and licensing requirements. The website provides a single entry point for all regulatory information, licences, forms and related support materials. The Victorian Government's Office for the Community Sector consulted with 160 community organisations about the content and tested the website for relevance.
Ballarat leads the way with Community Charter on Prevention of Violence against Women
The City of Ballarat has developed a Community Charter on Prevention of Violence against Women in partnership with Ballarat Police, Women's Health Grampians, and a substantial list of other local groups. The Charter will be launched in May. For more information see this article in the Ballarat Courier. Equity and Inclusion Policy launched at Darebin
As part of Harmony Day on 21 March 2012, the City of Darebin launched its first Equity and Inclusion Policy. The policy consolidates the City of Darebin’s work in the areas of access and equity for elderly citizens, women, multicultural communities, aboriginal and people with disabilities. The Equity and Inclusion Policy is an overarching policy which is operationalised through a number of action plans that will be finalised in the course of 2012. The policy has a rights-based approach and will be embedded in the City of Darebin’s policy and program development processes through the implementation of an Equity and Inclusion Planning and Audit tool.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections
Saturday 21 or Saturday 28 April, 9am-5pm
60L meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This full-day training program has been specifically designed for anybody considering standing for election in October 2012. Everything you need to know about successful campaigning, including:
* Communications basics and beyond – strategies to assert your points of difference
* Media basics and beyond – what the media and voters want to know
* Preferences and voting
* Tips for 150-word candidate statements
* Street stalls and doorknocking
* What you need to do between now and Election Day
There will be two opportunities to attend this training program – either Saturday 21 April or Saturday 28 April at the VLGA. Note that the program is identical for both days.
Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course
Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May, 9.30am-4pm
60L meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Everything you ever wanted to know about assessing the social and other impacts of pokies, and the context and history of pokies. This is the most comprehensive training program ever put together in Victoria and includes:
* Practical case studies, tools and guides
* Local Government Initiatives Marketplace – talk to people who’ve achieved results
* Gaming and planning processes
* Understanding community wellbeing
Designed for statutory and strategic planners, social and community planners, social researchers, health professionals and consultants, as well as councillors, this short course includes a comprehensive, ‘step by step’ Training Manual. There will be two opportunities to attend this full-day training program – either Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May at the VLGA. Download the flyer, program and registration form from the VLGA website.
Leading Edge Forum – Adapting to new environments: opportunities to improve food security, agriculture and jobs growth in a region
Nambur Wariga Meeting Room, Latrobe City Council HQ, 141 Commercial Road, Morwell
We invite you to join us in the City of Latrobe to learn how the Gippsland region is generating employment in the food industry, feeding the nation, and forecasting for the future. Hear from speakers including Dr Robert Faggian, Future Farming Research Division, DPI; Derek Robertson, Traralgon Factory Manager, Brancourts P/L; and Howard Vella, Manufacturing Manager – Morwell, from Lion. RSVP online by Monday 30 April or phone (03) 9349 7999. Other Events
CEDA Transport Series: The role of rail in Australia's transport future
Friday 20 April
Park Hyatt, 1 Parliament Square, Melbourne
The first of CEDA's 2012 Transport series will address rail as a key component of the transport sector and address why it will substantially contribute to Australia's long-term productivity and economic performance. More information is available on the CEDA website, and you can register online.
Growers and Eaters 2012: Cultivating an appetite for a resilient future
Monday 23 April
Gravel Hill Salvation Army Complex, 65-71 Mundy Street, Bendigo
Cultivating Community is running this day-long event on resilient communities and food systems. It includes a session on how people can work with local governments to get local food projects off the ground. Go online for program and registration details.
‘Making Culture Count’ Conference
2-4 May 2012
Melbourne
The Cultural Development Network hosts the Making Culture Count: Rethinking Measures of Cultural Vitality, Well-being and Citizenship Conference, at the Woodward Conference Centre, University of Melbourne. The conference will feature 62 presenters from six Australian states and territories and eight other countries across Europe, Asia- Pacific and the Americas. Speakers will represent universities, government departments from four different countries, local governments, foundations, arts and community organisations as well as several independent artists and researchers. There is also a Pre-Conference Local Government Workshop: Measuring Cultural Vitality, and a Pre-Conference Postgraduate Masterclass.
Non-profit Masterclass in Advanced Strategy, Risk and Governance – in the South-West
Monday 14 MayLady Bay Resort, 2 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool
Leading-edge strategies and tactics for non-profit executives and Board members. Do you have new Board members who would benefit from the latest in strategic thinking and governance practices? Would your Board benefit from renewal of energy to facilitate them to be even more strategic? Would you like the latest and most powerful strategies to get your Board truly engaged and making the decisions that create the future for the community you serve? Steven Bowman, a leading international adviser in corporate and non-profit conscious leadership, is presenting an intensive one-day Masterclass that will shake long-held beliefs about strategy, risk and governance. CEOs, senior executives, Chairs and Board members should not miss this event. Registrants will receive a free copy of the non-profit e-book, The Conscious Chief Executive. Enquiries to Allan Bassett or Richard Zerbe at Community Southwest on (03) 5559 1032 or by email.
Alternative Futures Conference
21-24 May
Newcastle, NSW
Convened over three days in Newcastle City Precinct, NSW, the conference will deliver an exciting multidisciplinary event addressing climate and risk, land use planning, biodiversity conservation, liveable communities and urban design, and feature some of the leading thinkers and innovators from across Australia and overseas addressing many of the challenges facing regional Australia’s future planning and development. For more information contact Steve Wilson via email.
4th Annual Victorian Transport Infrastructure Conference
28-29 May
Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre
Victoria is experiencing an infrastructure backlog to meet growing economic and community needs. The State Government has begun planning and investment to address the backlog and realise Victoria's potential. This conference will discuss the prioritisation, planning and delivery of critical transport infrastructure in Victoria.
7th National Housing Conference
Wednesday 30 October – Friday 2 November
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
The biennial National Housing Conference is recognised as an event of national significance and seen as a vital opportunity to showcase ideas in housing research, policy and practice. The 7th National Housing Conference will be held in Brisbane from Wednesday 30 October until lunchtime on Friday 2 November 2012. It will be preceded on Tuesday 29 October with a series of full and half-day optional site tours, followed by the official Conference Welcome Reception in the late afternoon. The Conference theme, People-Place-Productivity, is contemporary and focuses on areas of keen interest for Queensland, as well as nationally and internationally. The theme allows for a variety of session streams, topics and speakers. To find out more and to register go here.
No comments:
Post a Comment