VLGA President’s Message
Rates and revenue are always topical in the local government sector, particularly at this time of year as ratepayers receive their rates notices. Recently the media has reported on concerns by farmers, and last week The Age considered the effect of the latest biennial property evaluation on rates notices.
Developments regarding the funding of Victorian fire services have also heightened interest in rates notices. As most people with an interest in local government will be aware, last week the Victorian Government announced a property-based fire services levy to be collected by local government. The levy will commence in July 2013.
Anticipating its introduction, in April this year the VLGA wrote to the Treasurer Kim Wells, opposing the collection of the levy by local governments and raising a number of important implementation issues. While the legislation was not made available to local government and the public until late last week, it appears there are still some outstanding questions about the functioning of the levy. The VLGA hopes to work with the State Government on the implementation of the levy in the coming weeks.
Along with the recent Local Government Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2012, the introduction of the fire services levy represents the imposition of another function for local government without adequate consultation or review of the future sustainability of the sector. In this context, the VLGA has dedicated our next Leading Edge Forum to examining a crucial part of our sector – the rating system. The forum will explore the question of whether our current rating system is appropriate and sustainable. Our speakers, who include a representative of the Victorian Farmers Federation, bring a diversity of views and we anticipate a lively and engaging debate. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509 if there’s anything you wish to discuss. Cheers. Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Fire Services Levy Bill
The Fire Services Property Levy Bill 2012 is currently before the Victorian Parliament. The Department of Treasury and Finance has also provided some short fact sheets on the levy. The VLGA is keen to gather as much feedback on the Bill as possible. Please contact our Director Policy, Toby Archer via email.
Social media and authorisation of campaign material
The VLGA has become aware that the Local Government Compliance and Investigations Inspectorate has issued a councillor with a written warning relating to the authorisation of social media material. Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act requires all electoral matter to contain the name and address of the person who authorised the electoral advertisement. Social media is now a fundamental component of government and campaign communications strategies and many election candidates will utilise social media tools (including Facebook and Twitter) as part of their campaign. All election candidates are advised to ensure social media accounts carry an authorisation message and to become familiar with the Candidate Handbook produced by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
State wide rooming house register proposed
The Victorian parliament is currently considering changes to the regulatory framework for rooming houses. The Residential Tenancies and Other Consumer Acts Amendment Bill 2012 details some important changes to the way local governments regulate rooming houses, including the proposal to establish a State-wide register of rooming houses. While Consumer Affairs Victoria will administer the register, local government will be responsible for recording information on the register about rooming houses and rooming house operators. The purpose of the register is to assist with compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and enable evaluation of Victoria’s rooming house sector. The Bill also amends the Public Health and Wellbeing Act registration processes for rooming houses to comply with the proposed requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act. The VLGA is preparing a response to the Bill and we are keen to hear the views of members and particularly from those officers who will be responsible for implementing the new procedures. Please contact our Director Policy, Toby Archer via email.
Plan to fix our housing crisis
Australians for Affordable Housing, the national coalition of welfare and housing organisations, has released a four-point plan to fix our housing crisis. The plan is based on increasing the supply of affordable rental housing by at least 20,000 properties per year for the next five years, improving affordability through tax reform, increasing rent assistance payments to low income households and developing a national housing and infrastructure plan.
Census update on cultural diversity and spoken languages
As part of a partnership between the VLGA and the City of Greater Dandenong, updated Census 2011 data on birthplaces and spoken languages is now available for all Victorian municipalities. This information can be accessed from the City of Greater Dandenong website.
Appeal to support TAFE
Access to quality post-school education is vital to local communities. The National Tertiary Education Union and the Australian Education Union are campaigning to save TAFEs from $290 million in State Government cuts. Local governments can become involved in supporting the TAFE sector by joining the TAFE4All campaign, forming a local Save Our TAFE group, contacting local State politicians, passing a motion calling for the cuts to be reversed and holding public forums. For more information, contact Janet Bourke via email or phone on 0418 150 018.
VLGA submission to the VCEC Inquiry on problem gambling
After a number of meetings with representatives from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, the VLGA has submitted a response to the Inquiry into the Social and Economic Costs of Problem Gambling in Victoria Issues Paper. The VLGA believes this inquiry presents an important opportunity for consistent data and research to be made available to local government and community organisations. We would like to thank members of the Local Government Working Group On Gambling for their feedback and recommendations. For more information about VLGA’s submission, contact Jieh-Yung Lo on 9349 7980 or via email.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
September Leading Edge Forum: Rates and revenue raising – what’s the answer?
Thursday 6 September, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Local government rates have been the topic of much debate recently. There are many issues to be examined for our future governance, and one of those might be whether the current rating system is an appropriate and sustainable revenue base for twenty-first century people and property services. Join us at this Leading Edge Forum to hear our speakers discuss the capacity of councils to set rates at levels appropriate to meet policy goals and deliver services and infrastructure for communities. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
National Youth Disability Conference
24 & 25 September
Jasper Hotel, Melbourne
The Conference will bring together young people with disabilities, peak bodies, representative organisations, and passionate workers and researchers in the field.
View the preliminary program here, register here and visit the NYD Conference Facebook page.
2012 Not For Profit Summit
18 October
Simonds Stadium, Kardinia Park, South Geelong
The 4th annual Not For Profit Summit is a high profile event that includes workshops, presentations, networking and exhibits. This year's theme, ‘Change – Challenge & Choice’, will deliver information on workforce, funding and sector development – all key topics for the community sector.
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