A Fresh Look And Start
I have already been sending you emails, but as this is my first re-badged President’s Blog for 2009, I hope you find it informative.
I will send these bulletins out regularly and when I need to draw your attention to significant issues. I also wanted to remind you that there are lots of updates and events available on our website
Recovering From Bushfires
As well as providing direct support to Mayors and Councillors of fire-affected Councils, the VLGA is currently gathering tourism information from these Councils. We hope to promote the appropriate and sensitive return of tourism to areas recommended by these councils. Diarise some visits now!
Leading Edge Forums
Conflict of Interest
You already know that from 7pm Thursday 2nd April we will be holding a LEF on Conflict of Interest.
This LEF will be webcast live so you can hear and see speakers and participate by
sending us comments and questions online
A hint – if you go to the above link you can also see previous recordings of our live webcasts (at the bottom of the page)!
We’d also love to see you at the VLGA on the night, so come along and have dinner with us first by RSVP’ing to vlga@vlga.org.au
Don’t forget we have an online survey where you can record your views on the recent legislative changes. Your participation is critical so we can focus
our future assistance to you. Please go to the link to our online survey at http://surveys.infoxchange.net.au/s?s=1586
City-Rural & Regional Partnerships
We will send you more details soon, but for now please note that our May LEF will not be on the first Thursday (due to a major MAV event) but the second Thursday.
We will be in Rosebud on Thursday 14th May to hear examples of best practice for sustaining successful municipal partnerships
Global Financial Crisis & Universal Housing
We are now loading all of the presentations made at our Leading Edge Forums. Presentations can be found for the February (Global Financial Crisis) and March
(Universal Housing) or from the front page of our website at http://www.vlga.org.au/
Planning Issues
We recently met with Justin Madden, the Minister for Planning with whom we discussed a number of issues including the New Residential Zones; the need for non-metro Residential Zones; as well as planning responses to the bushfires. We brought a number of concerns to his attention including that need to preserve community consultation and not allow erosion of community consultation through proposed reforms.
While several pressures are mounting to reduce substantive local government’s planning role, the VLGA will continue to strongly oppose this.
MAV & VLGA Relations
Many of you who we have visited on our Annual Tour visits will have heard, the new VLGA Board is keen to negotiate closer and stronger working relations with the MAV.
To this end, we have already agreed on regular meetings. I have also sent my best wishes to all candidates who are running for MAV President, repeating our new Board’s genuine desire to work together.
Whilst there may be times when we will have different views, these can be negotiated constructively. It is not in our sector’s interests to needlessly compete. The MAV does important work as does the VLGA and I am also keen to highlight our collective strengths into the future.
If you would like to talk to me about these or any other issues, please feel free to contact me on 0414 959 427.
Regards
Rose
