Childcare
Today I will be presenting the VLGA’s Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Provision of Childcare. Our submission will be available on our website along with our Statement on Childcare that has been endorsed by at least 20 Councils. We encourage all Councillors to consider endorsing the Statement that was developed in 2008 after consultation with members. If you would like further information, please contact me or the VLGA office.
We also draw you attention to the consultations on the National Quality Agenda for Early Childhood Education and Care Consultation Regulation Impact Statement happening this week.
Treacy Conference Centre, 126 The Avenue, Parkville, Wednesday 22 July, 6-8:30pm and Friday 24 July, 10am-12:30pm.
Thursday July 23 1.30pm-4.00pm Bendigo Venue TBA.
See http://www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/RISConsultations.aspx for a copy of the Impact Statement and how to make a submission.
Urban sprawl and growth corridors
Councils were again frustrated by the short window for submissions – this time to the Urban Growth Boundary Report due last week.
See
to view the submission made by the VLGA on our website.
Most of the affected Councils have expressed clear concerns about the sustainability of new communities without adequate infrastructure for transport, employment, community services and concerns about environmental impacts. The debate about urban consolidation, development along tram corridors and growth boundaries will continue and we ask:
- How can we contribute to integrated planning of housing, employment, transport and services?
- Does urban consolidation along tram corridors reflect good social planning?
- How can we achieve sustainable growth that leads to liveable and just communities?
We welcome your comments and submissions to the Growth Area Authority.
Victorian Climate Change Green paper
The Victorian Government has released a Climate Change Green Paper. Feedback from individuals and organisations on the ideas put forward in the Green Paper can be made before Wednesday 30 September 2009. Please join us on Thursday 6th August 2009 at the VLGA for our Leading Edge Forum at which we will discuss responses to the Green Paper.
RSVP for this event: vlga@vlga.org.au or phone 9349 7999.
Recognition of Poor Rooming Houses: A Good Start
The VLGA is pleased with the State Government’s announcement of Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors to review the poor standards of rooming houses.
Although this is a good start, we believe it is unfortunate that local government has been overlooked and has not received additional resources to deal with this serious issue. The VLGA is currently consulting with its membership on this issue and feedback can be provided by contacting the office.
New Council Members
The Board would like to welcome our two newest council members – City of Greater Shepparton Council and Warrnambool City Council.
This takes our all-time high to 55 councils. We are very excited about extending our services and advocacy in a responsible manner relevant to our members.
Following is some information on both new council members.
City of Greater Shepparton Council
Located 200 kilometers north of Melbourne, the area covering 2,422 square kilometers is home to a population of approximately 60,400 residents.
The name Shepparton comes from a squatter called Sherbourne Sheppard who held the Tallygaroopna Station. The initial spelling was Sheppardtown or Sheppardton before coming to its present spelling when the town was surveyed.
For more information on the City of Greater Shepparton, visit www.greatershepparton.com.au.
Warrnambool City Council
The word Warrnambool has been interpreted to mean many things including “and between two rivers”, “two swamps” or “ample water”.
The first settlers arrived in the 1840s. The town was surveyed in 1946 and established soon after. It was gazetted as a municipality in 1855 and became a borough in 1863. Warrnambool was declared a town in 1883 and a city in 1918.
The city, 260 kilometers south west of Melbourne, has a population of 31,000, and around 25,000 within the adjoining sub-region. The location, adjoining both protected and exposed coastline, and a strong maritime and built heritage, draws 700,000 tourists each year.
For more information on Warrnambool City, visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/
Events and contacts
Leading Edge Forum, August 6th, 6.30pm at VLGA:
Dealing with uncertainty: what’s at stake for Community, Councillors and Councils.
RSVP for this event: vlga@vlga.org.au or phone 9349 7999.
Contacts for:
Timor Leste Working Group –
Richard Brown, 0407 091 004,
rbassoc@optusnet.com.au
Women’s Working Group –
Linda Bennett, 9349 7999,
linda@vlga.org.au
Climate Change Working Group –
Heinz Kreuz, 0438 006 656,
heinz.kreutz@boroondara.vic.gov.au
Feel free to contact me or the VLGA office for more information.
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