To begin on a more positive note, however, this week brings school holidays and the Royal Melbourne Show at which the produce of many Victorian communities is proudly displayed. Even in Melbourne, agricultural shows serve to bring communities together to display and sample local products. For dates of agricultural shows across Victoria visit www.vicagshows.com.au
When visiting the Melbourne Show at the weekend, I noticed that the Victorian Government Expo was titled ‘Fast forward’. Some irony in that!
VLGA Response to State Government’s Climate Change Green Paper
While we try and limit the number of emails we send to you, we will need to send another email to you later today with a copy of our submission for feedback.
Rather than duplicating detailed submissions from environment and other community groups, our submission will focus on the social equity implications of climate change, as well as the need to resource and support the mitigation and adaptation activities of communities and local governments.
Or in other words, ‘building all of our capacity’ to respond to, and cope with climate change.
Suspension of Brimbank Councillors
Despite the questions that have been raised about the lack of substantial evidence in the report tabled by Bill Scales last week, and the fact that at least five of the former Councillors of Brimbank have not been party to any investigations of inappropriate conduct prior to their suspension, there is no turning back the train that was put in motion some time ago.
The VLGA has grave concerns about the Brimbank community not having any elected representation until 2012. We have already flagged with Minister Wynne’s office that we will hope to see an earlier election assuming that any necessary organisational changes will be achievable earlier than 2012.
Additionally, Scales’ report is yet another statement of the need for well resourced training and mentorship for councillors, as well as fair processes for individual investigations of wrong-doing. Major announcements regarding such resources are needed from all parties in the lead-up to the next state election.
If you have not yet seen a copy of Scales’ report, we can email this to you on request. Additionally, the Ombudsman’s Annual Report was released last week and is available here
Changes to Applicable Gift Provisions Pass Lower House
In conjunction with the announcement about Brimbank, the Local Government Amendment (Offences and Other Matters) Bill 2009 was passed by the Lower House. It includes the following sections:
For section 78C(1) of the Principal Act substitute—
"(1) In this section, applicable gift means one or more gifts with a total value of, or more than, the gift disclosure threshold, received from a person or persons specified in subsection (2) in the 5 years preceding the decision or the exercise of the power, duty or function but does not include reasonable hospitality provided to a Mayor, Councillor or member of Council staff by a not-for-profit organisation at any function or event that—
(a) is conducted during those 5 years; and
(b) is attended by the Mayor, Councillor or member of Council staff in an official capacity."
"not-for-profit organisation means a body or organisation that—
(a) operates exclusively for charitable, civil or other social purposes;
and
(b) does not share or allocate the funds or profits of the body or
organisation with the owners, shareholders or executives of the
body or organisation;".
And...
21 Misuse of position—penalty
For the penalty at the foot of section 76D(1) of the Principal Act substitute—
"Penalty: 600 penalty units or imprisonment for 5 years or both."
This legislation will be debated in the Upper House in October.
DACs Legislation Returned to Parliament Last Week
After being considered by the Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC), the Planning Legislation Amendment Bill was returned to both Houses with amendments that had been agreed to by members of the DRC.
The Bill was passed by the Lower House immediately, but debate was adjourned in the Upper House to allow for discussion on the amendments before voting on the Bill.
Rather than ‘fast forwarding’ the Bill through both Houses, communities now have time to digest the amendments and decide whether they are sufficient to ensure that the partnership between local and state government on Development Assessment Committees is fair and equal.
We have now received advice on the content of the amendments so please contact us for further information.
Most Councillors Resign as MP Advisers
There were clearly misgivings expressed by many MPs when Parliament recently banned Councillors from serving their local communities and working for MPs.
Bill Scales’ report on Brimbank and his references to ‘outside organisations unduly influencing Councillors’ tell us what we know: that a simple ban does not address the wider issue of getting right the relationship between state and federal MPs and Councils.
Nevertheless, nearly every single Councillor affected by this ban has decided to continue to represent their communities, therefore remaining as Councillors and resigning from their employment.
The VLGA Board and staff acknowledge the difficult decision made by these affected Councillors.
New VLGA Staff Appointments
We are delighted to announce the appointment of 3 new staff at the VLGA. Gary Jungwirth has already started with us as our Human Rights Project Officer. We also welcome Dr Rebecca Barlow and Cr Stephanie Perri as additional Policy & Project Officers in the next few weeks. These recent appointments will enable the staff team to continue to meet member needs.
‘Piecing it Together’ Outcomes and Case Studies Now Available
Piecing it Together: local government’s role in community-business partnerships was a one-day forum presented by Maribyrnong City Council in association with VLGA and supported by IBM, NAB and Volunteer West, on 12 August.
Maribyrnong City Council’s initiative to conduct a forum arose through their work since 2004 engaging businesses to connect with schools and community organisations, including through the JAM for Kids program.
Building partnerships between business and the community sector is not a traditional role for local government, but one that has the potential to bring many benefits to local communities. The experience at Maribyrnong City Council identified the need to open for discussion “what is the role of local government in supporting and participating in community-business partnerships?”
The forum gave the opportunity for people from local governments, businesses and community organisations to share their experiences of existing and past community-business partnerships, identify the essentials of effective partnerships, and explore the question of local government’s role in these.
Participation in the forum was high, and feedback suggests that strategies, ideas and resources presented and generated on the day will be applied to future work and projects across Victoria.
You can access the fascinating outcomes and case studies via our website.
Land Care and Social Networks Research
A close associate of the VLGA’s, Nicole Reichelt from the University of Melbourne’s School of Land and Environment, is conducting some very interesting research into Land Care Groups and their benefits for social networks.
Land Care Groups perform an incredibly valuable role throughout Victoria.
Broad aims of the joint project (Department of Sustainability and Environment and University of Melbourne) include:
- To provide social research based understandings of the changing social landscape and policy context within which Victorian Land Care Groups currently operate in.
- To assist in the development of a community response resource kit for Land Care personnel to inform NRM community engagement and program delivery.
Beneficial outcomes of this research for Land Care Groups will include:
- Providing the opportunity for Land Care Groups to be aware of how Natural Resource Management information is shared, circulated or possibly hindered
- Developing a visual map of how members are linked in relation to each other and to the wider community
- Highlighting of where potential links are to extend/strengthen the networks
- Developing a point of reference for members to manage their local knowledge base, and
- Providing the opportunity to use a self-reflective, community planning tool.
Federal Government Volunteer Grants for Community Organisations
While many in the community will already be aware, applications close on the 25th of this month to eligible non-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering by:
- purchasing practical and tangible small equipment items to help volunteers; and/or
- contributing towards the reimbursement of volunteers' fuel costs incurred when carrying out their volunteering work, including those who use their cars to transport others to activities, deliver food and assist people in need.
Volunteer Grants 2009 - call for applications now open
Volunteer Grants 2009 - Application Guidelines
I know this only leaves 4 days to apply, so please forward this email to community organisations in your area who you think would be interested.
I trust this e-news finds you well.
Regards,
Cr Rose Iser
VLGA President
rose@vlga.org.au or 0414 959 427
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