As the glorious Spring carnival brings horses and glamour to my home suburb of Flemington, there is some unfortunate collateral damage by way of alcohol-induced, anti-social behaviour as patrons depart the racecourse.
Recently, the role of alcohol and its management in our communities has again been a topic of discussion: approvals of late liquor licenses by the Minister despite the introduction of measures to stem the tide of early hours alcohol induced violence in the CBD; debate over street drinking; and health experts warning of the impact of alcohol on young people.
At the MAV State Council last week, the matter of restricting early morning liquor licences (after 2am) was raised by Frankston City Council and prompted debate about the best way for local governments to address liquor licence issues. As we head into summer, these issues will become more pronounced and will require ongoing attention.
In September, the VLGA held a very successful forum on recent VCAT findings of accumulative impacts on residential amenity by large venues with late night liquor licences. We will continue to bring to your attention ways in which local governments can work with the State Government to address liquor related issues.
And as Melbourne shut down yesterday for ‘the race’, we look forward to a return to a flexible approach to determining public holidays for local communities as opposed to the blanket approach preventing localised public holidays in rural municipalities.
CEO Recruitment
The VLGA Board is currently working with Jo Fisher Executive on a thorough and extensive recruitment process for our new CEO. We hope to make an announcement very soon.
WorkCover
As more Councils write to tell us of their support for the introduction of measures to extend WorkCover to councillors, we are preparing a summary of issues raised and suggested ways forward. We will forward this to you, Ministers Wynne and Holding, and other stakeholders.
Planning and Environment Act Review
A reminder that feedback on the five response papers should be forwarded to the Department of Planning and Community Development soon ahead of the draft legislation being presented later this month. See Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act at the DPCD website
Progress on Rooming Houses and Universal Housing
It is very pleasing to see positive results to campaigns to improve regulations for housing in two important areas: a State Government commitment to improve the quality of rooming house accommodation and a Federal Government commitment to developing a national strategy to improve the design of houses for young families, people who may have an injury or illness, older Australians and people with disability (universal housing).
Rooming Houses
The State Government has responded to the Rooming House Standards Taskforce report by adopting all of the 32 recommendations made by the Taskforce and will now consult with the sector to determine the best way to implement the recommendations.
Registration of both rooming house operators and rooming house premises will be mandatory; new laws will improve safety and security in all Victorian rooming houses; the power of Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) to act on rooming house operators who are in breach of their responsibilities will be increased; and there will be considerable investment into alternative housing for families needing crisis accommodation as well as alternative rental and public housing.
Universal Housing
Those who attended the VLGA Leading Edge Forum on Housing Affordability earlier this year will recall the work VCOSS and others have been doing to promote the need for developers and the housing industry to look closely at how we design and construct our homes to meet the changing needs of their occupants across their lifetimes.
Last week, leaders from the housing and community sector met and committed to developing a national strategy to improve the design of houses for lifetime use. See http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/accommodation/kirribilli_house.htm
For more information see:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html#housing and http://www.anuhd.org/
VLGA Advocacy
Our AGM will be an opportunity to stock-take on the advocacy undertaken this year:
* Conflict of Interest
* Development Assessment Committees, Ministerial call-ins, objectors’ fees at VCAT, consultation in planning reforms
* pokies and problem gambling
* sustainable transport
* human rights in local government
* affordable housing
* Reconciliation, and
* WorkCover, to name some of the key issues.
As we approach 2010, we are continuing advocacy in these areas as well as engaging in advocacy efforts on:
* the financial sustainability of rural shires
* climate change and its social impacts
* women in local government
* urban growth boundaries and inner planning issues
* the regulation of local government by the Essential Services Commission, and
* strengthening representative democracy for communities through councillor support and governance training.
To inform our campaigns, feedback from members is always welcome.
Remember 11/11/1869?
This Remembrance Day is the 140th anniversary of the Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act
11/11/2009 will be the 140th anniversary of the enactment of the Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act. It allowed government to prescribe where Indigenous Victorians lived, were employed, what they were paid and assume custody of all Indigenous children.
ANTaR Victoria is asking Victorians to support reconciliation and Indigenous rights advocacy by remembering the harm inflicted upon Indigenous people under the auspices of this ‘Protection’ Act.
Although 11 November is always a solemn day for Australians, this year ANTaR asks us to pay particular tribute to the service of Indigenous soldiers in times of war acknowledging that under this Act, some Indigenous soldiers were never paid their wages, and many were paid at much lower rates than their non-Indigenous comrades. See the ANTaR website
Delegates and Mayoral Chain Dinner a great success
It was wonderful to see many of you at our Delegates and Mayoral Chain dinner last week. This was an opportunity to update you on our recent activities and campaigns and introduce you to staff member Sarah Colgan who is a point of contact for VLGA delegates.
While all councillors receive our eNews and other updates, delegates can take an active role in providing the VLGA with feedback from your council to make sure our campaigns are informed by your views.
Conference papers available: Planning and Climate Change
The Monash Centre for Regulatory Studies has advised that the material from the Planning and Climate Change Conference is now available at their website
Events:
VLGA AGM – Thursday 5 November, 7pm
Delegates, members and others are welcome to attend our AGM tomorrow night. The Leading Edge Forum will follow featuring Adam Valvasori, Values Manager of Body Shop Australia.
At the VLGA Annual General Meeting, two proposed changes to the VLGA Constitution will be considered:
1. Removal of CEO’s ex-officio position on the Board
2. Co-option power for casual vacancy in Office Bearer position
Details:
Thursday 5 November, 2009
VLGA, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
6.30pm Dinner and Drinks
7.00-8.05pm Annual General Meeting
8.05 pm Leading Edge Forum
Please RSVP to 03 9349 7999 or vlga@vlga.org.au
Walk Against Warming
Thursday 12 December 2009, 12pm
State Library, Swanston St Melbourne
Contact Environment Victoria or www.waw.org.au to learn more about this year’s Walk Against Warming – this year coinciding with Copenhagen talks. The Walk Against Warming is Australia’s biggest day of community action on climate change. Over the last four years, 100,000 Victorians have walked against warming, and for a safe climate future.
Muriel Bamblett to deliver the Human Rights Oration
Tuesday 8 December 2009, 12.30-1.30pm; followed by a light lunch.
ZINC @ Federation Square, Birrarung Marr by the Yarra
The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission invites you to hear Muriel Bamblett deliver this year’s Human Rights Oration. Muriel Bamblett, the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, will speak on Practical self-determination: The right(s) approach to addressing the unfinished business.
Reconciliation is still unfinished business. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the right to self-determination is still out of reach, yet it is the most important social determinant of Aboriginal health and wellbeing.
The Oration is a free event marking United Nations Human Rights Day. The Attorney-General, the Hon Rob Hulls, will deliver an opening address. There will also be a special dance performance by the Gunditjmara Karweeyn group.
Registrations are required before Tuesday 1 December, 2009
RSVPs to Liam Fitzgerald - liam.fitzgerald@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 9281 7167, TTY: (03) 9281 7110 or Toll-free: (1800) 13 41 42 (country callers)
Expert Forum of the Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition
Thursday 12 November 2009, 12-2pm at the MAV
Get inspired and gain ideas for your local activities.
Further details from Linda Bennett at VLGA 03 9349 7983 or Linda@vlga.org.au or see the flyer on the news section of our website
I trust this eNews finds you well!
Regards
Cr Rose Iser
President
0414 959 427 or rose@vlga.org.au
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