Yesterday I attended the launch of Transition Decade in Melbourne – a symposium of the many individuals and networks working towards a safe climate future. Local governments obviously play a key role in adaptation and mitigation and making it possible for communities to improve amenity, shop locally, reduce transport, plan appropriate sites for housing and infrastructure – and, as a bonus (!), reduce emissions. A list of the links and groups who presented is available on the VLGA website. Enjoy their websites and ideas for your communities.
Your Opinions: Planning
As submissions to the review of the Planning and Environment Act are finalised, Hume City Council has summarised the frustrations of many. Mayor Geoff Porter and council officer David Keenan write:
“These changes take away local government’s role in the strategic planning process significantly reducing the value of local government having a Municipal Strategic Statement or undertaking strategic planning. This further reduction of planning powers follows other areas where local government is no longer the planning authority:
* Growth Areas (the GAA is now the Planning authority for Precinct Planning)
* Social Housing, the Minister is the Planning Authority and there is no consultation required with adjoining residents
* Education Stimulus for Schools, the Minister is the Planning Authority and there is no consultation required with adjoining residents
* Central Activity Districts. It is proposed that the Development Assessment Committees will be the Planning Authority
* Projects of Merit, the Minister has called in a number of these
Many councilors who stood for office on planning issues will no longer have the authority to deal with the issues. This is at a time when the Department has failed to finalize a number of reviews…”
Full piece is available on our website here. The VLGA Submission can be found on our website. We welcome your comments.
Public Housing Inquiry
The VLGA has been invited to present to the Family and Community Development Committee Inquiry into Public Housing on Wednesday 17 February. If your council has made a submission to the Inquiry, or has views on this issue, we would love to hear from you.
Financial sustainability of small rural councils
We have written to rural councils inviting participation in a key campaign for the VLGA in 2010. We are aware of the urgent need for measures to address funding shortfalls for many small rural councils. At our LEF last October in Wodonga, CEOs spoke of the need for reforms in the grants formula and roads funding. We will be pursuing this issue during 2010 and we invite your comments.
VLGA Annual Tour of councils
We will be visiting many of you this year. On our visits, we invite you to tell us your key issues for the 2010 elections and some policies and strategies you have developed that stand as best practice and could be shared with other councils. Our CEO, Maree McPherson, and Board members look forward to visiting you.
Essential Services Commission Inquiry
Please find attached the third newsletter from the ESC regarding the Local Government project. NB the call for interested councillors to share their views with the Commission. The Newsletter is on our website.
Consumer Affairs campaign against con-traders
Consumer Affairs Victoria is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of travelling con-traders: Help stop travelling con men (sic) campaign that aims to increase residents’ awareness of these traders. The travelling ‘tradies’ target the elderly and disabled, going door-to-door offering cheap home repair services, such as roof and driveway repairs or painting. A CrimeStoppers Victoria commercial is currently running on the Nine network and regional WIN TV, and information posters and brochures detailing this issue are available from Consumer Affairs Victoria by contacting 1300 55 81 81 or travelling.conmen@justice.vic.gov.au.
VLGA Training Needs Assessment Survey – please complete before Wednesday 17 February
Please complete the short online survey. As a special thank you for completing this survey we offer you the opportunity to go into the draw for 2 nights accommodation at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne. Please contact VLGA Training on 1300 797 713 or training@vlga.org.au if you require any further information.
Ride2School
We all know how important walking and riding to school is for young people – it's good for their health, environment, education and for the family budget. Ride2School is pleased to bring you the latest active travel news regarding registered schools in your municipality.
To see the active travel rates amongst students in your council for Term 4, 2009, see the Ride2School website.
Put this date in your diary and be part of the action on National Ride2School Day on Wednesday 17 March, 2010. Happy Riding!
Disability Reference Group call for members
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is calling for expressions of interest for people to join our Disability Reference Group (DRG) for 2010-2012.
The DRG:
* assists the Commission to identify priority human rights and systemic discrimination issues affecting people with a disability
* provides advice and assistance to the Commission on the development of policies and procedures towards ensuring the delivery of appropriate and effective services to people with a disability
* provides guidance to the Commission on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and advice under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act
* provides a user perspective on the ongoing implementation of the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
The closing date for applications is 26 February 2010. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview in March. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application.
For more information or to submit an application please contact:
Rivkah Nissim, Policy and Projects Officer
Phone: (03) 903 23405; email: rivkah.nissim@veohrc.vic.gov.au
For more information about the Commission see their website.
Events
Sustainable Living Festival
6-21 February
The Sustainable Living Festival has expanded its program with a range of new local events. Visit local sustainability events in your town, suburb or street, or join in the Festival’s Main Event at Federation Square, Melbourne. Find full program details.
Timor-Leste Forum Preparing for Municipal Government in Timor-Leste
Tuesday 16 February, 5.00-8.30pm
VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA's Timor-Leste Working Group is hosting a forum on Tuesday 16 February, Preparing for Municipal Government in Timor-Leste. This forum is of particular interest to our local government members and our friendship groups. Speakers from the Victorian Government, the MAV and the VLGA will contribute to the discussion about the transition to local government and how our local governments and friendship groups can assist. It is also intended to have a telephone hook up with a senior Timor-Leste Government representative to provide an update on progress towards decentralisation.
For those unable to attend in person the VLGA has created a UStream Show for the forum. There are two links: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-vlga-s-timor-leste-working-group and http://doiop.com/33bmda. All you need to do is follow the links above and it will allow you to watch and chat (contribute) via UStream. There is also a Facebook event page containing all the necessary information and sent to all Facebook friends.
Transport for Sustainable Cities
Thursday 18 February, 3-4.30pm
BMW Edge, Federation Square
Professor Ross Garnaut and Greg Hunt MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Water present their visions for sustainable transport. Hosted by Metropolitan Transport Forum, commentary by Kelvin Thomson MP, Federal member for Wills.
Event free, no RSVP required. See the Thinking Transport website for details.
Liveable and Just Toolkit Launch
In response to the outcomes and recommendations of climate change workshops conducted across Victoria, the Liveable & Just Toolkit has been developed to assist councils to integrate social and equity issues into efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Melbourne Launch
Tuesday 2 March, 9.30am-12noon
VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton 3053
Register
Regional Launch
Tuesday 9 March, 10.30am-1pm
Mansfield Shire Council, 33 Highett Street, Mansfield 3722
Register
Women’s Planning Network – International Women’s Day breakfast
Wednesday 10 March, 7.30-9am
Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne
This year’s breakfast will be held at Parliament House with Jenny Mikakos, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning as our special guest speaker and also include the presentation of the 2010 Rising Star Scholarship.
Cost: WPN Members and Students: $25; Non Members: $30
Places are limited so please obtain a registration form by emailing admin@wpn.org.au or calling 9347 4622 by Friday 5 March.
Sally Isaac International Women’s Day breakfast
Wednesday 10 March
Reading Room, Fitzroy Library
The City of Yarra will host an International Women’s Day breakfast in Fitzroy Library’s Reading Room on Wednesday 10 March. The event celebrates Sally’s memory and her legacy. It marks the enormous contribution that many women make to public life and their community. The event will also raise funds for the Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by family and friends of Sally, to create educational opportunities for young women who make a significant contribution to a range of disciplines. Check our website for more details.
Regards
Cr Rose Iser
VLGA President
0414 959 427
rose@vlga.org.au
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