Wednesday 30 June, 2010

I foreshadowed last week that I would briefly talks about the status of local government this week and, by extension, local communities, vis-à-vis other levels of government. We should all be concerned about the lack of constitutional recognition of local government and how we can become engaged. As many of you would be aware, the constitutional review is coordinated under the auspices of ALGA and I expect that the VLGA can make a contribution to their efforts. Through our networks we can help and get local communities to support the idea and work towards greater autonomy for local government.

The questions of roles and responsibilities seems to have been on a number of members’ minds in recent weeks. We have been receiving some interesting and very constructive feedback from our members about the much-needed advocacy, engagement and direction of the VLGA. I thought I’d share some of these comments with the wider membership and invite your comments. As some of you would be aware, we are currently undertaking an internal review of our constitution and will seek input from members soon. One of the fundamental questions we constantly ask ourselves is what our focus and core business should be. While part of our responsibility is to be flexible, there are some underlying principles which are captured in our vision, mission and values. The feedback I have been receiving has primarily focused on three key themes – transparency of decision making, best practice exemplars of good local governance and strengthening communities by local, group-oriented, democratic decision making. These are big topics which sit well with the VLGA’s brief, and we will talk about these in more detail with our members at Thursday’s Leading Edge Forum (see below).

The concept of transparency is seen as crucial in the success of failure of organisations, governments and communities. It relates to accountability and, ultimately, ethics. In fostering good governance, we can assist to set standards, develop policy and build capacity for our members. Please continue to send us your comments and insights so we can collectively continue to make a difference. Like one of our members who wrote to us says, I too am “… encouraged and excited about the possibilities for good local governance that the VLGA can provide”. I look forward to catching up with members on Thursday to further the debate of these issues.

Communities in control conference papers and services
I wanted to let members know that papers from the 2010 Communities in Control conference are now loaded on the Our Community website. Papers are free to download. If you or people you know who are involved in community life would also like to access other services, the following may be of interest to you. Our Community provides a number of regular newsletters designed specifically for community groups. These include the free Our Community Matters newsletter, the EasyGrants newsletter (providing a monthly listing of all upcoming grants opportunities available throughout Australia), the Raising Funds newsletter (advice and tips on fundraising), and the Board Builder newsletter (how to negotiate your board/committee responsibilities).

Performance monitoring of local government
The VLGA continues to be closely engaged with the review of the Essential Services Commission (ESC), and we expect some outcomes from this process within the next few months. We continue to reflect strong member views that indicators of performance should not be too complex nor impose too many additional reporting requirements; that a whole-of-government approach should be taken to reducing the regulatory and reporting burdens; and finally, that the costs of reporting for smaller local governments should be acknowledged and met in other ways.

I would like to acknowledge the ESC for genuinely engaging the VLGA, and many members who have helped us mount our case. Strong member feedback is the most effective means to ensure our advocacy is successful so, once again, thank you!

Managing councillor WorkCover claims
Many of you will know that as of 1 July, councillors will receive WorkCover coverage, a long-standing policy and advocacy position the VLGA fought hard for. Many CEOs we have been talking with are concerned about the transitional and claims management arrangements, and at our suggestion, WorkSafe have now published some more guidance here. The VLGA has also provided feedback on The Municipal Councillors Ministerial Guideline 2010 which will outline the circumstances in which a councillor is considered to be carrying out duties as a councillor. This Guideline should be available soon, and we will provide you with information as it is published.

This Thursday night – hot topics, member views and VLGA responses
For the past few years the VLGA has used one of our monthly Leading Edge Forums (LEFs) as an interactive opportunity to network, let members have their say and influence the agenda of the day! There will be opportunities for members to raise topics that are hot for you, including some issues we know are on the horizon including:

* Issues affecting councillors – WorkCover and conflict of interest
* Issues affecting the wider sector – regulatory burden and financial sustainability
* Issues affecting the wider community – state and federal elections

Join us for finger-food and refreshments at 6pm, followed by the LEF at 7pm. There is a lot happening at the moment, so join me to air your ideas and views. VLGA Delegates are strongly encouraged to attend to provide feedback from our member local governments. Please call 03 9349 7999 to register.

VLGA Training, Thinking Transport website & Victoria Walks present:
Walking as Transport – benefits, challenges and ideas in local government

Join us on Wednesday 21 July 2010, 9am-12pm at 60 Leicester St, Carlton, for a seminar that will provide transport engineers, sustainability officers, planners, health and wellbeing officers in local government and interested others with a strategic view on walking as a transport mode and its place in a sustainable transport network. Presenters will include:

* Michael Hopkins – Victorian Department of Transport
* Dr Ben Rossiter – Victoria Walks
* Ben Grounds – City of Darebin

Go here for further details and to register your place. Bookings are essential and close Friday 16 July 2010. We hope to see you there!


Watch this space

Australia’s first woman Prime Minister
Given the long-standing advocacy, support and training the VLGA has provided to ensure more women become elected councillors, I think last Thursday’s events mark a milestone for our country. The VLGA will continue to use this opportunity to shine a light on the need for all levels of government to resource projects and support that increase the number of elected women at all levels. If you are interested in our continuing work in this area, contact Linda Bennett at linda@vlga.org.au or on 03 9349 7904.


VLGA events for your diary

Human rights implementation in local government: successes, challenges and strategies for moving forward
Wednesday 7 July 2010, from 9am
Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Together with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, the VLGA brings you a half-day symposium to launch From compliance to culture: a toolkit for local governments to implement the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Places are already filling fast, so come along and hear from a range of speakers including local governments, VLGA CEO Maree McPherson and myself on the development of a culture of human rights through the work of local governments. Register here to attend, or for further information contact Gary Jungwirth at gary@vlga.org.au or on (03) 9349 7986.


Other upcoming events

Disability Rights Forum 2010
Friday 9 July
Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission will facilitate a group discussion for people actively working in disability areas on how the Victorian Charter of Human Rights is working to protect the rights of people with a disability, and how it could be improved. For more information go here or email Stephanie Cauchi at stephanie.cauchi@veohrc.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9032 3408.

2nd Annual Victorian Infrastructure Summit 2010
29–30 July 2010
Rydges, Melbourne
VLGA members will be able to attend this important conference at a special offer half-price rate. The two day conference will explore the delivery of crucial infrastructure to drive the economic growth and development of Victoria and will include keynote speakers Minister for Roads & Ports & Major Projects, Tim Pallas and Minister for Public Transport, Martin Pakula. The VLGA will alert members once the opportunity to claim this discount becomes available. In the meantime, you can find further information about the conference here.

Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au

Monday 21 June, 2010

ALGA National General Assembly
Last week I spent a couple of days in Canberra at the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA). Let me begin by thanking the many VLGA members who spoke with me and for acknowledging the many good things the VLGA does for members. I also thank you for your questions and suggestions concerning this year’s federal and state elections. You have identified a clear expectation on behalf of our members that we need to develop an election year campaign. We have done some important groundwork already, and I will take your comments to the VLGA Board, so we can determine an effective advocacy campaign for our members. As far as the NGA is concerned, I am forever impressed by such gatherings and feel humbled by the commitment and passion exhibited by the 700+ delegates in attendance. Local government really is the level of government that can, and must, continue to make a real difference at the local community level.

After some of the presentations at the NGA I feel a heightened sense of responsibility towards my constituents. In times like these when we are fed a continuous stream of rhetoric about population growth, productivity demands and the needs of the development industry, I have a distinct lack the confidence in other levels of government. Another disappointment was the blatant admission by the Federal Minister for Climate Change that the Federal Government had completely given up on climate change mitigation and shifted its emphasis towards adaptation. There were words full of praise for local governments and our community-led approach on climate change, and much talk about the need for a collaborative and co-operative approach.

Our representatives asked some very good questions about federal funding support, the answers to which remained far too ambiguous. In a system where local government receives a mere 3%-3.5% of all taxes collected, with the balance going to State and Federal Governments, I get a little nervous about suggestions from Canberra that it is incumbent on us to make a contribution as well. We punch well about our weight, and this deserves to be recognised. Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese seems to understand this, and where there is critique there should also be praise. In his opening address he announced that he would be bringing forward one quarter of this year’s Financial Assistance Grants program, totalling $2 billion in the coming year to assist communities to recover from the global financial crisis. It was also pleasing to hear the Minister say that “…our partnership is based on recognition of the role that you play and respect for the local knowledge that you have”. Almost sounds like he’s been reading our eNews and what we’ve had to say about local expertise and subsidiarity!

One particular feature for me at ALGA was the State of The Regions Report 2010, which focussed on the lack of access to and supply of housing in Australia. The other important theme that caught my attention was the proposed referendum on constitutional recognition for local government. I believe that the VLGA has the requisite expertise to make a solid contribution to the debate and to support ALGA, and I will discuss these two topics in coming editions of eNews. More focus on regions, and planning for growth in rural Victoria.

As well as a key focus on the performance of regions across Australia at ALGA, it was heartening to see most of our airwaves and newspapers featuring an active debate about the State Government’s Ready For Tomorrow: A Blueprint For Regional Victoria last week. Last time I checked reader polls in The Age and Herald Sun about whether more government jobs should be moved to regional centres and whether readers would rather live in the country or the city, results in favour were running at around 80% and 70% respectively. It really is a no-brainer that more government jobs should be de-centralised. Like in post-war years, very few others are able to provide the jobs and stimulus that regional and rural areas need, and it is timely that the State Government is playing this role again.

Local government and community members from Geelong and Traralgon often tell the VLGA how successful the transfer of jobs has been for their communities. It was good to see that our advocacy for a larger and more flexible Regional Infrastructure Development Fund was heard, and that the amazing work and professionalism of Regional Cities Victoria chaired by Ballarat Mayor Cr Judy Verlin, and Country Councils Victoria chaired by Hindmarsh Cr Rob Gersch have been recognised with the formation of a new Victorian Council of Local Governments to include the 38 rural local governments. We would like to see this model also applied to an improved partnership with all 79 local governments and will stay in touch with the partnerships that are supposed to support improved growth and infrastructure.

While much will be said about the Blueprint, and you can find more details here, I wanted to specifically mention one significant area of reform which also sees the state returning to its former role of providing housing for students. As a university lecturer, it makes particular sense to me to anchor future growth and jobs around more young people living, working and studying in rural Victoria. Finally, while many councillors in Canberra were asking me if this meant a significant shift of the population growth pressures from metropolitan areas, I don’t think this will be the case. So, we will still need to advocate for the social and infrastructure needs of our metropolitan members. It is worth noting, though, that it is refreshing to see the needs and aspirations of rural and regional communities in the spotlight.

Keep Thursday 1 July free in your diary – hot topics, member views and VLGA responses
For the past few years the VLGA has used one of our monthly Leading Edge Forums (LEFs) as an interactive opportunity to network, let members have their say and influence the agenda of the day! There will be opportunities for members to raise topics that are hot for you, including some issues we know are on the horizon including:
* Issues affecting councillors – WorkCover and conflict of interest
* Issues affecting the wider sector – regulatory burden and financial sustainability
* Issues affecting the wider community – state and federal elections

Join us for finger-food and refreshments at 6pm, followed by the LEF at 7pm. There is a lot happening at the moment, so join me to air your ideas and views. VLGA Delegates are strongly encouraged to attend to provide feedback from our member local governments. Please register to attend here, email via vlga@vlga.org.au or call 03 9349 7999.

VLGA Life Member awarded Order of Australia
It was gratifying to see VLGA Life Member Peter Johnstone recognised for his services to local and other levels of government as well as to communities in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours.

I first met Peter in 2002 in my first term as Councillor in the City of Boroondara, where he shaped my appreciation of the importance of local governance and community involvement. Peter was instrumental in setting up and resourcing the VLGA in its early days, and continues to play an active role in standing up for local democracy and the right of communities to be involved in decisions affecting them. Peter was the Chief Executive Officer for the City of Boroondara from 1999, and was the first CEO for the City of Moreland (1994-99) and interim CEO for the new City of Ballarat (1994). He worked for the Victorian Government from 1984-1994 as head of several departments, including Director-General of Community Services Victoria from 1984-89 and Director-General of Water Resources from 1989-91. He earlier worked for the Commonwealth Government in a number of senior policy and management roles.

Peter, in spite of his youthful, sprightly and dynamic appearance, is one of the VLGA’s ‘elder statesmen’. He co-edited and contributed to the landmark 1996 publication ‘Governing Local Communities – the future begins’ with well known academic and activist Rosemary Kiss. Throughout all his years in government and community life, Peter has been a strong advocate for effective working relationships between communities, councillors and officers, via transparent governance. He continues to be a thorn in the side of those who seek to undermine the role and importance of local governments. Congratulations Peter!

Preventing violence against women – moving soon to local government core business?
The VLGA’s 15 June workshop, aimed at unravelling the mysteries of getting violence against women high on the local government agenda, attracted local government officers from metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Panel discussions about the positive and ground-breaking work being done by many local governments included contributions from Lara Fergus of DPCD, Kellie Nagle of the State Local Government Capacity Building Project based at Darebin, Cr Shane Bourke (Wyndham), Cr Joy Banerji (Monash), CEO of Whitehorse Noelene Duff and Acting Group Manager Nillumbik, Clem Gillings. Themes explored by workshop participants and panel members included how to connect with others who may not recognise the importance of preventing violence against women as a local government issue; how to shift the issue to being core business of local government and how to work best in the face of resistance. For more information email linda@vlga.org.au or phone (03) 9349 7904.


Watch this space

Constitutional recognition of local government
As already discussed above, constitutional recognition for local government was discussed at ALGA last week. Federal Minister for Local Government Anthony Albanese was very supportive and announced that the Federal Government has provided $250,000 to ALGA to raise the profile of constitutional recognition for local government, particularly in local communities.


VLGA events for your diary

Human rights implementation in local government: successes, challenges and strategies for moving forward
Wednesday 7 July 2010, from 9am
Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Together with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, the VLGA brings you a half-day symposium to launch From compliance to culture: a toolkit for local governments to implement the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Places are already filling fast, so come along and hear from a range of speakers including local governments, VLGA CEO Maree McPherson and myself on the development of a culture of human rights through the work of local governments. Register here to attend, or for further information contact Gary Jungwirth at gary@vlga.org.au or on (03) 9349 7986.

Other upcoming events

Food for All – Making a Difference Forum
Friday 25 June
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Share the learnings from the Food for All project at this forum which will highlight the outcomes and key learnings of the program and inspire others to address the issue of food insecurity. Go here for more information.

Disability Rights Forum 2010
Friday 9 July
Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission will facilitate a group discussion for people actively working in disability areas on how the Victorian Charter of Human Rights is working to protect the rights of people with a disability, and how it could be improved. For more information go here or email Stephanie Cauchi at stephanie.cauchi@veohrc.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9032 3408.

2nd Annual Victorian Infrastructure Summit 2010
29–30 July 2010
Rydges, Melbourne
VLGA members will be able to attend this important conference at a special offer half-price rate. The two day conference will explore the delivery of crucial infrastructure to drive the economic growth and development of Victoria and will include keynote speakers Minister for Roads & Ports & Major Projects, Tim Pallas and Minister for Public Transport, Martin Pakula. The VLGA will alert members once the opportunity to claim this discount becomes available. In the meantime, you can find further information about the conference here.

Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au

Tuesday 15 June, 2010

This week’s introduction to our eNews will be longer than usual, because I would like to start a dialogue with our members about our role and responsibility in shaping the future of urban planning in Melbourne. The view that we live in a pro-development state is now uncontested. Many important planning decisions are made by government or VCAT, resulting in a rapidly changing urban landscape with limited local control.

Last week I mentioned that I was pleased to report how the Planning Minister shared our concern about the spectre of a centralised metropolitan planning agency, as this might further erode local decision-making powers. In the process, I invoked the recently published report by the Committee for Melbourne, Melbourne beyond 5 million – Getting better as we get bigger, Vol. 1 Governance and the Melbourne Proposition. See http://melbourne.org.au/static/files/assets/23f5a8bd/ShapingMelbourneVersionFAlr.pdf.

I find it remarkable that among the approx. 110 members and contributors to the Shaping Melbourne Taskforce (p.27) there is not a single local government represented – neither metropolitan nor interface (with the exception of Melbourne City Council). As a member of the VLGA – and I know that many of you share my interest – I am always intrigued when other agencies and peak bodies talk about governance. A couple of experiences in the past week have given further impetus to my desire to delve a little deeper into the nature of ‘good governance’ and its importance for the local communities we represent. The VLGA defines its approach to good governance as a set of “values and operations ... predicated on strengthening local government as a robust and responsive level of government in Victoria which provides leadership to and engages with its communities.” (http://www.vlga.org.au/Projects___Campaigns/Good_Governance.aspx). Accordingly, we try to assist our members (local governments and communities) by providing information, training and support on a broad range of topics, all of which are underpinned and informed by good governance principles. We also play a strong advocacy role on behalf of our members vis-à-vis other levels of government on issues which impact on good governance and strong, diverse and inclusive local government.

This is at the centre of everything we do, and with our members we have built a reputation based on these values and principles. The Committee for Melbourne, in its recent publication Melbourne beyond 5 million – Governance and the Melbourne Proposition, takes a more process-oriented view; for the Committee, governance is “the process for making and implementing decisions for our city’s future” (p.9). The document goes on to stress the importance of governance, and its authors clearly understand that governance needs to be “treated first, as effective decision making will define the way we grow. If we get the governance right, it makes it easier for other things to follow” (p.5).

This is good stuff, and so far so good, because if there is one aspect to planning Melbourne’s future, all players – State and Local Government, private and community sectors – can agree on, it is that the current system is ambiguous and inefficient, and creates an enormous amount of anxiety, frustration and uncertainty. We therefore welcome the caution exercised by the Committee for Melbourne when they are reluctant to propose a new planning system and structure which they believe would be premature. This is an important point, because there has been a fair amount of misrepresentation and misinterpretation since the release of the report a couple weeks ago. Melbourne beyond 5 million clearly states that:

“before a structure can be proposed (be it a Greater Melbourne Council, a Minister for Melbourne, a non-political authority such as the old Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, a refinement of the status quo, or a completely new system) the community must first come together (my emphasis) to debate the problems and agree on the characteristics of a new model for governance. Only after we agree on the characteristics can we put shape to a governance model.” (p.9).

It is difficult to critique such good intentions, and we commend the Committee for Melbourne for its efforts. However, as our local government constituencies constantly remind us, the real challenge will be to find the right balance of approach that brings the community together so that they can engage in an informed debate. Even if not everybody agrees, the process of engagement, as I argued at our recent planning debate at the VLGA, is just as important as the outcome. It the process itself that informs, educates and ultimately empowers us. This, I believe, is where the Committee for Melbourne’s and the VLGA’s interpretation of governance intersect: theirs is about the importance of process, ours about the importance of values and operations. It is far more difficult to form an informed opinion about what is good for society as a whole than to determine where one’s self-interests lie, and there will be instances where a compromise cannot be reached and the greater good will have to prevail. We at the VLGA and in local government in general, hold a deep faith in both the virtue of informed debate and the ability of ordinary people to govern themselves. This view rests on a fundamentally positive conviction, as opposed to negative governance principles espoused by those in power who do not understand, or refuse to accept, that taking away people’s problems and challenges is taking away their entitlement to participate.

The VLGA, as a local government peak body with its many community chapter members, welcomes the Committee for Melbourne’s longer-term, integrated approach to making our City and our communities stronger. We note, however, with some concern, that the members of, and contributors to, the Committee for Melbourne’s Shaping Melbourne Taskforce, with the exception of the City of Melbourne, do not appear to reflect any local government expertise at all. While the private sector and the State Government (e.g. Department of Planning & Community Development, Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Development, the Department of Transport and other State Government statutory bodies such as the EPA (see p. 27 of Melbourne beyond 5 million) are active participants, with the exception of the City of Melbourne, not a single metropolitan local government or any of its peak bodies such as ours are included. One can only hope that the good intentions of the first volume of the Shaping Melbourne series, which is full of good intentions and places so much emphasis on effective and inclusive advocacy, will form a platform for an ongoing evolution of dialogue with the people and groups that constitute the very essence of metropolitan Melbourne – its people, its local communities and, not least, its local government bodies.

CEO Sleepout
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout, on Thursday 17 June at Etihad Stadium, will give participating business and community leaders insight into some of the challenges faced by people who live on the streets while raising funds to support Vinnies’ homeless services. Among many Victorian CEOs participating will be local government CEOs Kay Rundle from Port Phillip, Adrian Robb from Bayside, Tony McIlroy from Benalla, Acting CEO Rob Adams from Melbourne and Chairman of VincentCare Victoria and VLGA Life Member Peter Johnstone. You can support the abovementioned participants by clicking on their names and donating, or by encouraging CEOs to participate. More information is available here.

Do you want to know more about land use planning?
Build your knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Planning System and play a more meaningful role in the planning system process by enrolling in the VLGA’s online course and, at your own pace and in your own time, make your way through the introduction module specially designed for local government councillors. The module is also suitable for staff across many departments, tertiary students and community members because it has been developed to ensure anyone can access the content level they require. Should you choose to, you can opt in for voluntary additional assessment tasks recognised by La Trobe University. For more information on this and other online courses and training go here. Please pass this information onto councillors and staff you think might be interested.

Timor-Leste Ambassador talks with VLGA forum participants
As mentioned before, good friend of the VLGA, Abel Guterres, has been appointed as the new Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia. We were pleased that one of Abel’s first official roles as Ambassador was his participation, via telephone hook up, in the VLGA’s forum last month on friendship groups. We will keep you updated on our work in this area. For more information or assistance, contact Gary Jungwirth at gary@vlga.org.au or (03) 9349 9986.

Want us to help you realise your local transport projects?
Through our Local Government Transport Facilitation Project we want to know what you need and the best ways we can assist. Our online Local Government Transport Barrier and Capability survey is designed to assist local governments to implement sustainable transport networks by determining the resources and people-power available in each local government. It will also help us identify gaps in information and resources holding local governments back. Please encourage staff working on transport projects to fill in this survey here by no later than 30 June. For more information please email Gordon Young at gordon@vlga.org.au or phone (03) 9349 7943.

Reminder – Sally Isaac Women in Local Government Leadership Awards close 9 July
In previous editions of the VLGA President’s eNews we’ve alerted you to the Sally Isaac Women in Local Government Leadership Award. This award was established by LGPro to recognise the contribution of Sally Isaac, a remarkable young women and former staff member at the VLGA and City of Yarra. The Awards also seeks to foster young women leaders in local government and encourage young people to consider local government as a ‘career of choice’. Awards will be presented at the Women’s Network dinner on Thursday 29 July at Hilton on the Park and submissions must be received in hard copy, at the LGPro office, and electronic format by 5pm on Friday 9 July. More information.

Power Up! Communities in Control 2010 Conference papers now available
Last week we shared with you our praise for the 2010 Communities in Control Conference and some of our highlights. Conference papers are now available online here and will detail: what power lies in Australia and how local communities and local government can get more (David Hetherington); the opinion trends which are shaping our world and how to create the change we want to see (Rebecca Huntley); and a very thorough study about why more equal societies almost always do better (Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett). We recommend taking a look. Much of the data and arguments presented could help community leaders show real leadership by articulating the future we want to see, rather than the one we fear we’ll get.

Directory of women in trades and services
This directory identifies women working in trades and non-traditional employment, promoting their services and offering a range of support services. To access the online directory or to register your trade or service go here. Please encourage women in your community to do the same.


Watch this space

Triggers for planning applications to be advised to Owners Corporations
The VLGA has been contacted by Owners Corporations Victoria (formerly the Institute of Body Corporate Managers Victoria) to highlight a gap that exists on many planning permit application forms. OCV is enlisting our support for their request to the Minister for Planning to update all forms to include a reference as to whether the Owner’s Corporation has been informed, or approves of the application. This seems like an easy step to take, and one that will assist the hundreds of thousands of Victorians who are members of Owners Corporations.


VLGA events for your diary

Human rights implementation in local government: successes, challenges and strategies for moving forward
Wednesday 7 July 2010, from 9am
Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Together with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, the VLGA brings you a half-day symposium to launch From compliance to culture: a toolkit for local governments to implement the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Hear from a range of speakers including local governments, our CEO Maree McPherson and myself on the development of a culture of human rights through the work of local governments. Register here to attend, or for further information contact Gary Jungwirth at gary@vlga.org.au or on (03) 9349 7986.


Other upcoming events

Civil Contractors Federation Victorian Civil Construction Conference 2010
The 2010 CCF Victorian Civil Construction Conference will be held at Etihad Stadium on 21 July. Minister for Major Projects Tim Pallas will open the conference which includes a panel forum where attendees can direct questions to government authorities and contractor representatives on pertinent areas in Alliance Contracting and how this strategy fits with civil construction projects in today’s market. For more information and to register, go here.

Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au

Tuesday 8 June, 2010

The highlight of the past week was definitely the planning debate on Thursday evening. The event was well attended and a vigorous discussion was enjoyed by everyone on the merits of community engagement and consultation and engagement in planning processes. Feedback from participants and audience members has been very positive and we intend to develop the concept of debating in order to deliver content and at the same time, receive further feedback to inform our policy positions.

The planning theme dominated the week’s agenda, of course, with the Committee for Melbourne putting out some strong statements in favour of a centralised planning body for metropolitan Melbourne. Clearly, this is of great concern to our members and we promise to be vigilant and provide you with regular updates. The CEO and I also met with the Minister for Planning, the Hon. Justin Madden. The hour-long discussion was very engaging and I feel somewhat reassured by his intention to work collaboratively with local communities. I guess it’s up to us to make sure this actually happens. At least the Minister shared our concerns about the Committee for Melbourne’s notion of a central planning body, which is encouraging.

VLGA CEO appointed to ACFE Board
Congratulations to VLGA CEO, Maree McPherson, on her recent appointment to the Victorian Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board which provides policy advice on adult education matters to the Minister for Education, Skills and Workforce Participation. Through the board, the Victorian government funds community-based organisations, known as Adult Community Education (ACE) providers, and two adult education institutions, the Centre for Adult Education and Adult Multicultural Education Services. These providers and institutions deliver education and training programs to people over school leaving age with a special focus on those who have had limited previous access to education, including young people, older people, people with a disability and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. For further information, contact Maree at maree@vlga.org.au on (03) 9349 7901 to discuss adult education matters in your community.

Victorian Local Government Inspectorate takes its time
The Victorian Local Government Inspectorate is dedicated solely to investigations and compliance for Victorian councils and councillors. Some 12 months after two Campaspe Shire councillors were accused of failing to declare potential conflicts of interest, the Inspectorate determined that one councillor had not broken the regulations and decided not to prosecute the other based on voluntary disclosure and other circumstances. Lengthy processes cause increased distress to councillors and staff involved in such investigations and are often a distraction from the important work that needs to continue during these periods. Last Friday together with our CEO Maree McPherson, I met with the Victorian Local Government Inspectorate’s Chief Municipal Inspector, David Wolfe, who is responsible for managing the transition of the dedicated investigations unit from LGV to the Inspectorate and leading a team of investigations and compliance auditors. We reiterated the previous feedback from members that the inspectorate’s work, their processes and the time it takes to make decisions still require work. The meeting was very positive and our points acknowledged. We will of course wait to see how arrangements change as a result of the Proust Review (see below).

Women councillors doing it differently
A recent workshop intensive for women councillors with Dr Amanda Sinclair from Melbourne University’s Business School explored how we build and retain strength and authenticity in leadership. Amanda’s extensive teaching and research experience provided participants with new strategies and techniques to deal with common challenges. Participants were impressed with the knowledge and practical tools shared on the evening, describing the workshop as ‘truly a memorable session’ and ‘amongst the best workshops I’ve attended’ with a resounding call for additional workshops with Dr Sinclair. We’re working on that, so stay tuned!

Another successful Communities in Control Conference
Last week several VLGA staff attended the Communities in Control Conference 2010 and returned inspired by a range of excellent keynote speakers including Hugh de Kretser, Executive Officer of the Federation of Community Legal Centres. Hugh spoke highly of the excellent Smart Justice website that seeks to enhance the safety of all Victorians by promoting understanding of criminal justice policies that are effective, evidence-based and human rights compliant. Another highlight was a presentation via satellite from the UK by researchers Emeritus Professor Richards Wilkinson and Professor Kate Pickett, co-authors of a groundbreaking new work, The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better. The presentation, and book, focussed on how social problems are several times more common in unequal societies. Congratulations to conference organisers Our Community and partners. We will publicise some of the presentations when they become available.

Have you created community history?
The Victorian government is calling for applications for the Victorian Community History Awards 2010 to recognise the achievements and contributions made in community history in Victoria. A total of $40,000 is available in the following categories: Best Collaborative/Community Work; Best Print/Publication; Best Audio-Visual/Multimedia; Best Exhibit/Display; Best Walk/Tour; and Best Community Research, Registers and Records. Entries close 30 June – further information here.


Watch this space

Victorian Government adopts Proust Integrity Model
Last Wednesday the Victorian Premier announced that his government would adopt the Proust Model for public sector integrity – including the establishment of a Victorian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (VIACC). This announcement follows a review by Special Commissioner Elizabeth Proust and Public Sector Standards Commissioner Peter Allen of Victoria’s Integrity and Anti-Corruption System, released on the same day that acknowledged strengths of existing agencies and identified gaps in current arrangements. Further information and a copy of Elizabeth Proust’s Review of Victoria’s Integrity and Anti-corruption System here.


VLGA events for your diary

Human rights implementation in local government: successes, challenges and strategies for moving forward
Wednesday 7 July 2010, from 9am
Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Together with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, the VLGA brings you a half-day symposium to launch From compliance to culture: a toolkit for local governments to implement the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Hear from a range of speakers including local governments, our CEO Maree McPherson and myself on the development of a culture of human rights through the work of local governments. Register here to attend, or for further information contact Gary Jungwirth at gary@vlga.org.au or on (03) 9349 7986.

Local governments preventing violence against women workshop
Tuesday 15 June 2010, 10am-3.30pm
VLGA rear meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Our 15 June workshop is for councillors and officers who want to build relationships and support change. Hear how to get prevention of violence against women high on your local government agenda and make useful connections. Places are limited so register here. For further information contact Linda Bennett at linda@vlga.org.au or on (03) 9349 7904.


Other upcoming events

Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria: Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches Awards Night – tickets now on sale
Friday 18 June 2010, 6.30pm-11.00pm
Atlantic Room, Central Pier, Docklands
Winners from each award category will be announced, along with Dame Phyllis Frost recipients and the prestigious Sustainable City of the Year and Clean Beach of the Year. Connect with a diverse group of like-minded people and decision-makers from the sustainability sector. Further information on our Events Calendar or here. To purchase tickets for the KABV Awards Night contact Joanna Meyer on (03) 8626 8750 or email kabv@sustainability.vic.gov.au.

Cr Heinz Kreutz
VLGA President
0438 006 656
heinz@vlga.org.au