Monday 26 July, 2010

It’s been a frantic couple of weeks at work for me trying to get things organised for the beginning of semester. I have been engaged in an interesting debate with some of my students whom I challenged because they chose to watch MasterChef rather than the leadership debate on Sunday night. As is often the case, their response was disarming, when they explained that it was quite normal to prefer a show like MasterChef because it offered more entertainment and substance than the leadership debate. It’s a difficult argument to rebut. Once again I am reminded of the expectation that our communities have for local government to lead on some policy debates when there appears to be an absence of leadership elsewhere. This is particularly relevant for the issue of sustainable population growth and climate change. Local communities experience the gap of investment from other levels for much-needed physical and social infrastructure in local communities, and we must continue to fight for a fairer share of revenue. On the other election, the VLGA is currently fine-tuning the State election advocacy campaign you have asked us to develop. I would encourage you to continue your dialogue with us so that we can continue to represent your needs, ideas and expectations.

Thursday 5 August REMINDER: stay home, warm, and log on to our next webcast Leading Edge Forum from 7pm

As discussed in last week’s eNews, we will not be following the usual LEF format on Thursday week (5 August). Instead, we will webcast ‘an audience with’ our CEO Maree McPherson and me about our plans for the next year. You can make comments and ask questions online while enjoying the comforts of your home. So rug up, save the following link to your desktop – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vlga-leading-edge-forum and off we go. If you have comments or questions in advance feel free to email me.

Sticking up for councillors

It is unsurprising, yet disappointing, that the myth that councillors enjoy ‘fat-cat’ salaries and perks is alive and well. In response to a recent letter to the editor in Port Phillip Leader, I sent the following facts. If you see the same myth trotted out in your local media, let us know so we can support you! Following is my published reply:

“Unfortunately many myths still exist concerning councillor allowances. Many believe councillors receive full-time salaries. Others think we can award ourselves increases without any scrutiny. Councillor allowances are adjusted by independent reviews conducted by the State Services Authority. Councillors have only received a modest 2.5 % increase since these independent reviews were conducted earlier this year. None of Victoria’s 79 local governments has the discretion to go higher. The VLGA’s councillor remuneration campaigns of 2007-2008 revealed the average councillor received an allowance equivalent to around 15 hours per week for similarly complex roles in the workforce. Yet 80% of mayors and councillors commit over 33 hours to their elected representative duties. A staggering 54% commit over 50 hours a week. Port Phillip Councillors are no exception, and work hard for their local communities.”

Why not share your resources with your local government colleagues?

One of the highest areas for requests we receive in the office each working week are for policy and other resources that may be useful for local governments and communities. Did you know that local government officers and elected councillors can submit resources to be included on the VLGA’s website? If you have access to resources you believe would be valued by the sector, you can contribute your documents or links. All you need to do is complete a resources contribution form on our website here.


Watch this space

Do we have the vision of sustainable places and design in our own backyards?

Often we hear frustrations from communities and elected councillors that policies and programs at other levels of government make locally-owned planning outcomes hard to achieve. I am more of an optimist than this, and feel there is a growing demand – indeed a growing expectation – that planning must involve local communities while at the same time embracing solutions that meet the social, economic and environmental needs of a specific location. I will share some good practice examples with you from time to time. For this week, I encourage you to take a look at Vision: Broadmeadows 2032 and also at the City of Greater Dandenong’s Imagine 2030 Community Plan. The first is a good example of partnerships that Hume City Council has had with Melbourne University, RMIT, Monash University and Swinburne University architecture, landscape design, industrial design, communication design and service design students. These ideas will be further developed and carried forward by Hume City Council in new and emerging strategic planning. Vision Broadmeadows 2032 is part of Victoria’s State of Design Festival which is currently underway, highlighting the important place that good design plays in sustainable, people-friendly spaces. Greater Dandenong’s Imagine 2030 is a good example of the widespread communication and community involvement including the use of online surveys and Facebook to get broader views from the Greater Dandenong communities.


VLGA events for your diary

Active Communities, Active Democracy: Everything you need to know about increasing voter participation in the 2010 November State Election
Wednesday 11 August 2010, 10am – 2.30pm
VLGA Office, 60 Leicester St Carlton

Hosted by the VLGA, in partnership with the VEC. This forum is for councillors, council officers and community organisations working with CALD, Aboriginal, disability, youth and homeless communities. Join us for an overview of VEC resources and outreach services including CALD, Aboriginal, disability, youth, homeless and electronically assisted voting. Hear from people with experience in utilising the VEC’s outreach service. Participate in a panel discussion with New Hope Foundation Director Ross Buscemi; Professor of Victorian Parliamentary Democracy Swinburne University and Director Democratic Audit of Australia, Prof Brian Costar; VEC Aboriginal Engagement Officer Daryl Naylor; and VEC Senior Information & Research Officer Paul Thornton-Smith, and an interactive workshop for local government and community sector workers. Councillors and council officers are welcome to invite their local community organisations, including Migrant Resource Centres and the like, to attend. Go here for more information.


Other events

The world's most creative thinkers are coming to Melbourne

The VLGA promotes conferences, especially if they add to the leadership, strategic thinking and other skill sets of elected councillors, community leaders and local government staff. This conference from 8-10 September is one such event, because it will bring together some of the world’s best creative thinkers including Edward De Bono, Peter Shergold, Professor Patrick McGorry, Andrew MacLeod, Cathy and many others. Our world faces incredible challenges. Each of us needs to find new ways to re-invent our future. So, imagine being part of a conference that was out of the ordinary...that pushed the boundaries. Imagine sharing thoughts with amazing people, bringing the latest thinking on creativity and innovation. Creative Innovation 2010 is the place to learn from world changing innovators, futurists, inspired thinkers and curious souls gathered together in an interactive community. It’s a place to learn techniques and strategies, unlock and share ideas and gain empowering experiences. A place to imagine the future, attend concerts and masterclasses, and have the best networking experience of the year! For further information on the program go here, on speakers go here, or to reserve your place, go here.

8th Annual Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit 2010
13-14 October 2010
Rendezvous Hotel, 328 Flinders St, Melbourne

VLGA members are eligible for a 50% discount on the cost of the 8th Annual Victorian Infrastructure Summit 2010. Hosted by Informa and endorsed by the VLGA, the conference theme is 'Integration for a World Class Transport Network' and will include the latest industry outlook and case studies from expert speakers, including: Jim Betts, Secretary, Department of Transport Victoria; Lachlan McDonald, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Transport Victoria; and Andrew Wall, Manager of Network Operations, VicRoads. Go here for more information, and to benefit from this special discount.

Local government leaders preventing violence against women conference
Thursday 26 August, 10am – 4.30pm
MCG, Melbourne

Local government leaders will come together to discuss how local governments can prevent violence against women and foster safe and inclusive environments for all. Mayors, their delegated councillors and other senior decision makers and officers who are critical contributors to actions on strategic plans are especially welcome. For further information or to register go here.

Action Learning and Action Research Association World Congress
6-9 September 2010
Bayview Eden Hotel, Queens Road Melbourne

The VLGA has for many years promoted participatory action research and action learning principles which underpin many approaches to social and community planning activities in local communities. Those interested in these issues will no doubt want to know about the next ALARA World Congress, to be held in Melbourne. The Congress is entitled Appreciating our Diverse Pasts, Comprehending our Complex Presents, Prefiguring our Possible Futures. For more information on the Congress, go to our Events Calendar or the ALARA website. To also find out about pre-Congress workshops go here.

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