Monday 2 August, 2010

While at the federal level our ‘leaders’ seem preoccupied with beating each other up, it is good to see that our peak bodies are working together to meet the needs of local government. While I have kept myself busy in my own ward dealing with a couple of very urgent large-scale planning issues, three VLGA board members joined a number of councillors at the recent MAV Councillor Development Weekend in Creswick from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 July. The feedback was thoroughly positive. My colleagues enjoyed discussions on topical issues affecting the local government sector. In addition to the customary networking and time-out activities they also engaged in and enjoyed the skills and capability development sessions.

Our members will also be interested that the VLGA’s dialogue with the Committee for Melbourne is continuing. The CfM will release volume 2 of its Shaping Melbourne series on 5 August (see preview at http://melbourne.org.au/media-centre/reports-and-submissions). Vol. 2 will look in more detail at the challenge of increasing density and its implications, for example, for community character. We hope that we, as a local government and community peak body, can be part of the dialogue about density. Our CEO, Maree McPherson, and I met with the CEO of the Committee for Melbourne last Friday and had an open and productive discussion about our expectations, and especially the need for local participation in any new urban planning governance model. We will continue to provide you with updates on how our discussions with the CfM evolve.

Ordinary leaders solve problems in ordinary ways; exceptional leaders solve problems in creative ways

A truck is stuck under a bridge and won’t budge. But you need to get it out in 5 minutes. You have 15 people, 45 metres of cable and a southerly breeze at your disposal. What do you do? Go here to find out the answer, or read more about the Creative Innovation Conference 2010.

REMINDER - Thursday 5 August: 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 this coming Thursday. 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 log on at 7pm sharp. If you have comments or questions in advance feel free to email me.

ESC final report, Pilot Report and Streamlining Review

Last month the Essential Services Commission submitted its final report to Ministers Holding and Wynne. This was publicly released last week - see the report here. The government has accepted the Commission’s recommendations and asked it to undertake the Streamlining Review as soon as possible. A Pilot Report will be submitted to ministers by January 2011 and planning for the Streamlining Review is underway. As a result, August will see the Commission undertaking a range of meetings with local governments to outline the Final Report recommendations, discuss implementation including the Pilot Report process, and share initial thoughts on the Streamlining Review which is in my view one of the most significant developments we all need to contribute to. The VLGA will continue to closely liaise with the ESC and we acknowledge their acceptance of a number of the VLGA’s recommendations we made following your feedback.

Walking as Transport
Presentations are now available from the Walking as Transport workshop, held on Wednesday 21 July. The workshop provided local government with a strategic view on walking as a transport mode and its place within sustainable transport networks. Go here to view the presentations and see other useful transport resources on our Thinking Transport website.

Victorian Climate Change White Paper released
Last Monday the Victorian Climate Change White Paper was released to widespread applause, setting an unconditional target of a minimum 20% cut in carbon emissions by 2020 (based on 2000 levels). While this falls short of the IPCC’s recommendation for developed countries, it’s significantly better than the policies of the federal government and opposition. The paper details 10 actions, many of which have positive implications directly relevant to local government which I think are worthy of mention. Action 1 includes legislation to allow the Climate Communities Program access to increased funding through the Sustainability Fund for further promotion of local actions and Climate Covenants with communities, regions, industry and other stakeholders. Action 2 includes the development of a new Gippsland Regional Plan and the creation of a Latrobe Valley Advantage Fund. Action 3 includes an increased investment in large-scale solar power to approximately 5% by 2020 which is expected to result in the construction of between five and ten large plants across northern Victoria, something these local governments and the VLGA have been advocating for. Action 6 includes the roll-out of new support services for farm businesses and communities to help them adjust to changing economic, industry and environmental conditions, a key transition support we have also been advocating for. Go here for details about funding or here to read the white paper in full.


Watch this space

Pokies entitlements – the bell rings for the second round
The first round of the State Government’s auction for pokies licenses post-2012 occurred some weeks ago, and the second round is just about to open. If you are interested in what can be a fairly complex area, our friends at Ferrier Hodgson have produced an easy-to-understand Pubs on Tap newsletter which outlines what the secondary entitlements process involves, and the implications. You can see the first Pubs on Tap newsletter here. The next meeting of our Local Government Working Group on Gambling will be held from 9am-11am on Wednesday 18 August at the VLGA. For more information and a copy of the agenda, contact the office on 03 9349 7999 or vlga@vlga.org.au.


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, officers and community organisations working with CALD, Aboriginal, disability, youth and homeless communities. Ms Kathy Bell, CEO of the Heart Foundation (Victoria), will also present the Victorian winners of the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards for 2010. Go here for more information.

Stay ahead of the pack and contribute to better local access to food
This DHS funded consultation provides an opportunity for whole-of-government and long term strategies to achieve the systemic and sustainable changes required to improve food security in an equitable way. The VLGA is conducting consultations with a number of key State Government agencies and local governments in the north and west metropolitan health region of DHS. Three focus groups each will be held in the Western region and the Northern region. For further information contact Dr Beverley Wood at beverley@vlga.org.au or 03 9349 7999.


Other events

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. Go here for more information, and to benefit from this special discount.

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