Last week Maree McPherson and I met with Minister for Planning Justin Madden MLC, and Maree met with Minister for Women's Affairs Maxine Morand MP. In both of these meetings we have been able to actively take up the issues you raise with us directly – on behalf of our membership. Regular meetings with a number of ministers affords us an opportunity to discuss the sector's views and put forward positions. More next week from me on the VLGA's work in this regard for the lead-up to the State Election in November.
VLGA Transport Program – local government visits now underway
The VLGA Transport Program is concluding at the end of 2010. We are currently arranging site visits to local governments to discuss the transport issues facing you and ways we can help in a new program, starting in 2011. If you would like to arrange a meeting and have your issues included in our proposal for a new transport program, contact the Local Government Transport Facilitator at gordon@vlga.org.au or on 0403 591 045.
Local Government and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2010
Members have corresponded with the VLGA about the above Bill which is currently at Second Reading Stage in the Legislative Council. The VLGA has lobbied the Local Government Minister’s Office about ongoing concerns with the conflict of interest legislation. Although this Bill improves the legislation in a few minor ways, it also exacerbates long held concerns about over-regulation and heavy-handedness with its amended requirement that the CEO has to sign off all advertisements and notices, etc, during the election period (rather than just electoral material) and the extension of assemblies of councillors to cover advisory committees.
Local governments preventing violence against women
because they can
because they can
Local government conference presenters with Minister Morand (Back row L-R: Andrew Day, Maribyrnong; Steve Crawcour, Strathbogie; Michael Ballock, Darebin; Daniel Kollmorgen, Banyule. Front row L-R: Lisa Armstrong-Rowe, Greater Geelong; Cr Colleen Furlanetto, Strathbogie; Minister Morand; Nicole Hunter, Knox; Leanne Carlon, Moreland; Tracey Blythe, Casey)
Last Thursday’s successful conference at the MCG showcased the level of energy, commitment, brain power and passion that many Victorian local governments, peak organisations, state government departments and bodies are bringing to this issue. Read more about the Local Government Networking & Capacity Building Project to Prevent Violence Against Women.
The VLGA applauds the announcement by The Hon Maxine Morand, Minister for Women’s Affairs, of a $150,000 project to mainstream the issue to local governments. Hosted by the MAV, the project will support regional prevention networks for local governments and health and community organisations across Victoria. The VLGA has foreseen and advocated for the potential of local governments to address this issue since the drafting of the 2002 Women's Safety Strategy. One example of this advocacy is our hosting of the GLOVE Project resources following the end of the GLOVE Project. The resources collected on this web page show where many of the great projects we heard about at the 26 August conference were originally ‘seeded’. It is very gratifying for the VLGA to see that our ongoing commitment since that time has contributed to the issue being championed right across the sector. A more detailed summary of the conference highlights will be on our website this week.
Delegation for Statutory Planning decisions in Major Cases Lists at VCAT
A member council has contacted the VLGA to express concerns about the impact of the creation of Major Cases Lists at VCAT. Concerns relate to the failure of the Major Cases process to recognise the rights of local governments to determine planning applications, and issues with the definition of major cases and the problems around the hearing process. The VLGA will be raising this issue with the Minister for Planning, the Attorney General and VCAT. We would appreciate hearing from any other member councils with their views. Please contact Ron Exiner on 9349 7999 or ron@vlga.org.au.
Ageing in Victoria: A Plan for an age-friendly society 2010-2020
Recently the State Government launched a new 10-year plan to build age-friendly homes, workplaces and communities to ensure a high quality of life as we get older. The plan will see the Victorian Government: embed age-friendly practices in all areas of government activity; protect the rights of older people to age with dignity; and ensure our communities benefit from the experience, skills and wisdom within our older population. To read the plan, go here.
“Future smiles bright for 16 migrant women”
The VLGA congratulates the 16 migrant and refugee women who graduated from the PACE (Participation Advocacy Communication Engagement) community leadership course on Wednesday 25 August. The VLGA has been on the Advisory Committee for the PACE project undertaken by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health with VMC funding. The graduation event was attended by Board Member Cr Rachel Powning on behalf of the VLGA. See The Age article here.
Has your local government joined the Women’s Charter 2010?
The Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition is working to support local governments to adopt and implement the Women’s Charter in 2010. The Charter is supported by VLGA, MAV and WPILG. So far, 24 councils have endorsed the Charter’s principles and another seven will consider the resolution this month. Many are also in the process of identifying local champions and creating action plans to implement the three Charter principles of gender equity, diversity and support for women’s active citizenship. Joining the Charter Project by adopting and acting on the Charter will mean you can apply for the Women’s Charter Awards 2010. Applications for the 2010 Charter Awards close on 4 October 2010. A new Charter Award, the Sally Isaac young woman activist in community Award will open later this week. Go here for more information.
Watch this space
ESC’s Inquiry into Streamlining Local Government Regulation
Last Tuesday the ESC presented its final report of the Inquiry into Streamlining Local Government Regulation to the Treasurer. John Lenders MP is expected to publicly release the inquiry’s final report, and the Government’s response to it, within six months, at which time copies will be made available on the Commission’s website.
VLGA events for your diary
Mike Hill and Constitution review consultation LEF
This Thursday 2 September
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is reviewing its constitution and we want your input. Come along this Thursday to our September LEF, gather with colleagues, hear from VLGA life member Mike Hill and have your say.
Mike Hill will speak about good governance and the future. We’ll also talk about our Constitution Review Issues Paper and provide members with the chance to ask questions and make comments. Mike has 18 years of close involvement with local governments, including periods as Mayor of Brunswick and of Moreland. He has a long-standing commitment to issues of sustainability and a history of involvement in materials and energy efficiency issues and programs. He has been Chair of EcoRecycle Victoria and a Director of Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria. He is currently Chair of ECO-Buy and of the Moreland Energy Foundation, and Director Victorian Local Sustainability Advisory Committee, Director of Sustainability Victoria, Board Member of the EPA, and Co-Chair of the Natural Resources and Conservation League.
6pm Finger-food & refreshments
7pm LEF commences
Please register your attendance online by Monday 30 August.
Other events
Koori Stories and Song
18 September from 8pm
Northcote Town Hall Studio One, 189 High St, Northcote
The Darebin Music Feast, Songlines Aboriginal Music and the City of Darebin present an insight into aboriginality and its influence on songwriting in an entertaining and enlightening evening. For more information and to purchase your tickets go here.
Behaviour Change for Sustainability National Congress
11 & 12 October 2010, Sydney
A must-attend event for anyone involved in sustainability or interested in moving their organisation or community into a secure future. Join Barack Obama’s Chief Blogger, Sam Graham-Felsen, and learn how the 2008 Presidential campaign tapped into the power of social networks to build an unforseen force for change and how this can be applied to your sustainability work. Hear how the development of empathetic consciousness shapes and develops our society from world renowned economist and thinker, Jeremy Rifkin. Explore the complex relationships between psychology and global climate change with the Director of the Committee on the Human Dimensions of Climate Change, Paul C Stern. Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this seminal event – places are limited and early-bird discount applies until 10 September 2010. To book your place go here, email registrations@3pillarsnetwork.com.au or call 02 555 4203.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656 or heinz@vlga.org.au
The VLGA applauds the announcement by The Hon Maxine Morand, Minister for Women’s Affairs, of a $150,000 project to mainstream the issue to local governments. Hosted by the MAV, the project will support regional prevention networks for local governments and health and community organisations across Victoria. The VLGA has foreseen and advocated for the potential of local governments to address this issue since the drafting of the 2002 Women's Safety Strategy. One example of this advocacy is our hosting of the GLOVE Project resources following the end of the GLOVE Project. The resources collected on this web page show where many of the great projects we heard about at the 26 August conference were originally ‘seeded’. It is very gratifying for the VLGA to see that our ongoing commitment since that time has contributed to the issue being championed right across the sector. A more detailed summary of the conference highlights will be on our website this week.
Delegation for Statutory Planning decisions in Major Cases Lists at VCAT
A member council has contacted the VLGA to express concerns about the impact of the creation of Major Cases Lists at VCAT. Concerns relate to the failure of the Major Cases process to recognise the rights of local governments to determine planning applications, and issues with the definition of major cases and the problems around the hearing process. The VLGA will be raising this issue with the Minister for Planning, the Attorney General and VCAT. We would appreciate hearing from any other member councils with their views. Please contact Ron Exiner on 9349 7999 or ron@vlga.org.au.
Ageing in Victoria: A Plan for an age-friendly society 2010-2020
Recently the State Government launched a new 10-year plan to build age-friendly homes, workplaces and communities to ensure a high quality of life as we get older. The plan will see the Victorian Government: embed age-friendly practices in all areas of government activity; protect the rights of older people to age with dignity; and ensure our communities benefit from the experience, skills and wisdom within our older population. To read the plan, go here.
“Future smiles bright for 16 migrant women”
The VLGA congratulates the 16 migrant and refugee women who graduated from the PACE (Participation Advocacy Communication Engagement) community leadership course on Wednesday 25 August. The VLGA has been on the Advisory Committee for the PACE project undertaken by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health with VMC funding. The graduation event was attended by Board Member Cr Rachel Powning on behalf of the VLGA. See The Age article here.
Has your local government joined the Women’s Charter 2010?
The Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition is working to support local governments to adopt and implement the Women’s Charter in 2010. The Charter is supported by VLGA, MAV and WPILG. So far, 24 councils have endorsed the Charter’s principles and another seven will consider the resolution this month. Many are also in the process of identifying local champions and creating action plans to implement the three Charter principles of gender equity, diversity and support for women’s active citizenship. Joining the Charter Project by adopting and acting on the Charter will mean you can apply for the Women’s Charter Awards 2010. Applications for the 2010 Charter Awards close on 4 October 2010. A new Charter Award, the Sally Isaac young woman activist in community Award will open later this week. Go here for more information.
Watch this space
ESC’s Inquiry into Streamlining Local Government Regulation
Last Tuesday the ESC presented its final report of the Inquiry into Streamlining Local Government Regulation to the Treasurer. John Lenders MP is expected to publicly release the inquiry’s final report, and the Government’s response to it, within six months, at which time copies will be made available on the Commission’s website.
VLGA events for your diary
Mike Hill and Constitution review consultation LEF
This Thursday 2 September
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is reviewing its constitution and we want your input. Come along this Thursday to our September LEF, gather with colleagues, hear from VLGA life member Mike Hill and have your say.
Mike Hill will speak about good governance and the future. We’ll also talk about our Constitution Review Issues Paper and provide members with the chance to ask questions and make comments. Mike has 18 years of close involvement with local governments, including periods as Mayor of Brunswick and of Moreland. He has a long-standing commitment to issues of sustainability and a history of involvement in materials and energy efficiency issues and programs. He has been Chair of EcoRecycle Victoria and a Director of Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria. He is currently Chair of ECO-Buy and of the Moreland Energy Foundation, and Director Victorian Local Sustainability Advisory Committee, Director of Sustainability Victoria, Board Member of the EPA, and Co-Chair of the Natural Resources and Conservation League.
6pm Finger-food & refreshments
7pm LEF commences
Please register your attendance online by Monday 30 August.
Other events
Koori Stories and Song
18 September from 8pm
Northcote Town Hall Studio One, 189 High St, Northcote
The Darebin Music Feast, Songlines Aboriginal Music and the City of Darebin present an insight into aboriginality and its influence on songwriting in an entertaining and enlightening evening. For more information and to purchase your tickets go here.
Behaviour Change for Sustainability National Congress
11 & 12 October 2010, Sydney
A must-attend event for anyone involved in sustainability or interested in moving their organisation or community into a secure future. Join Barack Obama’s Chief Blogger, Sam Graham-Felsen, and learn how the 2008 Presidential campaign tapped into the power of social networks to build an unforseen force for change and how this can be applied to your sustainability work. Hear how the development of empathetic consciousness shapes and develops our society from world renowned economist and thinker, Jeremy Rifkin. Explore the complex relationships between psychology and global climate change with the Director of the Committee on the Human Dimensions of Climate Change, Paul C Stern. Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this seminal event – places are limited and early-bird discount applies until 10 September 2010. To book your place go here, email registrations@3pillarsnetwork.com.au or call 02 555 4203.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656 or heinz@vlga.org.au
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