I am reassured that we are having an impact and that our State Election advocacy campaign will be very effective. On Friday I attended the inaugural Local Democracy Forum at the City of Boroondara. I was invited to give a presentation on localism and subsidiarity, which was well received. I also managed to catch up with several members who reiterated their concerns about local government’s working relationship with the State Government, in areas such as planning powers in particular.
Finally, let me thank you again for you invaluable input into the constitutional review process currently in progress, both at the recent LEF and in conversations and email. The debate was continued at a last week’s board meeting and a further report is currently being developed for tabling at our AGM in November.
East Timor Ambassador appointed as Honorary VLGA member
Abel Guterres, long term friend of the VLGA – now East Timor's Ambassador to Australia – has accepted honorary membership of the VLGA. In accepting his honorary membership Abel praised the work of the VLGA in supporting the people of East Timor and particularly the support of local government and friendship groups. He looks forward to our continuing friendship and I was touched by his warm and genuine comments in a personal email to me recently.
What do pokies have to do with rural politics?
As stated by an insightful article in this week’s The Weekly Times, “… a helluva lot actually!” According to the Victorian Government’s 2008-09 figures, Ballarat punters put almost $60 million through pokies, Bendigo almost $50 million, Geelong $120 million, Latrobe nearly $50 million, East Gippsland and Wellington $25 million. See the full article here. In my 6 September eNews I mentioned the strong support for a University of Ballarat research project in partnership with the VLGA. Auspiced by the VLGA, the research will look at the psycho-social impacts of the introduction of pokies. I have written to member local governments who may still wish to contribute to the research, and to non-member councils to provide them with the same opportunity to assist with this project over the next two financial years. For more information or to learn about the work we are doing on pokies, contact Darren Ray, VLGA Director Policy & Public Affairs, at darren@vlga.org.au or (03) 9349 7902.
Mayoralty: that time of year
The exercise of goodwill underpins good governance in local government. It would be good for everyone, councils and their communities, if the end of the current mayor’s term is managed respectfully and sets the scene for the next mayor’s term to begin successfully. You would have recently received the VLGA’s Good Governance Grab with respect to the Mayoralty. If you missed it or would like to review it, see it here.
Food for All mini movies – a VicHealth/VLGA call to action
Work on the VicHealth/VLGA Food for All (FFA) Dissemination Project to support local government officers is now well under way. Following a consultation process with local government officers, content for the workshops has now been decided, and host cities/shires are being identified. Over the next ten weeks we would like to introduce you to some of the ways the FFA projects have shown us local government can provide leadership and support in their local communities to help address the causes of food insecurity. Because we know you are all busy we hope the inclusion of the ten short movies, over the next ten weeks, is a good, fast way to let you know how your work can make a difference and get you interested in attending the planned workshops. This week we start with the overview mini movie. It only runs for 107 seconds, so won’t take too much time out of your day. Enjoy the mini movie here and feel free to contact our project officer Leah Galvin leah@vlga.org.au for further information about the project.
Everyday People, Everyday Rights in Yarra
Seventeen Yarra residents from diverse backgrounds will today step out as human rights facilitators at an official launch with human rights advocate, Julian Burnside AO QC. More than 70 people participated in community meetings in June as part of the Yarra Everyday People, Everyday Rights project, with the 17 facilitators given specialised training from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and the Neighbourhood Justice Centre. The facilitators will run activities in the community and respond to requests from workplaces, clubs and groups to speak to staff and run workshops and other activities. For more information email Jessie Lees on jessie.lees@veohrc.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9032 3404.
Darebin a finalist in prestigious Banksia Awards
We would like to congratulate Darebin City Council, a finalist in the Banksia Awards in the 'Leading in Sustainability – Setting the Standard for Large Organisations' category for its Climate Change Action, within council operations and supporting greenhouse reductions in the Darebin community. See the Banksia Award website for all the other categories and finalists. You also have the opportunity to vote in the People’s Choice Award, with VLGA friends SecondBite up for a gong! SecondBite develops simple, efficient and economical models of food redistribution. Making a positive difference by sourcing fresh nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to people who are homeless, living in disadvantaged circumstances or experiencing food security issues within the community. For more information on the People’s Choice Award go here.
Watch this space
Monash City Council considers further smoke free policies
It’s great to see a member council committed to extensive consultation before proposing changes, as Monash Council has done in agreeing to an extensive community consultation regarding the possible introduction of smoking restrictions on council owned and managed public spaces across the municipality. In a Victorian first, Monash council banned smoking at its 126 playgrounds in 2007. The VLGA is very pleased to contribute to the Smoke Free Policies in Victorian Local Governments Advisory Group established by the Heart Foundation and Quit Victoria, and together with these partners we’ll be bringing you a special forum later this year that will present current case studies in Victoria and NSW, the soon-to-be-launched Victorian resource kit and the opportunity to ask questions, learn, and think more about what your local community might like to see happen in your area.
VLGA events for your diary
Transport Integration for Local Governments Seminar
Thursday 30 September, 9am-12pm
Department of Transport Theatrette, 121 Exhibition St Melbourne
This free seminar is presented by the VLGA, in partnership with the Department of Transport (DoT) and the Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF). Excellent speakers will discuss the concept of transport integration with local government case studies and will provide you with the information you need to apply the newly introduced Transport Integration Act (2010) to your practices. Go here for more information or email gordon@vlga.org.au or call (03) 9349 7943 to book your place.
October LEF – Acting together for a sustainable future: local government and community environment action and programs
Thursday 7 October, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Join the VLGA and Sustainability Victoria at our next Leading Edge Forum on Thursday 7 October for finger-food, refreshments and networking from 6pm, followed by interesting discussion about emerging actions and programs relevant to local government and community action. Topics will include: Sustainable Precincts, including Zero Emission Neighbourhoods, Armstrong Creek, and Smart Energy Zones; helpful sustainability information and tools for local government, including the Utility Tracker, Best Practice Tracker, and Sustainability Resource Locator; Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria's programs recognising and celebrating community actions at a grassroots level; greenpower trends and challenges; and the new Victorian Government Climate Communities website and grants program supporting local actions tackling climate change. For more information and to RSVP go here.Thursday 7 October, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Other events
Future Directions: Melbourne Metro Rooming House Group
6 October, 9am – 12pm
Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall
The Melbourne Metro Rooming House Group would like to expand the group and invite you to join them and identify future directions in working collaboratively. Please RSVP by 28 September to Katie Kirwin on (03) 9658 8833 or katie.kirwin@melbourne.vic.gov.au. Go here for more information about the Melbourne Metro Rooming House Group and the meeting agenda.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656 or heinz@vlga.org.au
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