Major parties respond to VLGA calls for a new approach to intergovernmental relationships and community involvement
All four major parties have responded to our calls for improved intergovernmental governance and community partnerships, including our Communities, Governments and Change Summit. Before I outline responses to our State Election Bulletin of 9 November, it’s instructive to remember where we have come from. Local governments have been subjected to massive structural, governance and regulatory reforms over the last 16 years, and these changes are being felt in all local communities. Voting patterns of the last few years reflect an expectation by local communities to be better informed about, and involved in, the changes affecting them. Intergovernmental relationships are therefore critical, and it is pleasing to see all four major parties are responding constructively to our calls.
Future reforms are as certain as changes in our local communities are inevitable. We believe there is also a palpable shift in attitudes. An invitation has been extended so that local governments and sector peak bodies including the VLGA, MAV and LGPro can bring our capacities to the table to work with the next State Government and Parliament. As I said in Bendigo a couple of months ago, we are ready to address unfished business such as our respective roles and responsibilities, as well as funding for local community services and public infrastructure, but we can only do this together.
Judging by the responses from the four major parties to our call for a new approach to intergovernmental relationships and community involvement in changes affecting them, there are reasons for optimism.
It is pleasing to see the Coalition support our proposition to address these issues, including a partnership to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each tier of government. The Coalition has committed to establishing a Ministerial-Mayors Advisory Panel. In the Coalition’s Media Release, Jeanette Powell highlighted shared concerns about protecting local democracy; cost-shifting; greater consultation between the State Government and local governments; and the pressure to choose between increased rates, reduced vital community services or deteriorating infrastructure. The Coalition has also announced they would hold local government elections six weeks earlier, as we’ve lobbied for. On a completely different issue, we would like to welcome the Coalition’s announcement to set up a Problem Gambling Foundation, which the VLGA and our Local Government Working Group on Gambling have been advocating for the last three years. For other relevant announcements from the Coalition, go here.
Premier John Brumby acknowledged the pressure to choose between increased rates, reduced vital community services or deteriorating infrastructure early in the campaign, and the VLGA is determined that this challenge is publicly discussed and analysed, and solutions found. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne confirmed that ongoing dialogue with the local government sector would continue through events such as the Local Government Ministerial Forum; meetings with groups of local governments including the Interface Councils, Regional Cities, and Small Towns; and also the recently established Victorian Council of Regional Governments. Regular meetings will continue to be held with peak bodies to tackle issues confronting local governments. Labor has also committed to engage with the VLGA on our 9 November proposals, and to discuss these with the sector at the next Local Government Ministerial forum to be held in the first half of 2011. Other relevant announcements from Labor affecting local governments can be seen here.
The Greens have offered full support to the VLGA’s Communities, Government and Change Summit, adding that they strongly support a greater devolution of power, and increased funding to local governments. In relation to planning challenges, they responded that they are dedicated to a new and improved dialogue between developers, the broader community and state and local governments.
The VLGA will continue to advocate for our members’ desire to see an improved partnership emerge, and for us to tackle some of the big challenges associated with change. At the very heart of this will be the need for the VLGA and our members to strenuously defend the importance of the principle of subsidiarity, as we’ve discussed previously.
Speaking of change, it’s important to repeat our calls for a future public inquiry to consider the barriers and opportunities to consult local communities in planning and other important issues affecting them. We believe we have articulated a strong case for this to happen in the next term of government. It is worth noting that the Coalition has agreed to a metropolitan planning and development audit linked to infrastructure capacity issues and community service needs; new planning referral authorities to assist with local planning decisions; and also allowing regional local governments to alter land use within farming zones. Labor has already announced measures to improve regional planning via Regional Strategic Plans and investments included in their Regional Blueprint welcomed by the sector in mid-June this year.
As we have said before, local governments are uniquely placed to advocate for and drive the sort of change that voters are wanting. Like the local communities we represent, we deal with the consequences of big-picture policy decisions taken by others, without the resources to do so. The VLGA will work with our members over the next term of government and beyond to ensure greater local input in decision-making.
Whoever wins the State Election, it is clear that there is an appetite among the four major parties to address the key challenges the VLGA has been speaking about. Taking stock and preparing our communities for change must be the key focus over the next four years. We stand ready to work with the next State Government and Parliament to keep a key focus on local communities and the critical role local governments play.
New animation to show local population trends in LGAs
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has produced an exciting new way to see the population history of each local government area. The Population Pyramid is an animated graphic of the change over time in the age and sex population distribution of local areas. It includes statistics from 1986 to 2009. The Population Pyramid allows you to select Victoria or any of the State's local government areas.
White Ribbon Day – eliminating violence against women
A reminder to our members to take part in events over the coming week, including the Geelong event at Skilled Stadium on 23 November which will see a large human white ribbon formed on the oval. See more information on the Geelong event here. And for events taking place in your community, go here.
VLGA events for your diary
CASPN Conference: After Sorry, What Next? Local government connecting with Aboriginal communities
Wednesday 24 November, 9.00am-5.00pmNorthcote
More information and register here.
VLGA End-of-year Members' Function
Thursday 2 December, 6.30-8.30pm
Carlton
VLGA members can RSVP for the function here or call (03) 9349 7999.
Other events
mecu Ltd Community Land Trusts: an information session
Monday 22 November, 10-11.30am
VLGA, Carlton
For more information and to register go here.
Providing Bus Priority – Dr Nick Hounsell (UK)
1-3pm, Thursday 25 November
Melbourne
More information, including an agenda, available on the VLGA's Thinking Transport website.
ALGWA National Conference
Thursday 25 – Saturday 27 November
North Ryde, NSW
More information and register here.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656 or heinz@vlga.org.au
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