Floods, fires and the critical place of local governments
Welcome to 2011! I trust you had a safe and relaxing break with your family and friends. Already, major emergency management challenges have emerged for local governments across Australia. Fires in Western Australia and floods all along the eastern seaboard and inland are affecting everyday people in small communities and major cities. Make sure you stay safe on the roads as flooding in many Victorian areas will affect many of you. Details of road closures near you can be found here. Of course our thoughts particularly go to our colleagues, families and friends in affected areas and in Queensland. As we watch television coverage day after day of the disaster, we are reminded of the kindness and care shown by the rest of the nation to us as Victorians during Black Saturday and its aftermath.
Local government can ‘cop a beating’ in the press during what is usually a ‘lazy’ media period – even recently we saw a misleading report about CEO salaries and benefits for mayors. However it is in times like this that we see the role of mayors, councillors and local government staff in action. Despite the fact that many are directly affected themselves, our colleagues are leading, informing, and working alongside local people. It is heartening to see national and local media making helpful comments about the role of local government and indicating how helpful councils have been to communities. It will be local government that will have the responsibility for managing and rebuilding infrastructure, assisting affected people re-establish their lives, and advocating to the State and Federal Governments for resources to build community resilience in the future. Our experiences in Victoria tell us that this will be a long process. The VLGA has long argued that more focus and funding needs to flow directly to local governments and local communities to help ensure resilience, and we will continue to argue the case. If you have not done so already, please circulate details of the Queensland Flood Appeal to your colleagues, friends and family.
Meet your VLGA Board Candidates
At our February Leading Edge Forum (LEF) from 6pm on Thursday 3 February, we will provide an opportunity for members who have nominated for election as President and/or Board Member to tell you their vision for the VLGA. Go here for more details of the LEF and to register your attendance. Don’t forget that nominations will open at 9am on Friday week, 21 January, and close at 5pm on Friday 28 January. You can download the Nomination Form here. If you have any queries about your membership status, please contact Member Resources Officer Sarah Colgan by email or telephone (03) 9349 7983. Visit our website to see the Election Guide, more information about the role of President, and more information about the role of Board Members. If you would like to talk to me about the elections and the Board, give me a call on 0438 006 656.
Count-backs and by-elections
Speaking of elections, members may be interested to know that a number of count-backs occurred over the break with the following results: former Kingston Councillor Donna Bauer has been replaced by Cr Daniel Maloney, former Moonee Valley Councillor Rose Iser has been replaced by Cr Miriam Gillis, former Yarra City Mayor Jane Garrett has been replaced by Cr Anthony Main, former Manningham Deputy Mayor Fred Chuah has been replaced by Cr Jennifer Yang, and former Casey Mayor Lorraine Wreford has been replaced by Cr Bob Halsall.
Members may also be interested to know that by-elections will be held on 5 March at Banyule, by an attendance poll to replace former Cr Anthony Carbines, and at Greater Geelong, by a postal vote to replace former Cr Andrew Katos. March will also see a by-election at Cardinia, by a postal poll to replace Cr Bill Pearson who will remain as a councillor until the by-election.
Support for women’s candidacy in by-elections
The Chair of our Women’s Advisory Group, Cr Coral Ross, has drawn our attention to an opportunity due to by-elections following the recent State election results: Support more women for local governments – think of a woman who would make a good councillor and suggest she stand as a candidate.
In February we will provide an update about the start-up for our new State Government-funded project to support more women candidates in the lead-up to the 2012 Local Government elections. If any woman would like information about candidacy, there are some great resources available on the Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition webpage, including A Gender Agenda. If you use these resources, make sure you confirm the latest electoral regulations with the VEC. If you would like more information contact the VLGA Women’s Policy Officer Linda Bennett by email or by telephone on (03) 9349 7904.
Are you the fasting type?
If you are feeling a little worse for wear you can regain some balance by participating in FebFast – Australia’s favourite summer detox. Imagine what 28 alcohol-free days could do for your liver, waistline and wallet! Press the pause button to take a month off the booze this February and make a healthy start to 2011. Sign up to FebFast, feel great, and raise much-needed funds to support young people with serious drug and alcohol issues. Funds raised will assist a number of charities, including the Australian Drug Foundation and Youth Substance Abuse Service. To participate as an individual or a team go here.
Pre-commitment on pokies
The VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) will be joining with the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce to make a submission to the Senate on the need for pre-commitment to apply to all pokies. This reinforces our previous submission to the State Government. Typically, pre-commitment systems involve a facility on pokies that allows players to pre-set limits on their expenditure or playing time. These limits can be non-binding or binding. A full pre-commitment system would allow binding limits to be set by the player which the player cannot increase. Although default limits for 'safe' modes of play that apply to all players can be set, full pre-commitment technologies require player identification in order to be binding. The Productivity Commissions' Report into Gambling concluded that pre-commitment 'is a strong, practicable and ultimately cost-effective option for harm minimisation'. It recommended a phased implementation of full pre-commitment systems on all machines in all jurisdictions by 2016. If you would like more information or would like to assist with our Senate submission, contact our Director Policy & Public Affairs Darren Ray by email or by telephone on (03) 9349 7902.
VLGA Events
2011 Essential Mayors’ Weekend
27-29 January 2011
Peppers The Sands Resort, Torquay
More information, including Program and registration form, here.
February Leading Edge Forum
Thursday 3 February, 6-9pm
Carlton
VLGA Board Election Candidates Forum & Focus On 2011: What it may hold for local governments & communities. Go here for more details and to register.
Other events
Exhibition: Yarra Sustainability Awards 2010
10 January – 4 February 2011
Richmond
Twenty-seven posters highlight some of the outstanding local environmental initiatives that are helping to reduce Yarra's impact on climate change including business initiatives, household sustainability and the latest in environmentally sustainable design. Be inspired by the fantastic work of the Yarra community that is contributing to their goal of being carbon neutral by 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm until Friday 4 February 2011. For further information go here or phone Rachel Oliphant, Community Sustainability Officer on (03) 9205 5769.
VCAT Planning and Environment Appeals January Workshop
Tuesday 25 January, 5.30-7.30pm
Carlton
Individuals and community-based conservation groups can learn how to most effectively participate and represent themselves in planning and environment matters before VCAT. This 2-hour workshop, presented by an Environmental Defender’s Office lawyer, gives members of the community practical and legally-focused information about VCAT proceedings and hearings with plenty of opportunity and encouragement for questions and participation. The cost per participant is $20 (waged), and $10 (unwaged). Bookings are essential as places are limited to 15. To register for the event, please contact EDO Victoria on (03) 8341 3100 or by email.
Planning Institute Australia – Unlocking the Potential
Tuesday 8 February, 5.30-7.30pm
Melbourne
A seminar to study the digital methods and online tools to streamline planning and get activity centre development happening. In recent years there has been a shift in policy development and delivery toward more compact urban living in response to growing environmental, infrastructure and population constraints. We are now in the fortuitous position to realise the potential of these centres and build high-quality places. This seminar will highlight new digital tools that aim to facilitate the planning process during several key phases. It is expected that new tools such as these, coupled with a renewed focus on realising Activity Centre development will lead to stakeholders acting upon the policy and frameworks which have already been established. Cost is free for PIA Members and $15 for non-members. More information and register here.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
Email or 0438 006 656
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