VLGA President’s Message
I open this week’s eNews with a message of congratulations to the new office bearers of the VLGA Board, elected at our first Board meeting on 17 February. They are: Cr Heinz Kreutz – Vice President; Richard Brown – Vice President; and Cr John Doull – Treasurer. I look forward to working with this team and our other colleagues on the Board.
I also take this opportunity to wish you a happy International Women’s Day for tomorrow. Tuesday 8 March 2011 is the centenary of International Women’s Day and for those of you celebrating with an event in the next few days, I trust it goes well.
I welcomed fellow Board members and VLGA members and friends to our Leading Edge Forum on Thursday evening, Affordable housing and local government – what is our role? Our competent panel of speakers included Vicki-Ann Ware from AHURI; Cr Jieh-Yung Lo representing the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance; Gavin Cator, CEO, City of Wodonga; and Rob McGauran from Melbourne Affordable Housing. More than 70 people attended and we were treated to useful data, information and case studies to help us in our advocacy work and to underpin our approach to planning for communities. Complementing the LEF, we have come across the updated 2011 National Shelter Australian Housing Factsheet which could be helpful for those of us looking at local governments’ role in housing issues.
A reminder that the National Awards for Local Government close on 23 March 2011. See more information about the Awards and the application process here.
Have a wonderful week.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Smoke Free Policies in Outdoor Areas
The VLGA has recently contacted local governments to promote a Heart Foundation and Quit Victoria project which encourages the adoption of smoke-free policies in outdoor areas. Hard copies of a resource kit for Victorian local governments providing responses to frequently asked questions about outdoor smoking, along with case studies and sample council reports, was sent to councils last month. Electronic copies are available at www.heartfoundation.org.au/smokefree.
The project has been guided by an Advisory Group that includes the Heart Foundation, Quit Victoria, VicHealth, Monash City Council, Frankston City Council, MAV and the VLGA. As part of this project, a survey is being undertaken to assess the number and type of existing smoke-free policies local governments in Victoria currently have for outdoor areas. A hard copy version of the survey was posted to all councils last week. The survey is also available online. To complete the survey you can click here. Your participation is encouraged, and the survey will only take a few minutes of your time.
For more information about the project, or to request a hard copy version of the survey, please contact Kate Bolaffi, Policy and Project Officer at the Heart Foundation on 9321 1508 or by email.
Australian Government Disaster Assist
Local governments may be interested in the Commonwealth Government's new Disaster Assist website, which details information about the role of the Federal Government and links to details about recovery and assistance for recently affected areas. To find out more go here.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events & Training
Human Rights Workshops in South-West Victoria
Tuesday 8 March
Warrnambool – 9.30am-12pm
and
Camperdown – 3pm-5.30pm
Human Rights are for everyone, but are there barriers or impediments to being involved for people in rural and regional areas?
How can regional and rural communities in Victoria best influence policy on Human Rights?
How can local communities be engaged on Human Rights issues?
The VLGA and the Australian Centre for Human Rights education at RMIT are conducting two workshops in the south-west region to discuss these questions and related issues.
If you are a local councillor or officer, a member of a local organisation or an interested and concerned citizen, this workshop will be of interest to you.
See the workshop flyer for more information. To indicate your attendance please email Gary Jungwirth or phone the VLGA on 03 9349 7999.
New Councillor Induction Session
Saturday 26 March, 9.30am-2pm
VLGA, Carlton
The VLGA is offering an induction session for new councillors. The primary focus is on councillors who have been or will be elected to the vacancies created by former councillors being elected to State parliament last November, however all councillors elected since the last local government election are welcome.
Session topics to be covered include:
* The many roles of a councillor
* Principles of good governance
* Councillor-staff and other relationships and team building
* Being the new person in an established group
* Decision-making in local government
* Relevant legislation, e.g. conflict of interest and 'Winky Pop', etc.
Registration fees are $100 per attendee for councillors of member councils and $200 for councillors of non-member councils. Registrations can be made by completing a registration form. For further information contact Ron Exiner, Director Governance.
“Beyond being Mayor: coping with limelight deprivation syndrome”
Wednesday 6 April, 6-8.30pm (incl. light meal)
VLGA, Carlton
The VLGA is pleased to be offering a new development session, aimed at those whose year or more as Mayor concluded late in 2010. If you are a relatively recent ex-Mayor, Beyond Being Mayor: Coping with Limelight Deprivation Syndrome will support you in the transition to ordinary councillor status, whether you chose to step down or not. The session will include a panel discussion with those who have preceded you on the same path, as well as time to reflect on your own needs and new opportunities, in an atmosphere of peer support. For a registration form, click here, and for further information contact Philip Schier.
Other Events
National Sustainable Food Summit 2011
Tuesday 5 & Wednesday 6 April
Etihad Stadium, Docklands, Melbourne
Globally, food and agriculture industries face increasing challenges to remain productive, sustainable and resilient. What is Australia's role?
The Sustainable Food Summit 2011 brings together some of food and agriculture's biggest players and leading experts in a two-day exchange of knowledge and ideas. This event focuses on recent policy developments, with emphasis on food security and resilience and how these relate to the National Food Plan, and will seek to unpack what food security really means for Australia, and identify knowledge gaps.
Register online, or download the event program for information or to complete the registration form manually.
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