Last week, Board member Dr Clare Mouat, our CEO Maree McPherson and I met with Planning Minister Matthew Guy. It was a wide-ranging and positive discussion and the VLGA advocated our view that a real partnership with local governments and their communities is what is needed to manage Victoria’s anticipated growth. We discussed at length some of the concerns of our growth area council members, the replacement of Development Assessment Committees, the Urban Growth Boundary, and the importance of consultation with local governments about future development sites. At the Minister’s request, the VLGA has agreed to do further work with our members on collating views about a range of land-use and strategic planning issues, and we sincerely look forward to our next conversation with him. We will also be following up with Minister Guy on the lack of State guidelines for coastal councils regarding coastal zones, at the request of members.
I’d love to hear your views on this topic, so feel free to call me on 0407 364 509 or drop me an email. I look forward to seeing you around the traps, if not at this coming Thursday’s Leading Edge Forum on Community consultation: improving outcomes by listening to stakeholders. For more information go here, and to register go here. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Advance notice – further member consultation on Essential Services Commission’s Performance Monitoring Framework
Members may recall that the VLGA was a co-signatory to a joint submission with the Rural City of Ararat and the Bayside, Frankston, Glen Eira, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra City Councils to the Essential Services Commission’s Local Government Performance Monitoring Framework. A copy of this submission can be found here. At our May Leading Edge Forum on Thursday 5 May, the ESC has requested that we consult members on whether the indicators arising from the pilot report are the best possible indicators, whether there are better ways to present the data, and how the ESC can improve their data gathering and reporting processes. We encourage you to pencil in this event in your diary so that we can provide meaningful feedback on any specific improvements to be incorporated prior to the first public services report, scheduled for February 2012. Campaign to minimise harm for pokies’ problem gamblers
The VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) has resolved to support the introduction of measures that allow pokie gamblers to nominate how much they are prepared to lose, and maximum withdrawal limits from ATMs in gambling venues. We are therefore recommending a Getup petition and campaign supported by Andrew Wilkie MP, whose message to us is included, in part, as follows:
“Problem gamblers can easily lose more than $1,000 an hour on poker machines. It will take a committed effort to win this fight. Let's give it an enormous boost with a huge national petition to show my colleagues and the media that while Clubs Australia has the money, we have the people. The industry spends millions of dollars designing poker machines to be as addictive as possible – to give problem gamblers as little chance as possible to kick a habit that can destroy families. That's why we must give these families simple tools to help them make their own choices, including a system where gamblers pre-commit how much they want to spend on a given day (known as 'pre-commitment'). It will take a huge public movement to stop the powerful gambling lobby from getting its way. I hope you'll be part of it, and that you'll ask your friends and family to join too. NB: When you sign this petition, your email address and other contact details won't be shared with anyone“.
Your feedback needed
Don’t forget to get any specific comments on the revised Conflict of Interest Guide for Councillors to us by the end of April by contacting Barbara Bennett via email. We would also be happy to take your verbal feedback which you can provide by calling our policy and governance staff on (03) 9349 7999.
Call for Victorian Government to establish a whole-of-government taskforce to address housing affordability
Members would no doubt have seen the rush of newspaper and television coverage concerning housing affordability over the last few weeks. The Community Housing Federation of Victoria (CHFV), which is an active member of the VLGA’s Diverse and Affordable Housing Working Group, has released a report by Deloitte Access Economics entitled Increasing Affordable Housing Through the Victorian Community Housing Sector. This follows Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s announcement of a new Housing Affordability Unit within DPCD. The Deloitte Access Economics report marks an important step in CHFV’s work in supporting its members to expand and develop their support to low income and vulnerable Victorians in housing need. The report identifies three key areas that need to be addressed to achieve this growth outcome: government funding to support private investment; long-term policies for land release, regional development and supporting infrastructure development; and the implementation of a national regulatory framework to reduce cross-jurisdictional barriers for growth. The full report can be found here. The VLGA’s Diverse and Affordable Housing Working Group is currently finalising its own work plan for the next three years. If you are interested in participating, or would like to receive further information, contact Darren Ray via email or telephone (03) 9349 7902. Baw Baw to consult community on smoke-free policies in public areas
In past editions of this eNews, as well as a Leading Edge Forum late last year we’ve been providing members with updates on who is doing what in this policy area. Following the lead of Monash, Frankston, Surf Coast and Yarra City Council, Baw Baw Shire is now consulting its community about smoking in some public areas. If you are thinking of responding to this issue, there are valuable resources and a webcast of our Leading Edge Forum on our website which will help.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
VLGA April Leading Edge Forum
Community consultation: improving outcomes by listening to stakeholders
Thursday 7 April, 6-9pm
VLGA, Carlton
This LEF will feature a number of speakers from academia, local government and other organisations with experience in community involvement in planning who will provide insights into the value of consultation, optimal methods of engagement, and some best practice case studies. Topics and speakers include: Community consultation: improving outcomes by listening to stakeholders
Thursday 7 April, 6-9pm
VLGA, Carlton
* The governance perspective: where does community consultation fit?
Kimbra White, President, IAP2 Australasia
* Consultation within land-use planning
Ruth Davies, Chapter Chairperson, PIA
* Academic perspectives and research of consultation
Dr Crystal Legacy, Coordinator, ‘Cities: From Local to Global’, University of
Melbourne, and
* Community engagement in decision making: the St Kilda Festival Review
Cr Frank O’Connor, City of Port Phillip
Download the flyer and register online here, or call the VLGA office on (03) 9349 7999.
“Being Deputy Mayor”
Wednesday 4 May, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering a new development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2011. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors. The role can vary from simply deputising for the Mayor when they are unavailable, to sharing some of the team-building, strategy and other responsibilities with the Mayor. This session will include ample time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your council. It is a unique opportunity to learn from others performing the same role, share and reflect on your own experiences, hear about strategies from others, and plan for the rest of your term. For further information please contact Cr Philip Schier via email or via telephone (03) 9349 7999, or register here.
Other events
Public Interest Law Clearing House training seminar:
Running a not-for-profit organisation – what secretaries need to know
Thursday 7 April 2011, 9.30am-12.30pm
Are you the Secretary or Public Officer of your not-for-profit organisation, or on the Board and involved in its governance? Would you like a better understanding of your role and responsibilities? The legal requirements and record keeping obligations involved in running a not-for-profit can seem confusing and onerous, however help is at hand! This practical and informative seminar will increase your skills and confidence in carrying out your governance role. Presented by Chartered Secretaries Australia. Cost: $40; afternoon tea will be provided.Running a not-for-profit organisation – what secretaries need to know
Thursday 7 April 2011, 9.30am-12.30pm
For further information and to register, please visit the PILCH Connect website.
The journey to zero carbon transport
Saturday 9 April, 1.30-3.30pm
University of Melbourne
An interactive workshop at Climate Action Summit 2011. The workshop will include exploring:
* What would zero carbon transport look like?
* How is peak oil going to play out in Australia?
* How could we transition to zero carbon transport in ten years?
* What steps in the next few years would put us on track for this destination?
* What would be the ‘wrong way, go back’ directions?
For more information and to register, go to the VLGA’s Thinking Transport website.
2nd National Affordable Housing Exchange
Thursday 14 April 2011, Sydney
In 2010 the CHFA (Community Housing Federation of Australia) hosted the inaugural National Affordable Housing Exchange. In 2011 the CHFA will proudly host the 2nd National Affordable Housing Exchange to be held at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney. The CHFA National Affordable Housing Exchange aims to respond to the current policy and funding backdrop by providing delegates with an opportunity to network with housing professionals, gain new skills and directly meet potential partners and suppliers from industry, government, and the community sector.
The exchange consists primarily of three components:
1. A series of ‘master class’ style workshops on relevant areas of interest to increase participants’ knowledge and expertise in a particular area. In particular the Exchange will examine the impact on the sector post stimulus and what opportunities exist for leveraging private investment.
2. Plenary sessions featuring presentations by prominent members of the housing industry on relevant housing issues; and
3. An expo/marketplace featuring housing-related businesses, suppliers, and industry representatives working in the affordable housing space.
For further information on the 2011 National Affordable Housing Exchange please visit the event website.
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